Topic: Test Drive: 2011 GMC Acadia Denali - Ottawa to the Chicago Auto Show

[Autos_Editor]

Driving from Ottawa to the Chicago Motor Show in subzero weather proved very comfortable in the luxurious GMC Acadia Denali, but fuel consumption was worse than expected, says Grant Yoxon.

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[JohnM]

A 5000 pound vehicle is ludicrous as personal transport.  The idea that "For this journey one needs the power to overcome Mother Nature." is totally misguided.  A Fit with 4 Blizzaks would have done just fine.

That said, I don't find the 11.7 consumption level Grant achieved to be all that bad for that size of vehicle in those conditions.  What is ridiculous is the 8.8 highway rating.   I know numerous owners of small Japanese vehicle who beat their highway rating but for larger vehicles, it is another story.

My Odyssey and Mazda MPV were almost impossible to get under 10 despite very concerted efforts on my part.

Back to the vehicle in at hand.  It seems to be a nicely executed answer to a question we should no longer be asking.

Cheers,
John Meyer

[theonlydt]

I don't have much to say about the car, surprisingly. Only that it needs to go on a diet!

However, American border guards and custom officials... *sigh*. I'm a permenant resident, not a Canadian Citizen (I'm English) and I have extensive experience in entering both countries on a regular basis - once in to Canada without any paperwork as the British Postal service was on strike and I'd been having my visa stamped before I flew.

The Americans, without a single exception, were rude, nasty and downright obnoxious. They seemed to be deliberately obstructive, but without the intelligence or knowledge of what to look for and so picked up on things that didn't exist or weren't a problem. On one trip I made the mistake of a trip being business and pleasure - "that's not allowed sir, your trip should only have one purpose" - after being taken in to a little side room and watching the gloves go on I produced a NATO travel order before they fiddled with my unholies.

Canadians - love'em. With the exception of Toronto airport where they're a bit tired and cranky, and Montreal airport where they've plainly been trained by the Americans, Canadians have always been welcoming, polite and asked the right questions.

English - useless

[Railton]

Test - Find the trip reset button.
Railton

[theonlydt]

That's a hard one Railton! I'm going with the little button on the end of the left indicator stalk. Otherwise somewhere on the overly complicated steering wheel?

Thanks for the photo as well though - I didn't realise this car had such a "cheap" interior. It's like a cheap hooker in an expensive dress - if you'll excuse the rudeness! You can't hide all the poor architecture and design behind lashings of wood and chrome.

[chrischasescars]

Test - Find the trip reset button.
Railton

Ha! I know, but I'll see if anyone else can get it. =)

[tpl]

"The Acadia is heavy, over 2,200 kg (4,857 lb) with all-wheel-drive. It is a weight that keeps the vehicle planted firmly on the road, albeit without any real idea about what is going on under the tires. The suspension is built for comfort, the cabin eerily quiet and the steering devoid of feedback. The Acadia requires trust, but does not prove your trust misplaced."

I knew it!  "Road Hugging weight" is back.  I hope not for long.  Maybe some >$4 a gallon gas in the USA will finally put the stake through its heart. 


As for US Immigration.   I suppose its not paranoia when they are really after you.

[Railton]

Frustrated the bigeesuss (sp?) out of me on a holiday down South last year. I never did find it.

On a similar note, (possily test #2) had to dig out the user manual for the Infiniti last night looking for the switch to turn on the heated mirrors to remove some ice formed after going thru the car wash.
Railton

[Dante]

On a similar note, (possily test #2) had to dig out the user manual for the Infiniti last night looking for the switch to turn on the heated mirrors to remove some ice formed after going thru the car wash.
Railton

Aren't they on the rear window defogger like on other cars?

[Railton]

On a similar note, (possily test #2) had to dig out the user manual for the Infiniti last night looking for the switch to turn on the heated mirrors to remove some ice formed after going thru the car wash.
Railton

Aren't they on the rear window defogger like on other cars?

Yup, although some cars have a unique switch (ex Honda).
Now, what about the Aacadia? Surprised Inco hasn't chimed in yet.
Railton

[sailor723]

Grant's description of the hassle he had getting into the US is typical. It always seems like the "kids with guns" who are impressed with their own importance and give you a hard time. ....Sort of makes you wish the US would build a giant fence around their country. Then they could sit behind it and run out of oil all by themselves. 

[bridgecity]

Is it not right beside the tach?

[Railton]

Is it not right beside the tach?

Maybe in the 'stripper' model.
Railton

[EV Dan]

I wonder if those who buy such monsters for personal transportation, where often the driver being the only person transported, should be paying a different gas tax and gas price. The extra money collected would be used to sponsor research of the alternatives to burning fossil fuels, as well as feeding the polar bears for extra few weeks every year and rescuing them from melting ice. Making egocentric purchasing decisions is responsible for contributing to climate change so I suppose the offenders should compensate the society. It seems flat tax we pay on gas doesn't prevent many from being inconsiderate to the planet so I propose the price of gas at the pump to be adjusted in accordance to every vehicle's NRC fuel efficiency number. For example, if current taxes make up about third of the cost, say it is 40 cents in a litre today, then this is what the cars using 6L/100km should be still charged, but if you put your lifestyle above the issues our society is facing and want to afford the luxury of burning 12L to go the same 100km, then your tax contribution will now be 80 cents. This is just as fair IMO as rich paying more in income taxes to support the  less fortunate and keep them above a state of poverty. Similarly, those who use 12L/100 will give back some to ppl choosing to spend extra on their hybrid, and should give back even more to folks who cycle or walk every day.
Go!  

[wing]

Most GM's you have to old the check mark button.  You can see it just below the right spoke on the steering wheel.

Hey look at that my sig still has this vehicle in it. 

[Danno001]

I wonder if those who buy such monsters for personal transportation, where often the driver being the only person transported, should be paying a different gas tax and gas price. The extra money collected would be used to sponsor research of the alternatives to burning fossil fuels, as well as feeding the polar bears for extra few weeks every year and rescuing them from melting ice. Making egocentric purchasing decisions is responsible for contributing to climate change so I suppose the offenders should compensate the society. It seems flat tax we pay on gas doesn't prevent many from being inconsiderate to the planet so I propose the price of gas at the pump to be adjusted in accordance to every vehicle's NRC fuel efficiency number. For example, if current taxes make up about third of the cost, say it is 40 cents in a litre today, then this is what the cars using 6L/100km should be still charged, but if you put your lifestyle above the issues our society is facing and want to afford the luxury of burning 12L to go the same 100km, then your tax contribution will now be 80 cents. This is just as fair IMO as rich paying more in income taxes to support the  less fortunate and keep them above a state of poverty. Similarly, those who use 12L/100 will give back some to ppl choosing to spend extra on their hybrid, and should give back even more to folks who cycle or walk every day.
Go!  

And everyone should live in downtown Toronto and eat tofu burgers.

 

[safristi]

Dano no worries aboot DanY...he lives under a bridge on the Gardiner.....and on weekends flies to Vegas on JetShare and parties with Marty Sheen.....................he's the 1/2 Man half Trudeau...............

[5 Wheel Drive]

On a similar note, (possily test #2) had to dig out the user manual for the Infiniti last night looking for the switch to turn on the heated mirrors to remove some ice formed after going thru the car wash.
Railton

Aren't they on the rear window defogger like on other cars?

The Forester is like that too.  The 1 defrost button turns on the rear window defros, the mirrors, and the defroster at the base of the windshield.

I once had a US border guard ask why we were going to Mount Washington.  Uhhhh...the climb it?  Absolute worst border crossing was the the Canadian guards at the Rock Island crossing between Vermont and Quebec.  If you're English, you're getting searched!

[nsmyhte]

Best thing about Quebec cars: no front license plate.

[bridgecity]

I wonder if those who buy such monsters for personal transportation, where often the driver being the only person transported, should be paying a different gas tax and gas price.

Monsters? In my hickville city an Acadia is probably average size.  Every fourth vehicle seems to be an F250/2500 with a six inch lift and 35" mudders.  The chicks drive half tons and their boyfriends the 3/4 tons.