Top Safety Pick

2025 GMC Acadia

midsize SUV / 4-door SUV

Award applies only to vehicles built after January 2025

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Side: updated test

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0
Standard system
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Standard system

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Seat belt reminders

Other available safety features

Standard blind spot detection
Standard lane departure warning & prevention
Optional rear automatic braking

Key

Good
Acceptable
Marginal
Poor

Small overlap front

The small overlap front evaluation consists of a driver-side and a passenger-side component. If the results of the two evaluations differ, then the combined small overlap rating is equal to the lower rating.

Driver-side

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Chevrolet Traverse Premiere 4-door 4wd

The Chevrolet Traverse was redesigned for the 2024 model year. Driver-side small overlap front ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2024 Traverse conducted by General Motors. These ratings also apply to the GMC Acadia.

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

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN2414
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	10
Footrest (cm)	2
Left toepan (cm)	2
Brake pedal (cm)	5
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	0
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	3
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	7
Upper dash (cm)	5
Lower instrument panel (cm)	8

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN2414
Head
HIC-15	85
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.4
Extension bending moment (Nm)	5
Maximum Nij	0.10
Chest maximum compression (mm)	18
Femur (kN)
Left	0.2
Right	0.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0
Right	5
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.39
Right	0.25
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.8
Right	0.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	32
Right	37

Passenger-side

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Chevrolet Traverse Premiere 4-door 4wd

The Chevrolet Traverse was redesigned for the 2024 model year. Passenger-side small overlap front ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2024 Traverse conducted by General Motors. These ratings also apply to the GMC Acadia.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall passenger-side 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

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2417
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	11
Footrest (cm)	9
Right toepan (cm)	3
Center toepan (cm)	1
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	2
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	6
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	7
Upper dash (cm)	5
Right lower dash (cm)	8

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2417
Head
HIC-15	82
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.6
Extension bending moment (Nm)	10
Maximum Nij	0.16
Chest maximum compression (mm)	24
Femur (kN)
Left	0.1
Right	0.4
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	3
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.32
Right	0.50
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.1
Right	0.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	20
Right	36

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2417
Head
HIC-15	32
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.6
Extension bending moment (Nm)	8
Maximum Nij	0.12
Chest maximum compression (mm)	21
Femur (kN)
Left	0.1
Right	0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0
Right	0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.29
Right	0.25
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.6
Right	0.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	22
Right	25

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: updated test

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 GMC Acadia Elevation 4-door 4wd

The GMC Acadia was redesigned for the 2024 model year. These ratings do not apply to the Chevrolet Traverse.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh/hip
Leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh
Rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics

View of the vehicle after the crash showing the airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

The rear passenger dummy's head approached the front seatback, which increases the risk of head injuries.

Rear passenger dummy injury values indicate a low risk of injury to the head or neck and chest. During the crash, the shoulder belt remained in an ideal position on the dummy’s chest.

The rear passenger dummy's lap belt moved from the ideal position on the pelvis onto the abdomen, increasing the risk of abdominal injuries.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2505
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	4
Left (cm)	9
Center (cm)	7
Right (cm)	6
Brake pedal (cm)	7
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	0
Rearward (cm)	-5
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2505
Head
HIC-15	118
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm)	8
Maximum Nij	0.19
Chest maximum compression (mm)	26
Femur (kN)
Left	0.1
Right	0.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0
Right	0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.29
Right	0.41
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.5
Right	1.9
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	96
Right	58

Test ID	CEF2505
Head
HIC-15 for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	2.0
Compression (kN)	0.0
Maximum Nij for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Chest
Chest index	35
Shoulder belt tension (kN)	3.7
Thigh (kN)
Left femur compression	0.1
Right femur compression	0.4

About the moderate overlap front test

February 2024 adjustment to rating criteria

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 GMC Acadia Uplevel 4-door 4wd

The GMC Acadia was redesigned for the 2024 model year. Side 2.0 ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2024 Acadia conducted by General Motors. These ratings also apply to the Chevrolet Traverse and newly redesigned Buick Enclave.

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

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2423
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-17.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2423
Head
HIC-15	55
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Compression (kN)	0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	12
Lateral force (kN)	-0.7
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	20
Average deflection (mm)	18
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	1.79
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.15
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	4.1

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2423
Head
HIC-15	260
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.3
Compression (kN)	0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	21
Lateral force (kN)	-1.4
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	27
Average deflection (mm)	23
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.77
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.45
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	2.7

About the side crash test

Headlights

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

Trim level(s)

All trims; built after January 2025

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
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 good on the left side of the road and fair on the right side. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves, fair on the sharp left curve and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

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

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway, on both left curves and on the sharp right curve.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	All trims
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2025 models built after January 2025

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	90.4 m	None
Straightaway left edge	55.7 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	71.9 m	None
250m radius left curve, right edge	47.7 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	56.0 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	48.5 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	147.8 m
Straightaway left edge	143.9 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	77.9 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	79.7 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	56.9 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	58.8 m

Trim level(s)

All trims; built before February 2025

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
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 good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

The low beams created some glare.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the sharp left curve and on the sharp right curve.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	All trims
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2024-25 models built before February 2025

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	132.6 m	26.2%
Straightaway left edge	64.1 m	26.2%
250m radius right curve, right edge	73.5 m	54.7%
250m radius left curve, left edge	71.0 m	13.4%
150m radius right curve, right edge	55.8 m	111.6%
150m radius left curve, left edge	55.6 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	154.8 m
Straightaway left edge	153.2 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	75.9 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	79.5 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	56.9 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	59.2 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0

Rating applies to all 2024-25 models

System details

standard Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking

Overall evaluation

Passenger car target

Test run	Speed reduction	Timely warning?
31 mph/target centered	Collision avoided
31 mph/target off-center	Collision avoided
37 mph/target centered	Collision avoided
37 mph/target off-center	Collision avoided
43 mph/target centered	Collision avoided
43 mph/target off-center	Collision avoided

Motorcycle target

Test run	Speed reduction	Timely warning?
31 mph/target centered	Collision avoided
31 mph/target off-center	Collision avoided
37 mph/target centered	Collision avoided
37 mph/target off-center	Collision avoided
43 mph/target centered	40 mph
43 mph/target off-center	42 mph

Semitrailer

Only warning is tested with the semitrailer.

Test run	Timely warning?
31 mph/target centered
37 mph/target centered
43 mph/target centered

About the front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian

Rating applies to all 2024-25 models

System details

standard Front Pedestrian Braking

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Includes high-beam assist credit

Crossing child — day

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 20 mph.

Crossing adult — night

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 17 mph when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 22 mph.

Parallel adult — night

In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 22 mph when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 16 mph.
In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 16 mph when using its high beams and a warning was issued 1.9 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 16 mph and a warning was issued 1.4 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Seat belt reminders

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Front row
Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration	Long enough (90+ seconds)
Volume
Audio frequency
Second row
Startup status alert (visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 60 seconds
Belt disengaged alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 30 seconds
Volume
Audio frequency

Technical measurements for this test

About the seat belt reminder evaluation

Background cabin sound pressure level at 24 km/h	50 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 24 km/h	65 dB
Difference between background and signal	14.6 dB
Background cabin sound pressure level at 40 km/h	54 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 40 km/h	66 dB
Difference between background and signal	11.6 dB
Dominant audio frequency	784 Hz