The second vehicle that my family and I had the opportunity to test drive through Kipp Scott GMC was the 2013 GMC Acadia Denali. We loved it from the get-go… and here’s why:
The Ride: 2013 GMC Acadia Denali
The Size: 7 Passenger
The Safety:The Acadia Denali introduces the first Front Centre Airbag in the industry, which pops up between the driver and front passenger in the case of a side-impact collision. Side curtain airbags for all three rows are standard on all Acadias to protect passengers, undoubtedly creating even more peace of mind for parents with children in tow. The Acadia also offers side blind zone alert and cross-traffic technology, using radar to help watch where you might not see. When a car enters your blind zone it warns you by lighting up indicators in the side mirrors; a real plus when you’ve got car seats in the back, which could have the potential to block your view when shoulder-checking.
The First Impression:The Acadia scores a 10/10 with me for its stylish and athletic exterior. I was impressed with the size, the polish and the overall beauty and drive of this vehicle. Our tester was a fully loaded model that included dual sunroofs, rear video entertainment system, GMC IntelliLink media and navigation system, cooled and heated front seats, power steering wheel adjust, and many more fabulous perks – too many to list here. You’ll just have to try it yourself to see!
The Kid-Factor:The Acadia is incredibly family friendly. With all-leather seats, captain seating in the middle row and plenty of room in the rear, my four were thrilled with this vehicle! Installation of the car seats was quick and painless, and our rear-facing car seat left the front passenger with plenty of room in the front. The kids found it easy to get in and out through the middle row captain seats, and were very pleased with the entertainment system, which was easy to navigate and displayed great quality picture and sound.
How many car seats fit in the second row? Two, one on each captain’s chair. There are two LATCH anchors on each seat. Each seat also has a tether anchor midway down the seatback.
How many car seats fit in the third row? Two. There is one tether anchor in the middle of the seatback, but there are no LATCH anchors for the third row’s three-passenger bench seat.
The Cargo Space: With the rear seats in place, there was still plenty of room in the cargo area for 10-12 bags of groceries, a lightweight stroller and a box of diapers. Now that’s pretty impressive!
The Drive:This vehicle is smooth to operate, it’s virtually soundless when in motion and easy to maneuver. It’s got tons of power when you need it and handles incredibly well on gravel roads and through puddles, slush and snow. We took it out for a drive in the midst of a snowstorm and didn’t have any issues with sliding or spinning out on the snow covered streets and highway.
Best Suited For: I’d suggest that the Acadia Denali would be perfect for a family of 4-6. Even with our four children in two car seats and two boosters, we found it to be roomy and comfortable, with lots of space in the rear for our groceries and gear.
The Overall Impression: My family and I loved driving the Acadia Denali. It’s got plenty of style and class, with exceptional handling and performance. It combines the roomy passenger- and cargo-hauling abilities of a minivan with the rugged good looks of an SUV. 5 gold stars from us!
The Price:Starts at $45,945.
If you’re in the market for a great all-around family vehicle and are looking for space, functionality, style and power, make sure to stop in at Kipp Scott GMC to take an Acadia for a drive and see for yourself, how exceptional of a vehicle this is. I’m sure you’ll love it as much as we did!
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