GMC News: 2026 GMC Denali Ultimate Acadia, 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 Saturday at 01:41 PM 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 yesterday at 02:55 PM 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.