The 2008 GMC Acadia isn’t as reliable as a Toyota Sienna, it’s not as powerful as a Chevy Suburban, but it delivers generous interior space and a long list of standard features with typical listing prices starting in the low $6,000 range.
Is the 2008 GMC Acadia a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – The only major problems with the 2008 GMC Acadia come down to its status as a 15+ year old full-size SUV.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – One of the most comfortable, spacious cabins you’ll find outside of the luxury SUV market. Interior trim materials feel a bit cheap, but the ride is nice and smooth.
- Reliability 7/10 – The 2008 GMC Acadia will likely pass 200,000 miles, and maybe even a quarter million. But, it being a full-size SUV, repair costs are a bit higher than average.
- Safety 9/10 – Standard safety features are generous, the Acadia is available with a rearview camera, which is pretty rare for 2008, it holds a Top Safety Pick award with the IIHS, and it feels like you’re driving a suit of armor.
- Gas Mileage 6/10 – You’ll be hard pressed to find a full-size SUV from 2008 that does better than 20 miles to the gallon combined, and the 2008 Acadia is no exception.
- Value 8/10 – This is probably the best full-size SUV you’re going to find for under seven grand. But, those savings will be offset by big refueling and repair bills, which may have you wondering if you should have gone with a mid-size, a compact, or just a small pickup truck.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2008 GMC Acadia?
Consumer Reports praised the GMC Acadia’s spacious three-row interior and powerful 288 horsepower V6 engine. They note that the SUV hesitates on the downshift at times, but the vehicle is overall a capable, powerful, all-weather family vehicle.
Kelley Blue Book were impressed by the Acadia’s living-room-sized cabin, calling it the perfect solution for people who need to haul lots of people and cargo, but who hate the bland, boring look of minivans. They note that the vehicle’s all wheel drive system is more suited to rough highway conditions than it is to off-roading.
Edmunds had plenty of praise for the Acadia’s generous passenger and cargo space, they found the ride nice and smooth, and they note that the SUV is one of the strongest crossovers on the market when it comes to towing. Cheap interior trim and sluggish downshifts cost the Acadia a few points in the final talley.
What Common Problems Does the 2008 GMC Acadia Have?
The 2008 GMC Acadia has generated 844 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 277 of these are for powertrain issues, with drivers reporting engine stall and transmission failure after passing 140,000 miles.
151 electrical complaints point to warning lights coming on for no reason, brake light malfunctions, and headlight failure. Some drivers report that these problems are worse when it’s raining, corrosion in the wiring.
There are 150 airbag complaints on file with drivers reporting airbag warning lights coming on for no apparent reason. A recall was issued in 2014 for bad wire connections in the side impact airbags, but complaints have persisted well into late 2022.
The 2008 Acadia has been recalled 5 times in total, which is pretty much the going rate for a vehicle this old.
How Long Will the 2008 GMC Acadia Last?
Acadia drivers typically report the vehicle lasting at least 200,000 miles or so with regular maintenance. You might be able to squeeze a quarter million miles or more out of the original transmission, but 200,000 is the number to keep in mind when deciding whether the SUV is worth your money.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $734, which is about what you would expect for a 2008 full-size SUV. The most expensive common fixes include new fuel evaporative canisters starting at around $425, and replacement control arms at $452.
As previously stated, I had issues when I first bought the car. These problems were more the fault of the previous owner vs the actual car having faults. After fixing them, I have had no issues with the vehicle.
For the most part it has been reliable. I've had the car almost a year now and the only problems I've came across were getting a new battery and changing one of the tires.
It is very reliable. It Does Not have very many problems. It Just needs typical maintenance from time to time.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2008 GMC Acadia is pretty good for the model year. CD/MP3 players with 6-speaker sound systems come standard, and you can upgrade that to a 10-speaker system with a DVD player for the back seat.
Safety technology in the 2008 Acadia is pretty good for the model, featuring StabiliTrak and anti-lock brakes as standard features. Parking assist is available in the higher trim level, and some models pack rearview cameras, a rarity in 2008.
Is the 2008 GMC Acadia a Good Value?
The 2008 GMC Acadia is one of the more affordable full-size SUVs on the used car market today. The entry-level SLE typically lists for around $6,135, while a high-end SLT will go for around $7,361.
Of course, the Acadia still comes with the higher ownership costs of a full-size SUV. Fuel economy isn’t great, you’re going to be paying more for repairs than you would in a comparable mid-size or compact SUV, and these prices are for Acadias with 150,000 miles on the odometer, leaving just another 50,000 to go.
What are the Different Models of the 2008 GMC Acadia?
The 2008 GMC Acadia is available in a base SLE trim, plus two levels of SLT.
With the entry-level SLE you’re getting:
- Fog lights
- Cloth seating
- Heated mirrors
- Remote keyless entry
- Anti-lock brakes and StabiliTrak
- CD/MP3 player
The high-end SLT-1 adds:
- Leather seating
- Dual zone automatic air conditioning
- Heated front seats
- 6-disc CD changer
- DVD player
- Bose 10-speaker sound system
With the SLT-2 package you’re adding UltraSonic parking assist to the package.
What Engines Come In the 2008 GMC Acadia?
- The 2008 GMC Acadia comes packed with a 3.6L V6 engine delivering 275 horsepower and 251 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission in front/all wheel drive, and it averages 16/24 miles to the gallon. You can tow up to 4,500 pounds with a 2008 Acadia.
What Colors Does the 2008 GMC Acadia Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2008 GMC Acadia?
The Acadia is a living room on wheels. Spacious, comfortable, smooth-riding, with nearly 58 inches of hip room in the back. The only issue with the Acadia’s cabin: The interior trim feels a bit cheap. But this is a fairly minor complaint when you consider just how luxurious the interior feels.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2008 GMC Acadia Have?
The 2008 GMC Acadia starts you out with 25 cubic feet of cargo space in the very back, and you can expand that to an incredible 117 with the seating area. This puts the Acadia in league with actual cargo vans. You could almost fit a Smart Car back there.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2008 GMC Acadia was the second model year for the SUV’s 1st Generation, running from 2007 to 2016.
2007: The Acadia debuted as a unibody crossover SUV leaning more into truck-like performance with a front/all wheel drive configuration.
2008: The 2008 GMC Acadia saw the addition of an optional rearview camera and XM Satellite radio. Traction control was improved for this model year.
2009: A fuel-injected 3.6L engine was added to the lineup for 2009, offering up 288 horsepower at 17/24 miles to the gallon.
2010: The 2011 Denali edition made an early debut in 2010, but there were no major changes for the 2010 model year itself.
How Does the 2008 GMC Acadia Compare to the Competition?
The 2008 GMC Acadia just plain isn’t as good as the class-leading Toyota Sienna. The Sienna will likely pass 250,000 miles with no major issues, it gets more consistent fuel economy, and it’s cheap to maintain. It also costs as much as thirteen thousand bucks for a top-of-the-line model, twice the price of an Acadia.
A 2008 Chevy Suburban offers superior off-road performance and up to 366 horsepower, but it struggles to average 17 miles to the gallon combined, and typical listing prices start in the low $9,000 range.
While the 2008 GMC Acadia might not be the best SUV released in its model year, it’s probably the best full-size you’re going to get at this price.
Do Owners Recommend the 2008 GMC Acadia?
It is a fairly functional vehicle. It meets my needs as far as being a very practical crossover. While the interior quality can be a little better, the mechanical aspect results in a solid vehicle. And the electrical aspects of the car are great. I had issues with it as first, but this is less the fault of the car and more the fault of the previous owner.
For me yes it has. From reviews I've read online, not so much. Seems to have a lot of transmission problems.
Yes it is a good vehicle. It drives smoothly. It is very dependable. It has a lot of room. I love the 3rd row seat.