The 2021 GMC Acadia is offered in five trim levels: SL, SLE, SLT, AT4, and the Denali, with 5-, 6- and 7-passenger configurations available. Adding 4WD to any grade — except the SL (on which it’s not available) and the AT4 (on which it’s standard) — increases the bottom line by $2,000 or $2,400 depending on model. The Acadia
SL ($29,800, plus $1,195 destination) is a front-drive 2.5-liter model equipped with cloth upholstery, 17-inch alloy wheels, heated mirrors, a pushbutton starter, tri-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel OnStar, a blind-spot monitor, lane-change alert,
rear cross-traffic alert, an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a 4G Wi-Fi hot spot and five USB ports. The SL is a 7-passenger model that can be ordered with second-row captain’s chairs for 6-passenger (2-2-2) seating. The FWD GMC Acadia
SLE ($33,600) uses the same 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, while the AWD Acadia SLE ($36,800) employs the turbo 2.0-liter. Standard equipment at the SLE level includes 18-inch alloy wheels, satellite radio, and available safety and driver-assist features like a power liftgate and automatic emergency braking. In addition to the 2.0-liter turbo, the Acadia
SLT ($40,895) has a hands-free power liftgate, navigation, and 6-passenger seating with second-row captain’s chairs. The SLT lso comes with leather upholstery, heated front seats, and an 8-speaker Bose audio system. Now entering its second year of availability, the
AT4 ($41,100) is the rugged Acadia, one equipped with the 3.6-liter V6, a special dual-clutch AWD system, and aggressive 17-inch high-profile off-road tires. The AWD AT4 is designed for travel on dirt roads, and it comes standard as a 5-seat model with a second-row bench for three, which means it has a large cargo area. At the top of the lineup is the luxurious Acadia
Denali ($46,300 FWD; $48,300 AWD). It’s loaded. Besides chrome-heavy styling flourishes, the 2021 Acadia Denali is equipped with 20-in alloy wheels, LED headlights, a configurable gauge cluster, an 8-way power passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, 2-person memory settings for driver’s seat and outboard mirrors, a heated power-adjustable steering wheel, and wireless smartphone charging. On the safety front, automatic emergency braking is standard on the Denali, along with forward pedestrian detection,
forward collision alert, automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and a safety-alert driver’s seat. We recommend the optional $1,795 Technology Package. It comes with adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a Rear Camera Mirror. Adaptive suspension also is available on the Acadia Denali, and it continues to amaze us with its ability to blend an ultra-comfortable ride with good body control for composed cornering manners
