The 2011 GMC Acadia, including the Denali trim, has been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Acadia received the top score of Good in frontal-offset, side-impact, rear and roof-strength crash tests. It also has a standard electronic stability system.

The Acadia Denali also has standard front-wheel drive, all-disc antilock brakes with brake assist, anti-roll control, traction control and six airbags, including curtain airbags for all three rows. Its optional safety features include all-wheel drive and rear parking sensors with a backup camera.

OnStar communication service is also standard in the Acadia Denali.

The Acadia Denali has two sets of lower Latch anchors in the second-row captain's chairs. They were easy to locate and just as easy to use since they stick out of the seat bight, where the back and bottom cushions meet. I only wish there had been another set in the third row.

Even though the second row's seat cushions seemed short, a bulky rear-facing infant-safety seat and a convertible car seat fit easily. For added convenience, the captain's chairs slide forward and back, so you can pull those babies closer to you or push the seats back to make room for longer legs.