2022 GMC Acadia

The Acadia doesn't have as high a ride height as many of its larger SUV rivals or those that are lifted, so it drives more like a car than they do. However, even with the top-tier V6, you shouldn't expect the driving experience to be fun. This is a comfortable cruiser first and foremost.

To that end, the steering is light, but offers little to no feedback. Combined with a lack of dexterity, this can lead to some unexpected understeer. Luckily, plenty of driver-assistance features come standard to help counteract these issues. The brakes are strong and easy to modulate, too, so you won't have to worry on that front.

Where the crossover really shines, though, is ride comfort. The suspension does a good job of absorbing most road abrasions, while also keeping the vehicle composed over slippery roads. Naturally, you'll want the all-wheel drivetrain if that's going to be a common issue. However, don't mistake this for 4x4 capability. Even the AT4 trim isn't especially suited to going off-road.

Due to their enormous popularity, there is no shortage of crossovers on the US market. That doesn't mean they're all successful, though, and competition is fierce. But, if you're searching for a comfortable and practical family car, the Acadia might be worth a closer look.

It has enough power to get you around town in a timely fashion, but it never handles particularly well and it definitely isn't fun to drive. But since it is designed to be a comfortable family hauler, this can be overlooked as a weakness. What we can't ignore is the fact that the third-row seats are barely usable and the trunk is far too small with all the seats in place. Slightly larger rivals like the Hyundai Palisade or Kia Telluride are much more capable in this regard for the same money.

The Acadia's smaller size does make it a bit easier to live with if you often deal with heavy traffic or crowded parking lots, but it simply isn't enough of a pro to outweigh the cons. Even all the standard comfort, infotainment, and safety features aren't enough of a value proposition, since most of these are now included on many modern economy crossovers.

The GMC Acadia SUV may once have been competent and competitive, but it just hasn't done enough to move with the time. Nowadays, it is easy to find half a dozen alternatives that do what it does, only better and for less money.

Slotting in beneath the Acadia in the GMC crossover lineup, the Terrain has many of the same priorities. It has a lackluster 170-hp engine, with no option to upgrade to a more powerful engine. It isn't fun to drive either but it is comfortable, just like the Acadia. Since it is smaller, it doesn't try to squeeze in a third row of seats, but this also means that it has more space to spare for cargo - 29.6 cubic feet, to be exact. Since the third row in the larger SUV is barely usable, this actually makes the Terrain more practical. But, if you fold down the rear-most seats and treat the Acadia as a five-seater, it offers more space for both passengers and cargo. Honestly, neither are great choices, but we'd opt for the larger GMC if we had to choose.

Although the pricing of the Acadia virtually matches the Traverse at entry-level, the two SUVs are quite different. The Chevrolet doesn't even bother with weak four-cylinder engines, instead opting for a V6 right from the get-go. With 310 hp on tap, it gets around quite easily, despite being larger and heavier than the Acadia. However, this extra size also means extra practicality, with more passenger space and a standard 23-cubic-foot cargo hold on offer behind the third row. Tech-wise, their list of features is pretty similar, but if you look at the top-tier trims, the Chevy will cost you a little more. However, the best value for money is not found on the most expensive model for either vehicle. Aim a little lower, and the Traverse proves itself to be the smarter choice.