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- Car-Seat-Friendly Second Row: One of the best family features is the car-seat-friendly tilt on both second-row captain's chairs. The seats slide forward while a car seat remains installed, making third-row access dramatically easier for families with multiple kids in car seats. It's one of the most practical features parents can have in a three-row SUV.
- Completely Redesigned Luxury Interior: GMC gave the Acadia a total interior makeover with premium materials, contrast stitching, wood trim, ambient lighting, and beautiful two-tone leather seating. Every trim also comes standard with an 11-inch digital gauge cluster and 15-inch infotainment touchscreen, making the cabin feel upscale no matter which model you choose.
- Improved Third Row for Real Families: The larger body means a much more usable third row with increased legroom, headroom, USB-C ports, cup holders, and ceiling-mounted air vents. GMC also added middle head restraints, a long-awaited improvement that makes seating positions safer and more practical for families using boosters or passengers across all three rows.
The Exterior
2025 GMC Acadia Review: The Family SUV We've Been Waiting For
The Acadia went through a full redesign in 2024 and GMC went BIG.
Bigger Is Better
The biggest headline? The Acadia has grown substantially.
It now ranks among the largest midsize SUVs on the market, putting it in the same conversation as vehicles like the Chevrolet Traverse and Honda Pilot. If you've been debating whether your family needs a midsize SUV or should jump to a full-size SUV like the Yukon, the new Acadia deserves a spot on your shopping list.
The extra size is immediately noticeable from every angle. The bold new front grille, squared-off body lines, and muscular stance give the Acadia a much more premium and confident appearance.
First Row
A Stunning New Interior
The interior completely surprised me—in the best way.
GMC absolutely elevated the design. From the beautiful wood trim and ambient lighting to the contrast stitching and premium leather seats, this cabin feels far more luxurious than previous Acadias.
One of my favorite combinations is the brown and white leather interior. It feels modern, upscale, and unlike anything we've seen from GMC before.
Even the door panels and speaker design feel intentional, creating an interior that looks significantly more expensive than it is.
Technology Comes Standard
One thing I really appreciate is that GMC didn't reserve the best technology for only the highest trim level.
Every 2025 Acadia comes standard with:
- 11-inch digital driver display
- 15-inch vertical infotainment screen
- Wireless Apple CarPlay
- Wireless Android Auto
- Amazon Alexa integration
- Multiple camera views
- Wi-Fi hotspot
- Auto Park Assist
Higher trims, like the Denali, also offer:
- Head-Up Display
- Super Cruise hands-free driving technology
- Customizable ambient lighting
- Premium audio and luxury finishes
It makes the interior feel modern no matter which trim level you choose.
Second Row
A Huge Upgrade for Families
As a CPST, this is where the Acadia really impressed me.
Car Seat Friendly Tilt
The biggest win is the addition of car-seat-friendly tilt on both second-row captain's chairs.
This feature allows the second-row seat to slide forward while a forward-facing car seat or infant seat base remains installed.
For parents loading kids into the third row every day, this is an absolute game changer.
Better Car Seat Hardware
The new Acadia includes:
- Lower anchors in both second-row captain's chairs
- Top tether anchors in all five rear seating positions
- Available seven- or eight-passenger seating
One of my favorite improvements is something GM owners have been asking for for years:
Middle head restraints are finally here.
Previous GM SUVs often omitted center head restraints, making those seating positions less practical. Thankfully, GMC has corrected that on the new Acadia.
Third Row
Third Row Improvements
Because the Acadia is larger, the third row benefits significantly.
There's noticeably more:
- Legroom
- Headroom
- Shoulder room
- Walkway space between the captain's chairs
Even as someone who is about six feet tall, I found the third row surprisingly comfortable.
Passengers also get:
- USB-C charging ports
- Cup holders
- Ceiling-mounted air vents
The vent placement deserves special recognition because third-row passengers are often forgotten when it comes to airflow.
Trunk
Trunk Space Is Massive
One of the biggest improvements is behind the third row.
The cargo area is now 80% larger than the outgoing Acadia.
That means plenty of room for:
- Strollers
- Grocery runs
- Sports equipment
- Road trip luggage
There's also additional underfloor storage and available power-folding second- and third-row seats, making it easy to configure the cargo area for whatever your family needs.
Safety
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