So we got a 2011 GMC Acadia Denali

So we got a 2011 GMC Acadia Denali


This is the 2011 GMC Acadia Denali. It is the Denali version of the Acadia. The Acadia is a stretched midsize crossover that debuted in 2008. The Denali nameplate signifies a more luxurious variant of a GMC. That ought to cover the introductions.

This Denali is a minivan in denial, in the vein of the Ford Flex and the Mercedes-Benz R-Class. Of course, the Acadia pulls off the “SUV” look better than the other two, and is bound to sell better too.

This Acadia gets special front and rear bumpers, special chrome grille, special wheels and a slightly-special interior. While we didn’t think much of it, the Denali actually managed to garner attention from SUV-driving familymen.

Compared to the Acadia we drove previously, the Denali gains wood-effect trim, soft-touch upper door trim and possibly a better multimedia system. The dash remains a good place to drum your fingers on.

There are no space issues in this sizeable wagon, with limo-like space in the second row. The seating configuration is also new compared to the 2008 Acadia, now identical to the one in the Chevy Traverse, and better for it.

Access to the third row is easy, assuming you manage to fold the second-row seat in just the right way. Space back there is cramped, but you can make room to breathe by sliding forward the two second-row seats.

There is enough luggage space back there for a week’s worth of groceries, expandable to one year’s worth of groceries with the seats down.

While the Denali is a very competent crossover in a sea of competent crossovers, what impressed us was the stunningly-smooth ride quality, akin to travelling in a Rolls Royce no less. More in the full review.

What do you think?

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Comments

  1. the rims r kinda… dull aren’t they??

  2. More chrome work, Denali tag looks worth buying.

  3. the six seater version seems to have more space on the third row.Do they sell the FWD version of the acadia/traverse here in UAE?

  4. With this Acadia, it could well be a case of improving or making an already good car very good:) and as Mash has reported that it rides as well as Rolls Royce then i suppose thats about it because an American car, genetically, should always ride beautifully and rest can be taken care of later:)

    perhaps the only few American cars that i could recommend or even buy at the same time:)

  5. I like this one, i don’t know why manufacturers do the same design flaw as far as third row is concerned. You can always make a sliding 3rd row and utlize it with grocery space, for e.g. in Pathfinder even with 2-3 wks of grocery, things are sliding here and there in rear with third seat up, if someone needs more space for grocery or pram, he/she can fold one of third row seats and you got tons of space their, i understand in 4×4 their is less posibility because of articulation and additional transmission parts, spare wheel at bottom, but if you look / study carefully, with little thinking adjustments can be made…what u loss in seat height can be covered up easily with sliding set of seats…strange..

  6. although highly practical and affordable, the acadia somehow looks completely outdated. the denali look doesnt help much on this one i think..

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