Should You Take the 2022 GMC Acadia Off Road?
The 2022 GMC Acadia is capable of tackling minor off-road terrain. But for more advanced off-roading, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Written by Ethan Moser
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Despite its rugged appearance and powerful engine, the 2022
GMC Acadia
lacks the necessary ground clearance to be considered viable for off-roading. The perfect off-road-capable truck or SUV is a passport to adventure for any driver eager to get off the beaten path. That said, it can be hard to tell the difference between a vehicle that simply looks trail-ready and one that actually is.
So, should you take the 2022 GMC Acadia off road?
Jerry
, the No. 1-rated car insurance
comparison shopping super app
, is here with the 2022 GMC Acadia’s off-road rating. We’ll break down the Acadia spec by spec to determine whether or not it's a good choice for off-roading. From ground clearance and torque to drivetrain and tires, here’s everything you need to know about the GMC Acadia’s off-road capabilities.
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Can the 2022 GMC Acadia go off road?
While you might think that the 2022 GMC Acadia is trail-ready—especially with trim names like
All-Terrain
—this rugged-looking SUV isn't suitable for use off road. Even with additional features like advanced all-wheel-drive systems, hill-descent control, and a powerful V6 engine upgrade, the Acadia simply isn’t designed to tackle the trails. With a starting price of $38,445, this
GMC
packs plenty of power, plus infotainment and driver assistance features. But few of its characteristics do anything to make the SUV better for off-roading. Let’s take a closer look at some of the Acadia’s key specs to determine exactly why it shouldn’t be used off road.
Ground clearance
Ground clearance is one of the most important factors in determining whether or not a vehicle should go off road. When it comes to the 2022 GMC Acadia, its ground clearance measurement of just 7.9 inches is too little to safely and successfully tackle the trails.
Generally speaking, you should only take your vehicle off road if its ground clearance measurement is between 8.8 and 10.8 inches. This is vital as a higher ground clearance helps you avoid damaging your vehicle’s undercarriage during off-road adventures.
Cars that are lower to the ground—like the GMC Acadia—run the risk of sustaining serious damage if subjected to unpredictable off-road conditions and obstacles.
Torque
The perfect trail-ready truck or SUV is going to pack a powerful punch under the hood—both in terms of horsepower and torque. That being said, low-end torque is the most important.
Low-end torque refers to a high output in terms of pound-feet at a lower overall rpm. This is vital, as power will always be more important than speed while off-roading.
When it comes to the 2022 GMC Acadia, it actually does a somewhat decent job at producing low-end torque at certain trim levels. The Acadia’s base turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 engine produces 258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500 rpm—which is a great example of low-end torque. However, it could certainly be more powerful.
The Acadia’s upgraded 3.6-liter V6 engine produces 258 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm—the same in terms of power but at a higher rpm, meaning that the more powerful engine is actually less suitable for off-road use.
Tires
The 2022 GMC Acadia features a set of P235/65R18 tires as a standard feature. On the off chance that you aren’t a mechanic, here’s what that means.
The tires featured on the GMC Acadia are approximately 235 millimeters wide with a 65% aspect ratio. This means that the tire’s sidewall measurement—the distance between the rim of the tire and the tread—is equal to 65% of the total width, or in this case, around 153 millimeters.
These tires are designed to be outfitted on a set of 18-inch wheels—evident by the 18 at the end of the tire code.
Higher Acadia trims, like the Acadia All-Terrain, add 20-inch aluminum wheels. As such, they feature a different set of tires. Regardless, the tires on the Acadia are well suited for all-weather use but are not all-terrain tires.
All-terrain tires
are necessary for successful off-road adventures. Drivetrain
When it comes to off-roading, having all-wheel drive is a must. Thankfully, the base 2022 GMC Acadia is equipped with all-wheel drive, and advanced all-wheel-drive systems are even available on higher trims.
Off-road rating: In a Pinch
Using Jerry’s super-technical DIRT rating system, we’ve determined the 2022 GMC Acadia’s off-road rating. Our DIRT system is broken down in the table below:
Rating | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
D | Don’t Try It | Vehicles better suited to highway conditions |
I | In a Pinch | Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances |
R | Rough and Ready | Vehicles designed for casual off-roading |
T | Trail Boss | True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain |
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversWe give the 2022 GMC Acadia an I rating—In a Pinch. While the SUV is lacking in many areas necessary for off-roading, it does a great job at producing low-end torque and features standard all-wheel drive.
If the Acadia were an inch higher off the ground, we might even upgrade the SUV to an R rating. But for the time being, if you’re in the market for an SUV that can tackle any terrain you put in front of it, we suggest looking elsewhere.
The best off-road alternatives to the 2022 GMC Acadia
Looking for something more trail-ready than the 2022 GMC Acadia? Here are some viable alternatives that are more affordable, eco-friendly, and powerful.
Alternative | Model | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Best affordable alternative | $21,960 | At nearly half the price of the GMC Acadia, the Jeep Renegade is far more capable of tackling off-road terrain. | |
Best eco-friendly alternative | $25,935 | The Outlander’s plug-in hybrid powertrain will not only help save you money at the pump, but it’ll also help save the environment! | |
Best alternative for serious off-roading | $61,110 | Standard all-wheel drive and 415 lb-ft of torque are just the beginning of the Bronco’s top-of-the-line off-road specs, but they’ll come at a price! |
MORE: Cheap off-road trucks
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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles
One of the few drawbacks of off-roading is that you’ll likely end up paying more for both your trail-ready vehicle and car insurance. Insurance providers understand the added risk associated with off-road driving and reflect this in higher premiums for off-road-capable vehicles.
That said, you can save time and money on your off-road car insurance policy when you shop using
Jerry
—the No. 1-rated car insurance comparison shopping super app
. As a licensed insurance broker, Jerry partners with 50+ of the top insurance providers nationwide to bring users customized, competitive quotes in just 45 seconds!And we’ve saved the best bit for last—Jerry users save an average of $800+ each year on car insurance!
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