2019 GMC Acadia

A little tweaking around the edges sums up GMC's efforts in bringing the Acadia forward for 2019. A new Black Edition for SLT versions includes 20-inch aluminum wheels with black accents, a black grille insert with black surround, black headlamp/taillamp details, black mirror caps and black roof rails. The All Terrain gets a new available 17-in wheel design. Toss in a few new exterior colors, and there you have it.

The power driver seat and power lift gate included with the SLE-2 seem like must-haves, so that's where we'd start. If leather seating is a must-have, then that probably makes the SLT-1 your best bet. The extra equipment included with upper trim levels is appealing, but the Acadia doesn't seem luxurious enough inside given their hefty prices.

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The 2019 GMC Acadia is offered in six trim levels: SL, SLE-1, SLE-2, SLT-1, SLT-2 and the upscale Denali. Five-, 6- and 7-passenger configurations are available. Adding 4WD to any grade increases the bottom line by $2,000. All prices reflect the $1,195 factory destination fee.

The SL ($30,095) includes 17-in alloy wheels, privacy glass, heated mirrors, a rearview camera, proximity entry and push-button start, tri-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, cloth upholstery, OnStar emergency communications, a 7-in touchscreen interface, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 4G LTE Wi-Fi, USB ports and a 6-speaker sound system with a media player interface and an auxiliary audio jack. Seven-passenger seating is standard, but second-row captain's chairs and 6-passenger seating can be added.

The SLE-1 ($33,995) adds LED daytime running lights, a spare tire, carpeted floor mats and satellite radio, while the SLE-2 ($36,395) includes 18-in alloy wheels, fog lights, roof rails, remote ignition, a power lift gate, an 8-way power driver's seat and heated front seats. Captain's chairs become standard from here on, with 7-passenger seating becoming the option.

Pick the SLT-1 ($39,195), and you'll get an auto-dimming driver-side and rearview mirror, dual power front seats, leather upholstery, an 8-speaker Bose stereo system, upgraded gauges and the Driver Alert Package I (optional on SLE-2), which adds blind spot monitoring, a rear cross-traffic warning system and rear parking sensors.

The All Terrain package, which can be added to the SLE-2 and the SLT-1, adds an enhanced all-wheel-drive system, hill-descent control, 20-in alloy wheels (not exactly ideal for driving on "all terrain"), black roof rails and 5-passenger seating. Six- or 7-passenger seating can be substituted.

Next up is the SLT-2 ($43,095), which adds the V6 engine as standard equipment, plus 20-in wheels, a Towing package, heated second-row seats and driver-memory settings. It also includes the Driver Alert Package II, which adds low-speed forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, GM's Safety Alert seat, automatic highbeams and front parking sensors.

At the top of the lineup is the Denali ($46,695), which boasts special styling flourishes, xenon headlights, a hands-free power lift gate, a configurable gauge cluster, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated power-adjustable steering wheel and a larger 8-in touchscreen (optional on all but the SL and the SLE-1). Drivers who opt for the Denali's Technology package also get a 360-degree camera system, adaptive cruise control and higher-speed forward-collision automatic braking. Both the SLT-2 and the Denali can be equipped with an optional adaptive suspension.

As for engine choices, the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder is standard on SL, SLE-1, SLE-2 and SLT-1 models. The V6 is optional in the SLE-2 and the SLT-1 and standard on the SLT-2 and the Denali.