The 2015 GMC Acadia is a spacious, fuel-efficient and safe full-size SUV that clearly focuses on family needs above all else.

If you are shopping for a full-size SUV, it’s probably because you have outgrown a standard five-passenger vehicle and are trying to avoid the classic hockey-mom or soccer-dad vehicle – the minivan. If that’s indeed the case, look no further than the 2015 GMC Acadia. This vehicle offers most things the not-so-fussy buyer is looking for in a passenger hauler. The Acadia has solid fuel economy and exceptional interior space – with excellent crash scores to back that all up. All-in-all, the Acadia is a good family-focused vehicle that, for the most part, has something for everyone.

Decent Fuel Economy

Unlike some of the larger SUVs out there, the GMC Acadia was not based on a truck platform. This has resulted in not only a smoother and more comfortable ride for the passengers, but decent fuel efficiency as well – as far as SUVs go anyway.

The standard 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with front-wheel drive uses 13.8 liters per 100 kilometres in the city and 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres on the highway for a combined average of 12.4 litres per 100 kilometres. The same engine, but with all-wheel drive, averages 13.1 L/100 km. While these aren’t standout numbers, they are good overall, easily matching what’s on offer from the Ford Flex, Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota Highlander.

Massive Interior Space

One of the benefits of driving such a large vehicle is, of course, that it comes with a lot of interior space, and the GMC Acadia does not disappoint in this aspect. The Acadia can carry up to seven or eight passengers, depending on the chosen configuration.

Front-row passengers are treated to generous amounts of head and legroom, which is something that carries over into the second row. And thanks to the sliding second-row seats, legroom can be increased even more – as long as your third-row passengers are still comfortable as well (duh!). The third row is actually large enough to accommodate two adults – assuming that second-row passengers are generous – and climbing back there is actually not too difficult due to superb accessibility. In reality though, the third row is definitely best suited for children, especially if you want adults to feel comfortable in the second row.

The cargo space in the Acadia is also very generous with a class-leading 24.1 cubic feet of space behind the third row. That number spikes to 70.1 cubic feet with the third row folded flat and, again, to 116.1 cubic feet with the second row stowed away.

Top Safety Ratings

Saving money on fuel and having lots of space for kids and cargo is important in a vehicle, but for some, making sure that the precious cargo (which includes people) is safe trumps all. If you’re one of those people, then the Acadia is the SUV for you since it’s easily one of the safest vehicles any amount of money can buy, and many of its optional features only add to this fact. From newly-installed airbags to a standard rearview camera system, the Acadia is constantly finding ways to keep up with the times. The Acadia has also had near-perfect scores in crash tests as OnStar technology, which is GM’s telematics system, is more than likely to keep you safe, should a crash ever happen.

Verdict

Choosing a vehicle to fit a growing family is not an easy task, but the Acadia helps to make the decision a little easier. A growing family means more money elsewhere, so why not save some on fuel economy? A growing family means they will take up space, so why not get them a vehicle with class-leading interior space? Finally, a growing family means a growing concern for safety and well-being, so why not ensure their safety and get into an Acadia today?

For more details on the 2015 GMC Acadia, be sure to check out our full review!