First Look: The Major Upgrades Coming to the 2024 GMC Acadia

A full redesign brings more space, more power, a new 2.5L turbo engine, upgraded technology, and new Denali and AT4 features. Here’s what’s new for 2024.

GMC has revealed the 2024 Acadia at the North American International Auto Show – the only all-new vehicle to make its public debut in Detroit. Available in seven- or eight-passenger configurations, the third generation of the mid-size SUV is considerably longer, wider, and taller than before – longer even than the first-generation Acadia, which was sold as a full-size.

Related2018 GMC Acadia Denali Review

More Space Inside, Plus a New 2.5L Turbo Under the Hood

2024 GMC Acadia Denali interior rear seats
2024 Acadia Denali. Photo: GMC

The new Acadia’s 27cm (10.6in) extra length is most noticeably felt in the cargo capacity, which is up 80 percent over the outgoing generation with third-row seating in place. There’s 36 percent more space for cargo behind the second row and greater front-passenger legroom, too.

A highlight of the more upscale cabin is a 15-inch portrait infotainment screen, which is standard across all trims and has Google built in. There’s a further 11-inch digital display for the driver. Both are customizable.

2024 GMC Acadia AT4 interior front cabin view
2024 Acadia AT4. Photo: GMC

Meanwhile, there’s no longer a V6 option under the hood. All trims are powered by a new 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque. Both numbers represent increases in the maximums previously available. Towing capacity is up, too, peaking at 5,000 lb (2,270kg), compared with only 4,000 lb (1,816kg) on the 2023 model. There’s no mention of an EV version.

Denali and AT4 Step Up With New Styling and More Capability

2024 GMC Acadia Denali front view parked on dirt in forest setting
2024 Acadia Denali. Photo: GMC

Duncan Aldred, global vice president of Buick and GMC noted at the presentation that more than half of GMCs sold are high-end Denalis or off-road AT4s. The new Acadia Denali gets standard one-touch folding second-row seats and a power-folding third row; 22-inch alloy wheels; laser-etched wood décor with chrome accents; and a 16-speaker Bose premium sound system.

2024 GMC Acadia AT4 front view parked outside by water
2024 Acadia AT4. Photo: GMC

The more rugged Acadia AT4 gets an additional inch of ride height, wider track, and all-terrain tires. It rides on revised suspension with hydraulic rebound control and has trim-exclusive Active Torque Control AWD, whose twin-clutch rear differentials are said to maximize traction and control when the going gets tough.

Super Cruise Arrives on More Acadia Trims

Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance technology in the 2024 GMC Acadia Denali. Photo: GMC

The AT4 will also be available with GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driver-assistance system – the first time it’s been offered on a GMC trim other than Denali. It’ll be an option on the Elevation Premium grade, too. This latest iteration of the technology includes trailer assist and automatic lane-change. Aldred predicts that by 2025, over a third of GMC vehicles sold will be equipped with Super Cruise.

Other tech highlights include up to nine camera views and just about every advanced driver assistance (ADAS) system you can think of, including intersection automatic emergency braking and side bicyclist alert. The 2024 GMC Acadia goes into production at GM’s Lansing Delta Township Assembly plant in Michigan in early 2024. Pricing will be announced nearer the time.

Graham Heeps
Graham Heepshttps://www.grahamheeps.com/
Based in Calgary, AB, Graham’s outlets include Autocar, tractionlife.com, Canada Drives and several CAA magazines. A lifelong motorsports fan, he’s a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) and speaks German. Graham also collects Matchbox cars and contributes to the leading toy-car blog, LamleyGroup.com.

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