2008 GMC Acadia

The GMC Acadia ranks among the largest of the midsize SUVs, and reviewers commend its power, ride and handling. The Acadia can haul up to eight passengers if equipped with an optional second-row bench seat. A third-row bench comes standard, and reviewers give it high marks for comfort, even for adults. The Acadia's interior is described by testers as vast, and it has 117 cubic feet of cargo space when the seats are folded down. Even with the seats all up, there's still 19 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat.

Part of a family of General Motors crossovers that includes the Saturn Outlook, Buick Enclave and the Chevrolet Traverse (a 2009 model), the Acadia is available with either front- or all-wheel drive. It's powered by a 275-horsepower V-6 mated to a modern six-speed automatic transmission, which contributes to good fuel economy at 16 mpg/city and 24 mpg/highway, according to EPA estimates. When properly equipped, the Acadia can tow up to 4,500 pounds, which is considered high for this class.

Reviewer complaints related to the 2008 GMC Acadia are not plentiful, but more than one critic found the transmission to be slow to downshift. The Acadia can be difficult to maneuver in tight spaces, according to ConsumerGuide.com, and its turning circle is wide, according to Edmunds.com and Car and Driver magazine. The 2009 GMC Acadia earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's "Top Safety Pick" designation by scoring the highest rating of "Good" in all tests.