For nearly twenty years, the GMC Acadia has been a large and powerful SUV perfect for growing families and many other drivers. Since its release, it's rightly earned a lot of fans, which has resulted in many of them on the road; this also means you'll find many different options when you look for a used GMC for sale at your favorite dealership.
Navigating all of these models and decisions can be challenging, so our friendly and knowledgeable salespeople focus on providing the best customer service possible. This is also why we thought it would help to check out the GMC Acadia today with this guide to help you find what you're looking for as you shop for a used model.
Important Differences in Model Years
The first thing you should know about as you explore your options with a used GMC Acadia is the different generations and their related model years. This is one of the easiest things to see when you check out any used model, even at a glance, and it has a tremendous impact on other things you can find.
So far, there have been three generations for the Acadia, which keeps things pretty simple since you don't have to worry about half a dozen or more distinct eras to be aware of and track. The first generation of Acadia started with its introduction in the 2007 model year and ran through the 2016 model year. It received an update and facelift for the 2013 model year; generally, we don't suggest going this far back when looking at a used model since something a few years newer can give you much more to enjoy.
GMC launched the second generation of the Acadia with the 2017 model year and a complete redesign inside and out. Notably, the first generation was quite a bit larger than the second, although it has remained a three-row SUV throughout its run. Eight-passenger seating was available in its first generation thanks to a third-row bench seat, but the second generation has room for up to seven passengers.
GMC refreshed and majorly updated the second-generation Acadia for the 2020 model year, making it the perfect place to start when looking at used options. If you want something with the latest features, the 2024 model year marks the start of the third generation with a redesign that sees the Acadia grow in size and mark the return of eight-passenger seating. Consider these different generations and their respective model years while considering different used options.
Common Engines and Performance You'll Find
With the generations we just looked at in mind, the engine you find on a used GMC Acadia can vary quite a bit—not only by model year but also by the option its first owner chose. GMC has frequently offered numerous engines on the Acadia, so you'll find different ones. It's important to know what's available.
Sticking with its second generation, GMC offered two different engines when it launched for 2017. This was a 2.5L I-4 with 193 hp and 188 lb-ft of torque, or a 3.6L V6 with 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. You can see that's a significant difference, and we really like the V6 engine for such a large SUV; you can also find either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) on these models.
The update for the 2020 model year introduced a third engine: a 2.0L turbocharged I-4 that provides 230 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, making it a terrific middle ground between the other two. GMC discontinued the 2.5L I-4 engine after the 2021 model year, making this turbocharged beauty the standard engine starting with the 2022 model. If you go for something more recent from the Acadia's third generation, you'll find a new 2.5L turbocharged I-4 engine that delivers 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque for a terrific drive. FWD and AWD remain available, so pay careful attention to the details of any used Acadia you're interested in.
Trim Levels and Interior Details
Now that you have a general sense of what engines have been available and the importance of different model years, you should focus on the trim levels from there. The trim level of a used GMC Acadia has a tremendous impact on the features you'll find, so it's just as important as any other detail (perhaps more than some). Throughout its run, the Acadia has had an SL trim to start, followed by an SLE, and then an SLT model. GMC introduced the Denali trim for the Acadia with the 2011 model year, and it's remained the peak ever since. The refresh for the second-generation Acadia with the 2020 model year introduced an adventurous AT4 trim that's perfect if you want a three-row SUV for an outdoor lifestyle.
To get a sense of what each trim level represents, let's briefly look at what you can find with them on a 2021 Acadia:
- Acadia SL—The 2.5L engine is standard here, along with FWD, 17-inch wheels, and heated power-adjustable side mirrors. Inside, cloth seating is standard, and a six-speaker sound system and an eight-inch infotainment system are also standard.
- Acadia SLE—This model can have the 2.5L engine or the available 2.0L turbo, with 18-inch wheels. A hands-free programmable liftgate and sunroof are available, but not standard, as are heated front seats, an advanced sound system, and more tech features.
- Acadia SLT—The SLT has the 2.0L turbo engine standard, with the V6 available. It also has 18-inch wheels, a hands-free power liftgate, roof rails, and more. Perforated, leather-appointed seating is standard, with heated front seats, an eight-way driver's seat, and a Bose sound system. This trim also comes with advanced safety features like Automatic Emergency Braking.
- Acadia AT4—With an off-road focus, the AT4 trim comes with a V6 engine, AWD, and both Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control. It has 17-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, though you shouldn't expect original tires and more rugged features.
- Acadia Denali—Finally, the Denali is the pinnacle of luxury and refinement, with the V6 engine, 20-inch wheels, power-folding side mirrors, and more all standard. You'll find leather seating, heated and ventilated front seats, eight-way power front seats, heated second-row seats, and much more. These models come with a comprehensive safety system and even feature a six-inch color head-up display that makes it easy to keep track of essential data.
Although specific features can change, this gives you a good sense of how they differ. You can see that the difference can be pretty significant between these trims, which is why it's so important to know what you're looking at with any used model. This is also why it's great to have someone help you explore your used options to find what you're looking for.
Get the Perfect Used GMC Acadia
Although there are quite a few things to know and keep track of as you shop for a pre-owned Acadia, ultimately, it's not too overwhelming. With some research, you can understand what model years you should focus on—based on generation and features—and the engine and trim levels that are most likely right for you.
Of course, even with all that in mind, it can still be tricky to ensure you get everything you've been looking for and that nothing is overlooked. That's why we have a helpful team ready to work alongside you as you explore our fantastic selection of used GMC models. Once you know what you want, you can leave the rest to us as we help you find the perfect Acadia you'll love driving for many years to come.
