2012 GMC Acadia Denali
by Jim Prueter -01/2010

*This review was originally written in March 2011 about the 2011 Acadia. Little of substance has changed, however, the review has been updated to include what’s new for the 2012 model year.

For 2012, GMC’s first crossover vehicle, the Acadia, enters its fifth year of production along with General Motor’s siblings the Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave, all built on the same lambda platform.

Last year, as more buyers were moving away from truck-based SUVs and into crossover vehicles, GMC introduced the upscale Acadia Denali model that debuted at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Denali is the fourth trim level added to the Acadia line, which includes the base SL, mid-grade SLE, and upscale SLT, and is available in either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Acadia models are available with either seven- or eight-passenger seating configurations.

We drove the top-of-the-line Denali front-wheel drive model with a base price $44,690 including the $810 shipping charge. For the all-wheel drive Denali model, it’d cost an additional $2,000.

At an extra cost ($395), there are two new exterior colors, crystal red tintcoat and stone gray metallic. Outside mirrors with an integral blind spot warning system is now standard on upscale SLT and Denali models. Fog lamps and body-color side moldings are also standard now on all SLE, SLT, and Denali models.

Other changes for 2012 include revisions to content and trim, including an accessory power outlet added to the center console.

The Denali package adds loads of glitz to the SLT, including high-intensity discharge headlamps, lower ground effects to the front and rear fascia, chrome-clad six-spoke wheels, dual chrome exhaust tips, unique bodyside moldings with chrome accents and Denali badges, and an over-the-top honeycomb chrome grille.

Other standard features on the Denali include remote keyless entry, remote start, cooled front seats, a review camera and BoseÒ surround-sound audio system with XM radio service, USB port, head-up display for vehicle speed and tri-zone climate control, and power rear liftgate.

Thankfully the Denali package left the interior relatively untouched where black plastic and unconvincing black stained faux wood dominates much of the cabin. The perforated leather seats—heated in both the front and second rows—are exceptionally comfortable and supportive, though we would have welcome a bit less lumbar support in the front seats.

As with all Acadia models and lambda-based products, the cabin is especially roomy with stretch-out legroom in our test vehicles’ front and two second-row captain’s chairs. Second-row seats fold easily for access to the decently roomy third row, which also easily folds and tucks into the load floor with the touch of a button for additional cargo space.

Two standard sunroofs over the front and second rows have mesh shades that retract, but fail to adequately screen harsh sun from heating the cabin.

All Acadia models are powered by GM’s ubiquitous 3.6-liter V-6 with 288 horsepower, paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Our test model is rated at 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, however, during our weeklong testing, we averaged just over 19 mpg in a mix of urban and highway driving. On a positive note, the engine felt exceptionally powerful.

Our driving experience was excellent, as we enjoyed an exceptionally smooth and quiet ride and the vehicle’s crisp handling.

Another plus is that despite its large size, the Denali has a short turning radius, making parking an easy process. When properly equipped, the Acadia has a towing capability of up to 5,200 pounds.

Options on our test Denali included a touch screen navigation system ($1890), rear-seat DVD entertainment system ($1445), and the crystal red tintcoat exterior paint ($395), bringing the total MSRP to $48,420.

Standard safety features include antilock brakes, a Stabilitrak-stability control system with traction control, and dual front, head and side curtain airbags. Acadia received the highest “Good” rating for frontal offset and side impact crash test results by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It has not been crash-tested by the U.S. Government.

Overall the Acadia Denali seems to try a bit too hard to showcase as a “premium luxury” vehicle by adding unnecessary and rather tacky-looking glitz to an otherwise handsome SLT offering.