2021 GMC Acadia

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Side: updated test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Optional system	Superior
Optional system	Advanced

Evaluation criteria	Rating
LATCH ease of use

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2017-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 GMC Acadia SLT1 4-door 4wd

The GMC Acadia was redesigned for the 2017 model year. It is smaller and lighter than the earlier design and therefore is now classified as a midsize SUV.

The earlier design remained in production for only the 2017 model year, available new only to fleet buyers, and was called the GMC Acadia Limited. The ratings on this page do not apply to the Acadia Limited.

These ratings also apply to the Cadillac XT6, a midsize luxury SUV introduced in the 2020 model year.

Evaluation criteria	Rating

Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The driver's space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN1628
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	3
Footrest (cm)	3
Left toepan (cm)	2
Brake pedal (cm)	2
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	2
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	2
Upper dash (cm)	2
Lower instrument panel (cm)	1

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN1628
Head
HIC-15	176
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.6
Extension bending moment (Nm)	14
Maximum Nij	0.16
Chest maximum compression (mm)	19
Femur (kN)
Left	0.2
Right	0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.59
Right	0.48
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.9
Right	0.9
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	43
Right	70

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2020-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 GMC Acadia SLE 4-door 4wd

The GMC Acadia was redesigned for the 2017 model year. It is smaller and lighter than the earlier design and therefore is now classified as a midsize SUV. Beginning with 2020 models, a new passenger-side airbag was implemented to improve occupant protection in passenger-side small overlap crashes.

The earlier design remained in production for only the 2017 model year, available new only to fleet buyers, and was called the GMC Acadia Limited. The ratings on this page do not apply to the Acadia Limited.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame and dashboard after the crash test indicates that the passenger's survival space was maintained very well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The passenger’s space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEP2101
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	5
Footrest (cm)	2
Right toepan (cm)	1
Center toepan (cm)	2
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	1
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	4
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	6
Upper dash (cm)	6
Right lower dash (cm)	8

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEP2101
Head
HIC-15	69
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm)	14
Maximum Nij	0.19
Chest maximum compression (mm)	25
Femur (kN)
Left	0.2
Right	1.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0
Right	5
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.51
Right	0.59
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.0
Right	0.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	28
Right	30

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEP2101
Head
HIC-15	48
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.6
Extension bending moment (Nm)	7
Maximum Nij	0.13
Chest maximum compression (mm)	25
Femur (kN)
Left	0.1
Right	0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.25
Right	0.28
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.7
Right	0.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	25
Right	31

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2017-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 GMC Acadia All Terrain 4-door 4wd

The GMC Acadia was redesigned for the 2017 model year. It is smaller and lighter than the earlier design and therefore is now classified as a midsize SUV.

The earlier design remained in production for only the 2017 model year, available new only to fleet buyers, and was called the GMC Acadia Limited. The ratings on this page do not apply to the Acadia Limited.

Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by General Motors on an Acadia. These ratings also apply to the Cadillac XT6, a midsize luxury SUV introduced in the 2020 model year.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1620
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	3
Left (cm)	7
Center (cm)	6
Right (cm)	10
Brake pedal (cm)	8
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	1
Rearward (cm)	-5
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	2

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1620
Head
HIC-15	143
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm)	11
Maximum Nij	0.19
Chest maximum compression (mm)	26
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	0.5
Femur force - right (kN)	1.6
Knee displacement - left (mm)	1
Knee displacement - right (mm)	1
Maximum tibia index - left	0.31
Maximum tibia index - right	0.45
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	2.5
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	4.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	48
Right	59

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2017-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 GMC Acadia All Terrain 4-door 4wd

The GMC Acadia was redesigned for the 2017 model year. It is smaller and lighter than the earlier design and therefore is now classified as a midsize SUV.

The earlier design remained in production for only the 2017 model year, available new only to fleet buyers, and was called the GMC Acadia Limited. The ratings on this page do not apply to the Acadia Limited.

Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by General Motors on an Acadia. These ratings also apply to the Cadillac XT6, a midsize luxury SUV introduced in the 2020 model year.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection

Technical measurements for this test

Test ID	VTS1619
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-19.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1619
Head HIC-15	209
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.1
Compression (kN)	1.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	36
Lateral force (kN)	1.7
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	32
Average deflection (mm)	29
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	2.79
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.34
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.9
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.2
Combined force (kN)	2.0
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.6
L-M moment (Nm)	17
A-P moment (Nm)	23

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1619
Head HIC-15	279
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.2
Compression (kN)	0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	42
Lateral force (kN)	1.7
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	39
Average deflection (mm)	28
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	4.46
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.54
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.2
Acetabulum force (kN)	2.2
Combined force (kN)	2.2
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.2
L-M moment (Nm)	17
A-P moment (Nm)	23

About the original side crash test

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2017-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2023 Cadillac XT6 Luxury 4-door 4wd

The Cadillac XT6 was introduced in the 2020 model year and the GMC Acadia was redesigned for the 2017 model year.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2309
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-21.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2309
Head
HIC-15	61
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.6
Compression (kN)	0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	19
Lateral force (kN)	1.0
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	28
Average deflection (mm)	24
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	1.87
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.21
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	3.3

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2309
Head
HIC-15	170
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Compression (kN)	0.8
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	41
Lateral force (kN)	1.9
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	56
Average deflection (mm)	42
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	5.74
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	1.28
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	3.1

About the side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2017-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 GMC Acadia SLT1 4-door 4wd

Overall evaluation
Curb weight	4,295 lbs
Peak force	20,415 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio	4.75

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power leather seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry

Technical measurements for this test

Seat type	Power leather seat
Geometry
Backset (mm)	20
Distance below top of head (mm)	45
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail	Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g)	13.9
Head contact time (ms)	58
Force rating	1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	30
Max neck tension (N)	433

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

SLE trim equipped with GMC Pro Safety Plus package
SLT trim
Denali trim
AT4 trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED reflector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair on the sharp right curve and inadequate on the gradual right and both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	SLE trim equipped with GMC Pro Safety Plus package SLT trim Denali trim AT4 trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED reflector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2020-23 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	81.7 m	None
Straightaway left edge	51.9 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	49.2 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	44.3 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	48.4 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	38.9 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	149.2 m
Straightaway left edge	140.1 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	56.2 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	54.0 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	50.2 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	42.2 m

Trim level(s)

SL trim
SLE trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED reflector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair on the sharp right curve and inadequate on the gradual right and both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	SL trim SLE trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED reflector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating Applies to 2020-21 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	81.7 m	None
Straightaway left edge	51.9 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	49.2 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	44.3 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	48.4 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	38.9 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	149.2 m
Straightaway left edge	140.1 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	56.2 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	54.0 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	50.2 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	42.2 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

Ratings are given for 2 different trim variations available on this vehicle.

System details

Optional Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking
Optional Forward Collision Alert

Package name

Optional Denali Technology Package
Optional Denali Ultimate or Denali Technology Package

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2021-23 models

Superior

with optional equipment

This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 24 mph.

System details

Optional Automatic Emergency Braking
Optional Forward Collision Alert

Package name

Optional (standard on SLT, AT4, and Denali trims)

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2021 models

Advanced

with optional equipment

This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 9 mph.

About the original front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2017-23 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	SLT1
Seat type	leather

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 2 additional seating positions with a tether anchor only.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	SLT1
Seat type	leather

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol	Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol	Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

Position	Rating
1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
4
4	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
6
6	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available

Technical measurements for this test

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	16
Clearance angle (degrees)	86
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	15
Clearance angle (degrees)	85
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	19
Clearance angle (degrees)	84
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	19
Clearance angle (degrees)	84
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation

2021 GMC Acadia

midsize SUV / 4-door SUV

Crashworthiness

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Seat belts & child restraints

Other available safety features

Small overlap front: driver-side

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Moderate overlap front: original test

Side: original test

Side: updated test

Roof strength

Head restraints & seats

Headlights

Trim level(s)

Trim level(s)

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

Package name

Overall evaluation

System details

Package name

Overall evaluation

Child seat anchors