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By Tom StrongmanKansasCity.com
February 17, 2007
Crossover utility vehicles are the next big thing, and General Motors has three all-new models - the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave - that give no quarter to its competitors. All three crossovers are derivatives of the same basic design, and each has been tailored to its brand. I have driven the Outlook, but not the Enclave. The Acadia is available with front-wheel or all-wheel drive in three trim levels. Starting prices begin at $29,990 for a front-wheel-drive SLE-1 and $38,105 for an SLT-2. The loaded test vehicle, with dual sunroofs, navigation system, rear-seat DVD player and power tailgate, had a sticker price of $44,435, and that is considerably more than competing vehicles such as the Honda Pilot. The Acadia's design, execution and versatility are impressive. It rides on a 118.9-inch wheelbase, which is almost as long as a minivan's. The exterior profile is muscular without being cartoonish. The grille is topped by a large chrome piece, and the taillights are trimmed in chrome. Fender flares cover the standard 18-inch wheels, and they sit well out in the wheel wells. The wide track and big wheels give the Acadia a secure, anchored stance. Nineteen-inch wheels are optional The Acadia looks like a sleeker, rounder Yukon. The interior is nicely designed and thoughtfully executed. The Acadia is bigger inside than it looks. GMC has taken a big step forward with the quality of its interiors, and the Acadia feels like an expensive vehicle. The instrument panel has tight-fitting seams, a nice variety of textures and bright, red-trimmed gauges. The chrome trim on the console and around the center-stack air vents may be a bit overdone, but overall, the instrument panel and cockpit are much better than those of many GMC vehicles of years ago. For a utility vehicle to be appealing, it needs to have plenty of third-row legroom, and it is imperative that the third seat be easy to access. The Acadia's second-row captain's chairs fold and slide forward for easy entry to the third seat. Being stuck in the third row is no penalty, even for adults. The downside to the sliding second seat is that it requires tracks in floor where passengers put their feet. With the seats folded flat, the Acadia has 117 cubic feet of cargo space, and that's more than a Yukon has. The tilt and telescoping steering wheel makes it easy for any driver to get comfortable, and the SLE-2's fingertip controls allow the driver to operate many functions without removing her hands from the wheel. The center console has a power outlet and a removable tray so both large and small items will fit inside. The loaded test car was equipped with the huge, two-panel sunroof, a navigation system and rear-seat DVD player that has an 8-inch screen that folds down from the ceiling. One thing I missed was a backup camera, but one may be offered at some point in the future. GM's 3.6-liter V-6 has four valves per cylinder, dual overhead cams and variable valve timing that give it a nicely linear power band. Horsepower is 275. The transmission is a six-speed automatic. This engine is not only smooth and quiet, but it also provides good acceleration and plenty of reserve power for passing. The Acadia's fully independent suspension felt softer than the one in Saturn's Outlook, but that could only be confirmed with a direct comparison. I would have preferred the Acadia's ride be just a bit firmer. The Acadia is a sign that GMC has a good handle on what makes a crossover utility vehicle competitive with the best in the segment. Price The base price of the SLE-2 was $38,105. Options included navigation system, dual sunroof, 19-inch wheels, rear-seat entertainment system, premium paint and head-up display. The sticker price was $44,435. Warranty Three years or 36,000 miles and five years, 100,000 miles for the powertrain.
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