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2017 GMC Acadia Uses Detroit for Downsizing, Denali and All-Terrain Offered

Starting with this year's Detroit Auto Show, you'll have to forget most of what you knew about the GMC Acadia. Given the age of the model, it's understandable why many take its massive eight-seater aura for granted, but GM has gone down the downsizing route and we have plenty of news for you.
2017 GMC Acadia live in Detroit 27 photos
Photo: Cory Wolfe
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Aside from the obvious changes that meet the eye, the second-generation Acadia is characterized by a 700 lb weight reduction. While this is brilliant, influencing both efficiency and performance, the vehicle has also lost something in terms of length and width, so you can forget about the 8-people scheme. Instead, GMC will offer versions able to accommodate five, six or seven occupants. Still, the luggage capacity has now been increased by 9 cubic feet to 79 cu-ft.

Alongside the range-topping Denali version (red car in the gallery below), the 2017 line-up introduces an All Terrain model (black car). With the later being a new development, this employs an Active Twin Clutch AWD system, controlled by an All Terrain mode that's described as being optimized for wet, snowy and icy conditions.

As for the Denali, this offers adaptive shock absorbers, labeled as Continuously Variable Ride Control.

The changes are just as serious under the hood. We'll start with the new 310 hp V6. Despite delivering superior performance compared to the current car, the newcomer is said to return an efficiency of 25 mpg on the highway, besting the now-old Acadia by one mpg. As for the city mpg, this continues to sit at 17 mpg. Yep, 4,000 lbs will be 4,000 lbs.

However, those looking for superior mileage are treated to a four-cylinder alternative that returns 28 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg in the city. There's a problem though: you can't expect to fit a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter mill delivering 194 hp in such a crossover and escape the underpowered feeling.

Regardless of your powerplant choice, the shifting will be handled by a HydraMatic 6T75 six-speed auto, once again not the sharpest tool in the shed.

Guess we'll have to wait and see how the downsizing process sits with the clientele. The 2017 Acadia goes on sale this spring, so we don't have too much waiting to do.
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About the author: Andrei Tutu
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In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist.
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