2021-2007 GMC Acadia Towing Capacity (All Model Year)

Acadia by General Motors is a Mid-size SUV that has a decent towing capacity but in some variants, it’s too low for proper trailering. It definitely doesn’t have a single number towing capacity, like other websites telling you. I have to go through the owner’s manual of all model years to get you the towing data as accurate as possible.

Acadia has two generations and has been in the US, Canada, and Mexico market since 2007, and this article has the towing capacity of every model year. It is famous for its affordable starting price, peaceful drive, comfort, and interior luxury.

Also, its seating capacity is in favor of a big family of 7 people, though it heavily affects the towing capacity in some variants.

Short in Time? Here is the Overview.

GMC Acadia Towing Capacity: The towing capacity of Acadia ranges from 1,000 lbs (454 kg) to 5,200 lbs (2,359 kg). Yes, you read it right, some models can go even 1,000 lbs in maximum towing load. While others are quite capable of heavy towing.

What Affects Acadia’s Towing Capacity: Along with the number of occupants in the vehicle, their weight, and cargo, the following points, do affect Acadia’s towing capacity:

Engine: The engine has the most impact on the towing capacity of Acadia. In older models, Acadia was equipped with a 3.6L V6 engine with greater pulling power than new models’ L4 engines.

Trailer Towing Package: For heavy towing, you can install Acadia’s V94 Trailer Towing Package which drastically increases towing capacity by 3,000 pounds. But this package can only be installed in V6 engine models.

Wheel Drive: Though it’s not directly impacting towing capacity yet it does impact the GCWR of Acadia in first-generation models.

Important things to keep in mind while towing Acadia:

Do not use Acadia for towing in its first 500 miles (800 km)
During the first 500 miles (800 km) of heavy towing do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/p)
Maximum Trailer Tongue Weight = 10% – 15% the weight of a fully-loaded trailer. If your trailer falls outside this limit please refer to the trailer’s owner’s manual. Trailer tongue weight contributes to the GVWR. Refer to your SUVs owner’s manual to know more about tongue weight.
Acadia has Tow/Haul Mode which works effectively when the total vehicle and trailer’s weight is at least 75% of the Maximum GCWR.
It is recommended to turn off the driving assistance feature while towing:

Automatic Parking Assist (APA)
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Super Cruise Control
Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB)
Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
Park Assist

There is a ton of other important towing-related information in the owner’s manual that we left out here. We HIGHLY recommend reading your Acadia’s owner’s manual before towing a trailer. Download GMC Acadia Owner’s Manual from the official website.

This article only covers the towing capacity and maximum GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) of Acadia. While other towing-related data, such as GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating), and vehicle curb weight, must keep into consideration while trailering. These figures can be found in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. We HIGHLY recommend you to read your vehicle’s owner’s manual before towing.

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Towing Accessories

Brakes: If the total trailer weight exceeds 1000 lbs (450 kg), a trailer braking system is recommended. Never connect the trailer brake system to your vehicle’s hydraulic braking system, if it has any.

Tire: Avoid using a compact spare tire while towing. Ensure tires must be properly inflated.

Note: Model years are grouped based on the generation they fall into.

2021-2017 GMC Acadia Towing Capacity – Second Generation

GMC repositioned the SUV from full-size crossover to mid-size crossover due to the growing demand in the mid-size segment. In the process, it decreased Acadia’s length and width, to make it look like a small compact crossover, which also makes it 700 pounds lighter than previous-generation models. The increase in fuel economy can also be seen.

In the 2017 model year to 2019 Acadia comes with two engine options, 2.5L L4 Engine, and 3.6L V6 Engine with 6-speed automatic transmission. In the latest, 2020, and 2021 models, it has one more engine option 2.0L L4 Engine with 9-speed automatic transmission. All this comes along with FWD and AWD and 6-speed.

As for towing capacity concerns, changing to more fuel-efficient engines drastically decreases the towing capacity of Acadia. Although you can increase it by installing V92 Trailer Towing Package which is only available for the V6 engine variant. L4 engine in the latest Acadia makes it an unfavorable choice for trailering.

Below is the table of 2021-2020 Acadia Towing Capacity:

Image credit: 2021 GMC Acadia Owner’s Manual

2019, 2018, and 2017 Towing Table

2007-2016 GMC Acadia Towing Capacity – First Generation

GMC started Acadia’s production in 2006 for the model year 2007. Acadia introduced to the US, Canada, and Mexico market as a full-size crossover SUV with FWD and AWD options. Acadia from this generation has equipped with a 3.6L V6 engine, but with different V6 variants in different models. Also, their torque and hp vary from variant to variant of V6. But one thing that didn’t change is its transmission which is a 6-speed 6T75 automatic.

By towing capacity, Acadia from this generation has most of the power, it ranges from 2,000 lbs (907 kg) to 5,200 lbs (2,359 kg). Acadia’s ultimate towing capacity can only be achieved with the V92 towing package.

Below the table shows the towing capacity of Acadia from the 2016 model year to 2010.