2007 GMC ACADIA SLE. Interior and cargo area

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1 2007 GMC ACADIA SLE The Acadia is a crossover vehicle that shares its platform with the Buick Enclave and Saturn Outlook. This new GMC is as long and large as the imposing Yukon but longer by 8 cm in the wheelbase and 11 cm lower. The Acadia is offered in seven- or eight-seat configurations and three trim levels: SLE, SLT1 and SLT2. A 3.6L V6 and 6-speed automatic transmission power the front wheels or all four wheels on demand, depending on the version. Interior and cargo area The easily accessed front seats are comfortable and each has adjustable lumbar support. Head- and legroom are generous. The driving position is good thanks to a tilt-telescoping steering wheel. In the back, the 60/40-split bench is relatively comfortable for two adults. The 60/40 seatback folds flat but leaves a space behind the front seats. Each side reclines to several different angles. Head- and legroom are adequate for most people. Each seat section slides forward, providing easy access to the third-row bench. As the Acadia is a long vehicle, third-row seating is surprisingly comfortable even for average-size people. Each side of the 60/40-split seatback folds flat but, as in front, a space is left between the two benches. Even when the third-row seat is in place, luggage space is acceptable. Needless to say, cargo capacity becomes very good when the third-row bench is folded and gargantuan with both benches down. We noted that there are no anchor points for a vertical net. Photo: GMC

2 Convenience and safety features Inside, the Acadia is very well finished in quality materials. Sound isolation needs improvement to lower road noise. The many storage compartments include a deep centre console. Gauges and instrument controls are well laid out, except the windshield wiper control, which is placed on the turn-signal stalk. When the sun hits the chromed edges of the air vents, it reflects unpleasantly into the driver s eyes. The air conditioning system is efficient. The rear wiper has two intermittent cycles rather than one intermittent and one continuous cycle. The antenna placed at the rear of the roof can get in the way when carrying certain objects. The roof rack s side rails do not look very sturdy. Safety features include six airbags (two front, two side and two curtain), six head restraints (for seven or eight seats ), good headlights, stability control and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS. Visibility is hampered in several directions: all the roof pillars are wide, the rear window is narrow and the inside rearview mirror creates a large blind zone on an angle to the right. In U.S. government crash tests, the Acadia obtained five stars out of five for front-passenger protection in a frontal collision and for all-occupant protection in a side crash. Rollover resistance earned it a four-star rating. Engine and transmission The 3.6L variable-valve engine develops 275 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque. Acceleration and pickup are relatively lively and well felt. The engine climbs easily through the gears. However, it strains a bit with a good load and we suspect it would be worse with the AWD system. The engine in our test vehicle had a slight, irritating whistle. The six-speed automatic transmission is usually very smooth, which is fortunate because it is busy. It downshifts at every little uphill slope or touch of the accelerator. With the cruise control on, it takes it a while to shift back into sixth gear, often only when the road descends a bit. On the road The four-wheel independent suspension provides a very smooth ride on all types of pavement. There is the occasional firm reaction, but no harshness. Road holding is very good for an imposing vehicle of this type, and the Acadia has a sturdy feel.

3 The power steering is a bit heavy at low speed and then becomes better weighted. It is stable, precise and quick. It provides little road feel, and the turning circle is short. The four-wheel disc brakes are powerful and resist well to fade even after several high-speed emergency stops. Inspection In our inspection at a CAA-Quebec technical inspection centre, we remarked that large quantities of dirt can easily enter the engine compartment. There is a hole in each rear fender liner where more dirt can get through. The vehicle is very sturdy underneath, but there is practically no rustproofing, and several joints are not sealed. The engine s overhead camshafts are chain driven. Conclusion The Acadia has a spacious cabin, comfortable front seats, very capable grip and handling, quality assembly and a good choice of models. However, it remains to be seen how many buyers need such an imposing vehicle that is not always easy to drive because of the large blind zones that hamper visibility. PROS: comfortable front seating, roominess, smooth ride, powerful brakes, road holding, functionality CONS: visibility, hyperactive transmission, perfectible sound isolation, windshield wiper control placement, reflection from chromed edges of air vents, scanty rustproofing 2007 GMC ACADIA Engine: 24-valve, 3.6-litre V6 Horsepower: 275 hp at 6,600 rpm Torque: 251 lb-ft at 3,200 rpm Transmission: 6-speed automatic Suspension: fully independent Brakes: disc/disc Wheelbase: 302 cm Length: cm Width: cm (without mirrors) Height: cm (without roof rack) Weight: 2,141 to 2,234 kg Tires: P255/65R18; P255/60R19 Maximum towing capacity: 2,041 kg Airbags: dual front, plus two side and two curtain airbags

4 Fuel consumption with 4X2 version: Transport Canada rating: City: 13 L/100 km (22 mpg) Test result: 14 L/100 km (20 mpg) Highway: 8.3 L/100 km (34 mpg) Test temperature: 16 0 C to 28 0 C Fuel tank capacity: 83 litres Fuel requirement: regular grade gasoline Acceleration: km/h: 8.7 seconds km/h: 6.1 seconds Competition: Buick Enclave, Chrysler Pacifica, Ford Freestyle, Mazda CX-9, Saturn Outlook Warranty Full basic coverage: 3 years/60,000 km Powertrain: 5 years/100,000 km Surface corrosion: 3 years/60,000 km Perforation damage: 6 years/ km Emissions control system: 3 years/60,000 km (full coverage); 8 years/130,000 km (catalytic converter, electronic control module). Factory replacement parts: Rear bumper: $704 Front brake disc: $83 Brake pads: $242 Muffler: $1,097 Front fender: $455 Average insurance premium (Quebec City, replacement cost endorsement, claim-free insurance record, male or female driver 30 to 40 years old): $757 to $989 Price according to trim level: SLE: $36,495 SLT1: $42,595 SLT2: $46,590

5 Main options: 4X4 system: $3,000 Rear entertainment package: $2,960 (SLE) Cold weather package: $375 Rear parking aid: $365 (SLE and SLT1) Navigation system: $2,915 (SLT2) Navigation system and DVD player: $4,665 (SLT2) Price as tested: $37,890 Freight and preparation: $1,220 Dealers: Quebec: 173 Canada: 697 June All rights reserved, CAA-Quebec