The 2026 GMC Acadia Denali is a seven-seat SUV with leather-appointed upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a large touchscreen and standard all-wheel drive in the Canadian lineup. It sits above Elevation and AT4, with Denali Ultimate adding a different interior and extra technology. Here are the model-specific specifications and equipment to know.
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The Canadian 2026 lineup includes Elevation, AT4, Denali and Denali Ultimate. Elevation can seat eight with its second-row bench; Denali uses two second-row captain’s chairs and seats seven in a 2-2-3 layout. AT4 adds off-road-focused hardware, while Denali emphasizes convenience and cabin equipment.
Denali Ultimate is a separate step above the regular Denali. Its Woodland Mahogany full-leather front seats with massage, 16-speaker audio and standard Super Cruise should not be listed as standard features of the Denali reviewed here.
Engine, transmission and AWD
A 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder produces 328 hp and 326 lb-ft. It uses direct injection, variable valve timing and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Canadian Denali models have all-wheel drive and a selectable traction-management system.
The 2026 Acadia does not use the older generation’s V6. There is also no hybrid or plug-in hybrid in this Canadian lineup. Buyers comparing earlier Acadia reviews should check the model year carefully, since the newer vehicle’s engine, size and screen layout differ.
Towing and payload
GMC rates the properly equipped Acadia at up to 2,268 kg (5,000 lb) of towing with the Trailering Package. Hitch Guidance and Hitch View are included in the Denali equipment listing. Confirm the package and the trailer’s loaded weight before relying on the headline limit.
Passengers, luggage and trailer tongue weight share the vehicle’s available payload. The door-jamb label supplies the actual allowance for an individual Acadia. Towing capacity does not mean that a full passenger load and the maximum trailer can always be carried together.
Fuel economy
NRCan’s 2026 Acadia AWD rating is 12.1 city / 10.1 highway / 11.2 combined L/100 km, using regular gasoline. This standardized rating covers the listed AWD powertrain; actual consumption changes with weather, load, tires and towing. It is not a measured result from the walkaround video.
Interior, seats and cargo
Denali includes perforated leather-appointed seating, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row outboard seats and a heated steering wheel. Power front seats, driver memory, a power-adjustable steering column and tri-zone climate control support the cabin’s convenience focus.
Second-row one-touch folding and Smart Slide access help passengers reach the third row. The third-row 60/40 bench folds electrically from the cargo area. GMC advertises approximately 2,760 litres of maximum cargo room with the rear rows folded; that is not the luggage capacity with all seven seats in use.
The front console has covered storage and rear storage, and the equipment list includes a household-style 120-volt outlet. Child-seat installation and third-row access should be checked with the family’s own seats, because fitting a restraint can change how a second-row seat may be moved.
Infotainment and displays
A 15-inch central touchscreen supports Google built-in compatibility, wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto. The driver gets an 11-inch digital information display and an eight-inch head-up display. Denali’s standard Bose system has 12 speakers and a subwoofer, rather than Ultimate’s 16-speaker system.
Wireless phone charging and USB ports for all three rows are listed. Google services, connected apps, hotspot data and satellite radio have service-plan or trial conditions. Smartphone projection and a built-in data subscription are different functions, so compare what remains available after the included services expire.
Safety and driver assistance
Standard Denali equipment includes enhanced automatic emergency braking, intersection emergency braking, front pedestrian/bicyclist braking, forward collision alert, blind-zone steering assistance and lane-keeping assistance with lane-departure warning. Rear cross-traffic braking, reverse automatic braking, rear park assistance and rear pedestrian alert add protection when reversing.
Adaptive cruise control, HD Surround Vision, traffic-sign recognition, side bicyclist alert and a vibrating Safety Alert Seat are also listed. Front, side, centre and curtain airbags, child-seat anchors and rear seat reminders are included. Assistance systems have operating limits and still require an attentive driver.
Super Cruise is available on the 2026 Denali through an additional package; it is standard on Denali Ultimate. Check the actual order for Super Cruise, enhanced automatic parking assistance and associated service coverage. An equipped system requires an active trial or subscription and compatible roads.
Exterior and options
The regular Denali uses a Galvano Silver-accented grille and badging with 20-inch Pearl Nickel-finish machined wheels. It includes an AutoSense power liftgate and rain-sensing wipers. GMC’s 2026 Canadian Denali page lists the panoramic sunroof as standard. Optional larger wheels and the Ultimate’s Vader Chrome styling are separate specifications.
Canadian pricing
GMC’s Ontario 2026 trim selector displayed Denali “MSRP from” C$71,143. For context, Elevation was C$57,943, AT4 C$65,743 and Denali Ultimate C$78,943. These are the builder’s displayed starting amounts and do not establish the final price of the video vehicle.
Paint, packages, dealer charges and applicable taxes can change a quote. Compare the final equipped price, especially when adding Super Cruise or larger wheels, rather than assuming the Denali-to-Ultimate difference buys exactly the same options.
Competition
The Chevrolet Traverse RS, Buick Enclave Avenir, Toyota Grand Highlander Limited, Honda Pilot Touring and Hyundai Palisade Ultimate Calligraphy are useful alternatives. Compare seven- versus eight-seat layouts, hybrid availability, usable cargo space, towing equipment and the total price. Acadia Denali’s head-up display, powered rear-seat folding and 12-speaker audio are clear features to weigh in that comparison.
Explore our other SUV reviews to compare equipment and specifications.
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2026 Acadia Denali have a V6?
No. It uses a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive in Canada.
How many seats are in the Acadia Denali?
The Canadian Denali configuration covered here has seven seats. Do not assume that a different Acadia trim’s seating arrangement applies to Denali.
What is the Acadia Denali towing limit?
A properly equipped Acadia with the Trailering Package can tow up to 2,268 kg (5,000 lb). Confirm the package, loaded trailer weight and remaining payload on the actual vehicle.