LaFontaine Buick GMC St. Clair

Blog / GMC Acadia for Sale

Power and Practicality: A 2024 GMC Acadia Buyer’s Guide

Blue 2024 GMC Acadia Denali parked in front of a cabin

No other brand has found a way to blend the practicality and purpose that many consumers look for in their vehicles with sophistication and refinement like GMC. Merging the drive and ambition of Chevy with the regal qualities of Cadillac, many drivers have found GMC's offerings to be exceptional and unique, most notably its SUVs. Among the SUVs GMC offers, the GMC Acadia provides consumers with three rows of seating, generous storage capability, economical performance, and a discernible level of comfort and tech-savviness that the modern consumer looks for. If you’re in the market for an SUV that checks all of the boxes, then a GMC Acadia for sale is the perfect answer. We’ve crafted this useful buying guide that can assist you in choosing which features will suit you best. 

The Acadia's Standard 2.5L Engine

The GMC Acadia is divided into three different trims, each one geared towards a particular type of driver. The base trim, known as Elevation, is ideal for drivers interested in saving money on up-front costs, particularly with its starting MSRP of $42,600. The two upper trims of the GMC Acadia are geared towards off-roading capability and unsurpassed luxury. The AT4 is equipped with standard AWD and skid plates, both of which are fundamental for any driver who prefers their journeys to take place away from the confines of civilization. The Denali, a trim that’s become synonymous with luxury, is perfect for drivers with a penchant for life's finer things. 

No matter which trip of the Acadia you decide on, you’ll be guaranteed the same exceptional performance across the board, thanks to the sole powertrain that GMC equips the vehicle with. The powertrain of the Acadia consists of a turbocharged 2.5L four-cylinder engine, which also powers its sibling, the Chevy Traverse. The four-cylinder has plenty to offer in terms of performance, with 328 hp and the capacity to generate 326 lb-ft of torque. The Acadia is also adept at towing as well, with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 lbs when properly equipped.

A Spacious Interior for Passengers and Cargo

The GMC fleet has a well-established reputation for bringing refinement and sophistication to the practicality and performance that GM has always been known for. Before we dive into the differences between the trims regarding comfort and tech-savvy items that many drivers seek out in their SUVs, we felt it was important to establish some of the more practical matters on the interior that make the GMC Acadia such an exceptional vehicle. 

The 2024 edition of the Acadia benefits from an interior design that features a bench seat for the third row and captain’s chairs for the second, allowing for a comfortable commute with seating up to seven. The size of the Acadia, which was expanded for the 2024 model year, allows for exceptional storage capacity. 

Even when all seven seats are occupied, the Acadia offers 23 cu.ft. of storage, which is still more than the average trunk side of a four-door sedan (15 cu.ft.). With the third row folded down, cargo space more than doubles to 57 cu.ft. of room, and for those moments that require the most room, 98 available cu.ft. exist behind the driver and passenger seat with the second row removed. Depending on the level of luxury you seek, you might want to consider the Denali trim. While all variations of the GMC Acadia are comfortable and refined, the Denali trim offers a leather interior for that aura of sophistication that most people associate with high-end luxury sedans. 

White 2024 GMC Acadia AT4 and a blue 2024 GMC Acadia Denali parked near a lake

Technology for the Modern Driver 

The modern driver expects more from their vehicle of choice. More than simply having an effective powertrain, many seek out tech-savvy items that facilitate an enjoyable driving experience. The 2024 GMC Acadia has many standard and available features that entertain, inform, and allow you to accomplish various tasks. 

All three trims come with a 15-inch infotainment screen that provides access to Apple and Android products and has Google built-in for access to music, maps, and much more. Active Noise Canceling ensures that the engine sounds and road noise stays far removed from your travel. With a 12-speaker setup from Bose, you’ll be able to enjoy pristine audio quality during travel. 

The tech-savvy offerings that the GMC Acadia can be equipped with aren’t limited to staying informed and entertained while you’re on the road. The GMC Acadia comes standard with Adaptive Cruise Control, and all trims can be equipped with Super Cruise, GM’s semi-autonomous hands-free driving technology. For those who are looking to expand the capabilities of the GMC Acadia further, there are a number of available packages that can do just that. 

Choose From a Variety of Available Packages

Packages are a great way to unlock various accessories and amenities that can outfit your GMC Acadia to its fullest potential. GMC offers various options to make any trim suited to your needs. 

Luxury Package

The Luxury Package is ideal for drivers who want access to some of the features of the Denali trim without purchasing one outright. The luxury package includes heated rear outboard seats and an 8-inch head-up display, and drivers with the AT4 trim are treated to heated and ventilated driver and front passenger seats. 

Trailering Package

Much like the Luxury Package, the Trailering Package comes standard on the Denali trim, but drivers with the Elevation and AT4 versions of the Acadia can utilize it to unlock towing technology and capability. The trailering package has everything you need, including a 220-amp alternator and a heavy-duty cooling system to facilitate the Acadia’s 5,000-lb towing capacity. 

Super Cruise Package

In addition to offering luxury and performance, GMC has a long-standing reputation for providing safety and driving assistance features that are far ahead of the competition. The Super Cruise package, available on all three trims of the GMC Acadia, provides a host of features that enhance the driving experience like never before. 

Super Cruise

A hands-free, semi-autonomous driving technology suite with thousands of pre-programmed roads from all over North America, ideal for the reduction of driver fatigue over long distances. 

Driver Attention Assist

Another way to reduce driver fatigue is to monitor steering patterns, and alerts are issued if there are discrepancies in your driving. 

Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist

Parking can be difficult, and when you’re behind the wheel of a GMC Acadia, every little bit helps. With Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist, getting into that tight space, whether it’s on the street or in a parking garage, just got easier. 

White 2024 GMC Acadia AT4 parked by a lake

Choosing the Version of the 2024 GMC Acadia That Works Best for You

Choosing the right version of the 2024 GMC Acadia might seem difficult, but with three unique offerings that are geared toward specific driver needs, it’s much easier than you think. If you’re a budget-conscious driver who looks for exceptional quality at an affordable price, the Elevation offers you a vast array of items and economical performance. If you favor your weekend activities to take place far away from civilization and off of the pavement, the AT4 trim is off-road ready, and finally, for those who have a penchant for the finer things in life, the Denali trim, a symbol of luxury and sophistication, gives you everything you could ever want and then some. No matter what you decide on, you’re getting the very best with the 2024 GMC Acadia.

Posted in:

Related Posts

Headlight of a blue 2024 GMC Acadia Denali

The Top 7 Features of the 2024 GMC Acadia

So you’re shopping for an all-new 2024 GMC Acadia for sale, but you aren’t entirely sure if it’s right for you. What you need are some tantalizing reasons to look closer. So, let’s look at its top features, giving you details on some of the Acadia’s best bits in this third-generation outing. more These are features that will likely lure you in on the search for the perfect trim. But before you start the shopping process, you’ll want a rundown of the noteworthy elements of the thoroughly revamped 2024 Acadia and why this particular GMC model might be the best option for a well-rounded three-row SUV. #1. Improved Towing Capacity Part of the overhaul for the third-gen Acadia involves an extended wheelbase. Thanks to the reinforced frame, this gives the SUV a lot more stability. In addition to a new base powertrain and longer wheelbase, the structural changes have enabled the Acadia to increase its towing capacity from the outgoing model year, reaching 5,000 lbs. This is a significant upgrade, as the 2023 Acadia had a base towing capacity of 3,500 lbs but topped out at 4,000 lbs when properly equipped. With the 2024 Acadia, you have 20% more towing capacity over the outgoing model year’s top-end tow rating and up to 30% more capacity over the base tow rating for the outgoing model year. This gives you a lot more variety and versatility in what you can tow, especially for those interested in a large SUV for towing boats, smaller vehicles, campers, or other equipment for recreational purposes. #2. More Cargo Capacity The three-row Acadia has received a significant update in its cargo capacity for the new generation. The Acadia already offered some impressive cargo capacity, with up to 79 cu.ft. of space with the two rear rows folded down in the 2023 model and earlier. The 2024 Acadia now offers up to 97.5 cu.ft. of cargo volume when the two rear rows are folded down, giving you a significantly extra amount of space to store your cargo or belongings. However, having approximately 18% additional cargo capacity to store your belongings is only part of the benefit of owning the 2024 Acadia. Another upgrade is in the way you can store cargo on the exterior. Thanks to the standard roof-mounted side rails, you can add cargo racks to store items on the roof. With the extended wheelbase and longer frame, it also means having more space to store items on the roof, which is super useful if you plan on using the Acadia for camping trips, road trips, or taking the family on outdoor adventures where the extra space may be needed. #3. Putting Out High Power As part of the new generation, the 2024 Acadia has received a significant bump up in its performance profile; this is despite going from offering two powertrains in the previous generation to only offering one powertrain for the new model year. Basically, this is a case where less is actually more. The overhauled 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder provides more horsepower and torque than the outgoing model year, making up to 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque. If you enjoy having a three-row SUV that can move when you need it to, seek the 2024 Acadia. GMC has engineered it to be powerful enough to tow and haul what you need but also responsive enough to keep you moving when you need to cross long distances with full occupancy. Compared to the previous generation Acadia, the 2024 model has nearly 5% more horsepower and nearly 17% more torque. It’s a significant upgrade for those who want good performance married to a great design. #4. Larger Infotainment Screen Infotainment access makes things easier all around, whether it’s for navigation, vehicle health information, scheduling maintenance, or accessing your favorite media and apps. The 2024 Acadia has a much larger infotainment screen as part of the new generation’s tech, offering an impressive 15-inch touchscreen. This gives you so much more to work with than the previous model. The latest Acadia of the outgoing generation had an 8-inch touchscreen across the board, and the third-gen Acadia has nearly doubled that size. This gives you so much more real estate to utilize, as well as the inclusion of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You also get Google Built-In for enhanced voice recognition, hands-free calls and messaging, connected services for vehicle health and maintenance reminders, and connected apps for navigation, climate control, and cameras. #5. Technological Conveniences The infotainment suite has a lot of great features, such as the nine available camera views for driving and trailering, but there’s a separate suite of driver-focused tech to make the Acadia far more convenient. For instance, you have an 11-inch digital driver display cluster with customizable profiles, which you can use not only for monitoring vehicle telemetry but also for weather conditions. It makes it easy to keep track of important information without feeling over-encumbered with data since you can choose to see what you want and where you want it. See also the available head-up display. This is a great tech convenience because the 8-inch HUD enables you to maintain eyesight on important telemetry without having to take your eyes off the road. This gives you ease of mind when traveling as you get all the info you need without having to look down at the gauges or mess with the infotainment touchscreen. It’s an all-in-one convenience for those who need it. #6. Many Driver Assistance Features The GMC Pro Safety suite for the 2024 Acadia is easily one of the best features of this model-year outing. Why? Because it comes with more than 15 standard safety features. All of them are built right into each of the trim grades, so no matter which one you go with, you have a robust selection of safety features to keep you or your family secure on the road. You have many expected aids, such as enhanced automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian and bicyclist braking blind zone steering assist, forward collision alert, and an HD rear-vision camera, so you never have to worry about your rear view being obstructed by the cabin. Other useful safety features include IntelliBeam high beams, rear cross-traffic braking, rear pedestrian alert, automatic intersection emergency braking, side bicyclist alert, and lane-keeping assistance with lane departure warnings. There are even more subtle features, such as traffic sign recognition and rear park assist, plus a safety alert for the rear seats, which are great to have when parking and exiting your vehicle, lest you forget something in the back. #7. Super Cruise Hands-Free Driving One of the absolute best available features for the 2024 GMC Acadia is Super Cruise. This tool is a step far beyond adaptive cruise control by enabling semi-autonomous, hands-free driving. This lets your three-row SUV do all of the driving for you, removing a lot of the hassle and stress of getting from A to Z. With hundreds of thousands of miles of compatible highways across the United States and Canada, as well as frequent over-the-air updates, Super Cruise grants a safe and unique way of traveling that dives into the future of automotive automation. Combined with so many of the other upgrades and improvements for the 2024 model year, Super Cruise makes a compelling case for buying a brand-new GMC Acadia.