[gkr778]

Consumer Reports First Drive highlights:

What They Like:

• Decent handling for its size: As with the previous Acadia, the new model goes through corners pretty well for a three-row midsized SUV.
• Relatively comfortable ride: Some SUVs suffer from stiff suspension tuning, but we think GMC did a nice job with the Acadia, similar to the previous generation.
• Spacious second-row seat: The Acadia’s standard second-row captain’s chairs offer plenty of room for passengers.
• One of the better third-row seats: Most third-row seats, almost regardless of the size of the SUV, are best left for children. But the Acadia has one of the roomier and more comfortable third rows.
• Plenty of small-item storage: Befitting a proper family-friendly SUV, the Acadia is graced with lots of in-cabin storage nooks and crannies.

What They Don't Like:

• The turbo-four sounds terrible. If the previous V6 emitted a “mellow growl” when accelerating, as we said in our road test of the last-generation model, then the new turbocharged four-cylinder’s sound is more like a raspy snarl. There’s a gravelly note to it, even when just moving out moderately, that detracts from the whole vehicle.
• Front-seat comfort: Few of the drivers who have spent time in the Acadia so far have fallen in love with the front seats. They just aren’t all that comfortable.
• Some odd controls: The layout of the Acadia’s controls is far from the worst we’ve seen, but GMC made some choices here and there that leave us puzzled. The biggest head-scratcher is the location of the small emergency flashers button up on the overhead console.
• No second-row bench-seat option: Currently, all three Acadia trims for the 2024 model year come standard with second-row captain’s chairs without an option to order a second-row bench seat.