The GMC Acadia is General Motors Truck Company’s premier midsize SUV model. While it earns high marks for safety and upgrades, its limited cargo space and less-than-luxurious interior leave some drivers wanting more. Luckily, its upper trim levels—the Acadia AT4 and Acadia Denali—can deliver.

The GMC brand has earned a long-standing reputation for churning out strong trucks, like the Sierra and the Canyon. But what does its midsize SUV lineup look like? For 2022, there’s just one—the GMC Acadia.

If you’re looking for the lowdown on the pros and cons of the GMC Acadia,

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Does GMC have a midsize SUV?

Yes, the

Acadia

is GMC’s premier midsize SUV—the only one of its class offered by GMC in the 2022 lineup. A sleek seven-seater powered by a turbocharged 2.0L engine, the Acadia comes standard with high-tech amenities like automated emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, but upper trim levels offer drivers added refinement and comfort. Below the Acadia comes the

Terrain

, GMC’s compact SUV model.

What makes a midsize SUV?

The definitions of subcompact, compact, midsize, and full-size are all quite precise when it comes to sedans—and very, very loose in the world of the SUV. Basically, a midsize SUV is bigger than a compact SUV and smaller than a full-size SUV.

The GMC Acadia hits the mark as midsize, but if you’re looking for full-size spaciousness, you’ll want to check out the

Yukon

—GMC’s largest SUV.

Is the GMC Terrain a midsize SUV?

No. With less seating and a shorter wheelbase, the Terrain doesn’t quite hit those midsize marks—it’s instead considered in the class of compact SUVs, making it GMC’s smallest SUV option.

MORE: Are GMCs expensive to maintain?

GMC Acadia: SLE & SLT vs. AT4 vs. Denali

While the Acadia stands alone as the sole midsize SUV offered by the GMC brand, the latest 2022 model still comes with some radical changes compared to past versions—and on top of that, it’s important to note that not all Acadias are made equal!

With a newly upgraded base model and three upper trim levels, Acadia owners have the opportunity to select features and choose upgrades that best suit their personal needs and style. Below, we take a closer look at the base (SLE) model, along with the mid-level SLT, and upper AT4 and Denali trim levels.

2022 Acadia SLE & SLT

MSRP range: $34,800 to $40,445

MPG: 22 city/29 highway

Seating for: Up to seven passengers

For the 2022 lineup, the Acadia SLE stars as the standard base model, replacing the former SE—and there’s a lot to love about this change. For one, the 2.0L four-cylinder turbocharged engine now comes standard in the Acadia, along with GM Pro Safety Plus features like lane assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and more. If you’re looking to add horsepower or height, an optional 3.6L V6 engine (capable of 310 hp) and a 20-inch wheelbase (with optional AWD) are available.

The mid-level SLT option one-ups the standard base with the same basic accessories plus premium comforts—like remote starting capabilities and leather-appointed seating. Other SLT extras include a hands-free tailgate, a roof rack, a built-in dashboard navigation system, and a premium Bose eight-speaker sound system—making the extra couple thousand you spend on the SLT trim every bit worth the difference.

In either case, you won’t be sacrificing safety—after all, the Acadia is meant for modern family-friendliness! The Acadia SLE & SLT earn a full five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) along with overwhelmingly “Good” ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) with the exception of its headlights, which earned marginal ratings for crash avoidance and mitigation.

Aside from marginally strong headlights, the Acadia flops in another category: cargo space. With just 12.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats up, the Acadia hardly holds a candle to the competition when it comes to storage capabilities. Even with the rear seats folded down, you’ll only squeeze out 79 cubic feet of space—far less than close competitors like the Nissan Pathfinder or Toyota Highlander.

Highlights include:

Keyless ignition/entry

Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration

8-inch touchscreen infotainment system

Three rows of seating

Standard GM Pro Safety Plus features

2.0L four-cylinder turbocharged engine standard, or 3.6L V6 engine available in all trims

Weaknesses include:

Cramped third-row seating

Limited cargo space and lack of storage

Lower fuel economy

Lackluster luxury interior

2022 Acadia AT4

MSRP range: $41,400

MPG: 22 city/29 highway

Seating for: Up to seven passengers

If you and your family prefer to travel the unbeaten path, the Acadia AT4 is at the ready. A ruggedly refined exterior gives way to some pretty intense off-roading abilities, including active torque control, hill descent control, and hill start assist—all of which come standard in this trim level. The AT4’s tilt and telescopic steering keep handling easy and elegant despite the vehicle’s hefty weight.

Additional features—such as four-wheel independent suspension and both front and rear stabilizer bars—also help keep your ride smooth and comfortable, no matter the terrain. And speaking of comfort—the AT4 shines on the inside, too. Heated leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and three-zone climate control stand out among the AT4’s numerous, luxurious upgrades, although some reviewers have complained of low-quality interior materials that fail to live up to a luxury price tag.

Highlights include:

Standard 3.6L V6 engine

Maximum towing capacity of 4,000 pounds

Second-row passenger-side seat tip for enhanced child seat safety

Exclusive black chrome grill

Standard 17” gloss black wheels fitted with all-terrain tires

Sunroof and moonroof

Weaknesses include:

No increased storage—third-row seating and cargo space are still tight

Low fuel economy compared to competitors

2022 Acadia Denali

MSRP range: $46,105

MPG: 22 city/29 highway

Seating for: Up to seven passengers

At the top of the line stands the Acadia Denali. While you won’t find more seats or better legroom in the Acadia’s top trim level, you’ll get a host of other luxury benefits—including enhanced performance and an adaptive ride control that continuously dampens to the millisecond to deliver unmatched ride comfort on the road.

As a part of the Denali’s premier technology package, drivers get full HD surround vision and enhanced safety features, and can also choose to add optional upgrades—like a rear mirror camera—for an added sense of comfort and ease. But all these extras come at an added price: for a decked-out Denali, you could be looking at a price tag of $53,000 or more.

2022 Acadia trim level comparison

	2022 Acadia SLE & SLT	2022 Acadia AT4	2022 Acadia Denali
Starting MSRP	$34,800-$40,445	$41,400	$46,105
Seating capacity	Seven	Seven	Seven
Fuel economy	24 combined mpg	25 combined mpg	25 mpg
Base engine	2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged (228 hp, 258 lb-ft of torque)	3.6L V6 (310 hp, 271 lb-ft of torque)	3.6L V6 (310 hp, 271 lb-ft of torque)
Total cargo volume	79 cubic feet	79 cubic feet	79 cubic feet
Maximum towing capacity	3,500 lbs	4,000 lbs	4,000 lbs
NHTSA safety rating	Five stars	Five stars	Five stars
Reliability scores	76/100 (U.S. News)	80/100 (J.D. Power)	3/5 (RepairPal)

The bottom line

If you’re looking for a midsize SUV that maximizes on space, the GMC Acadia may not meet your expectations. But if you’re dreaming of a classy, truck-like SUV that can meet the practical needs of family living while still offering customizable upgrades, the Acadia could just be the right option for you.

For the price, the SLT trim level checks all the boxes—but if you’re craving off-road capabilities or top-of-the-line luxury, the AT4 and Denali trim levels can better suit your needs.

MORE: Is a GMC Hybrid worth it?

Best midsize SUV competitors

The Acadia’s upper trim levels edge out rivals with advanced safety features and added luxury—but there are some things (like its limited cargo capacity) that it just can’t make up for. When it comes to the Acadia’s competition, here are some of its strongest contenders:

2022 Toyota Highlander ($35,855 starting MSRP): The Highlander tops the Acadia in the categories of fuel economy (35 combined mpg) and cargo space (84.3 cubic feet) all at a lower price.

2022 Kia Sorento ($29,590 starting MSRP): Well equipped with many of the same technology and safety features as the Acadia, the 2022 Sorento is a budget-friendly alternative that still boasts comfort and style.

2022 Nissan Pathfinder: ($34,640 starting MSRP): The Pathfinder’s truck-like appearance contends with the Acadia, along with its numerous safety features and modern amenities—but it can’t handle off-road like the Acadia can.

MORE: Does GMC have a self-driving car?

How to save on GMC insurance

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