What's the difference?
If the Acadia had an accent it would be a southern drawl because this big seven-seat SUV is built in Tennessee, USA, and wears a GMC badge when it’s at home.
In Australia of course it wears a Holden one and comes straight from the factory in right-hand drive. So how does it suit Aussie conditions? Does it even know the importance of a sausage on a piece of bread bought outside a hardware store on a Saturday?
All this and more was learnt when the entry grade LT front-wheel drive came to live with my family.
So, you’ve seen the mainstream mid-size SUV players, and you’re looking for something… a little different.
Maybe you’re even looking for something with some off-road ability, and that’s maybe caused you to steer away from segment heavyweights like the Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4, or Mazda CX-5.
Am I right so far? Maybe you’re just curious to find out what one of Jeep’s main models offers in 2020. Either way, I spent a week in this top-spec Trailhawk to find out if it’s the semi-off-roader it looks to be, or if it stands a chance against the mainstream players.
The Holden Acadia is a proper seven-seater SUV in that it will fit adults in the third row without turning your friends into enemies. It’s also practical and well fitted out with storage places and utilities such as USB ports.
I was particularly impressed with the advanced safety equipment on-board even at this entry LT level. Yes, it’s a V6 petrol and it’s not the most fuel-efficient SUV, but our time with it showed that with cylinder deactivation and the stop-start system it might not be as thirsty as you’d think.
The Cherokee is perhaps not going to tempt anyone set on a mainstream mid-size family SUV. But, to those on the periphery who are genuinely looking for something different, there’s a lot on offer here.
The proposition is boosted by the Cherokee’s unique off-road equipment and compelling price tag, but just keep in mind it’s old-fashioned in more than just one way…