Ready to dive into the world of the GMC Acadia?
This guide unveils the finest and worst years for this popular midsize SUV.
I’ve examined the numbers from trusted sources like NHTSA and Consumer Reports to give you a thorough 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 perfect GMC Acadia!
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GMC Acadia Generations
The GMC Acadia burst onto the scene with its first generation, making waves as a spacious midsize crossover SUV. It quickly became a hit with families, thanks to its roomy interior that could seat up to eight passengers and a robust V6 engine under the hood.
Now, let’s break down the Acadia’s expedition 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 comprehensive picture. Why? Because each generation brings its own set of changes – think features, tech upgrades, and design tweaks. 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 whole bunch 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 feast of the Acadia’s performance based on all these sources:
Now, let’s break it down further. We’ve sorted the Acadia model years into three categories: the best 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 good and not-so-good feedback, without really standing out either way.
Keep in mind, some factors can really drag a year’s rating down. More grievances and recalls? That’s a definite ticket to a reduced reliability score.
Ready to plunge into the nitty-gritty of the Acadia’s best 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 swiftly won hearts with its roomy interior and beefy V6 engine, becoming a go-to choice for families.
In this initial generation, the stars of the show are 2013, 2015, and 2016. On the opposite side, you might want to steer clear of the 2007-2009 and 2014 models.
The Best Years: 2013, 2015, 2016
Our thorough dive reveals that 2013, 2015, and 2016 are the top dogs of the first-gen Acadia. These years saw fewer complaints and recalls on NHTSA’s radar.
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 lavish Denali trim. Think premium materials, cutting-edge 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 sophisticated 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 abundant 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 reliable 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 spacious 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 issues like slipping and lurching, power steering assist giving up at low speeds, and electrical malfunctions caused by leaky sunroofs.
These years saw recalls for problems like short circuits in the heated windshield washer module, windshields deciding to take a day off, and transmission shift lever indicators playing tricks.
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 reliability problems.
Want the low-down and dirty?
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 considerable 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 lone 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 bulkier 3.6L LGX V6 for those craving more oomph. Both came paired with 6-speed 6T50/6T70 automatic transmissions. The V6 offered swift acceleration and solid towing power, all while sipping fuel at 18 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway.
This year also brought some refined goodies 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 popular favorite for its power and performance. These years saw modern styling updates and tech improvements, including an enhanced infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Safety remained a paramount concern, with sophisticated driver assistance features readily available.
The Neutral Years: 2018, 2020
The 2018 Acadia adhered to the script, offering the same engine choices and safety features as the finest years. It maintained its reputation for a snug and spacious 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 dependable 2018 and 2019 versions instead.
Owners of the 2017 Acadia reported issues like an annoying “Shift to Park” message that would pop up intermittently, preventing them from turning off the vehicle. Some also experienced jerky transmission behavior and gear slipping.
While these kinks were ironed out in subsequent years, the 2017 Acadia stands as the model to shun in this generation.
Curious about the details?
Check out NHTSA’s 2017 GMC Acadia recalls and issues.
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 various 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 clear.
Have you been behind the wheel of an Acadia from one of our greatest or poorest 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 shopper needs to hear!
