If you’ve been shopping for a three-row SUV that can keep up with your family’s schedule, the GMC Acadia deserves a serious look. Its redesigned cabin grew in almost every direction, seating up to eight passengers with enough cargo room to handle Monday morning school runs and fully loaded road trips. But how does it really perform when you’re wrestling car seats, loading strollers, and shuttling the whole crew around town?
- Second-row LATCH anchors are exposed and easy to connect, earning top marks from certified car seat technicians at Cars.com.
- Behind the third row, 23 cubic feet of cargo space beats the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Grand Highlander.
- Captain’s chairs tilt and slide forward at the touch of a button, so you can reach the third row without uninstalling car seats.
Third-Row Seating That Adults Can Actually Use
Third-row seats in midsize SUVs have a reputation for being cramped penalty boxes. GMC did a solid job pushing back against that trend with this one. A 6-foot adult can fit in the wayback with some minor adjustments from the second row, and kids will be comfortable on even longer drives. Headroom measures 37.2 inches, and the bench splits 60/40 so you can fold one side for extra cargo while keeping a seat open. For pickups after soccer practice or weekend trips with the cousins, the third row handles it without complaints.
Cargo Space That Keeps Up With Your Life
One of the biggest improvements in the redesign is the cargo area. With all three rows in use, you still get 23 cubic feet behind the third row. That’s an 80 percent jump over the previous generation, beating the Ford Explorer (18.2), Honda Pilot (18.6), and Toyota Grand Highlander (20.6). A double stroller, grocery bags, and sports equipment all fit without playing cargo Tetris.
Fold the third row and cargo room jumps to 57.3 cubic feet. Drop the second row too and you’re looking at 97.5 cubic feet of flat space. A hands-free power liftgate opens automatically when you walk up with the key fob in your pocket.
Car Seat Fit and LATCH Access in the Second Row
Young families, pay attention here. Cars.com’s certified child safety seat technicians tested the Acadia and gave the second row straight A’s across the board. Rear-facing convertible, forward-facing convertible, infant carrier, and booster all fit without issues.
Two sets of lower LATCH anchors in the second-row captain’s chairs are exposed and easy to reach. Top tether anchors sit right on the seatback and are clearly marked, so installation takes minutes. A rear-facing infant seat fits behind the front passenger with plenty of legroom to spare for a 5-foot-6 adult up front.
Both second-row seats also have a car seat tilt function. This lets you tip the seat forward to access the third row without removing a car seat first. If you’ve ever had to uninstall and reinstall a car seat just to get a kid into the back, you know how much time and frustration that saves.
Third-Row Car Seat Realities
Now, the third row is a slightly different story. There are no lower LATCH anchors back there, so you’ll use the seat belt for installation. Top tether anchors are on the seatback, so forward-facing seats can still be secured properly. Cars.com gave the third-row convertible and booster a C grade, mainly because fixed head restraints on the outboard seats push larger car seats away from the seatback.
Your best bet for a third-row car seat is the middle position because it has an adjustable head restraint. For most families, the second row will be the primary car seat zone, and the third row works best for older kids who’ve graduated to boosters or are riding on their own.
Everyday Usability for School Runs and Road Trips
Car seats aside, the Acadia is loaded with tech that makes daily family life smoother. Tri-zone climate control is standard across all three trims, USB charging ports are in every row, and the available Wi-Fi hotspot keeps tablets connected on longer drives. A big 15-inch touchscreen runs wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and there’s an available rear-seat entertainment system for the kids.
Under the hood, a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder puts out 328 horsepower paired with an eight-speed automatic. That’s more than enough muscle for highway merges with a full cabin, and the GMC Acadia can tow up to 5,000 pounds for pulling a camper or boat on vacation.
See the Acadia Up Close at Greg Lair Buick GMC
If the Acadia sounds like a fit for your family, we’d love to have you check it out at Greg Lair Buick GMC in Canyon, TX. Bring the kids and your car seats along for a test drive so you can try the LATCH system, test third-row access, and see how everything fits your daily routine. We carry the full Acadia lineup and our team has been helping Texas Panhandle families find the right vehicles for over 30 years. Every new Acadia also comes with our free Lifetime Powertrain Warranty, giving you added confidence for all those school runs and road trips ahead. Stop by or browse our inventory online at greglair.com to get started.
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