Does the 2023 Acadia Live Up to Expectations?
If you’re somebody you’d consider to be in charge of several responsibilities in life, such as being a parent or someone regularly depended on for transporting cargo and needing something with plenty of space that isn’t a pickup truck; chances are you need an SUV. If you’ve already decided you need a mid-size SUV with three rows of seating, then you should look no further than the 2023 Acadia, which you can find at your trusted GMC SUV dealer, Newton Chevrolet GMC. The 2023 Acadia is well worth the starting MSRP of $36,500 because it provides a quality that’s undoubtedly GMC and the strength you’d expect from a vehicle possessing that shiny red GMC logo.[a]
The 2023 Acadia is available in several trim configurations, starting with the SLE, which is fuel-efficient and strong even in its base form. The following trim, the SLT, retains the same engine with an increased towing capacity, and the SLT introduces more luxurious features like standard leather seating for the first and second rows. The 2023 Acadia AT4 keeps up the tradition of the AT4 being an off-roading champ with its standard active torque control AWD system, along with an array of terrain modes to choose from depending on where you’re driving, including a dedicated mode for those off-roading occasions. Lastly, the Denali is the trim with the most safety features thanks to GMC Pro Safety Plus, and it includes premium amenities like an excellent-sounding audio system. The 2023 GMC Acadia is a fantastic vehicle that lives up to the expectations its predecessor set. Let’s see why that is.
An Upgrade in Performance and Capability
When the 2022 Acadia was released, GMC tried something new. By removing the 2.5L I-4 engine that used to come standard with preceding Acadia models, the Acadia could have a stronger base-level performance. However, there was a catch: the starting price would increase. One year later, we know what to expect, so what can we deduce from this information? The 2022 Acadia brought a much-needed reassessment of powertrains and trims, and by eliminating the base level SL trim, the SLE could then become the base-level option along with the turbocharged 2.0L I-4 engine that now comes standard instead, which has seen a slight tweak to horsepower but has gained significant towing power.
The move GMC made last year by removing the old 2.5L I-4 engine was the right call because it meant the base-level Acadia models went from outputting 193 hp and 188 lb-ft of torque to 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque instantly. Even better, removing the 2.5L I-4 engine means the maximum towing capacity of the base-level Acadia improves to 3,500 lbs, an over 1,000-lb increase. The two remaining Acadia powertrains still include their engines paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission, and the turbocharged engine also offers better fuel efficiency out of the two engines, with EPA-estimated ratings of 22 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway with FWD, and 22 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway with AWD.
Something that hasn’t changed recently is the available 3.6L V6 engine. With the V6 engine installed in your Acadia, your SUV’s power output is increased to 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, a 36% increase in horsepower, and a 5% uptick in torque output. The V6 engine’s strength also correlates to its increased towing capacity of 4,000 lbs, a 14% increase over the base powertrain. One of the reasons we recommend the V6 engine instead of the base turbocharged engine is because the benefits of having a stronger engine don’t heavily detract from fuel efficiency. The 2023 Acadia models with the 3.6L V6 engine have EPA-estimated ratings of 19 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway with FWD, while AWD gets ratings of 19 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway.
Keeping Up With Expectations
The Acadia has met the expectations it has been presented with for years, and the 2023 model is no exception. If you’ve seen any recent Acadia models, including 2022, 2021, and 2020 models, and more, you can expect the 2023 Acadia to retain the same interior dimensions. SUVs are known for their spacious interiors, and mid-size SUVs are an excellent blend of generous cargo space in a frame that’s not as long, wide, or tall as full-size SUVs. Because the 2023 Acadia has three rows of seating, you can choose between seating more than five people or using that space to fit up to three times more cargo than your average sedan. If you keep all three rows of seating upright, you’ll have 12.8 cu.ft. of space, which is more comparable to a sedan.
You can expect the 2023 Acadia to allow for plenty of expandability because folding down the third row adds nearly 226% more cargo space at an impressive 41.7 cu.ft. Three-row SUVs have the advantage of offering more room than any two-row vehicle, which is always accessible to you if you fold down both rows behind you, which reveals a total of 79 cu.ft. of space. Folding down two rows of seating means you’ll get 517% more space than you would with both rows upright. The Acadia has always lived up to expectations in cargo space and passenger capacity, and the 2023 model doesn’t flip the script, which is fine by us, and we’re sure returning drivers feel the same way.
Who Doesn’t Want Features?
GMC is known for many things, and filling its vehicles with features that will remain relevant for years is nothing new. A perfect example of how technologically capable your 2023 Acadia is would be the safety suite that comes with the SUV, courtesy of the GMC Pro Safety Plus package. GMC’s safety suite includes a variety of features designed to help you travel with amenities that could save your life or others; from the side blind zone alert and lane-keep assist to automatic emergency braking, the Acadia is looking out for you every time you’re on the road.
Although GMC vehicles can sometimes incorporate impressive amenities like a 10.2-inch infotainment center on some models, the 2023 Acadia sticks with the 8-inch infotainment center that has been a part of this SUV’s interior for years. The 8-inch infotainment center inside the 2023 Acadia is more advanced than many of its contemporaries, regardless. Two features that stand out amongst the crowd with the base Acadia is its wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well as a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot at no additional charge, albeit the Wi-Fi hotspot requires a monthly subscription to utilize.
A Dealership That Lives up to Your Expectations
The GMC Acadia lives up to our expectations, and we’re sure it’ll live up to yours too. If you’re interested in any SUV but aren’t sure which one to consider, you should take a 2023 Acadia out for a spin, which you can do if you visit our dealership here at Newton Chevrolet GMC. Our dealership is the best place to get an Acadia that fits your driving needs because our selection includes both new and pre-owned models, like the 2023 lineup. Come get behind the wheel of an Acadia today by visiting us at Chevrolet GMC, conveniently located in Shelbyville, TN. Come on down and talk with one of our sales representatives, and we’ll take you out for a ride and get first-hand experience with the Acadia. We’ll answer any questions you may have and will be sure to help you find a GMC Acadia model that you’re going to love!
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