2023 GMC Acadia Performance

There are two powertrain options. The old-school 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that came standard on the defunct SL (and the SLE) last year with less than 200 hp has been discontinued for this year.

The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder develops plenty of power and torque, delivering quick acceleration. Most buyers should be happy with the performance of this turbo firecracker. However, for those that still want a little more oomph when they put their foot down, the 3.6-liter V6 is available to all trims but the base SLE. Whether you opt for FWD or AWD, there is more than enough power to go around with 310 hp and 271 lb-ft on tap. From a cold stop, the V6 moves the Acadia from 0 to 60 mph in under 6.5 seconds.

Maximum standard towing capacity is 1,500 lbs, which can be increased to 4,000 lbs with the optional Trailering Package fitted.

You get a choice of two engines when you purchase a GMC Acadia, but you will need to select a trim that suits your power needs. The standard engine on the entry-tier SLE is the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, which is available with either front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive on the bottom three trims - including, from this year, the Denali - but not on the AT4, which gets the V6 engine only. It develops 228 hp and an impressive 258 lb-ft, which helps the crossover feel zippier on the road. You may still need to plan some of your overtaking maneuvers, but you should have enough power to pull them off when you're ready.

The SLT and Denali also get access to the potent 3.6-liter V6 that comes standard on the AT4. You get to choose the drivetrain that suits your needs on all but the AT4, which not only gets just the V6, but is also exclusively AWD. The top powertrain develops 310 hp and 271 lb-ft, giving the Acadia all the power it could ever need to get you where you're going in a flash. It sounds pretty good, too.

No matter which engine and drivetrain combination you select, a nine-speed automatic transmission rows the gears for you. It is well-refined and doesn't struggle to find the right gear for the situation.

Two engines and two drivetrains result in a bit of variance in the fuel economy ratings. The base 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder with the front-wheel drivetrain returns an EPA-estimated 22/29/25 mpg city/highway combined. With AWD, you can expect 22/27/24 mpg. The V6 engine is the most powerful but also the thirstiest, returning just 19/27/22 with FWD and even less with AWD - 19/26/21 mpg.

To make up for the lower figures attributed to the all-wheel drivetrain, models equipped with it get a 22-gallon fuel tank, while FWD setups can only carry 19 gallons of fuel. This means that the Acadia can cover up to 528 miles.