Based on looks alone, the GMC Acadia should be a great SUV. It has attractive styling, a roomy interior, and even an outdoorsy AT4 trim. The most expensive trim, the Denali, can lure shoppers in with all of its fancy upgrades alone.

Still, looks can be deceiving. In terms of performance, the GMC Acadia is one of the worst midsize SUVs you can buy. Because it looks so similar to the GMC Terrain, many consumers find its overall design to be uninspired as well. As a result, the GMC Acadia’s sales are suffering. Are there any redeeming qualities about this car?

Plummeting profits

For the first quarter of 2020, the GMC Acadia returned stunningly bad sales. It sold only 17,686 units. This time last year, the car sold a little over 31,000 units. That’s a loss of over 43 percent. The GMC Acadia also sold poorly in Mexico and Canada.

Due to the current global situation, car sales have been impacted significantly, which could also be contributing to the Acadia’s reduced sales. It’s also worth noting the Acadia outsold all of its rivals in its segment, like the Honda Passport and Kia Telluride. The GMC Acadia’s first-quarter 2019 sales were also a big improvement compared to previous years.

About the GMC Acadia

The GMC Acadia is still a pretty powerful SUV. Under the hood, it has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder as the standard motor. A turbocharged four-cylinder engine is also available, rated at 230 hp. Higher trims like the Denali get a V6 engine capable of 310 hp. The V6 also gives drivers a lot of extra towing power – up to 4,000 pounds with all the right equipment.

The Acadia’s interior is a bit of a mixed bag, ranging from nice soft-touch elements to the cheapest plastics. However, the first two rows of seats are highly supportive and roomy enough for all passengers. There’s also plenty of technology inside to keep both drivers and passengers entertained.

The Acadia’s average reviews

While the Acadia doesn’t have terrible reviews from critics, they also note that there’s nothing remarkable about the SUV. The drive is smooth, and you get the expected acceleration from the available V6 engine. Like most SUVs in its class, the third row is also cramped.

Edmunds noted that the interior is far from upscale, even in the Denali model. While it boasts 23 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, some rivals can hold more. Car and Driver was also dissatisfied with the Acadia’s luggage capacity.

The GMC Acadia isn’t a great value

Another gripe that most reviewers have about the Acadia is the price. The base engine doesn’t provide much excitement for daily driving, meaning you’ll have to upgrade to a bigger motor. The lowest trim you can buy with the turbo engine option starts at around $35,000. If you want the V6, you’ll have to pay a minimum of $42,000.

In contrast, the Chevrolet Traverse comes with an identical V6 starting at just under $30,000. It also comes with many of the same technology features inside the Acadia. Five out of six Traverse trims are also available with all-wheel drive, whereas only it’s only available for the Acadia AT4.

Which SUVs are better alternatives?

The Kia Telluride has a more sophisticated interior, a great predicted reliability rating, and more features in its highest trim. The Buick Enclave has a similar price point, but it’s bigger and comes with a comfortable third row. All things considered, the GMC Acadia has definitely made a comeback in recent years. However, it still has a long way to go if it wants to surpass its competition.