DriveTech

GMC hits a home run with the 2007 Acadia SLT-1

Everyone stand up and welcome Acadia to the GMC family. And while you're up, let's welcome Seaside GMC-Pontiac to its new location on Miramar Road, right down the street from I-805.

Did the dealership move onto Miramar Road because it needed more space? Space was a problem but the biggest contributor to its move was that the old landlord simply said it was time to move and the dealership did. Now it's just two turns and 4.3 miles from its old location. So stop by the new location at 6435 Miramar Road or call Owner/President Lloyd Lickert at (858) 597-1111 for a tour of the new facility along with popcorn from the popcorn machine on the showroom floor.

Now let's talk about GMC's first attempt at a crossover vehicle - the Acadia. The Acadia looks very good at first glance and getting behind the wheel is even better. Even though the Acadia rides high, it's very easy to get in or out of. The instrumentation and dash area look a little retro to me, as if from the '60s and '70s. A touch of chrome and other materials give the inside a look of class and retro at the same time.

Turn on the 3.6-liter front wheel drive V6 and the gauges light up with very bright red needles with a red hue around very large gauges, which I really like. In the top center of the dash there is a nice storage area with a lid, but a navigation system also would fit nicely there. There are three large vents surrounded in chrome that gave it a retro look.

The standard audio system comes with Bose speakers plus a sub woofer. It's AM/FM/CD/MP3 capable. The climate controls are large enough to operate with snow gloves on and below that is a cubby compartment, 12-volt receptacle and the controls for the seat heaters. So far, none of these features cost you any more than the standard vehicle price.

The V6 engine has plenty of pep with 275 horsepower and 251 pound-foot of torque, backed by a Hydra-Matic 6 six-speed automatic transmission. With this combination, expect to get 18 miles per gallon in the city and 26 MPG on the open road. I was very pleased with the acceleration. It's not neck-snapping fast but quick enough to give you the confidence that you can merge with the best of them.

The seating is comfortable not only up front but also in the second row captain chairs. This Acadia has a third row of seating but I had just eaten lunch and didn't feel like crawling back to the third row seats, even though they did look pretty comfortable. You will just have to try them out for yourself.
The rear hatch is electrically controlled for easy opening and closing. You can either use the key fob or push the button. Either way, it works flawlessly. My Acadia's interior is rather stunning, all done in black leather. The exterior is "carbon metallic" with a large front grill all chromed up. The only other chrome appeared on the badging and the 18-inch alloy wheels.

The Acadia comes with plenty of standard safety features, such as the StabliTrak stability control system with rollover mitigation technology, traction control on the front wheel drive model, a tire pressure-monitoring system and a six-airbag safety system along with crumple zones and beams in the doors.

The Acadia is a smart looking crossover (I still think it's a well-designed station wagon, but no one agrees). I really liked this Acadia from outside to inside and it's been the first crossover where people have stopped me and asked my opinion of it. My opinion is that if you need a crossover that can tow up to 4,500 pounds and a capacity up to eight occupants, then the Acadia needs to be on your shopping list. Even though I didn't mention options, the Acadia has plenty, just ask Lickert.

GMC has hit a home run with the 2007 Acadia. I give it a solid 10!

Next week, I'll review a vehicle from Rancho Dodge.