2009 GMC Acadia Review

Acadia SLE FWD ($31,890) and AWD ($33,890) come with cloth upholstery, air conditioning with rear controls, cruise control, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power heated outside mirrors, power windows and programmable door locks with remote keyless entry, four-way manually adjustable driver's seat with lumbar adjustment, three-passenger 60/40 split second-row bench seat, three-passenger 60/40 split third-row bench seat, AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio with XM Satellite Radio, automatic headlamps, daytime running lights, rear spoiler, roof rails, fog lights, and P255/65R18 tires painted aluminum wheels.

Options for SLE include a Preferred package ($640) with a six-way power driver's seat, a two-way power passenger seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, a Bluetooth wireless cell phone link, and bodyside moldings. A Visibility package ($695) adds rear park assist, a rearview camera, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Other options consist of remote engine starting ($260), a trailering package ($495), a cargo cover and net ($130), second-row captain's chairs ($495), and other equipment from the higher-line model. Also available is a package ($2,055) combining tri-zone climate control, a Bose stereo, and a rear-seat DVD system. A dual-screen rear DVD entertainment system costs $2,010.

Acadia SLT FWD ($36,250) and AWD ($38,250) add leather upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control with rear controls, six-way power adjustable driver's seat, two-way power adjustable passenger seat, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, second-row captain's chairs, a more sophisticated Bose stereo with rear radio controls, driver information center, outside temperature display, compass, a Bluetooth wireless cell phone link, universal garage door opener, and turn signals integrated into the outside mirrors.

Options for SLT start with the SLT2 package ($2,240) that includes rear park assist, an eight-way power driver's seat, a four-way power passenger seat, memory for the driver's seat and mirrors, a rearview camera, auto-dimming rearview and driver's side mirrors, remote engine starting, power-folding exterior mirrors, a 115-volt power outlet, an automatic up/down driver's power window, heated washer nozzles, a power liftgate, and a cargo cover and net. A Visibility and Directions package ($2985) includes rear park assist, a navigation system with voice recognition and real-time traffic information provided by XM, a rearview camera, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a power liftgate. Other options consist of a Technology package ($500) with a head-up display and cargo-area audio controls; a second-row center console ($300); a Dual Skyscape two-panel glass sunroof ($1,400); heated and cooled front seats ($650); the navigation system ($1,890); HID headlights ($500); and 19-inch bright aluminum wheels on P255/55R19 tires ($1,295). Eight-passenger seating is available for a credit (-$495). DVD entertainment is offered as a stand-alone option ($1,295).

Safety features include dual frontal airbags, curtain side airbags, seat-mounted side-impact airbags for the driver and front-seat passenger, OnStar, anti-lock brakes with Brake Assist, traction control, and StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover mitigation.

OnStar uses a global positioning system and an extra powerful cellular telephone to put the driver in touch with the OnStar center which is manned 24/7. The center can tell where the vehicle is located and send help or provide other assistance. Should the airbags deploy the system can automatically notify the OnStar center that an accident has occurred and where the vehicle is located so it can then send help. OnStar service is free for the first year but after that requires a subscription fee.