
There’s a certain feeling owners of the 2013 Acadia Denali share: confidence. It’s a feeling that begins when you remote start the car, activating the automatic climate control while you make a coffee to go, prepare lunch, find the kids, or all of the above. By the time you’re ready, so is the Denali. Nestled in the driver’s seat, you’re confident that the Acadia Denali doesn’t just tackle the day—it does it better than anyone in its class.
This car will move you. And up to eight passengers. True craftsmanship isn’t just seen—it’s felt, and can only be developed over generations of car making. Inside the cabin, you’re surrounded by soft touch material: throughout the dashboard, door panels, and center console. Warm ambient lighting adds to the natural light streaming in from Dual-Skyscape sunroof, reflecting off of the aluminum trim accents. Real stitching on the instrument panel and leather seats shows the impeccable attention to detail. Every stitch, like every other component in the vehicle, has been expertly sewn to create a synthesis of parts, all working together in unison to provide the quintessential crossover experience. It only gets even better as you bring the 3.6L V6 engine to life, and witness the smooth and quiet ride the Acadia delivers, thanks to noise –dampening materials hidden everywhere from the engine bay to the rear panels. The transmission shifts seamlessly between gears, and hydraulic power steering variable effort feels smooth and effortless.

The Acadia’s bold, clean lines reflect a sense of professionalism. Sharp HID headlamps with LED accents increase visibility during all times of the day and night, and projector beam fog lamps help in inclement weather. Of course, if that doesn’t get their attention, all new 20-inch chrome clad aluminum wheels will. Stunning in sunlight, sleek at night. The Acadia Denali’s exterior is all about the seamless integration of form and function. Find the tow hitch discreetly hidden, giving the exterior clean lines but remaining easily accessible. Or take a look at the glass-to-glass tailgate corner, a slick design detail with a secret—underneath the glass is a unitized body fortified by high-strength steel. Sure, the Acadia Denali boasts clean lines and a bold look, but it also provides the strength and security you need to feel confident behind the wheel. The 2013 Acadia is bigger, bolder, and better, and appearances are just the beginning.
It’s not enough to simply look good—we just wouldn’t have it any other way. Functionality is everything in a crossover vehicle, and the 2013 Acadia Denali takes this idea further than any other vehicle by allowing customization every step of the way. For seven passenger capacity, choose a second row of captain’s seats, or to maximize capacity at eight passengers, choose the split bench seat. Either way, SmartSlide allows easy access to the third row, and a number of cargo space options become immediately available. Fold one seat down (or part of the bench) down to combine cargo and passenger space, or fold them all down for ultimate cargo capacity. We’re talking about a maximum of 116.1 cubic feet of cargo room, enough space for the biggest box you’d ever want to load or unload. The driver and front passenger both have eight-way adjustable power seats, each with two memory settings, and four-way adjustable headrests. Sit exactly how you like to, every single time. Three distinct climate zones (front, passenger, and rear) allow everyone to be comfortable no matter the preference. That means less time arguing over the thermostat (see also: never arguing over it again) and more time enjoying the Bose surround sound. By not only providing the essential components to make daily tasks easier, but also the ability to customize each component to the driver’s and passengers’ unique tastes, the Acadia Denali raises the bar in comfort and convenience.

Controlling the Acadia Denali’s array of technology features is easy: just tell it what to do. The IntelliLink control panel can effortlessly make a phone call, find a location on GPS, or play a specific radio station by simply listening to you. Additional controls on the steering wheel and touch screen give you the flexibility you need, when you need it. Smartphone connectivity through Bluetooth synchronizes without a hitch, and there’s even a compartment in the dashboard with USB port. A heads-up display projects information onto the dashboard, such as your current speed or vehicle settings, so that you can keep your eyes on the road. Backseat passengers can enjoy a DVD entertainment system, or plug in their own electronics in the A/V and power ports. Vacationing with children (even the fully grown adult kind) has never been this easy.

Confidence of a different sort comes from the level of safety in the Acadia Denali. Have a little fun—shock your friends and family by closing the rear lift gate on your hand. Automatic sensors disengage the clutch, and your hand miraculously comes out unscathed. Same for the driver side window, a potential finger-saver. Even the location of the battery, centrally under the 2nd row seating, protects it from nasty collisions, allowing use in a possibly critical situation. In the engine bay, every connection is triple-sealed to keep components working correctly, even in the worst weather conditions. But these are all small details, simply rounding out the overall safety the Acadia provides before, during, and after a collision.
Let’s start with the before. Backing up is easy with the IntelliLink display, which indicates visually and audibly how close you are to objects. It alerts you when some crazed individual drives through the grocery store parking lot in the wrong direction—it happens, so we addressed it. Blind zone alerts, through small LEDs in the side mirrors and warning tones, help eliminate minor accidents when changing lanes. The tire pressure monitoring system doesn’t just tell you a tire is low—it tells you which one, and by how much. You can even access this kind of information through the OnStar app for smartphones, so you’ll know even before you’re behind the wheel. When the roads are slippery or uneven, antilock brakes and StabiliTrak (registered) keep you in control of your vehicle.
Yet preventive measures and technology can only do so much. In the event of a collision, the Acadia’s safety cage made from high strength steel keeps the driver and any passengers safe, while crush zones in the front and rear absorb the energy from the impact. An industry-first addition of the front-center airbag protects the driver and passenger from colliding into one another in a side impact collision. Headrests move forward automatically to help prevent whiplash, and pretensioners in the seatbelts minimize forward movement. Simply getting five stars isn’t enough. This is the Acadia Denali, where safety innovation goes beyond maintaining a high safety rating.
After an accident, the OnStar service kicks in, powered by the Acadia’s centrally located battery. Crucial, life-saving information is automatically relayed to emergency responders, including the car’s location, the direction and number of impacts, and rollover status. These details can make all the difference when the first responders arrive. With additional features like Remote Ignition Block to stop thieves, remote door unlock for those “whoops” moments (not you, no, never you), and roadside assistance, the value of OnStar becomes pretty clear.

When you look at the competition, they simply don’t stack up. Let’s take a look at the Honda Pilot. Sure, they’ve addressed the noisy ride in previous models, and improved the fuel economy for 2013. However, you can say goodbye to engine responsiveness, interior refinement, remote start, or easy access to the third row. In terms of safety, the Pilot scored “Good” for frontal and side-impact crashes, but only “Marginal” in the roof-strength test. Now, the Ford Explorer. It’s lighter and roomier than its predecessors, sure, but how does it do against the Acadia Denali? For starters, you can say goodbye to the eighth passenger and the standard power lift gate. You can also say hello to the Sync system, but we’re not so sure it will understand you the first time.
Where does confidence come from? For us, it comes from making the right decisions. From using the strongest steel. From innovating the latest technology. From finding the right balance of power and efficiency, of form and function.
We’re confident in the 2013 Acadia Denali. Are you?