Ready to dive into the world of the GMC Acadia?
This guide unveils the best and worst years for this popular midsize SUV.
I’ve examined the numbers from reliable sources like NHTSA and Consumer Reports to give you a comprehensive look at the Acadia’s performance and reliability across all generations. From tech upgrades to frequent issues, we’ll cover it all.
Let’s explore your ideal GMC Acadia!
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GMC Acadia Generations
The GMC Acadia burst onto the scene with its first generation, making waves as a roomy midsize crossover SUV. It quickly became a hit with families, thanks to its commodious interior that could seat up to eight passengers and a robust V6 engine under the hood.
Now, let’s break down the Acadia’s journey from 2007 to 2023:
| Generation | Years |
|---|---|
| 1st generation (GMT960) | 2007-2016 |
| 2nd generation (C1XX) | 2017-2023 |
We’re laying out these generations to give you the complete picture. Why? Because each generation brings its own set of changes – think features, tech upgrades, and design modifications. These differences can make or break your decision when you’re eyeing an Acadia.
GMC Acadia Best, Neutral, and Worst Years
When we’re ranking the Acadia’s years, we don’t just pull numbers out of a hat. We look at a thorough array of factors:
- What owners are saying (surveys)
- How much you’ll shell out for yearly maintenance
- Safety ratings (because who doesn’t want to feel secure?)
- Consumer Reports’ take on reliability and owner satisfaction
- NHTSA’s list of recalls, investigations, and complaints
- Ratings from Edmunds, JD Power, Kelley Blue Book (KBB), VehicleHistory, and Cars.com
Take a look at this graph – it’s a visual treat of the Acadia’s performance based on all these extensive sources:
Now, let’s break it down further. We’ve sorted the Acadia model years into three categories: the finest of the crop, the middle-of-the-road, and the ones you might want to think twice about.
| Generation | Best Years | Neutral Years | Worst Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st generation (GMT960) | 2013 2015 2016 | 2010 2011 2012 | 2007 2008 2009 2014 |
| 2nd generation (C1XX) | 2019 2021 2022 2023 | 2018 2020 | 2017 |
Remember, those neutral years? They’re the in-betweeners. They might have a mixture of favorable and not-so-great feedback, without really standing out either way.
Keep in mind, some factors can really drag a year’s rating down. More complaints and recalls? That’s a definite ticket to a diminished reliability score.
Ready to plunge into the comprehensive specifics of the Acadia’s finest and worst years?
Let’s go!
Best & Worst Years for GMC Acadia 1st Generation (2007-2016)
The GMC Acadia kicked off its journey in 2007, marking the start of its first generation. This midsize crossover SUV quickly won hearts with its spacious interior and powerful V6 engine, becoming a go-to choice for families.
In this initial generation, the celebrities of the show are 2013, 2015, and 2016. On the other side, you might want to steer clear of the 2007-2009 and 2014 models.
The Best Years: 2013, 2015, 2016
Our comprehensive dive reveals that 2013, 2015, and 2016 are the top dogs of the first-gen Acadia. These years saw fewer grievances and recalls on NHTSA’s monitor.
The 2013 Acadia packed a wallop with its 3.6L LLT V6 engine, churning out 288 horses. It came with a 6-speed 6T75 automatic transmission and an optional All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system for those who like to tackle rougher terrains.
This year also introduced the luxurious Denali trim. Think premium materials, advanced safety features, and a ride smooth as silk. Fuel efficiency? Not too shabby at 17 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway.
The 2015 and 2016 models kept the 3.6L V6 engine but upped the ante on fuel efficiency. They achieved up to 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. These models also brought advanced safety tech to the table, including forward collision and lane departure warning systems.
The Neutral Years: 2010, 2011, 2012
The 2010, 2011, and 2012 Acadias stuck with the 3.6L V6 engine, offering sufficient power and the ability to tow up to 5,200 pounds. Fuel efficiency matched the finest years at 17 city/24 highway mpg.
While these models were generally more dependable than the worst years, they weren’t completely problem-free. Some transmission and steering issues popped up, but less frequently. On the bright side, they still offered a comfortable and roomy ride, making them solid choices for families.
The Worst Years: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2014
The early birds of the first-gen Acadia had their fair share of challenges. We’re talking issues with the electrical system, engine, powertrain, and steering. That’s why we’ve tagged 2007, 2008, and 2009 as the years to avoid in this generation.
Owners reported transmission problems like slipping and lurching, power steering assist giving up at slow speeds, and electrical malfunctions caused by faulty sunroofs.
These years saw recalls for problems like brief circuits in the heated windshield washer module, windshields deciding to take a day off, and transmission shift lever indicators playing pranks.
The 2014 model also hit some bumps in the road. It faced electrical system glitches, transmission hiccups, and power steering losses. Recalls addressed issues like contamination in the chassis electronic module, leading to electrical malfunctions and fuel gauges with dependability problems.
Want the inside scoop and filthy?
Check out NHTSA’s 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2014 GMC Acadia recalls and complaints.
Best & Worst Years for GMC Acadia 2nd Generation (2017-2023)
The Acadia’s second act, kicking off in 2017, brought some significant changes to the stage. This generation slimmed down to a more nimble platform, offering a variety of engine options and stepping up its safety game.
In this generation, 2017 is the only year you might want to think twice about. The stars of the show? That’d be 2019 and 2021-2023.
The Best Years: 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023
Our research crowns 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023 as the most dependable years for the second-gen Acadia.
The 2019 model gave buyers a choice: a 2.5L LCV four-cylinder for the fuel-conscious or a heftier 3.6L LGX V6 for those craving more oomph. Both came paired with 6-speed 6T50/6T70 automatic transmissions. The V6 offered quick acceleration and solid towing power, all while consuming fuel at 18 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway.
This year also brought some sophisticated treats to the table. Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking became standard, and the infotainment system got a substantial upgrade.
The 2021, 2022, and 2023 models kept the engine options, with the V6 remaining a well-liked favorite for its power and performance. These years saw modern styling updates and tech improvements, including an improved infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Safety remained a vital concern, with sophisticated driver assistance features easily available.
The Neutral Years: 2018, 2020
The 2018 Acadia adhered to the script, offering the same engine choices and safety features as the best years. It maintained its reputation for a comfortable and roomy interior, keeping its spot as a solid family hauler.
However, the 2020 model hit a few obstacles. It faced recalls for issues with rearview cameras going on strike and missing bolts on the start/stop accumulator, which could lead to transmission oil deciding to make a swift escape.
The Worst Years: 2017
Our investigation shows that 2017, the initial year of the second-gen Acadia, stumbled out of the gate. It faced some obstacles, particularly with its electrical system and transmission. If you’re shopping for an Acadia, you might want to skip the 2017 model and look at the more reliable 2018 and 2019 versions instead.
Owners of the 2017 Acadia reported problems like an irritating “Shift to Park” message that would pop up intermittently, preventing them from turning off the vehicle. Some also experienced harsh transmission behavior and gear slipping.
While these kinks were ironed out in following years, the 2017 Acadia stands as the model to avoid in this generation.
Curious about the details?
Check out NHTSA’s 2017 GMC Acadia recalls and problems.
GMC Acadia Resale Values
Want to know how the Acadia maintains its worth over time? This graph shows how resale prices have trended upward across different model years:
Conclusion
There you have it – a clear picture of which GMC Acadia model years shine in the reliability department. Want to play it safe? Go for the cream of the crop: the 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2023 models. And those problematic 2007-2009, 2014, and 2017 models? You might want to steer away.
Have you been behind the wheel of an Acadia from one of our finest or worst years?
We’d love to learn about it!
Drop your experiences and opinions in the comments below. Your insights could be just what another Acadia customer needs to hear!
