[nxs138]

we are in a school car pool for my son and we haul 6 teenagers twice a week.

The Acadia wins hands down in terms of easy access, and in my book is the only true minivan replacement out there (which makes sense since GM is dropping all of its minivans, right?) I have yet to see any of the new crop of CUVs come close, except *maybe* for the CX-9.

In my case, I am still floundering: with only 2 young kids, the 3rd row will only be used occasionally, so getting a minivan is definitely out of the question, and even the Acadia is too much room (in theory). The Highlander's size is probably a better fit for us, but I like the way the Acadia looks much better, hence the turmoil.

Now the Acadia is somewhat expensive for what you get (then again, most SUVs are), but if I can get one at invoice plus a nice rebate, then it becomes more competitive. Once the transmission issues are addressed in August, I'll drive one again and try to make up my mind...

 

[jonv112]

I actually like both designs. I think the Highlander is more edgier looking while the Acadia is very bold and has attitude, as well as being easily distinguished on the road. It's mostly interior function that will be the deciding factor for us.

I just wish the Highlander offered HID headlamps in a projector assembly, instead of only halogen with high/low functions in the same assembly. I think it looks really cheap and makes it look like they cut corners on the design.

I like that the Highlander has true rear auto climate control, as well as push-button start, and that you can open the liftgate glass separately. My parents are horrible when it comes to cargo management in our minivan, as they put the stuff in removable bins, and forget to put on the cargo net, so a couple of items end up falling whenever we open the liftgate. I also believe that if you purchase a hybrid, that you get $1000 or $1500 (I forget) back from the government.

Now that the features and options have been officially released for the Highlander, I say I'm going to choose the Acadia. I really want the dual sunroofs, as our minivan seems really cramped inside, since you cant roll down the windows in the second row, as well as the lack of sunroof. I also want the HUD, since it always feels like we go way too fast whenever my dad drives, so I constantly want him to be aware of his speed. Remote start is a must for us in Canada, as well as parking assist. I also prefer the 2-2-3 arrangement of seats rather than the 2-3-2 in the Highlander. OnStar is another deciding factor, and our Pontiac/Buick/GMC dealer is already fantastic, so for us, Acadia has won, but the Highlander isn't off my list yet

 

[Keith]

The Acadia and other crossovers are essentially mini van replacements that is true. For that matter many SUVs are unless you get something with 4X4 or power for towing. Lets face it 95% are used basically as mini vans anyway. Shuttling kids to school etc, not climbing snowy mountain roads. I originally was looking at a smaller SUV like the equinox or torrent or Lexus. The idea was 4 doors for kids and extra storage for strollers and other baby gear. I was somewhat shocked to see the lack of UTILITY in these SUVs. Most SUVs are really no more than a different shaped car utility wise. If you have 4 riders you essentially have zero cargo space. Even my Grand prix could handle 5 riders and would have much more trunk space than these SUVs.

Then the Acadia came along. Probably much bigger than I need but has the utility and flexibility that an SUV or CUV should have. 90% of the time the 3rd row will not be used but we have that option on the occasional family trip. The rest of the time we have oodles of cargo space. It drives like a car, is safer and gets pretty good mileage. Comparing to the equinox, much more space, 80 more horses and still better MPG rating.

As far as Toyota goes, I am not impressed. To me usually their interior feels cheap and seems they are built for smaller people. Less leg and head room, thinner seat materials, more cramped feeling overall. Skinny tires and no dual exhaust add to the vanilla appearance. I know Toyotas are supposed to be dependable but I owned one before and it did not last nearly as long as my Grand Am, Grand Prix or im sure my Acadia. Lots more maintenance too such as timing belt replacement.

I would consider a Highlander but only if I could save alot of money over the Acadia. Having effectively paid $31,500 for my SLT-2 FWD, I doubt Toyota could touch that deal.

 

[mkaresh]

If it were $10,000 below the Acadia price I might take a look at it.

It's interesting to look at the invoice pricing on Edmunds: for a loaded AWD Highlander Limited, the invoice price is about $5k less than MSRP, while the invoice price for a similarly equipped Acadia is about $3k lower than MSRP. Lots of room to play with price on the Highlander, I'm wondering if Toyota was getting nervous with potential sales and set a much lower invoice price as an incentive?

Anyways, it's still nowhere close to being $10k less than the Acadia!

Toyota dealers have had larger margins for a number of years now, not because they increased their margins but because everyone else has been cutting dealer margins much more rapidly. I've written about this here:

http://www.truedelta.com/pieces/pricing_game.php"]The Pricing Game[/url]

As a result, if a Toyota dealer wants to discount a car, they can discount it quite a bit more than competing dealers and still make money. Same with Lexus.

In the comparisons on my site, you'll often find that the Toyota is priced higher MSRP to MSRP, but lower invoice to invoice. And, in today's environment, the latter comparison is often the more indicative of the difference you'll actually pay.

The 2008 Highlander is now in my site's database. I posted the results of a comparison with the Acadia earlier in the thread.

 

[nxs138]

Test drove the Acadia and Highlander back to back with my wife today. They both drove very nice (both were AWD) and really the decision comes down to whether or not you need the room of the Acadia:

- access to 3rd row in the HL is a joke. You'd have to snap your spine to squeeze behind the 2nd row. However, the HL does have captains chairs, so you could just slide in the 2nd row and walk between the seats to the 3rd row. With the Acadia, it's a cinch to get into the 3rd row by comparison
- of course, the Acadia has much more room behind the 3rd row, compared to the HL
- Acadia had less engine noise during acceleration

The first thing my wife noticed when she started driving the Acadia was the sluggish acceleration. She drove a 2007 model, so not sure if it had all the latest transmission reflashes, but I completely agree with her: you nearly have to floor it, and it takes several moments for the power to come in. The Highlander is a race car in comparison: very responsive transmission, brisk acceleration. GM really has to fix this issue, 'cause it has my wife floudering about the Acadia, but then again we only have 2 kids, so don't likely need all the room in the Acadia.

We'll see...

 

[Keith]

Kinda surprised about the acceleration issue. I do notice first drive in the AM in my neighborhhood it seems to drag a bit but that is the only time. Maybe warming up? The rest of the time the acceleration seems fine. I am coming from a Pontiac Grand Prix. I used to floor it and was a more sporty driver than in my Acadia (I am trying to cool it to save gas). I think the only thing holding me back with this car is my driving style. I am much slower to accelerate under normal conditions but if I need to go I just give it maybe half a pedal and it takes off. I have never had to floor it to accelerate, even going up steep hills. Its no race car but I have not had any issues with acceleration when needed or power when needing to pass or climb hills.

 

[nxs138]

Yeah, I really didn't think my wife would notice any acceleration issues (she drives a 1995 Geo Prizm), but that's the first thing she mentioned when she got out. Her main beef was pulling out of the dealer lot and into traffic: she felt it took a while for the Acadia to get moving. I test drove it afterward (we had to do it separately because of the kids), and it was similar to the rental I drove before: it just seems like you have to really press down on the pedal to get the beast moving. Once it got to speed, I didn't have any issues. When I really pushed down on the gas to force a downshift, it's like the transmission/engine has to think about it, then you feel the power come on, and although it does have some pickup, it feels about 25 HP short of what I would like.

The Highlander felt more frisky, more responsive, which was the wife's exact impression also. That electric steering on the HL does kinda blow, though, you don't feel connected to the road.

I'm waiting until the August transmission reflash (for the Acadia) before making up my mind.

 

[big bear craig]

Federico, I couldn't agree more. For your needs the Highlander just doesn't cut it. Definitely a Lambda in your future! I my case the third row seat is a complete waist of money. I didn't use it even one time with my last Highlander. I don't need, don't want it, but it's becoming the norm for all manufacturers. I need the rear cargo space but still want all the other car-like characteristics plus the ground clearance. I think most of todays SUV or "crossovers" as they badge them are just minivans in drag. Just replace the rear hinged doors with sliders and we've come full circle.

I totally agree with your wife...the Highlander is uglier than the Lambdas. In fact, it's uglier than dirt. No question about it, the Lambdas have got to be the best looking series of cars to come along in quite a while. Very classy look to them all. I wish I had a better feel for the longevity because they are very, very expensive in my book.

I agree that they can be very expensive, but you can also buy a very well equiped for under $30,000. No it won't have hud or some of the other bells and whistles, but it will still be very well equipped. As far as how well they will hold up that remains to be seen, but I believe they are going to be good cars.

 

[mkaresh]

I've test driven the Lambdas a number of times, and never felt they were sluggish. I must have low expectations in this area.

If you want quicker acceleration, better third row access than in the Toyota (but not as good as the Acadia), a decent amount of room behind the third row, and more communicative steering, the Mazda CX-9 could be the way to go. Especially the 2008, which will have a larger engine than the 2007.

 

[ewillie1]

I have to agree with Keith, I traded my Mustang GT V8 5-speed convertible on the Acadia since the kids are getting bigger and have more carpool runs. I try to stay off the pedal to save gas, but I find it very smooth and responsive when I need it. The engine sounds nice under acceleration IMHO.

I still maintain that the balance of acceleration, comfort, passenger and storage space, and fuel economy really make me happy with my Acadia. Everyone should get what makes them happy, but if I had to do it again, I'd get the Acadia, even with the Ford family plan I would get on the CX-9.

:cheers: Erik

 

[nxs138]

Just read through the archives and noticed some posts about "toe-in" acceleration having been improved via a reflash. I really wish I could find out if the models I test-drive have all been reflashed or not, I'm sure the typical salesman won't have that answer handy. I'm pretty sure that's what my wife was referring to when she felt some hesitation while trying to accelerate from a slow speed.

I did not "abuse" this Acadia while test-driving. However, I did drive the rental a bit hard, and under full throttle while going about 40 or 50 mph, or "passing gear", I thought it could have used a bit more pep. It just makes wonder if I'd have to think twice before passing. Then again, my daily driver is a twin-turbo car that I've done a few things to, so probably nothing will ever please me

By the way, I did find that shutting the doors on the Acadia has a much more solid feeling than on the Highlander. Feels velvety smooth, no rattles, no lound "thunk", just a nice "swoosh". I wonder if GM did this on purpose...

 

[Keith]

The stalling or lack of power is something I HATE about a car. I want to know the car will go when I want. At times my wife's Mazda will just stop and think for a second when you punch the gas. I find that very aggravating! I was worried about the Acadia for that reason but figured I would get the car anyway as this one really fits the needs of our growing family. I have 2000 miles on it now and have never experienced low pickup or hesitation at acceleration. That was the only concern I had about the car and so far it has performed flawlessly.

 

[mmsimpson]

We never noticed anything sluggish when we had our 2 day test drive. We did a fair amount of freeway driving. But, we are coming from a 4cyl so anything is a step up!

 

[lzwhb2]

I drove a Highlander and a CX-9 today along with some Lambdas. I wasn't impressed with the Highlander at all. I thought the CX-9 wasn't that bad, but I did feel cramped and didn't care for the seats. It gave me a sports car feel in a CUV which I didn't like.

I have to say that I was really impressed with the transmission in the CX-9. Definitely better than what everyone has in their lambdas today, but the new trans cal gets us pretty close to that type of feel now. I'd say it still has a bit of an edge, but we've certainly narrowed the gap.

I'd say hands down the Acadia is the overall winner, especially with the new trans cal.

 

[Tom H]

I'll still a little pessimistic on this issue. The Acadia has been out for a long time and they are still trying to get it rite? Are they asking too much out of this transmission? Ford claims their's works better. Does anyone know what they are doing different? The trans was supposed to be a joint design venture.

 

[Nu2GMC]

I'll still a little pessimistic on this issue. The Acadia has been out for a long time and they are still trying to get it rite? Are they asking too much out of this transmission? Ford claims their's works better. Does anyone know what they are doing different? The trans was supposed to be a joint design venture.

The Ford Edge AWD weighs about 500 lbs. less than a comparable Acadia...that has to help. 'Cause my Acadia is a shifting fool...I don't hold that much hope that the new flash is going to fix it. But never say never.

 

[tmmar]

I just had my tranny reflashed yesterday and then went on a 5 hour road trip. Seemed that the mileage was a little worse. Don't know if it could be attributed to the hilly terrain (went from Long Island, NY - which is very flat - to upstate Syracuse, NY- which is very hilly), but the tranny seemed to downshift a little more than it used to when climbing the hills. It also didn't up shift as soon as it used to after cresting the hill and starting on the downside. Don't know if there is another update coming but hopefully there is.

 

[dbinmv]

I think you all are missing the point on the transmission....you've got a 275 HP trying to move almost 5,000 lbs of vehicle. That's not enough if you want the car to really move. GM obviously did this, coupled with the 6-speed transmission, to address MPG concerns - but then the responsiveness wasn't there. When they make the transmission hold a gear to stay in the power band of the engine longer, MPG drops. Personally, I'm pretty happy with my May build 2007, but I understand where other folks are coming from. It's the trade-off of driving a bigger vehicle with the economy of a 6-cylinder engine.

I'm hoping that in '09, GMC will offer the direct-injection V-6 that the Caddys are getting for '08. That should give more power AND economy. I bet when that happens all the talk about the transmission "hunting" or being slow off the line will diminish.

My $.02...YMMV, yada^3

DBinMV

 

[GerryL]

I think you all are missing the point on the transmission....you've got a 275 HP trying to move almost 5,000 lbs of vehicle. That's not enough if you want the car to really move. GM obviously did this, coupled with the 6-speed transmission, to address MPG concerns - but then the responsiveness wasn't there. When they make the transmission hold a gear to stay in the power band of the engine longer, MPG drops. Personally, I'm pretty happy with my May build 2007, but I understand where other folks are coming from. It's the trade-off of driving a bigger vehicle with the economy of a 6-cylinder engine.

I'm hoping that in '09, GMC will offer the direct-injection V-6 that the Caddys are getting for '08. That should give more power AND economy. I bet when that happens all the talk about the transmission "hunting" or being slow off the line will diminish.

My $.02...YMMV, yada^3

DBinMV

I would respectfully disagree that the direct injection engine is likely to "fix" the issue as it only makes 18 lb-ft more torque at peak and probably minimally more at low rpm in the band where the issues lie. The real issue is that this thing turns about 1800 rpm at highway speeds in 6th gear and is always shifting into that gear when you're not looking... In my humble opinion, it will take either the low end torque curve of a V8, a new set of gear ratios or a very significantly revamped set of shift points to make much of a notable difference and none of them are likely to produce the current EPA numbers.

I do agree that a majority of the current issue is the chosen "economic" shift points but GM has painted themselves into a corner on this issue because the EPA numbers are already set for the year. Any juggling of shift points they choose to do in August will still have to meet the EPA fuel figures, so they are not likely to be making radical changes. Of course a small turbo could fix all this too but that would be a whole different thread.

 

[lzwhb2]

I'm really anxious for all those out there that don't think the transmission can get that much better after another update, to see what everyone says after they get it.

I was just in NY and NJ today and updated a vehicle with the latest stuff. Drove it for a couple of hours around NJ and thought it was pretty darn good. Still found a few things I'd like to clean up, but the difference is night and day.

I guess you just have to experience it for yourselves.