Overview:
This week we’re looking at the 2007 GMC Acadia FWD SLT-1 SUV. Your guess is as good as mine what they meant by SLT. Sounds a little nasty so I emailed GM to ask and no reply received to publication date. If you know what the acronym stands for please email me. It must be descriptive of the character of this Sport Ute in some way.
As to the definition of the new edition name Acadia (in French Acadie) was the name given by the French to a territory in northeastern North America which includes parts of eastern Quebec, the Maritime provinces and modern-day New England stretching as far south as Philadelphia. Why I haven’t a clue.
General Info:
Parts – n/a
Assembly – Lansing , MI USA
Class: – Special Purpose
Cars: – Acadia, Canyon, Envoy, Savana & Cargo van, Sierra 1500, 2500 HD, 3500, Classic 1500, 2500 HD, 3500 and Hybrid, Yukon , Denali and Yukon XL.
Rumor has it:
Ok, this has nothing to do with rumor. It is factual that by some accounts you are 60 times safer on the battle fields of Iraq than you are on the highways and by-ways of America in your car or truck. That’s correct – in 2005 there were 39,189 fatal crashes or 3,300 deaths per MONTH. It has taken 5 years to kill that many soldiers in our much publicized war to free that Middle East people. Since most all of us have to travel by car we don’t really want to think about it – but it’s true. This statement is based on numbers of deaths only and you can make a case that based on the percentages of numbers of people who drive versus the number of people serving in Iraq the percentage view indicates it is more dangerous on the streets of Iraq . But you know what I mean. In any case that doesn’t include drive by shootings and road rage – in L.A. alone.
Buckle up and try to keep the rubber side down – it’s a battle out there.
But on another front we’re hearing more bad news about our beloved car maker Honda. Just when you think someone is beyond unethical behavior you learn Honda is being accused of engineered odometers to cheat us consumers. If true – shame on Honda. Wow, could it be my trust was misplaced? Burst my bubble Honda. I don’t trust governments – but from Honda and my wife – I expect more.
Handling & Performance:
This is not much of a mountain goat but on flat terrain it is a nice road car. It is quiet and luxurious and it is a high and wide riding SUV that is comfy.
Styling:
They have designed it to be quite striking and expensive looking. Well, it isn’t cheap but not bad for a heavily equipped solid riding luxury SUV.
Fit and Finish:
Excellent
Cost:
It is a good value in a class of equally good product.
Conveniences and comfort:
Perhaps the most interesting if not the best adaptation of the navigation systems of today is GM’s turn-by-turn feature as an add-on to OnStar. Just press the blue button give them the address you’re going to and they locate you and your destination and record the route that is then played back on your journey just before you’ll need to make a turn. It is totally hands free and somewhat more personalized. Of course that was an after thought to the very helpful OnStar real person service system to help you with a host of services. They’ll find a gas station or restaurant or almost anything you need. In an emergency they’ll be there to help as well.
Consumer Recommendation:
Although it doesn’t show up in the recognized competition I would put Chrysler Pacifica in this class and feel it is very similar to this Acadia . Add the Pacifica to your list of SUVs to your search.
Recognized Competition:
GMC Acadia $29-37,000, Dodge Durango $26-36,000, GMC Envoy $27-37,000, Mercury Mountaineer $27-34,000, Toyota 4Runner $28-38,000, Honda Pilot $27-35,000, Nissan Murano $28-32,000, Hummer H3 $29-38,000, Hyundai Santa Fe $21-28,000, Subaru B9 Tribeca $30-33,000, Ford Explorer $25-35,000.
Good News:
Large spacious and comfortable stylish adaptation of the Sport Utility that looks like more money than you’ll pay.
Bad News:
High profile and soft suspension reduces handling in the curves, only fair fuel economy even if not less than others in class. Manufacturers need to do better with fuel performance.
Standard Equipment:
3.6 liter 275 horsepower V6 engine, 6 speed auto trans front wheel drive, variable assist power steering, anti-lock brake system, stability control, dual front air bags and head curtain and front side impact airbags, passenger sensing system, child safety latch system, OnStar with turn-by-turn navigation, theft deterrent system, fog lights, heated power mirrors with turn signal lights, tire pressure monitoring system, 18” aluminum wheels, leather seats, heated front seats, power 6-way driver and 2-way passenger seats, 7-passenger seating captains chairs and 3rd row split bench seat, 2nd row slide system, three zone climate control, rear cargo storage, rear seat audio controls, tilt and telescoping leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, Bose speakers with sub-woofers and stereo with 6-CD / MP3 player.
Options: dual skyscape sunroof, power lift gate, heads up display, XM satellite radio, 115 volt power outlet, cargo area audio controls. ($2,919).
Gas Stats:
$3.15/ Gal avg. Mar. 29, ‘07
www.fueleconomy.gov
for more information.
18 City and 26 Highway MPG
Point/CounterPoint Conclusion:
MSRP $33,225 before options.
