Holden launches 2019 Acadia SUV in Australia

After a long period of teaser information, Holden has launched its latest SUV in Australia: the 2019 Acadia. Offering seven ‘adult-sized’ seats, a $42,990 drive away entry price and a 3.6-litre V6 engine, the Acadia effectively replaces the seven-seat Captiva – itself on sale since 2006.

Built in Spring Hill, Tennessee in the United States, Australia and New Zealand are the only markets in the world to receive a factory-built right-hand drive version of the Acadia – unlike the Camaro and Silverado which are converted locally. The 2019 Holden Acadia is in dealerships now.

“The Holden Acadia is a head-turner,” said Dave Buttner, Holden Chairman and Managing Director. “With its strong stance and striking appearance, driving an Acadia makes a confident statement.

“While today is all about the arrival, the journey is just as important. Riding in the Holden Acadia offers a premium experience, with the luxury of space, combined with versatile interior configurations, the latest technology, a full suite of safety features and local tuning for our roads.”

Launched in the United States in 2016 as a GMC – General Motors’ upmarket SUV brand – Holden has been working on the 2019 Acadia as part of ‘Project C1UG’. Localised involvement of the car include the steering and the suspension tune, which is reportedly stiffer than the US model, and the infotainment system, which is an all-new unit and has premiered in Australia before anywhere else. The Acadia’s traffic sign recognition system is being touted as the first in Australia that recognises the timing of school zones in different states, and relaying that information to drivers accordingly.

Based on the same Epsilon II platform as the ZB Commodore, the Acadia measures 4,979mm long, 1,916mm wide and 1,762mm tall with a 2,857mm-long wheelbase. This makes the 2019 Acadia 96mm shorter than the Mazda CX-9, though 101mm longer than the Toyota Kluger. All 2019 Acadia models are equipped with a 3.6-litre petrol V6, which produces 231kW of power and 367Nm of torque. Both front- and all-wheel drive is available on each model, with Holden listing combined fuel consumption as 8.9L/100km for 2WD variants and 9.3L/100km for AWD.

Pricing for the 2019 Holden Acadia starts at $42,490 plus on-road costs, and Holden is offering promotional drive away pricing from $42,990 (AWD: $46,990 drive away). Base LT models are well equipped, with low-speed autonomous emergency braking with cyclist and pedestrian detection, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, automatic high beam and rear parking sensors.

The LT is also equipped with automatic headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, tri-zone climate control, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and keyless entry and start.

The $11,000 jump to the LTZ adds leather upholstery with a 10-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, an 8-way electrically adjustable front passenger seat, heated front seats, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, chrome door handles, front foglamps, automatic wipers, a wireless phone charging pad, a hands-free power tailgate with an adjustable height and automatic parking. The LTZ is priced at $53,490 ($53,990 drive away) for front-wheel drive or $57,490 ($57,990 drive away) for all-wheel drive.

At the top of the 2019 Acadia range is the LTZ-V, which is priced from $63,490 ($63,990 drive away) for the 2WD or $67,490 ($67,990 drive away) for AWD. The LTZ-V adds bi-HID headlights, high-speed AEB, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, a dual-panel sunroof, 20-inch alloy wheels, memory and ventilated front seats with a 10-way electrically adjustable passenger seat, adaptive dampers, a 360º parking camera, an 8-speaker Bose sound system and an 8.0-inch driver’s colour information display.

2019 Holden Acadia pricing:
LT 2WD: $42,490 ($42,990 drive away)
LT AWD: $46,490 ($46,990 drive away)
LTZ 2WD: $53,490 ($53,990 drive away)
LTZ AWD: $57,490 ($57,990 drive away)
LTZ-V 2WD: $63,490 ($63,990 drive away)
LTZ-V AWD: $67,490 ($67,990 drive away)

Options:
Premium paint: $550