By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

It was going to be a week of hauling out-of-town visitors so we were in need of a vehicle that could on occasion carry as many as six passengers. When we heard that our automotive supplier had scheduled a GMC Acadia, we were happy and relieved — until we discovered that GMC had downsized the all-new 2017 Acadia — the first complete makeover of the vehicle since its introduction in 2007 — from a near full-sized crossover to more of a standard mid-size CUV.

The big question then loomed — could this new crossover which lost 7.2 inches of length, and 3.5 inches in width, 6.6 inches in height and 6.4 inches in wheelbase handle six adults with some modicum of comfort?

The answer after driving with five and six passengers was a simple yes and despite Acadia’s more tidy package it is capable of housing two adults in the third seat. Our passengers never grumbled, even those relegated to the back of the bus.

So here's the thing — GMC has changed direction with the second-generation Acadia making it slightly less capable as a three-seater and as a cargo hauler with cargo capacity falling from 116.1 cubic feet to 79 cubic feet and from 24 cubic feet to 12.8 cubic feet behind the third-row seat. But it can still be packed with more stuff than many mid-sized crossovers while retaining the capability of hauling the grade school basketball team to a game across town. And on the upside, it's more nimble, more athletic and more fuel efficient partly because it has shed more than 700 pounds.

If you are so disappointed with the downsizing GMC has something for you. The original Acadia can still be purchased as a 2017 model, now with a new Acadia Limited designation.

We were a bit dismayed at the outset that the base engine, now a 2.4-liter four-cylinder, came with our test car. We would have preferred the 3.6-liter V-6 with 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. But the 2.4 proved beneficial because we discovered that the four-banger is, indeed, up to the task of hauling light to moderate loads, although with occasional pedal-to-the-metal intervention. The four-cylinder will work fine if you normally carry only two-to-three passengers and light loads. If your daily chores call for more strenuous activity or for towing a boat or small travel trailer we recommend you opt for the V-6, which is rated at 4,000 pounds.



The 2.5-liter makes 194 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque mated to a six-speed automatic with a stop/start feature. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available on all but the base trim. Fuel economy is adequate at 21 mpg city, 26-highway and 23 overall in front-wheel drive. Highway mileage drops to 25 with all-wheel. The EPA rating for the V-6 with cylinder deactivation is rated at 18/25/21 in front-wheel drive and 18/25/20 with AWD. A real money saver — regular gas is recommended for both engines.

Performance from the 4-cylinder has been measured at 8.8 seconds from 0-to-60, but the engine can sound a bit strained under hard acceleration. At the same time, the Acadia provides a compliant ride smoothing out most road imperfections. We were impressed with the composure the Acadia displayed on out usual winding road section of blacktop displaying a confident feeling on the curves.

The Acadia interior is handsome and the materials are of good quality. We enjoyed the space as the front seats proved very comfortable and we had no problem reaching an optimal driving position and the infotainment system is easy to use with attractive displays. Note that while there are only 12.8 cubic feet of storage behind the third row, it opens to a very adequate 41.7 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down.

The Acadia comes in SL, SLE-1 and 2, SLT-1 and 2 and Denali starting at $29,995. A new All-Terrain package is available on the SLT-1 that eliminates the third-row seat and adds distinct exterior treatments, 20-inch wheels, hill-decent control and a more advanced twin-clutch all-wheel drive system.

Standard equipment is generous and includes 17-inch alloy wheels, full power accessories, keyless ignition and entry, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, IntelliLink infotainment system, a rearview camera, six-speaker stereo system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a unique system that reminds drivers to check the backseats for passengers before leaving the vehicle.

Our SLT-1 test vehicle with front-wheel drive carried a base price of $39,275 including destination charge and a bottom line of $40,515 with a small number of options.

Essentials
Base price: $29,995; as driven, $40,515
Engine: 2.5-liter 4-cylinder
Horsepower: 194 @ 6,300 rpm
Torque: 190 foot-pounds @ 4,400 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Drive: front wheel
Seating: 2/2/3
Wheelbase: 112.5 inches
Length: 193.6 inches
Curb weight: 3,956 pounds
Turning circle: 38.7 feet
Luggage capacity: 12.8 cubic feet
Cargo capacity: 79 cubic feet
Towing capacity: 1,000 pounds
Fuel capacity: 19 gallons (regular)
EPA rating: 21 city, 26 highway, 23 overall
0-60: 8.8. seconds
Also consider: Toyota Highlander, Mazda CX-9, Honda Pilot

The Good
• Quiet and comfortable cabin
• Smaller size makes it easier to drive
• Full redesign after nine years

The Bad
• Cargo capacity falls short of some competitors

The Ugly
• Base 4-cylinder struggles under loads