The 2017 GMC Acadia lasts around 200,000 miles with some serious transmission and electrical issues. At $17,225 to $25,650, it’s cheaper than some other midsize SUVs, but not worth it for a mediocre choice which is expensive to own.
Is the 201& GMC Acadia a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 6/10 – 2017 is a bad year for the Acadia since it suffers from mechanical problems, giving it a low overall rating. Owner reviews complain about poor build quality, mechanical issues, as well as some technology problems.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – Interior materials are worse than other GMC vehicles, the seats are basic yet comfortable, cargo space is also lower than the competition.
- Reliability 5/10 – There are more transmission problems than the older model. Buyers should avoid models from 2017–2018, while 2014–2016 & 2019–2022 are more reliable.
- Performance 7/10 – Performance is poor from the 4-cylinder while the upgraded V6 is quick for a midsize SUV.
- Safety 9/10 – The 2017 Acadia is safe, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. There’s a standard rear view camera. Optional upgrades include pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, automatic braking, as well as lane keep assistance.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – Fuel economy is okay at up to 23 MPG, giving 420 miles of range from the 18.3 gallon tank. Gas costs are $20 cheaper than average, at $231 per month.
- Value 6/10 – The 2017 Acadia loses value faster than other midsize SUVs with some expensive problems, making it a bad value.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the GMC Acadia?
- Consumer Reports says the redesigned Acadia has shrunk in size, making it less practical, with low owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Acadia at 3.5/5, praising the smooth suspension, but doesn’t like the basic interior.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Acadia a 4.2/5 enjoying the updated safety technology, but owners don’t like the relatively small cabin.
What Common Problems Does the 201& GMC Acadia Have?
Common problems found on the 2017 GMC Acadia include transmission problems, failure to start, as well as excessive vibrations from the engine. Overall, these problems are worse than other midsize SUVs, leading to high repair costs as the Acadia ages.
Transmission problems are the most widespread complaint from owners at around 35,000 miles. There is a “shift to park” error which shows up and can indicate several problems with the transmission. The problems can be as simple as a software issue which costs $100 to fix, wiring harness problems which are $700 to change, all the way up to total transmission failures which cost over $3,000.
Failure to start due to electrical issues have been reported by owners at around 30,000 miles. Alternator failures are common at this point, which lead to the battery not being charged. Changing out the alternator costs around $650, depending on local labor rates.
Excessive engine vibrations are also found on some Acadia models at around 20,000 miles. There is a technical service bulletin to update the engine software which makes the engine run smoother. Other owners have also found broken motor mounts which cost about $350 to replace.
There are 3 recalls on the 2017 Acadia which are all more severe than other midsize SUVs. They cover the front brake calipers which can leak fluid, broken driveshafts, as well as a fuel pump weld that may fail. All of these are mechanically serious and can lead to accidents or cause a fire. GMC will replace and repair parts for free on affected models.
How Long Will the 201& GMC Acadia Last?
A well-maintained 2017 GMC Acadia may last around 200,000 miles, which is around 100,000 miles less than the top-rated Toyota Highlander. Regular annual maintenance costs are much more expensive than the competition, according to data from Repair Pal, at $650 per year.
As the GMC Acadia reaches 100,000 miles buyers should be prepared to replace the A/C condenser for $650, window regulator motor costing $400, as well as the engine oil cooler which costs $350.
Yes it's been very reliable for us. The only problem I can think of is the terrible noise and wind drag when the windows are down.
We have not experienced any problems with our Acadia. We do travel every couple of months & it has always been very reliable.
My only problem has been with the sound going out in the car. It was fixed though for free while it was still under warranty.
We haven't had any issues even purchasing our vehicle used. We have traveled in heavy rain and ice without problems and feel safe with our daughter in the back.
My Acadia has had no problems. It is a very reliable ride. I get reasonably good gas mileage for such a large vehicle and it is super in snow!
Entirely too much computer controlled operation. So many operations were faster & more efficient as a manual operation.
I haven't had any problems. It is very reliable and runs well on long or short trips with good gas mileage
I don't really think that the 2017 GMC Acadia has any problems I think it's a really good car for me. Of course
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is good in the 2017 Acadia compared to other midsize SUVs with a standard 7-Inch touchscreen stereo with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Safety technology is good as well with a standard rear view camera. Optional safety features include forward collision alert, automatic braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, as well as lane keep assistance.
Is the 201& GMC Acadia a Good Value?
No, the 2017 GMC Acadia is a bad value since there are some expensive mechanical problems. Blue book prices range from $17,225 to $25,650, making it cheaper than a Honda Piot or Jeep Grand Cherokee. When new, the price range was $29,070 to $47,070. Depreciation is much worse than other midsize SUVs, losing around 15% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the GMC Acadia?
There are four models of the GMC Acadia offered in 2017, from the base SL to the more luxurious Denali. It’s also offered with either front wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
SL is the entry-level model with:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Upholstery
- Keyless Entry & Ignition
- Cruise Control
- Tri-Zone Climate Control
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- OnStar
- 7-inch Touchscreen
- 6-Speaker Stereo System
SLE is a step up, adding:
- 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- LED Running Lights
- Hands Free Power Liftgate
- Remote Ignition
- Roof Rails
- Power Driver’s Seat
SLT is next in the lineup with:
- Leather Upholstery
- Upgraded Driver Information Screen
- Garage Door Opener
- 8-Speaker Bose Stereo System
- Blind Spot Monitoring & Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Lane Keep Assistance
Denali is the flagship model which adds:
- 20-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Premium Leather Seating
- Xenon Headlights
- Chrome Grille
- 8-Inch Touchscreen
- Heated & Ventilated Front Seats
- Surround View Camera
- Automatic Braking
- Adaptive Cruise Control
What Engines Come In the GMC Acadia?
- The base engine is a weak 2.5L 4-cylinder which makes 193 horsepower while getting up to 23 MPG. It’s paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.
- An available upgrade on the SLT & higher models is a stronger 3.6L V6 which produces 310 horsepower while getting up to 20 MPG. It also comes with a six-speed automatic transmission. Performance is good, taking only 6.3 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH. It can also tow up to 4,000 pounds, which is lower than average.
What Colors Does the GMC Acadia Come In?
How Comfortable Is the GMC Acadia?
The 2017 GMC Acadia is a very comfortable midsize SUV with seating for up to seven people depending on the configuration. The seats are nice, offering a good amount of cushioning for longer trips.
Passenger room is good in the front and rear seats, while the optional third row seats are best suited to younger children.
How Much Storage Space Does the GMC Acadia Have?
Cargo space is smaller than other midsize SUVs with enough space for 2-3 suitcases behind the third row, 8-10 behind the second row, and around 15 with the seats folded flat.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The first generation of the GMC Acadia was introduced in 2007, and replaced by the second generation in 2017.
2015: No major changes.
2016: Standard 4G LTE WiFi hotspot capabilities added.
2017: Fully redesigned for the second generation with new interior, exterior, technology, and engines.
2018: All-terrain package can now be had with a third row of seating.
2019: No major changes.
2020: Turbocharged 4-cylinder engine added, 9-speed transmission, upgraded navigation system.
2021: Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Elevation Edition added with black exterior trim.
How Does the GMC Acadia Compare to the Competition?
The GMC Acadia is one of the worst SUVs offered in 2017 since there are some fairly expensive mechanical problems.
The Ford Explorer is another midsize SUV which costs around $500 more. Passenger and cargo room are both much better in the Ford Explorer, while the GMC Acadia is quicker with the V6 engine. We recommend the Ford Explorer since there are fewer mechanical issues reported by owners.
The Chevy Traverse is a competitor from Chevy, which costs $2,000 less. Both the GMC Acadia and Chevy Traverse are built on the same platform with a nicer interior and more technology found in the GMC Acadia. We recommend avoiding both SUVs for 2017 since they have the same mechanical problems.
Do Owners Recommend the GMC Acadia?
Yes. It ride and drives very nicely. Looks great and has lots of room. Has great get up and go. Reasonable on gas.
Yes. It is dependable & the right size for our familys needs. We like the convenience of an SUV without the high gas costs of a larger vehicle.
Yes! It is comfortable for my family of 5. The upgrades are nice. I never knew I needed a heated steering wheel, but apparently I do! The safety features are nice for living in the city.
Yes- we like the leg room in the front and back seat as well as the huge trunk space. We have a hard shell trunk that is great for hauling anything with no mess. The interior is comfortable with heated seats and comfy seat design and all the bells and whistles make travel relaxing.
The 2017 GMC Acadia sle is s great vehicle! It has space for 8 adults to ride comfortably. The third row of seats easily fold down for storage or hauling, and folding the second row, as well, provides s huge cargo area. It has all power accessories, heating and cooling with passenger controls, a terrific Bose sound system, a rear camera that helps with parking, and every conceivable Option to make driving safe, and fun!
Yes. Don't know what else you want. Your question is either a yes or no. OK, I guess I have to make a yes/no into an essay. You need clarification in your initial question.
Yes it's a good vehicle because it is reliable, has plenty of room and gets good gas mileage. The seats go down easily to make more room in the vehicle and there is plenty of room for the kids
Yes the 2017 GMC Acadia is a good vehicle. It has lots of space and room. Also the trunk is a very nice size