GMC News: 2026 GMC Acadia Denali Ultimate, A GMC First

[G. David Felt]

Jaclyn McQuaid, global VP for Buick and GMC introduced the 2026 Acadia SUV in the Denali Ultimate trim with this statement.

"Denali Ultimate represents the pinnacle of premium expression for the GMC brand, delivering an innovative mixture of stunning craftsmanship and real-world capability. Expanding Denali Ultimate’s innovative technologies and exclusive design elements to the Acadia nameplate allows us to further differentiate our mid-size offering in a highly competitive segment. "

The 2026 GMC Acadia Denali Ultimate has been given a variety of exterior and interior appointments that are meant to set it apart from a normal Acadia Denali trim. The simplest way to do this is to list out by the following categories for the Denali Ultimate trim level as this is on top of what one gets with the Denali Trim.

Exterior Ultimate Trim bits:

• Vader Chrome Grille
• Vader Chrome GMC Logo
• LED daytime running lamps
  • Animated lighting sequence
• Ultimate exclusive badging
• 22-inch machines aluminum wheels with "After Midnight Metallic Finish"

Interior Ultimate Trim bits:

• Heated and ventilated Woodland Mahogany full leather massage seats with plaited contrast stitching
• Ladao wood laser-etched accents and embossed topographical maps
  • On seat backs
  • Door trim
  • Map pockets
• Unique floor mats
• Denali Ultimate Badging on Seat backs
• Bose 16-speaker Performance Series Sound System
• Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance technology with 3yr OnStar Super Cruise Plan
• Panoramic Sunroof
• 9 camera views with smart technology HD surround Vision and Rear Camera Mirror customizable
• Configurable 8-inch diagonal Head-up Display
• AutoSense Power Liftgate
• Performance suspension

The 2026 GMC Acadia for all trims will have the following standard features.

• Rear Camera Mirror
• 19 standard safety and driver assistance features
• 2.5 Liter Turbocharged 4 cylinder engine with 8-speed automatic transmission
  • 328 horsepower
  • 326 lb-ft of torque
  • 5,000 lb towing capacity

The 2026 GMC Acadia will go into production at the Lansing Delta Township Assembly plant and dealerships will have it for sale on lots third quarter of 2025. Additional details and pricing will be released closer to on dealership availability and at GMC.com.

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[trinacriabob]

I like the Acadia.  I'm happy with it in base form.  This one is uptown.  I was given one as a rental and enjoyed it.  Partly, GMC is sort of a "novelty" compared to Chevrolet, which I think most of us or our families have owned.

I never recall getting into the turbo boost phase.  The 2.5 is probably enough.  I appreciate the geared automatic.  Also, I like the way the infotainment screen is engaged in the dash. 

[A Horse With No Name]

There is no way in hell I could trust this as a daily driver, and would not drop coin on it given past reliability issues. Hell, even for a rental, I think I would turn the keys back over to the rental agent and ask for something else. Honda, Toyota, Subaru please?

Think the Passport is much better looking. 

For that amount of $, I would also prefer a Toyota 4 Runner, infinitely better resale and reliability, and would fit my needs as a camping/hiking vehicle much better. 

[trinacriabob]

@A Horse With No Name

It was a 3 step upgrade, so I kept it.  It helped me drift away to memories of Acadia National Park in autumn!

@G. David Felt

Love the seating.  Don't need the leather and emblems, but that sort of bucket seat is exactly what I like.

[Robert Hall]

I like the brown seats.   The exterior is too bland in white..that is a lot of power and torque for a 4cyl..wonder how it sounds, though.  

[G. David Felt]

This GMC Style is very uninspiring to me. I think GMC could have done better.

[smk4565]

I think they should have just made Denali's nicer instead of doing this Denali Ultimate.  Half the trim levels are Denali now.  is a Buick Avenir Ultra next? 

I feel like the Traverse/Enclave/Acadia is kind of a weak spot in GM.  Grand Cherokee is same money (not that I'd trust Jeep reliability) Toyota has Highlander, Grand Highlander, Lexus TX, Land Cruiser, that Palisade and Telluride are good, the competition seems to have GM beat here and the GM trio is pretty new to market.  

[Robert Hall]

On 7/22/2025 at 1:53 PM, G. David Felt said:

This GMC Style is very uninspiring to me. I think GMC could have done better.

Just another lease appliance CUV...take off the GMC badging, it could be anything...probably starts at $60k, since the '25 Denali version starts at $54k.   I can't believe that much money and it's a frickin' 4 cyl.   A supposedly 'premium' vehicle with an econobox powertrain....(I'll admit I loathe 4 cylinders...) 

Edited July 26 by Robert Hall

[G. David Felt]

17 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

Just another lease appliance CUV...take off the GMC badging, it could be anything...probably starts at $60k, since the '25 Denali version starts at $54k.   I can't believe that much money and it's a frickin' 4 cyl.   A supposedly 'premium' vehicle with an econobox powertrain....(I'll admit I loathe 4 cylinders...) 

With all the craziness currently in failed leadership, I wonder if GM will really do hybrids or if they will just wait it out with what they have in V8, Turbo 4's and EVs. Interesting times for sure.

Always felt GM failed to optimize doing Hybrid when they brought out Volt 2.0, they should have then also introduced an Equinox / Terrain Hybrid then imho.

[Robert Hall]

2 minutes ago, G. David Felt said:

 

Always felt GM failed to optimize doing Hybrid when they brought out Volt 2.0, they should have then also introduced an Equinox / Terrain Hybrid then imho.

Yeah...more hybrids would have been a good move, I think.  People that I know that have owned Volts loved them, but had to go elsewhere when they needed more space but still wanted a hybrid. 

[ccap41]

On 7/23/2025 at 4:52 PM, smk4565 said:

I feel like the Traverse/Enclave/Acadia is kind of a weak spot in GM.

As auto enthusiasts, we feel this way. I see a whole hell of a lot of them for the market to feel this way though. 

On 7/26/2025 at 8:59 AM, G. David Felt said:

Always felt GM failed to optimize doing Hybrid when they brought out Volt 2.0, they should have then also introduced an Equinox / Terrain Hybrid then imho.

It is INSANE to me, that they never did this. It seemed like a slam dunk decision. Our market NEEDED more plug0in hybrids 5-10 years ago. If they had become more of a normal vehicle, there would be so much less resistance to full EVs. People are scared of EVs because of "range", but had they been conditioned to realizing how far 50 miles would get you regularly, they'd realize 250-350 in a full EV would be way more than enough. 

Edited July 28 by ccap41

[A Horse With No Name]

On 7/21/2025 at 9:36 AM, trinacriabob said:

@A Horse With No Name

It was a 3 step upgrade, so I kept it.  It helped me drift away to memories of Acadia National Park in autumn!

@G. David Felt

Love the seating.  Don't need the leather and emblems, but that sort of bucket seat is exactly what I like.

Headed to Acadia in September myself. 

2 hours ago, ccap41 said:

As auto enthusiasts, we feel this way. I see a whole hell of a lot of them for the market to feel this way though. 

It is INSANE to me, that they never did this. It seemed like a slam dunk decision. Our market NEEDED more plug0in hybrids 5-10 years ago. If they had become more of a normal vehicle, there would be so much less resistance to full EVs. People are scared of EVs because of "range", but had they been conditioned to realizing how far 50 miles would get you regularly, they'd realize 250-350 in a full EV would be way more than enough. 

Agree completely. In terms of seeing a bunch of midsize GM suv's I regularly see them at recyclers with low mileage and auto repair shops. 

[smk4565]

$60k SUVs with 4 cylinders is what will bring on the era of EV's.  That and batteries getting cheaper.  Once you can get a 400 hp EV for the same cost of a 200 hp 4-banger, ICE dies.

[Drew Dowdell]

On 7/28/2025 at 5:44 PM, smk4565 said:

$60k SUVs with 4 cylinders is what will bring on the era of EV's.  That and batteries getting cheaper.  Once you can get a 400 hp EV for the same cost of a 200 hp 4-banger, ICE dies.

This is a 328 hp / 326 ft-lb 4-cylinder, but I think your point holds.

[smk4565]

6 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

This is a 328 hp / 326 ft-lb 4-cylinder, but I think your point holds.

Right, but by 2030 an EV Equinox with 300 hp will probably be less than a 175 hp ICE version.  The Cadillac Vistiq has 600 hp vs the 300ish hp V6 in an XT6.  EV is just going to unlock too much horsepower and it will be cheap horsepower.  

Yangwang U9 has 3,000 hp and does 294 mph.  What's Bugatti going to do, try to make a 12 liter W24 engine to keep up?  Corvette ZR1 is 2,000 hp down from the similarly priced Chinese competitor.  EV development is going so much faster than ICE at this point, I think in 5 years ICE is going to look like horse and buggy by comparison.

[G. David Felt]

2 hours ago, smk4565 said:

Right, but by 2030 an EV Equinox with 300 hp will probably be less than a 175 hp ICE version.  The Cadillac Vistiq has 600 hp vs the 300ish hp V6 in an XT6.  EV is just going to unlock too much horsepower and it will be cheap horsepower.  

Yangwang U9 has 3,000 hp and does 294 mph.  What's Bugatti going to do, try to make a 12 liter W24 engine to keep up?  Corvette ZR1 is 2,000 hp down from the similarly priced Chinese competitor.  EV development is going so much faster than ICE at this point, I think in 5 years ICE is going to look like horse and buggy by comparison.

Only thing that will kill the EV is what the Germans have announced with a stupid monthly subscription to unlock the full EV potential of HP and other features. 

VW Sells You Less Horsepower Then Charges A Fee To Give It Back

Total BS if they go this way. Not a fan of subscription fees for using the auto you bought.

[Drew Dowdell]

8 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

Only thing that will kill the EV is what the Germans have announced with a stupid monthly subscription to unlock the full EV potential of HP and other features. 

VW Sells You Less Horsepower Then Charges A Fee To Give It Back

Total BS if they go this way. Not a fan of subscription fees for using the auto you bought.

All we can do is kick up as big of a stink as we can to get this nonsense to stop.   I beat up GM on social media as much as I can about the EV-Carplay thing.

[oldshurst442]

10 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

All we can do is kick up as big of a stink as we can to get this nonsense to stop.   I beat up GM on social media as much as I can about the EV-Carplay thing.

 

I do not think GM will budge on the Apple CarPlay thing.   GM has got their own software, as you know, and Im more than assuming and guessing that GM is betting all of their software egss into their own software development basket arrogantly not caring about anything else other than their own technology.  Im also assuming and guessing that they are very confident in their software. 

I don not know how well their software works in the real world, and Im guessing not very good on how many youtubers are whining about it, but at the same time Ive listened to some other youtubers actually surprised that it worked well enough to even forget about Apple CarPlay.  

But most of the whining that Im hearing about is just that most users are familiar with Apple CarPlay and that they do not know GM's software all that well and have NOTHING to do with how well GM's software works.  

Also, with how many EVs they are selling at this point in time, which is substantial despite the current economical and political situations around us, Im again assuming and guessing that GM's beancounters are looking at those sales and saying "yeah...we do not need Apple CarPlay...phoque Apple and their CarPlay" 

Im also assuming GM and every other OEM  has to pay a licensing fee for use of Apple CarPlay?  

If so, yeah I dont think GM will EVER go back to offer Apple CarPlay.  

All assumptions.  I could be wrong. 

About subscriptions...

If enough idiots pay for subscriptions from all OEMs, whether from Ford or GM or BMW or anybody else, get ready for this kind of thing to be a reality. 

Its the idiots that we have to look out for. And there is NO EFFIN' way we could stop those idiots in NOT paying for subscriptions.    Good luck for all of us in this regard. 

Edited yesterday at 12:02 AM by oldshurst442

[Drew Dowdell]

15 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

I do not think GM will budge on the Apple CarPlay thing.   GM has got their own software, as you know, and Im more than assuming and guessing that GM is betting all of their software egss into their own software development basket arrogantly not caring about anything else other than their own technology.  Im also assuming and guessing that they are very confident in their software. 

They shouldn't be that confident. They're not a software company.

15 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

I don not know how well their software works in the real world, and Im guessing not very good on how many youtubers are whining about it, but at the same time Ive listened to some other youtubers actually surprised that it worked well enough to even forget about Apple CarPlay.  

But most of the whining that Im hearing about is just that most users are familiar with Apple CarPlay and that they do not know GM's software all that well and have NOTHING to do with how well GM's software works.  

The problem is that GM gate-keeps apps. If they allowed unfettered access to the Google Play store for anything that was Android Auto compatible, I'd have less of a problem with it. But the fact that GM limits me to the apps they approve is a BIG problem.  I'm an Apple Music and Pandora music user.  I also use a few other streaming apps for free radio stations in Europe and my local NPR station, only Pandora is available in-dash none of the rest are available on a GM EV. 

You prefer Waze over Google Maps? Too bad.  I have an excellent weather app called MyRadar that shows updated rain radar maps on my CarPlay display..... GM says "too bad". I know it sucks to do, but sometimes I have to take Teams calls from the car, I can do that with CarPlay. In a GM EV? Too bad.  I have a widget for TripIt app in car play that shows my travel itinerary and will even update me on screen if my plane is delayed.  GM says "Oh well, you don't need that". 

THAT is my issue with not allowing Car Play or Android Auto. GM deciding what apps are best for me and you. 

I'll note that all of these apps exist in the Google Play store and would be available if GM ungated them.  Volvo uses the same base OS in their vehicles and doesn't gate-keep apps so they should all be available in a Volvo. (But I have no way of checking). 

The perverse effect is that even though Volvo has CarPlay, you need it less in a Volvo because you can just get the apps that you want from the Google Play store.

[oldshurst442]

I dont know as I dont use these things. 

I prefer Google Maps over Waze but that is as far as automotive style apps for CarPlay or otherwise that I have an opinion for.   

Radio is still my choice of entertainment in my car. Albeit now its AM radio. Sports talk radio.  I have a shyte ton of CDs that I have MP3ed on a USB that I use in my cars.  I also used a youtube downloader to MP3 on said USB stick.  In other words, I got a shyte ton of music on my USB stick. Personalized playlist with I dont know how much music. Hundreds of songs.  Greek, disco, rock.  Ill go weeks before I listen to the same song twice in my car.   

Youtube at home is where Ill learn about new music.  Since I do not have an urgent need to learn about new music, youtube is effective enough.  

But thank-you for informing me about what GM is doing as I had NO idea.  Ill agree, it sucks that they gate keep this way.  

37 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

I have a widget for TripIt app in car play that shows my travel itinerary and will even update me on screen if my plane is delayed.

I know you travel a lot, and Im assuming this app is worth gold to you.  If you cant replace this app with a worthy one, yeah...I get the frustration!!! 

[Drew Dowdell]

Just now, oldshurst442 said:

I dont know as I dont use these things. 

I prefer Google Maps over Waze but that is as far as automotive style apps for CarPlay or otherwise that I have an opinion for.   

Radio is still my choice of entertainment in my car. Albeit now its AM radio. Sports talk radio.  I have a shyte ton of CDs that I have MP3ed on a USB that I use in my cars.  I also used a youtube downloader to MP3 on said USB stick.  In other words, I got a shyte ton of music on my USB stick. Personalized playlist with I dont know how much music. Hundreds of songs.  Greek, disco, rock.  Ill go weeks before I listen to the same song twice in my car.   

Youtube at home is where Ill learn about new music.  Since I do not have an urgent need to learn about new music, youtube is effective enough.  

But thank-you for informing me about what GM is doing as I had NO idea.  Ill agree, it sucks that they gate keep this way.  

I know you travel a lot, and Im assuming this app is worth gold to you.  If you cant replace this app with a worthy one, yeah...I get the frustration!!! 

Even if you don't use many apps. Imagine GM deciding which music you can listen to because they have some sort of agreement with TimeWarner to favor just their library. That's basically what's going on here. 

You might actually like Pandora.  You create an initial play list based on songs that you know and love already, and it plays those, but then it analyzes that and suggests other songs you might also like. You get a thumbs up or thumbs down on your CarPlay screen and that not only adds that song to your playlist or not, but the app learns more what you like and tailors future suggestions around that.  You can have different playlists for different genres.  From the perspective of learning what you like, Pandora seems to have the best algo of all the music apps. And it's cheap, like $6 a month.

The downside is that you can't use it to play a specific song that you want to hear right now. 

[surreal1272]

48 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

They shouldn't be that confident. They're not a software company.

The problem is that GM gate-keeps apps. If they allowed unfettered access to the Google Play store for anything that was Android Auto compatible, I'd have less of a problem with it. But the fact that GM limits me to the apps they approve is a BIG problem.  I'm an Apple Music and Pandora music user.  I also use a few other streaming apps for free radio stations in Europe and my local NPR station, only Pandora is available in-dash none of the rest are available on a GM EV. 

You prefer Waze over Google Maps? Too bad.  I have an excellent weather app called MyRadar that shows updated rain radar maps on my CarPlay display..... GM says "too bad". I know it sucks to do, but sometimes I have to take Teams calls from the car, I can do that with CarPlay. In a GM EV? Too bad.  I have a widget for TripIt app in car play that shows my travel itinerary and will even update me on screen if my plane is delayed.  GM says "Oh well, you don't need that". 

THAT is my issue with not allowing Car Play or Android Auto. GM deciding what apps are best for me and you. 

I'll note that all of these apps exist in the Google Play store and would be available if GM ungated them.  Volvo uses the same base OS in their vehicles and doesn't gate-keep apps so they should all be available in a Volvo. (But I have no way of checking). 

The perverse effect is that even though Volvo has CarPlay, you need it less in a Volvo because you can just get the apps that you want from the Google Play store.

GMs gatekeeping (as well as just not allowing CarPlay/Android Auto in the first place) will be the thing that keeps me from ever buying a future EV with them. At least Ford has the good sense to leave that kind of control out of there's. Same with just about everyone else of concern.

[oldshurst442]

Thanx for that info too.

Makes sense... GM has a monetary tie-in with Time/Warner...  LOL     

Pandora?  Sounds like a great app.   But Im not the one to pay for music that I  already own.   As far as music that I do not own. Well, I am waaaaaaay past that stage in life where I need to own music. Or rent it.  I got plenty of bought music. All the standards possible.  New standards?  Again, I am waaaay past that stage.  

PS: I never understood the renting of music.   

But I do see where this technology fits in with the modern world. And if one has adapted to it, it will suck if one cant use it in their car when all of the other devices they own can have access to it.  A car nowadays is an extension of one's personal smart devices.   

Edited yesterday at 03:51 PM by oldshurst442

[Drew Dowdell]

50 minutes ago, oldshurst442 said:

Pandora?  Sounds like a great app.   But Im not the one to pay for music that I  already own.   As far as music that I do not own. Well, I am waaaaaaay past that stage in life where I need to own music. Or rent it.  I got plenty of bought music. All the standards possible.  New standards?  Again, I am waaaay past that stage.  

 

As always, there's an app for that. I have a Plex home server, mostly for video. You could load all of that music on one and have a built in app on your dash to access your entire CD library from the PlexAmp. License for the software is a one-time $120 (I bought it 10 years ago when it was like $70).

No more USB sticks. Just be your own private streaming service. You can share with friends too if you wanted (I share my movies with @Paolino).

..... but not if you have a GM EV. 

That said, you could also store all of your CDs in Apple iTunes on your phone...... 

..... but not if you have a GM EV. 

[oldshurst442]

21 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

As always, there's an app for that. I have a Plex home server, mostly for video. You could load all of that music on one and have a built in app on your dash to access your entire CD library from the PlexAmp. License for the software is a one-time $120 (I bought it 10 years ago when it was like $70).

No more USB sticks. Just be your own private streaming service. You can share with friends too if you wanted (I share my movies with @Paolino).

..... but not if you have a GM EV. 

That said, you could also store all of your CDs in Apple iTunes on your phone...... 

..... but not if you have a GM EV. 

Why I am surprised at what you could accomplish with these apps?   I am not oblivious nor naive about it.  I guess   its because I do not use it.   

That would be nice to store my CD and LP collection on iTunes. 

I distinctly remember telling you that I have lots of Greek LPs. 33s and 45s that I wanted to digitize. I havent done so yet.  Maybe its about time to get with the program???!!!

I am STILL pissed that I couldnt buy an Equinox EV 2 years ago when I changed both cars. My wife's and mine.  I really really like the Equinox EV.  My wife too.  It would have been a fine addition to our family needs.   Of course I would have still bought a non-GM sedan for myself.  Maybe an Acura Integra or Civic Si instead of the Accord?  Or even a new gen Camry???!!!   (Yowza...what a terrible thought this is)

 

[Drew Dowdell]

1 minute ago, oldshurst442 said:

Why I am surprised at what you could accomplish with these apps?   I am not oblivious nor naive about it.  I guess   its because I do not use it.   

That would be nice to store my CD and LP collection on iTunes. 

I distinctly remember telling you that I have lots of Greek LPs. 33s and 45s that I wanted to digitize. I havent done so yet.  Maybe its about time to get with the program???!!!

I am STILL pissed that I couldnt buy an Equinox EV 2 years ago when I changed both cars. My wife's and mine.  I really really like the Equinox EV.  My wife too.  It would have been a fine addition to our family needs.   Of course I would have still bought a non-GM sedan for myself.  Maybe an Acura Integra or Civic Si instead of the Accord?  Or even a new gen Camry???!!!   (Yowza...what a terrible thought this is)

 

Personally, I like Plex better for storing things like CDs and LPs, but there is a bunch of technical setup you have to do ahead of time. iTunes has a lower technical threshold but is less flexible.

That said, it is a LOT of work to digitize LPs. You have to listen through each one the entire way, break up the tracks and name them manually, clean up any pops and hiss, and keep the files organized. CDs, you kinda just drop it in the laptop and it rips it at like 6x speed and downloads all the album information for you. iTunes is really good for the CD bit. dBpoweramp Music Converter & CD Ripper is a good ripper alternative (make sure to buy PerfectTunes with it to get all the album art and track info database, it's $27 and well worth the upgrade).  I think Amazon lets you store your own MP3s in their system if you have Prime and that music player is available on GM EVs.