[LStearn]

tm59 - good luck.

This topic has been driving me completely nuts the past week.

I believe I came to a decision though - I had Ford void my temporary hold check today to go with the Acadia.

I think the Explorer Limited is great for a guy - it's a beefy truck with lots of techy gadgets.

However, I am a petite woman and to me, it felt way too big and bulky and although the tech features are super impressive and the wave of the future, I think I am happy with the decision to go with the Acadia and stick to the more traditional knobs and touch functions.

I also felt the Acadia drove a bit smoother. But, you will love the 3rd row power seats in the Explorer as well as the interior - I think it's nicer/more contemporary than the Acadia.

Best of luck, super hard decision but I have to say the Ford is really cool. GMC will need to beef up the tech features next model for sure!

 

[GM-4-LIFE]

I don't think I would ever buy a Ford vehicle. I have been a loyal GM buyer for the last 20 years and the main reason I would NEVER buy a Ford is if you ever have lots of problems with one of their vehicles, they won't do anything about it. I have two friends who are having nothing but problems with their Fords. It's in the service department more than in their garages and Ford will not take the vehicles back. They have both even hired attorneys and are fighting, but Ford won't buy the cars back under California's lemon law. One of my friend's Ford Super Duty stalled on him at 50+ MPH and almost crashed and they simply didn't care. Ford makes you fight and fight and they don't care if their cars are safe to be in or not.

At least I know that the "NEW GM" is there for it's customers and if there are problems with their cars, they will do a lot more for the customer than Ford will. Ford simply doesn't care from what I have seen.

Take it from me and stay away from Ford. They could care less about the customer after the sale.

 

[Nvr2loud]

I don't think I would ever buy a Ford vehicle. I have been a loyal GM buyer for the last 20 years and the main reason I would NEVER buy a Ford is if you ever have lots of problems with one of their vehicles, they won't do anything about it. I have two friends who are having nothing but problems with their Fords. It's in the service department more than in their garages and Ford will not take the vehicles back. They have both even hired attorneys and are fighting, but Ford won't buy the cars back under California's lemon law. One of my friend's Ford Super Duty stalled on him at 50+ MPH and almost crashed and they simply didn't care. Ford makes you fight and fight and they don't care if their cars are safe to be in or not.

At least I know that the "NEW GM" is there for it's customers and if there are problems with their cars, they will do a lot more for the customer than Ford will. Ford simply doesn't care from what I have seen.

Take it from me and stay away from Ford. They could care less about the customer after the sale.

Wow that's harsh!

I think that I could insert.... "Take it from me and stay away from ANY BRAND. They could care less about the customer after the sale."

I don't think any of them are really any different from each other.

 

[jsimms]

I have two Fords in my personal used car lot and both are over 150K and still running well :shrug:

 

[JoeyD]

I don't intend to derail this thread or broaden the options, but I would also consider the 2014 dodge durango as an option...if you are willing to wait for the fall. It will have a new 8 speed transmission, and offers both v6 and v8 engines, updated electro ics, etc. It's based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee platform which was recently launched and is getting great reviews.

The durango is being launched at the NY auto show next week so the exterior design tweaks and interior shots will be revealed then.

For me, I'm waiting for the durango to be on dealer lots (this fall) and will then be choosing between it and the Acadia one I get them side by side for an in person comparison. The acadia will have more interior room, but I suspect the durango will be a better driver and will have better "tech".

I also testdrove a 13 explorer and had similar feelings as others in this thread...I just wasn't as comfortable ergonomically speaking sitting and driving in it. So I took it off my list of candidates....

 

[tm59]

my only problem with a chrysler product is that it has gone from mercedes to fiat. :thumbdown:

 

[pr@j]

As happy as I with my Acadia...I can't say it enough, so I will say it again...GMC REALLY REALLY needs to step it up in the interior department - exterior, so far no other CUV/SUV has the unique look of the Acadia..Durango comes close I have to say, it's a nice looking ride...but none of them are as practical as the Acadia...even for the 2013's I saw one at the dealership and they haven't really done much of a "redesign" on the inside.....i mean if you can't be 100% original, at least look at what your competition is doing and start LEADING the trends....Infiniti laucned the JX35, not too bad looking, but they have NAILED it in the interior department, and for the SAME price point as the Acadia.....

I may sound like I don't like the Acadia, but after seeing what the competition is doing in some other key areas........I am less and less impressed......the hard interior plastic panels bug me the most...what's worse is GM didn't even bother "deburring" the panels in some areas, you can still see the seam from the mold....... :thumbdown:

Look at Hyundai...only 30 years in the business, and they are blowing away most luxury brands.........sorry, but as I write this my BP is rising and I get so upset when my own home based brand of vehicles, GMC, FORD, CHRYSLER...are being surpassed by those across the pond........I was born across the bond, but I guess working hard for my money and seeing it being pi**ed away with rudimentary, basic design materials from the 80's, really boils my blood.....why can't GMC co-opt some of the talent internationally? You can't tell me there aren't any good designers out there....ever since Chevrolet/Buick/GMC did an about face with the design changeover in the early 2000's, they have been sitting on their butts, and hoping people will be just keep buying the same stuff..well a decade is a lonnnnnnnnnng time to go without a major change (not the Acadia..other brands...) GMC, the gov't gave you a huge *** bailout, you can't tell me that hasn't rattled your cage enough to really deliver where it counts....sure it takes time to bounce back.......but what may be needed is some FRESH NEW BLOOD in the design department........

But, to stay on topic, I chose the Acadia over Ford for many reasons, and hi tech gadgets aside, I prefer to some degree the basics which are reliable...buttons and knobs over touchscreen interface any day, and useable 3rd row, and real cargo space were top considerations.........and ride comfort........since I could remember, GM was always known for comfy rides..moreso for the Cadillac brand......

 

[LStearn]

pr@j - so true.

The design was the least impressive thing i found as well, and the technology.

The Ford and the Infiniti JX totally beat the Acadia in technology and I agree the JX is defintiely way nicer inside - but, the ride of the JX was terrible. Car got away from you every chance it could.

So, i guess there is a give and take to everything.

Actually, the Buick Enclave, which is identical to the Acadia, has a much nicer interior as well. Seats are more plush, hand stitching, wood accents, more detail. I just could not see myself in a Buick for the next 3 years.

That said, for the price you pay for the loaded out Acadia Denali, which as you mentioned is pretty much on par with the others (the JX was a bit more $ when leasing), GMC really does need to step it up.

Hoping I am making the right decision to go with the Denali over the Ford. Durango and Traverse are just not appealing to me looks-wise.

 

[Nvr2loud]

As happy as I with my Acadia...I can't say it enough, so I will say it again...GMC REALLY REALLY needs to step it up in the interior department - exterior, so far no other CUV/SUV has the unique look of the Acadia..Durango comes close I have to say, it's a nice looking ride...but none of them are as practical as the Acadia...even for the 2013's I saw one at the dealership and they haven't really done much of a "redesign" on the inside.....i mean if you can't be 100% original, at least look at what your competition is doing and start LEADING the trends....Infiniti laucned the JX35, not too bad looking, but they have NAILED it in the interior department, and for the SAME price point as the Acadia.....

I may sound like I don't like the Acadia, but after seeing what the competition is doing in some other key areas........I am less and less impressed......the hard interior plastic panels bug me the most...what's worse is GM didn't even bother "deburring" the panels in some areas, you can still see the seam from the mold....... :thumbdown:

I just google imaged the JX35 interior... it is fugly! Looks futuristic, bubbly, too rounded... I hate that look.

I bought the Acadia because it has a rugged look, the hard plastic is durable and easy to clean, there are very few soft touch surfaces and I would like to see those eliminated. Soft equals delicate, and I have three ankle biters, a dog, three rats, and a wife that are not very nice to the vehicle. I'll take truck-like and durable any day in an SUV.

However, I'm glad that you like something different, this world would be very very boring if everyone liked the exact same things... diversity is key.