Lately, it seems as thoughelectric cars, specifically Tesla, are the headlining topic for all things automotive. Whether it is the novel gullwing doors, the video game-style steering wheel, or its self-driving feature, the enigmatic electric carmaker has hoarded the spotlight long enough because the all-new 2024 GMC Acadia is here and deserves plenty of attention. While it doesn’t specifically target the Model Y like some other vehicles, the new GMC Acadia brings a compelling mixture of ruggedness and refinement that will be hard for any SUV to match.
The 2024 GMC Acadia is nearly a foot longer than its predecessor
Revealed at the Detroit Auto Show, the 2024 version of the Acadia brings a (literally) sizeable difference compared to the current model, measuring 10.6 inches longer and 3.2 inches taller. That kind of expansion translates into room for up to eight passengers, offering 36% more space behind the second row and a whopping 80% more room beyond the third row than its predecessor. And while nearly a foot longer, the latest Acadia does not appear abnormally larger than the current version from any angle but conveys a bigger persona.
Ben Zavala, design lead for the GMC Acadia, said, “For this generation, our mission was to reimagine the design and the proportions of the Acadia to create a bolder, more commanding presence, firmly in the vein of the evolving GMC portfolio.”
Super Cruise is the industry’s first true hands-free driving system
Aside from the more powerful-looking exterior, the 2024 Acadia also brings a stellar new feature that promises to change the way owners drive, or rather, not drive, their GMC truck forever. Super Cruise is the latest in roadgoing technology, offering the industry’s first true hands-free driver assistance system. With more than 400,000 miles of available roadway in its database, Super Cruise utilizes real-time cameras, sensors, GPS, and LiDAR to detect curves, Lane Change on Demand, and Automatic Lane Change. Complementing this new and exciting driving component are 15 safety features that come standard, including Traffic Sign Recognition, Front Pedestrian and Bicycle Braking, Forward Collision Alert, and Side Bicyclist Alert.
The GMC Acadia features a 15-inch touchscreen
The interior of the 2024 GMC Acadia is also all-new. The driver gets treated to a big 11-inch diagonal digital display, while a vast 15-inch centrally-mounted infotainment touchscreen dominates the cabin with an available high-contrast display and Google built-in compatibility. The premium Denali trim also brings a Bose sound system that features active noise canceling and up to 16 speakers to allow it to compete with even the most expensive SUV interiors available today.
The 2024 Acadia: 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque
While anyone with the good fortune to drive the previous Acadia equipped with its 3.6-liter V6, which made 310 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, would never complain about it lacking thrust, GMC decided to improve things nonetheless. All trims of the new generation are now powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes an even more impressive 328 hp and 326 lb-ft. All of that muscle gets funneled through an eight-speed automatic transmission and onto either the front wheels (standard) or, optionally, to all four corners. An exclusive Active Torque AWD system is available for the AT4 trim, and when properly equipped, the Acadia can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
As design lead Ben Zavala said, “With its assertive, powerful stance, the 2024 Acadia evokes a truck-inspired persona, infused with the brand’s signature premium feel.”
So, while there are plenty of other sport-utility vehicles out there that are clamoring for your attention, the 2024 GMC Acadia is here to prove that you don’t need weird doors or a funky steering wheel to be an exciting premium SUV.
BMW i5 first drive: The BMW 5 series goes fully electric (and we go hands-on)
Familiar form factor and a new electric drivetrain
As with many other manufacturers, BMW feels the future is electric and is in the process of electrifying its entire offering. Following on from the i3 and the i7, the latest Bimmer to get the EV treatment is the highly popular BMW 5 series. And everything has gone pretty much as you would expect.
The rear-wheel drive i5 is a quick and punchy vehicle. Unlike previous gas-powered 5 series models, the phenomenal amount of torque generated by the i5's electric motor keeps the sedan pinned to the road at almost any speed. If the standard vehicle and its sub-6 second 0-60 times aren't enough for you, you can even opt for an M-package right out of the gate, adding a second motor, boosting power, and bringing all-wheel drive ("xDrive" in BMW parlance) into the mix. The M version has been named the M60 xDrive, nodding toward its four-wheel capability, while the basic electric model is the eDrive40.
Van Life goes EV: New fully electric Mercedes Sprinter starts at $71,886, has 249 mile range
Not bad for Van Lifers with a destination
If the whole bricks-and-mortar thing isn’t for you and you’re ready to embrace van life, there’s a green option you should consider. The popular Mercedes Sprinter van has gone all-electric with the “eSprinter.” Despite the change of power train, the Sprinter’s core feature is carrying over. It has enough space to rival a New York City apartment in the back -- hence its long-standing status as a go-to for tradespeople, movers, and van-life enthusiasts.
What has changed is the level of practicality. The Mercedes Sprinter’s battery capacity is a generous 133 kilowatt hours (kWh). This will give you a generous range of 249 miles -- but the benefits don’t end there. The average American home uses roughly 30 kWh of power per day, and despite the Sprinter’s reputation for size, it is still a far smaller space than the average U.S. dwelling. As a result, you can probably power your tiny home on wheels for a long time on a single charge.
A new J.D. Power study says drivers are unimpressed with in-car tech
Customers’ enjoyment of infotainment systems seems to have declined
The technology powering our vehicles has advanced greatly over the last few years. Features like voice control, navigation, and augmented reality displays mean a modern car is closer to HAL 9000 than they are a Ford Model T.