Trims and Mechanical Basics

The ’22 Acadia can seat up to seven passengers (second-row captain’s chairs are standard, but a three-person bench seat is optional) and is made in four trim levels: SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali. The SLE and SLT have a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 228 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. The SLT is eligible for an upgrade to a 3.6-liter V6 (310 hp and 271 lb.-ft. of torque), which is standard in the AT4 and Denali (the Denali can also be ordered with the 2.0-liter turbo). A nine-speed automatic is the sole transmission; all-wheel drive is standard on the AT4 and available on the others, which otherwise come standard with front-wheel drive.

The maximum towing capacity of the Acadia is 4,000 pounds. FWD models with the 2.0-liter turbo engine are EPA-rated to achieve 29 mpg around town and 25 mpg on the highway. With AWD, they return 22 city/27 highway. The V6 versions with AWD get 19 city/26 highway; with FWD, they get 19 city/27 highway.

Standard Features and Options

The 2022 Enclave Essence takes care of its passengers with a mix of high-level standard features, such as automatic high-beams, a hands-free power liftgate, heated power outside mirrors, LED headlights and daytime running lights, proximity keyless entry with push-button start, leather seating, power front seats with heat, tri-zone automatic climate control, and advanced driver aids (see the next section for details). The Premium adds a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column, driver’s seat memory settings, a head-up display, ventilated front seats, heated outboard second-row seats, a digital rearview mirror, a 110-volt power outlet, and power-folding third-row seats. The Avenir adds to the Premium’s features and includes unique front and rear fascias, heated, ventilated and massaging front seats, adaptive cruise control, and a power sunroof. An available Avenir Technology Package consists of an adaptive suspension and exclusive headlights. Buick also offers some optional packages to further customize the ’22 Enclave.

Features by Trim, and Packages

The SLE’s standard equipment list shows 18-inch wheels, deep-tinted glass, heated side mirrors with turn-signal indicators, LED headlights, keyless entry and ignition, an HD rearview camera, two power outlets (one in the center stack and one in the cargo area), USB ports for all three rows, tri-zone automatic climate control, and rear climate controls. The SLT gains remote start, roof rails, perforated leather-appointed seats (heated in the front row), a hands-free liftgate, LED fog lights, a 120-volt power outlet, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a universal garage door opener, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. While the trail-oriented AT4 is equipped similarly to the SLT, it’s differentiated by 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires and the addition of hill descent control, hill start assist, and black exterior trim.

Those who want it all should choose the top-end Denali, which is built for the ultimate comfort with ventilated front seats, heated rear outboard seats, a power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, a power tilt-and-telescopic heated steering wheel, position memory for the driver’s seat and side mirrors, and a wireless smartphone charger. It also gets a head-up display, 20-inch wheels, auto-dimming side mirrors, a signature grille, and an 8-inch reconfigurable driver information display. Many of those high-end features are optional on the lower trims.

There are two noteworthy packages offered for the ’22 Acadia: the Elevation Edition and the Denali Ultimate. The Elevation Edition is mostly an appearance package that adds black exterior trim and 20-inch black-painted wheels. The Denali Ultimate Package delivers the V6 engine, a twin-panel moonroof, and adaptive ride control (included with AWD). This package bundles two other packages within it, the Denali Technology Package (surround-view monitor, adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and a rear camera mirror with washer), and the Trailering Package (factory-installed hitch for 4,000 lb. of towing, a 7-pin wiring harness, a Class III hitch, a heavy-duty cooling system, a 170-amp alternator, and hitch guidance with hitch view). The Elevation Edition is optional for the SLE and SLT, and the Denali Ultimate Package is only offered on the Denali.

Advanced Safety and Technology

Every trim comes with a handful of standard active safety technologies within the GMC Pro Safety Plus suite. It includes forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking and front pedestrian braking, a following distance indicator, front and rear parking sensors, lane change alert with side blind-zone alert, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, a rear seat reminder, and automatic high beams. Enhanced automatic emergency braking differs from regular automatic emergency braking in that it uses special radar technology to work at speeds above 2 mph as opposed to 50 mph; this advanced feature is optional on the Denali trim. A surround-view camera system is offered for the SLT, AT4, and Denali. All trims also come with Teen Driver monitoring technology, a useful system that helps young drivers develop safer driving habits.

The base infotainment system, found in the SLE, has an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-speaker audio system, SiriusXM satellite radio, and OnStar & GMC Connected Services. The remaining trims also get integrated navigation and a premium eight-speaker Bose sound system, both of which are available on the SLE via optional upgrades.