GMC equips the Acadia with an aluminum 3.6-liter V6 with variable valve timing. The engine makes 267 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 247 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,200 rpm, driving the front or all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. Preliminary estimates peg the Acadia’s fuel economy at 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway (24 with AWD) and it will tow up to 4,500 pounds when properly equipped. The optional full-time intelligent AWD system is always engaged, with a normal power split of 90/10 front and rear that maxes out at 35/65 when the system senses wheel slip.

Built on a dedicated platform rather than one originally designed for a minivan or passenger car, the GMC Acadia’s high-strength steel-reinforced unibody frame rides on a four-wheel independent suspension comprised of MacPherson struts up front and a compact linked “H” design in back. Variable-effort rack-and-pinion steering guides the standard 18-inch wheels, and GMC offers optional 19-inch rims from the factory. Dealers will install 20-inch wheels and tires if the customer wishes.

Four-wheel-disc antilock brakes are standard, and GMC includes traction control, stability control with rollover mitigation technology, and a tire pressure monitoring system on the new Acadia.