The GMC Acadia is a full-size crossover SUV manufactured by the GMC division of General Motors. The Acadia was launched in the U.S. in December 2006 for the model year 2007.

Based on the GM Lambda platform, the 2007 Acadia is an eight-seater available in front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. It comes in three trim levels: SLE, SLT1, and SLT2.

The Acadia is available with a warranty of five years or 100,000 miles. It competes with the likes of the Buick Enclave and Saturn Outlook.

The Acadia is powered by a 3.6-liter variable valve technology (VVT-i) enabled V-6 engine, which generates 275 hp @ 6,600 rpm and 251 lb-ft. of torque @ 3,200 rpm. The VVT-i is very kind on fuel; it stops the valves when they are not needed at cruise level speed. The engine is linked to an electronically-controlled 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive.

The vehicle looks as if it were a cross between an SUV and a van. The overall length of the vehicle is 200.70 inches, while the wheelbase measures 118.90 inches.

The Acadia’s front fascia is adorned by dual halogen projector headlamps, daytime running lamps, front round halogen fog lamps and a short and wide grille, with ‘GMC’ superscribed in the middle. The Acadia’s profile features body-color body-side moldings and chrome door handles.

The SLE and SLT1 models come with a manual rear lift-gate, while the SLT2 has a power rear lift-gate, which is optional on SLT1.

The SLE and SLT1 feature power-adjustable, manual-folding heated outside mirrors. However, the SLT1’s outside mirrors also feature integrated turn signal indicators. The SLT2 comes with power-adjustable, power-folding heated outside mirrors, with driver-side auto-dimming, integrated turn signal indicators and driver-side memory.

Front as well as rear intermittent wipers with washers are standard on all trim levels. The Acadia comes standard with brushed aluminum longitudinal roof rails and a rear spoiler and chrome tip exhaust. Trailer provisions such as heavy duty cooling and VR2 trailer hitch is available on all trims.

It wears standard 18-inch painted aluminum wheels and rolls on P255/65R, 18 all-season, Blackwall tires. However, the option of 18-inch machined aluminum and 19-inch machined ULTRABRIGHT aluminum wheels and P255/55R19, H-rated tires is also available.

With roomy and comfortable interiors, the Acadia can accommodate a maximum of eight adults. The SLE has premium cloth-trimmed seats, while the SLT trims come with leather-appointed seats.

The Acadia SLT2 has an 8-way power adjustable driver seat. Not only this, it also has a 4-way power-driven recliner lumbar seat for the front passenger. The SLT1 comes with a 6-way power seat with manual recline and lumber control for the driver and a 2-way power seat for the front passenger. These are optional for the SLE trim. The SLE comes standard with a 4-way manual lumbar control for the driver, and 2-way manual adjuster for the front passenger.

The SLE has a single-zone manual air-conditioning. However, the SLT trims have tri-zone automatic climate control with individual climate settings for driver and right front passenger, and second and third row controls. This facility is available as optional on SLE. All the trims come with manual air conditioning for the rear seat. Standard power door locks and power windows are common across all variants.

The SLE features a vinyl steering wheel, while the SLT trims come with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, with redundant audio controls. A tilt and telescopic steering wheel, with brake/transmission shift interlock is standard on all trims.

The Acadia SLE comes with 5-gauge instrumentation, while the SLT trims are equipped with 5-gauge instrumentation with an enhanced driver information center and an outside temperature indicator.

The front center console of Acadia can hold two cups, and has some storage capacity for small items and belongings. All trims come standard with an electric defogger on the rear-window. The SLT2 features a standard 115-volt power plug for charging laptops or mobile phones. This feature is optional on the SLT1.

The Acadia is also available with the option of Dual SkyScape, a 2-panel power sunroof, with tilt-sliding front and fixed rear with power sunscreen. All trims feature under-floor cargo space. The SLT2 also has a rear cargo net and rear cargo shade. These amenities are optional on the other trims.

General Motors has also taken care of your entertainment needs. The SLE comes standard with an AM/FM stereo with MP3 compatible CD player, a seek-and-scan, an auto-tone control, a radio data system (RDS), speed-compensated volume, and a TheftLock system. The SLT1 has all the SLE features in addition to a 6-disc in-dash CD changer. The SLT2 comes standard with an XM satellite radio, which offers a range of coast-to-coast channels in digital-quality sound. The SLE and SLT1 are also available with the option of an entertainment system including rear seat DVD player with remote control, overhead display, two sets of 2-channel wireless infrared headphones and auxiliary audio/video input jacks.

The maximum towing capacity of the Acadia is 4,500 pounds.

The Acadia is available with a standard forward-wheel-drive (FWD) and an optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. The FWD system not only grips the road better in wet weather conditions but also gives additional space for the rear passengers. However, it tends to understeer if the brakes are applied in haste. An AWD system delivers power to the front wheels during normal driving on dry road surfaces, but if rain, snow, or mud cause front-wheel slippage, power is automatically delivered to the rear wheels as well. It provides balanced driving power across all four wheels, helping to maintain the vehicle’s agility when it is most needed.

The SLE comes with a power steering which needs constant effort to maneuver, whereas the SLT1 and SLT2 have a power steering which works with slight variable effort. The Acadia rides on Ride and Handling suspension. The suspension system also includes front coil-over-shocks, which absorb the impact of road irregularities.

The Acadia is equipped with 4-wheel anti-lock, disc brakes. These brakes provide forceful stopping power to all the wheels and bring the Acadia to an instant halt. An anti-lock braking system (ABS) prevents the wheels from getting locked during emergency maneuvers and sudden braking. All trims also come equipped with StabiliTrak, a stability control system, which minimizes rollover.

With a turning diameter of 40.4 feet, the Acadia is a little difficult to be maneuvered or parked in tight spots, but a host of features, which any driver would love, more than make up for it.

The 2007 Acadia earned five stars, the highest possible rating, in front and side-impact crash tests from the U.S. national Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

All trims come standard with frontal and side-impact airbags for the driver and front passenger and head curtain side-impact airbags for all rows in outboard seating positions. Some other safety features standard on all Acadia trims include: front passenger air bag suppression, ABS, StabiliTrak, a theft-deterrent system including PASS-Key III and an engine immobilizer, tire pressure monitoring system, and an OnStar system.

An OnStar system is a in-vehicle safety and security system created to help protect the passengers on the road. OnStar's innovative three-button system offers 24-hour access to expertly trained and caring advisors, a connection to emergency assistance, and access to OnStar hands-free calling.