Driving Impressions

The overriding thing that struck me was how small the Acadia feels when you drive it. Make no mistake, this is a big vehicle, but it doesn't feel that way, and that's a good thing. It's easy to judge the Acadia's width and length, so it was easy to squeeze into small lanes in city driving. Parking was also pretty effortless for such a long, wide car.

Some flaws did pop up on the highway. For starters, the side mirrors are a bad shape to be of much use. The top section of each mirror slopes down, really pinching your vision. The mirrors also seem to be too narrow to give a good panoramic view — which is what's needed in a large vehicle.

Also, the window sills are high, which created a weird blind spot in the next lane. Any small cars zooming by on the right (as small cars are wont to do in Illinois) are invisible for a second. The more I drove the more I adjusted to this blind spot, but better mirrors would solve the problem altogether.

The drivetrain is a solid — if not spectacular — performer. The 3.6-liter V-6 engine and six-speed automatic do a nice job of moving the Acadia from a dead stop and a decent job of passing on the highway.

Same goes for ride and steering: Both aspects fit the type of car the Acadia Denali is trying to be. As used by GMC, the term "Denali" doesn't mean performance. It's a luxury trim, so the ride is soft. At times on the highway, the Denali felt like it was floating along. The steering isn't vague, but it is light, both on the highway and in parking lots.

None of these things are bad, but if you're the sort of driver who enjoys a more engaged driving experience, the Acadia Denali is likely to disappoint. Most luxury car shoppers, however, probably won't find anything objectionable about the Denali's road manners.

    See also:

    Using the 3.5mm (1/8 in) Auxiliary Input Jack
    The auxiliary input jack is located on the lower right side of the faceplate. This is not an audio output; do not plug a headphone set into the front auxiliary input jack. Connect an auxiliary input ...

    Shocks and Struts
    Shocks and struts help aid in control for a smoother ride. • Signs of wear may include steering wheel vibration, bounce/ sway while braking, longer stopping distance, or uneven tire wear. • As p ...

    Managing the Vehicle Damage Repair Process
    In the event that the vehicle requires damage repairs, GM recommends that you take an active role in its repair. If you have a pre-determined repair facility of choice, take the vehicle there, or have ...