GMC is the General Motors division devoted to making utility vehicles such as trucks, though its Chevrolet division also produces a number of models based on the same platforms. Since 1992, GMC, with its
Tahoe and Yukon lines, has been marketing four-door, station wagon (break) format SUVs. To these was added the slightly smaller
Acadia line starting for the 2007 model year.
I found the Acadia styling quite pleasing, given its dimensions and other market niche requirements. As best I can analyze this for now, factors include: the body is somewhat rounded rather than being squared-off; the large lips around the wheel openings help reduce the feeling of bulk, as do the character line along the door handles and the shaping at lower-door level; and finally, the grille-headlamp ensemble that is clearly separated from the bumper-air-intake ensemble below it.
Then, for 2013, the Acadia was given a facelift to "freshen" its appearance. As with most facelifts, it was a change for the worse, or so I think. Below are comparison images of the 2007 and 2013 designs. The original design is at the top and the facelift is at the bottom of each image pairing.
Gallery
The most drastic changes involve the Acadia's "face." The headlamp units are more angular and incorporate those faddish LED light strings. Whereas the 2007 headlamp units presented a tranquil appearance, the 2013 has a harsh, rather angry expression for its "eyes." Lost is the upper-lower distinction of the vehicle's face; now there is a larger grille opening that drops down into the bumper zone. The removal of the edge-to-edge horizontal divider panel transforms the design from a comparatively light or airy one to a heavy, truck-like one that clashes with the side details established in 2007 to lighten the effect of a large vehicle.
Changes to the rear are minor and do not alter the character of the design. The most obvious change is the addition of faux-wraparound rear window glass whose only "function" is to reduce the number of elements in the name of visual simplification.
