[LStearn]

Hi Michelle,

2013 Explorer Limited loaded out vs the 2013 Denali Limited, loaded out

I do agree the GMC seems to drive a bit smoother. I know there were issues with the 2012 Explorer's Sync system but they seem to have fixed the glitches in 2013 from my own playing with it and reading reviews.

I guess what is holding me back from the GMC really is the lack of tech features. I've heard complaints about how the controls are hard to press and I honestly did not get to play with the Nav for very long so if anyone has comments on how it works, I would love to hear.

The Explorer also has a power 3rd row seat that goes up and down automatically which for a woman, is definitely one less thing to have to lift and tug.

Will there be any major changes to the Acadia in 2014? I assume they come out in August/Sept?

 

[xenon]

@LStearn, from what I see the Powertrain warranty is a better with the Acadia when you compare the warranties. I found this information at http://www.gmc.com/gmc/tools/comparator/compareVehicle.do;jsessionid=D3CB207D256419B16DACF3708EFFE518.mds01?modelYear=2013&makeName=13&modelID=24934&selectedTrim=348467&year=2013&pvc=112&comparisonVehicles=348467&sValue=

Unfortunately, I don’t have specifics on the 2014 Acadia yet.

Michelle, GMC Customer Service

 

[z28lt1]

The 2013 Acadia Nav and technology updates are pretty good. The Nav and Radio buttons are capacitive, so you do need to touch them, and they probably don't work well with gloves on. I believe the Ford's are similar, and might even be worse. The Acaida's climate control are nice an easy though, big knobs and real buttons, I think better than the Ford's We don't really have issues with the buttons at all (other than the Hazard lights being too sensitive), but have seen that as a complaint on the reviews.

The Ford technology list is very impressive. From what I remember, what you won't get on the Acadia that you would get on the Ford are:

Curve Control
Lane Assist
Park Assist
Adaptive Cruise Control
Automatic High beams
Voice reading of text messages
Push Button Start
Digital Dash

For me, the only one I really would use is Push Button Start (obviously) and do wish the Acadia had it, but it's not a show stopper. I opted to not pay for Adaptive Cruise Control on one of our other cars. If I had it, I might use it, but wasn't important enough for me to pay for. The others I don't care about, but some people definitely would. Obviously only you can decided if those features (and any that I've missed) are worth the ride and size trade-off.

As far as the power 3rd row, I wouldn''t let that stop you either. It's a cool feature, but the fold down 3rd row on the Acadia is so easy, it doesn't matter. Pull a latch to fold down (no different than the button) and pull the strap to pull up (slightly more effort and reach required than the button). Maybe I'm jaded by the pain in the neck our Tahoe was, that the Acadia seems so easy-breezy, but I couldn't ask for much more. Also, remember the Acadia 3rd row has an extra seating position, you'll fit one less person in the Explorer.

No info has been released on the 2014's, not sure if Michelle would dive any out even if she had it (I'm sure she'll respond). That said, with the 2013s only out a few months, and a mid-cycle refresh just done on the Acadia, the actual changes should be pretty small. The entertainment system is obviously updatable, so it would be an easy change for them to add features.

 

[LStearn]

z28lt1 - awesome info, thank you.

You are right the Ford parralel parks itself but thats not anything I really use anyway. As long as the lane change blind spot thing is on the Denali (the one I test drove did have it) I'm good! Does it just blink or does it also notify you with a sound in the Acadia?

Did anyone else find an issue with the steering wheel in the Acadia covering up some of the dashboard things? Forgot to mention that. When my husband and I drove it neither of us could find a good spot for the steering wheel that gave us clear access to the odomoter.

Michelle - you are correct the Acadia has a better powertrain. I lease though so it's not a big advantage to me.

 

[z28lt1]

The Acadia Blind Spot warning is light only (thankfully, a noise every time a car is in the blind spot would be annoying, and almost constant in high traffic areas).

There have been complaints in this forum from some taller people who can't get the steering wheel adjusted to see the whole gauge cluster. I'm 5'10, and with the seat lower and the steering wheel raised, I don't have that issue, but could see that taller people would. That leads to one of the features that the Acaida has that the Ford doesn't have...Heads Up Display. Really neat feature and will help you see speed and such, but won't help with the odometer.

 

[Nvr2loud]

I would like to have the adaptive cruise control but I do not care about the blind spot warning, I drive with a trailer very often and that won't help when towing.

 

[tm59]

I'm getting ready to trade my '07 in (122,000 miles and counting). My top two replacements are the '13 Acadia and Explorer Ltd. I'm really torn... I like the Acadia mechanically, but the styling of the new model... not so much. The Explorer looks better to me, but I don't know much about it mechanically (I need to go on some test drives). I have a business trip coming up, maybe I'll try to get an Explorer for a rental to spend a few days with it.

 

[xenon]

@Nvr2loud, I agree with you on both accounts; adaptive cruise control is nice to have on a vehicle. The only thing that helps when towing is just being aware of what’s going on around you and taking precautions. You sound like a smart driver when towing.

Michelle, GMC Customer Service

 

[jsimms]

I have adaptive cruise control on my 07...................it's the + or - buttons on the left side of the steering wheel.

 

[xenon]

@tm59, what a great way to test drive a vehicle via rental on a trip. Please, let me know if there is anything else I can help with as I’m more than happy to help where I can.

Michelle, GMC Customer Service

 

[Nvr2loud]

I have adaptive cruise control on my 07...................it's the + or - buttons on the left side of the steering wheel.

;D

 

[Nvr2loud]

@tm59, what a great way to test drive a vehicle via rental on a trip. Please, let me know if there is anything else I can help with as I’m more than happy to help where I can.

Michelle, GMC Customer Service

I decided to purchase an Acadia because of a trip to Epcot at Disney back in March 2007.... They had an entire GM display and I had a good look inside and out at an Acadia and fell in love. My wife knew it was serious, I had NEVER owned a domestic or an automatic prior to the Acadia. I always had Dodge and GM trucks provided by my employer, but always opted for import manual transmission vehicles to own. I still miss the manual transmission, it is the only truly weak part of the Acadia... stupid automatic!!!

 

[jsimms]

I still miss the manual transmission, it is the only truly weak part of the Acadia... stupid automatic!!!

yeah and you could probably get better gas mileage and not near the amount of transmission fails :-X

 

[NutBucket]

The gas mileage thing is hard to nail. Its highly vehicle dependent these days. My Honda is rated 3mpg higher with the CVT but I'd much rather have the MT. I still beat the combined EPA number by about 20% though

 

[Nvr2loud]

yeah and you could probably get better gas mileage and not near the amount of transmission fails :-X

I have had two manual transmissions fail on me...

1) 2001 Suzuki GSX-R600 repaired under warranty, it came apart in the first couple hundred kilometers, faulty from the factory. Replacement lasted without incident until the bike was stolen from me

2) Honda Accord, went to the dealership for engine work. They had to drain the transmission to do the work. When they refilled it, they used transmission fluid (The older Honda manual transmissions required engine oil not transmission fluid) and shortly afterwards reverse stopped working, fifth stopped working... the dealer had to replace the transmission at their expense.

 

[jsimms]

You're a special case Nvr2loud ;D

Engine oil instead of trans oil, interesting

 

[Nvr2loud]

You're a special case Nvr2loud ;D

Engine oil instead of trans oil, interesting

You would think that a dealership would know that???

I was trying to agree with you, just didn't come across the right way! The only manual transmission failures I've had were both not do to normal wear and tear, manual transmissions are very tough and last a long time. One was a faulty part right from the assembly line and failed almost immediately, the other was a mechanic's fault.

 

[NutBucket]

I have had two manual transmissions fail on me...

2) Honda Accord, went to the dealership for engine work. They had to drain the transmission to do the work. When they refilled it, they used transmission fluid (The older Honda manual transmissions required engine oil not transmission fluid) and shortly afterwards reverse stopped working, fifth stopped working... the dealer had to replace the transmission at their expense.

Current Honda MTs still use motor oil. But I never figured using ATF instead could be so disastrous!

 

[Nvr2loud]

Current Honda MTs still use motor oil. But I never figured using ATF instead could be so disastrous!

Perhaps it could be the transmission with over 160,000 miles using motor oil that suddenly had ATF put in. I've seen motors that were perfect suddenly start leaking oil heavily when an owner has decided to switch from dyno to synthetic when the car is 10 years old already!

 

[xenon]

I miss manual transmission too, Nvr2loud!

Michelle, GMC Customer Service