2011 GMC Acadia Denali front view

Once inside the Acadia Denali, it’s obvious that loads of standard equipment is the key to differentiating this Denali from its lesser siblings. The real-wood inserts on the dash and steering wheel, along with some tasteful ambient lighting, give this big crossover a more upscale appearance, while luxury amenities like heated and cooled front seats and a standard Dual SkyScape sunroof don’t have to be checked off from the list of options.

2011 GMC Acadia Denali front1 view

GMC also opted to add the aforementioned Quiet Tuning technology borrowed from the Buick Enclave, giving the Acadia Denali a pleasantly muted cabin. Research says that many Acadia owners previously owned an SUV, with the GMC Envoy and Chevy Trailblazer leading the pack.

2011 GMC Acadia Denali side view

That tells us a significant portion of those owners were likely looking for improved fuel economy.There will always be car buyers who insist on paying extra for the top-of-the-line model.

2011 GMC Acadia Denali rear1 view

With the Denali, a select few Acadia buyers will receive just that, the best Acadia that money can buy. And it only helps that the Denali actually costs a bit less than a comparably optioned Acadia SLT2, adding a bit of value to an already well-regarded Denali brand.

2011 GMC Acadia Denali rear view

2011 GMC Acadia Denali steering wheel

2011 GMC Acadia Denali interior

Besides the styling, the other major difference between the Equinox and the site of one of the tariff. Without a bit difficult-to-bit comparison with the Equinox, the area is approximately $ 1800 more expensive to run. For $ 24,995 based on the ground SLE1 price (compared to the basic Equinox’s $ 23,195), the extra dough, with standard power windows, fog lamps, mats, a USB port and a backup camera display housed in an auto-dimming rear. Expect to stay a small price difference if you up the ladder, trim level, SLE2, SLT1 and SLT2.

Options themselves are very cheap, but there are a lot of those price of a loaded field and into the upper-$ 30,000. The gutsy V-6, only $ 1500 Upgrade is a dual-screen DVD entertainment system is $ 1295, some $ 350 trail ring package, 19-inch chrome clad wheels cost $ 900. Put everything on the top shelf SLT2 model, together with the available touch-screen navigation system ($ 2145) and all-wheel drive ($ 1750), and the price rises to nearly $ 38,000, the reasonable and likely, depending on what they are cross-shopping against. When you land, as an alternative to a nice Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4 leather wrapped, a la Equinox, it is expensive, so to speak. But if, like GMC, you see it as competing with loaded mid-sizer as the Nissan Murano and Ford Edge, the field midpack bargain-priced.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front- or 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 5-door wagon

BASE PRICE: $24,995

ENGINE TYPES: DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection; DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection

Displacement: 145 cu in, 2384cc (I-4)/183 cu in, 2994cc (V-6)
Power (SAE net): 182 hp @ 6700 rpm (I-4)/264 hp @ 6950 rpm (V-6)
Torque (SAE net): 172 lb-ft @ 4900 rpm (I-4)/222 lb-ft @ 5100 rpm (V-6)

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic with manumatic shifting

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 112.5 in Length: 185.3 in
Width: 72.8 in Height: 66.3 in
Curb weight (C/D est): 3800–4300 lb

PERFORMANCE (C/D EST):
Zero to 60 mph: 8.7 sec (I-4, FWD)/7.8 sec (V-6, FWD)