2024 GMC Acadia: The second-generation Acadia is nearing the end of its life cycle, and the three-row SUV is slated to get even bigger in its next incarnation. As a full redesign approaches, we anticipate the 2024 model will sport a new styling, boast more advanced driver assistance technologies and offer a variety of powertrains. The large-scale crossover will compete with other mid-size carriers including the Kia Telluride, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Honda Pilot, and Chevrolet Traverse.
While the current GMC Acadia does an adequate job of straddling the mainstream and luxury midsize SUV segments, we had some qualms with the second-generation crossover. Interior space is limited compared to other, more affordable rivals. When comparing the Acadia to the Chevrolet Traverse, we decided the lower-end Chevy was the better buy. Unless a top-spec Denali trim is equipped, materials lack the quality and premium feel you’d expect.
All of this changed with the introduction of the third-generation GMC Acadia. We anticipate that an updated C1 GM platform will support the redesigned crossover. The current model uses the GM C1XX platform shared with the Chevrolet Traverse, Chevrolet Blazer, Cadillac XT5, Cadillac XT6, and Buick Enclave. We anticipate that this new model will feature greater chassis rigidity and support a new era of GM computer architecture.
The new Acadia will be larger than the previous version, which will allow for a more spacious cabin. There will be more driver assist technology as Super Cruise hands-free driving is expected to become available. We’re still waiting for GMC to confirm the final specifications of the upcoming crossover, but we expect a significant upgrade from the existing model.
2024 GMC Acadia Reviews
General Motors is developing a new third generation of its GMC Acadia crossover, which will launch for the 2024 model year. We’ve seen testing of the 2024 GMC Acadia as a camouflage-clad prototype, with spy photos giving us an early glimpse of the new styling and design. However, one of the big questions that remains to be answered is what will be under the hood. Now, GM Authority has learned exclusive details about the engine set to power the upcoming 2024 GMC Acadia.
The GMC Acadia is a three-row midsize SUV currently in its second generation. While Acadia offers respectable options and a variety of trims to choose from, we feel it’s time to get a comprehensive update, and the 2024 model just might. Spy shots have shown what appears to be a camouflage-redesigned Acadia being tested in public.
The anticipated third-generation GMC Acadia appears to be even bigger. The front fascia appears to be home to reshaped headlights and an updated grille. At the rear, the taillights will most likely be restructured along with the exhaust tips jutting out from under the smooth bumper. There’s no word on a powertrain upgrade yet. Currently, the Acadia can be had with the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder in the SLE and SLT trim levels and the more powerful 3.6-liter V6 in the AT4 and Denali. We wouldn’t be surprised if Acadia adopted the turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine used in the new GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado for 2023, which produces more power than the current 2.0-liter engine.
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2024 GMC Acadia Spied
The current generation GMC Acadia has continued to evolve over the years. It debuted in 2016 as a 2017 model, and now we’re getting our first look at its successor. Hiding under the heavy camouflage is a next-gen SUV that will debut in 2024.
The heavy cover obscures most of the details, but the keen eye can spot a few interesting features. Among other things, this test vehicle looks slightly larger than the Acadia you can buy today. We wish it was a bit bigger in size, adopting a more muscular persona similar to the first-generation model. Our spy photographer captured the SUV with its headlights on, and we can easily see a separate setup similar to that of the GMC Canyon, which debuted with a new generation earlier this year. The smaller lamp at the top appears narrow and thin, with the larger C-shaped housing containing the lamp at the bottom.
The face of this SUV looks quite big and thick, although it can be replaced with softer lines on the back. The quarter panel looks a bit stretched, though the shape could be exaggerated thanks to the large taillights it is likely a replacement for. Amidst all the talk about the Chevrolet Blazer EV and Equinox EV, we were treated to a pair of brightly colored exhaust tips neatly tucked under the rear bumper. This particular SUV is definitely not electric.
Our first look at the next Acadia isn’t limited to outside shots. Our photographer managed to get close enough to get a glimpse inside, even though most of it was closed. Even so, our source can confirm the existence of the Super Cruise in a completely new cabin. The digital instrument display is most likely behind the wheel, and we can barely make out the new center display perched above the climate vent.
At this stage, we have no information about what might be going on under the new body. The current model is available with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower, or a 310-hp 3.6-liter V6 engine. The plot twist may come with the turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine used in the new Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado, adapted for use in the Acadia. That one engine produces between 237 and 310 hp depending on the tune.
Our spy sources believe the new Acadia will be a 2024 model. That means a debut should be sometime next year, likely in the first half of 2023.
Spy Photos
It’s been a minute since we last saw a prototype of the next-generation GMC Acadia. It’s actually been two minutes, but our patience was rewarded with a good-looking SUV without the heavy camouflage.
Our previous GMC Acadia sighting from October 2022 captured the beefy SUV under the black tarp, but now we have just a body-hugging swirl wrap to contend with. And actually, we wouldn’t blame you one bit if you thought this was actually a prototype Chevrolet Traverse. We can now see the new Acadia will grow a bit, possibly returning to the full-size SUV genre versus its current classification as mid-size.
The body is very square and upright, much like we saw in the Traverse spy shot. The rear looks identical, right down to the square exhaust tip, slightly angled glass, and reflectors in the bumper. It appears that the new Traverse and Acadia will share more than just platforms, but keep a close eye on the sides behind the back door.
You can see the general outline of the Acadia’s rearmost side windows, with the beltline curving slightly upwards into a vertical C-pillar versus a forward-sloping pillar on the Traverse. At the front, camouflage makes the SUV look like it’s smiling but that’s a side effect of the larger grille with sculpted fascia at the corners, rising up to meet the headlights. The design looks similar to the GMC Yukon, and as such, there is a GMC badge under the camouflage in the center of the grille.
None of the spy photos offer a look inside the cabin, but we can see the stacked covers on the dashboard. A digital makeover is almost guaranteed with a large display for the drivers and center screen. Super Cruise is a must-have among the many driver assistance systems.
And at first, however, we didn’t expect to see electrification under the hood. Our sources tell us the current 2.0-liter turbo and 3.6-liter V6 will be carried, though GMC may also switch to the turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder used in the Canyon. At 310 horsepower, it matches the current V6’s output and far outperforms it in terms of torque, making 430 pound-feet.
Now that the heavy cover has been removed, we can see the production part is in place. That means a debut could happen in the summer of 2023.
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2024 GMC Acadia Redesign
General Motors unveiled the second-generation GMC Acadia in 2016 at the North American International Auto Show (aka Detroit Auto Show) for the 2017 model year. Now, however, an all-new, third-generation 2024 GMC Acadia is in sight, and Authority spy photographers GM has caught on to testing the prototype model on public roads.
While this isn’t the first time we’ve seen the 2024 next-gen GMC Acadia test as a prototype, it’s the first time we’ve seen it in black-and-white body-hugging camouflage, as opposed to the more obstructive black vinyl camouflage.
Design-wise, the 2024 GMC Acadia will introduce a new exterior style marked by a new fascia with horizontally oriented upper and lower intakes. The front lighting section will also be new and appears to incorporate GMC’s C-shaped lighting markings in the upper corners of the fascia that curves downward towards the bumper. Interestingly, it doesn’t appear that the new Acadia will adopt a two-level headlight arrangement, unlike its corporate relative, the 2024 Chevy Traverse.
Judging from its profile, the 2024 GMC Acadia features a tall, tough silhouette with a straight beltline and a slightly tapered roofline. Big wheels roll around the corner, while a pair of roof rails sits on top. The roofline ends with a relatively short hatch-mounted spoiler.
Behind, we can expect to find revised taillights and a restyled hatch. The 2024 GMC Acadia prototype is also equipped with a dual exhaust treatment with a quad square tip.
Critically, the 2024 third-generation GMC Acadia will be significantly larger than the previous second-generation model. As GM Authority was the first to report in August 2020, and confirmed by GM late last year, the third-generation 2024 GMC Acadia will debut as a full-size crossover, compared to the mid-range second-generation model. Notably, the GMC Acadia was originally offered as a full-size three-row crossover for its first generation, while the second generation was streamlined to a mid-size model, making the full-size third generation something of a “return to roots.”
The larger exterior dimensions will also provide more interior space, offering three rows of seating. Additionally, the 2024 GMC Acadia will offer the GM Super Cruise semi-autonomous driver assistance system, another GM Authority exclusive.
2024 GMC Acadia Engine
According to GM Authority sources, the next-gen GMC Acadia 2024 will sport GM’s new turbocharged 2.5L I4 petrol engine which is currently in the final stages of development. GM Authority was the first to report on this new engine, with specifications including a dual overhead cam (DOHC) setup and direct fuel injection. The new 2.5L turbo engine can be considered a low displacement version of the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B, or “mini L3B”, with both engines following The General’s Cylinder Set Strategy or CSS. The current CSS lineup also includes the 1.3L I3 L3T turbocharged petrol engine, the 2.0L I4 LSY turbocharged petrol engine, and the 2.7L I4 L2R turbocharged petrol engine.
The new 2024 GMC Acadia turbocharged I4 petrol engine will be codenamed RPO LK0, and, at this point, will likely be the only engine on offer for the next-generation crossover. The output will be channeled through GM’s nine-speed automatic transmission.
While official output numbers for the new GMC Acadia 2024 are still yet to be announced, there is still room for speculation. Assuming the new turbocharged 2.5L I4 LK0 petrol engine has identical specific output to the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B petrol engine (114 horsepower per liter, 159 pound-feet of torque), we can predict that the 2.5L LK0 will be produced in around 287 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque. However, it must be remembered that this is still very speculative.
As for the 2024 GMC Acadia, the overhauled third-generation crossover will be bigger than the previous second-generation model, arriving as a new full-sizer that brings the nameplate back to its first-generation roots. The 2024 GMC Acadia will also be more truck-like, and offer better execution of the off-road-oriented AT4 trim level.
As a reminder, GMC Acadia currently offers two engines, namely the 2.0L I4 LSY turbocharged petrol engine, and the naturally aspirated 3.6L V6 LGX petrol engine. The naturally aspirated 2.5L I4 LCV was offered previously as the base engine but was canceled for the 2022 model year.
Powertrains
We expect the Acadia to come with the available standard front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 engine and 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V-6 engine, each paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, could return for the third-generation model. There’s also a chance GMC could ditch its previous powertrain strategy and go with the 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and eight-speed automatic that powers the 2023 GMC Canyon. If so, the Acadia could make over 300 horsepower.
Security and Technology
GMC has indicated that the GM Super Cruise autonomous driving system will be available. A suite of cameras and radar should be equipped, enabling further driver assistance technologies such as lane-keeping assistance, forward collision avoidance, and blind spot monitoring. We expect a heads-up view and a 360-degree camera system to be available as well.
If the new 2023 Canyon technology is any indication of how GMC will complement the Acadia, an 11.0-inch digital instrument cluster could fit into the crossover’s cabin. An 11.0-inch infotainment screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay may also be included in the Acadia.
2024 GMC Acadia Trim
We hope GMC offers a version of the Acadia that uses the brand’s popular trim levels. The top-spec model is almost certainly the Denali trim, which boasts the most premium chrome-decorated exterior and interior materials in the entire range. A more ruggedized version of the AT4 off-road-ready product line should also be available. If GMC retains Acadia’s historical model structure, the entry-level SLE and mid-level SLT models should serve as the more mainstream offerings.
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2024 GMC Acadia Release Date
There’s been no official announcement as to when the next-gen Acadia will arrive, but everything seems to indicate that it will be in 2024. Specs are also being kept under wraps, although we hope to see improvements that will bring Acadia closer to its competitors, which excel in terms of overall quality. These include the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, Honda Pilot, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, and Volkswagen Atlas.
Production
As for the little under the skin, the turbocharged 2.7l I4 L3B petrol engine is expected to be the only engine option on offer. The second iteration of the GM C1 platform will provide the foundation, while production will take place at GM’s Lansing Delta Township plant in Michigan.
Verdict
We look forward to seeing a redesigned GMC Acadia for 2024 and expect it to come fresh and ready to better compete in a segment full of powerful midsize three-row SUVs. Check back here for updates as we find out more about Acadia 2024.
People also ask GMC Acadia 2024
Q: Will the 2024 Acadia be bigger?
A: The third-generation GMC Acadia 2024 is set to grow in size compared to the previous second-generation model. As GM Authority was the first to report in August 2020, and confirmed by GM late last year, the third-generation 2024 GMC Acadia will debut as a full-size crossover, compared to the mid-range second-generation model.
Q: When can I buy a 2024 Acadia?
A: The redesigned GMC Acadia is expected to debut in 2024, but it’s still unclear if it will be a 2024 or 2025 model-year vehicle. Fleet production data shows that orders for the 2023 Acadia have closed, indicating the possibility that the 2024 Acadia will arrive in early 2023.
Q: What year will GMC Acadia be redesigned?
A: The redesigned Acadia went on sale in May 2016 as a 2017 model. The second-generation Acadia was built in Spring Hill, Tennessee. The previous Acadia continued to be sold alongside the new one as “Acadia Limited” through the 2017 model year.
Q: How much is the 2024 GMC Acadia?
A: All base trim prices range from $36,500 to $50,195.