Is A Used GMC Acadia Your Next Vehicle?

Here at Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth, we strive to have the largest, most diverse used car selection in the state. With a selection on our lot that’s constantly changing even if you don’t find what you’re looking for today, we are confident we will land a vehicle in the near future that will fit your exact needs. And this may be a used GMC Acadia. This SUV comes with several features you are sure to love. And as the vehicle name is on the newer side, to begin with (the 2007 model year being its first), just about every used Acadia you find will be a solid purchase. So when looking for different used SUVs for sale, make sure to consider the award-winning GMC Acadia.

Introducing the First-Generation GMC Acadia

The 2007 Acadia represents the very model year of the SUV. GMC built the vehicle in order to be just larger than the GMC Terrain and slightly smaller than the GMC Yukon. When it first came out, it used a 3.6L V6 that produced 275 horsepower and 251 lb-ft of torque. It used this engine until swapping it out in 2009 with a direct-injected LLT 3.6L V6. This engine offered a slight upgrade in horsepower to 288, and the torque moved up to 270 lb-ft.

The Acadia maintained this same engine until the 2016 model year, in which it again swapped in a new 3.6L V6 for 2017. This particular engine though could produce 310 horsepower and 217 lb-ft of torque. All of the engines used a six-speed automatic transmission.

When shopping around for a GMC Acadia, you will find both seven and eight-seat options. The seven-seat models will have captain seats in the middle row while the eight-seat design will have a back and middle row with three seats apiece.

Denali and Trim Options On The GMC Acadia

For GMC, the top-tier trim is almost always the Denali. The Denali wasn’t immediately available on the GMC Acadia upon its initial release. However, it did make its debut in 2010 with the 2011 model year. The Denali offered new front and rear fascias, added chrome accents throughout, a new exhaust tip, larger 20-inch wheels, HID headlamps, and several upgrades on the interior.

When the GMC Acadia first came out, it was available in just an SLE and SLT trim. However, starting in 2008, GM offered an SL trim, although they discontinued this trim level in 2012. The Denali did not make an appearance until 2011.

Mid-Gen Facelifts

The first generation GMC Acadia did see several mid-gen facelifts over the course of its run. 2013 represented the first major upgrade. Many of the new design looks were off of the Saturn Outlook, which General Motors had pulled from production (it had completely pulled the plug on the entire Saturn lineup). While using the body design of the Outlook, it added a new liftgate, front fascia, and improved several interior features. Basically, this was about as close to transitioning into a second generation as a vehicle can go while remaining in its current generation.

In 2014 several upgrades were released, although most of the changes took place in the interior. This included new USB charging ports, plus several safety features like a Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Alert.

As is the case from time to time, a first-generation model will be sold right along with the second generation. This happened with the GMC Acadia. So, if you see a vehicle marked as the Acadia Limited, it means it was a first-gen model but sold alongside the second-gen for the 2017 model year. Often, when a vehicle generation is being phased out, there are remaining parts left, so the parts are used, and the vehicle receives alternative branding.

The Second-Generation GMC Acadia

The second-generation finally came out with the 2017 model year. General Motors wanted the Acadia to be tucked into the mid-size SUV category, so it did shave off some of its size, removing a full seven inches from the length of the vehicle and 3.5 inches from the width (so, if you want the larger Acadia you will want to go with a first-generation model).

Due to the removal of size from the GMC Acadia, the SUV also took a new seat configuration, reducing it to five, six, or seven-passenger options. If you want a larger SUV as a five-passenger design, the GMC Acadia will give you plenty of legroom for the second row as well as tons of cargo space. It really just depends on what you’re looking for (so if you find a second-generation Acadia, make sure to look at the seating configurations. Wouldn’t want to end up with a five-seater when you want seven or eight seats).

This time around, the GMC Acadia was released with two engine options inside of one. This includes a base 2.5L I4 engine that produces 194 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque. It also offers a larger 3.6L V6 that produces 310 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. No matter the engine you decide on, you will receive a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Second-Gen Facelift

We are currently right in the middle of the second-generation, and we probably won’t see a third-generation for several years now. However, we have seen a recent facelift for the 2020 model. Of course, you likely won’t be seeing any 2020 GMC Acadias on the used lot just yet, but once the 2021 models start hitting showrooms later in the year, you will begin to see the transition of used (especially previously leased) 2020 models.

The 2020 facelift came with a new front grille that is based on the grille used by the GMC Sierra pickup. It also features updates to the infotainment system, including new connective features allowing you to pair up with either Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. You’ll find a 2.0L turbo EcoTec I4 engine, as well as a new AT4 trim level. New wheels are available on the 2020 facelift as well.

If you like the 2020 facelift and the pickup inspired grille, don’t worry, you won’t have to wait long for it to start showing up on our used lot.

Your Next Used SUV Awaits at Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth

At Rick Hendrick Buick GMC in Duluth, GA, we have access to not only locally sold GMC Acadias but also those sold throughout the United States. Can’t find the right SUV on the lot? Not a problem, we are part of a national network that allows us to connect with other dealerships in every corner of the U.S. This way, should you see the absolute perfect Acadia in Orlando, Florida or Portland, Oregon, we can work with our national network to bring the SUV to you. This is just one of the many ways we take the extra step to help you find the perfect used vehicle. Whatever you decide to go with, let our staff of customer service specialists work with you in tracking down that perfect vehicle.