The 310-hp V6 scoots the Acadia to 60 mph in a rapid 6.8 seconds. Power delivery is smooth, but the transmission makes an occasional jolty shift. At 19 mpg overall, fuel economy trails most rivals.

Acadia sales have continued to rise despite the model's age, hitting a record 79,288 last year, up 16 percent from 2010. The 2013 Acadia has LED running lamps standard on all models.

For the new 2017 model, GMC added what the Acadia needs most: lightness. GMC claims the 2017 Acadia will tip the scales, in I4 FWD trim, at 3,956 pounds -- a whopping 700 pounds lighter.

Instead of “go big or go home,” GMC focused on “light makes right” with the second-generation three-row Acadia. It’s an SUV that’s shorter, narrower, and about 500 pounds lighter than ...