Sunday Drive: Adventure and versatility with the 2024 GMC Acadia AT4
There really is a difference when it comes to midsize SUVs that are built for both off-road excitement and daily family commutes. In that world, we found that the 2024 GMC Acadia AT4 stood out. GMC has equipped this rugged yet refined SUV with the capability to handle almost any scenic backroad while offering the comforts that we and others love in an SUV.
For a week in early October, we had the pleasure of driving the Acadia AT4, and we were impressed with its versatility, performance and thoughtful features that catered to drivers like us who crave adventure without sacrificing comfort — emphasis on the comfort part.
Bold exterior design
The 2024 Acadia AT4 landed in our driveway with a robust exterior design that not only got our attention but had others doing a double take during our drives around Utah Valley. The AT4 trim, built specifically for off-road capability, came with a few design elements that distinguished it from the standard Acadia models.
Most notable were the all-terrain tires mounted on 17-inch gloss black aluminum wheels and the black chrome-accented grille that gave it a more rugged, aggressive look.
GMC’s signature C-shaped LED lighting added a modern touch, while the prominent skid plates on the front and rear hinted at the Acadia’s off-road potential. The exclusive AT4 badging further emphasized its capability.
During a scenic Sunday drive through Hobble Creek Canyon, the Acadia AT4 blended well into the mountainous terrain, standing firm as a rugged SUV that was equally at home on the highway as it was on rocky, uneven trails. Its large stance and muscular design gave us the feel that it was more substantial than its rivals, like the Toyota Highlander or the Honda Passport.
Interior: Comfort meets functionality
Inside the Acadia AT4, carried over the rugged theme but added enough comfort and convenience to make it family friendly. The cabin, finished in jet-black leather with Kalahari accents, was spacious, offering room for seven passengers across three rows.
We found it easy to fold down the second and third rows to maximize cargo space, which came in handy for when Deanne had to make a Costco run to get the weekly supplies for work.
The AT4’s seats were firm yet comfortable, and the driver’s seat was power-adjustable with lumbar support. We appreciated the heated front seats during the chilly morning drives in early fall, though we wished the rear seats had the same feature. For rear passengers, the second-row captain’s chairs were a hit, providing easy access to the third row and plenty of legroom for long drives.
One of the interior highlights was the dual-pane sunroof, which added a feeling of openness and allowed us to enjoy the crisp fall air and breathtaking mountain views while cruising through our week. The Acadia AT4 also had impressive storage solutions, including numerous cupholders, door pockets and an underfloor storage compartment in the cargo area.
The tech features also stood out. The 15-inch portrait infotainment system, equipped with GMC’s latest software, was easy to use and responsive, with support for wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot. The navigation system guided us reliably during our outdoor excursions, and the available Bose premium sound system provided crisp, immersive audio whether we were streaming music or listening to navigation instructions.
Performance and capability
Under the hood, the Acadia AT4 came equipped with its 2.5-liter twin turbo four-cylinder engine, with 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. Our only complaint for the week would be that it took the turbos an extra second to wind up and deliver the power to the wheels. It took a little getting used to, adding a dose of anticipation when accelerating into traffic.
The nine-speed automatic transmission shifted smoothly and kept the Acadia on an even keel throughout the week.
The all-wheel-drive system, standard on the AT4, made the Acadia more than capable of tackling Utah’s varied terrain. While the Acadia is no full-on rock crawler, we found it capable of handling dirt roads, gravel paths and light off-roading with ease. It would get to most anywhere we needed to go.
The AT4’s twin-clutch AWD system intelligently distributed power to the wheels that needed it most, helping us maintain traction on loose surfaces. We even tested the AT4’s hill descent control on a steep, gravelly incline, and it performed admirably, keeping us steady and in control.
Fuel efficiency
Given its new twin turbo setup and off-road capabilities, the Acadia AT4 delivered solid fuel efficiency for its class. The EPA estimates 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway, and over our week of mixed driving, we averaged around 22.5 mpg. It wasn’t the most fuel-efficient SUV we’ve driven, but the Acadia held its own, especially given its off-road capabilities.
Safety and technology features
GMC has always placed an emphasis on safety, and the Acadia came loaded with a suite of safety technologies that made us feel secure, both on and off the road. The GMC Pro Safety Plus package, standard on the AT4, included key features like forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist and blind-spot monitoring. During our time in the Acadia, these systems worked seamlessly, offering us peace of mind without being overly intrusive.
The rearview camera was a useful tool during tight parking maneuvers, though we were particularly impressed by the surround-view camera system, which provided a 360-degree view around the vehicle. This was especially helpful in crowded parking lots.
Additionally, the adaptive cruise control — always a must for us — made highway driving a breeze, allowing the Acadia to maintain a safe following distance and reduce fatigue on longer trips. Combined with lane-keeping assist, the Acadia AT4 almost felt like it could drive itself. In fact, on Interstate 15, it really could with the GM Super Cruise system activated.
On certain roads, this system when activated will take over for completely autonomous driving. We set it upon entering the freeway in Lehi and let the Acadia do all the heavy lifting all the way home to Springville. As long as we kept our attention on the road ahead, the system would drive the car with no input from us. If we wanted to change lanes, we only had to hit the signal and the car would do the rest, waiting for an opening and changing to the next lane!
At the end of the week
At the end of our week with the 2024 GMC Acadia AT4, we were left thoroughly impressed by its well-rounded nature. This SUV managed to strike the perfect balance between rugged off-road capability and the everyday comfort that families expect from a midsize SUV. Whether you’re looking for a vehicle to take on weekend adventures in the mountains or a reliable daily driver for your family, the Acadia AT4 delivered on both fronts.
Base price: $50,000
Destination charge: $1,395
Price as driven: $ 57,938
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- A shot of the all-new 2024 GMC Acadia AT4.
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- A shot of the off-road oriented 2024 GMC Acadia AT4.
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- A view of the all-new 2024 GMC Acadia AT4 interior featuring the dashboard with a 15-inch portrait-oriented screen, 11-inch driver information cluster and Super Cruise-equipped steering wheel.
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- A pack shot of the all-new GMC Acadia, including the 2024 Acadia AT4, front, and Acadia Denali, back.
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- A close-up view of the driver’s seat with all-new Forest Storm perforated-leather seating in the 2024 GMC Acadia AT4.
