GMC Acadia

The Acadia marks the first car-based cross/utility vehicle for General Motors Corp.'s traditionally rugged, no-nonsense GMC brand as it steps into a world that demands versatility, roominess and efficiency from utility vehicles.

GM credits the vehicle's car-like ride to its 4-wheel independent suspension, mounted to a rigid car-based frame, which brings a lower center of gravity than traditional body-on-frame architectures.

The Acadia, Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave will be assembled at GM's Lansing Delta Plant in Michigan this fall.

The Acadia and Outlook will launch simultaneously in December, officials say. The Enclave is expected in showrooms in spring 2007.

The Acadia and Outlook signal GM's pivot toward CUVs, which likely will eclipse midsize SUVs, as a segment.

“This will be the bridge model for extending our brand,” says Steven Rosenblum, GMC marketing director.

The Acadia, to be offered in three trim levels, features polished aluminum roof rails and large headlamps that frame a dominant GMC grille.

The three rows of seats can be configured for seven or eight passengers, with two buckets up front and a standard third-row 60/40-split bench seat. The second row is available with a split bench or two captain's chairs.

Michael Burton, interior design director, says the layout allows for a “real third row that seats real people and not amputees.” Second- and third-row seats fold flat, another first for GMC.

The Acadia is powered by GM's 3.6L V-6 with variable valve timing mated to the new Hydra-Matic 6T75 6-speed automatic transmission.

Front-wheel-drive models get estimated city/highway fuel economy of 17/25 mpg (7.23 L/100 km/9.41 L/100). All-wheel-drive models are pegged at 17/24 mpg (9.80 L/100).