GMC Acadia’s new top trim is the ‘pinnacle of premium expression’

GMC says the Denali Ultimate trim mixes stunning craftsmanship with real-world capability.

GMC Acadia exterior — *The GMC Acadia is gaining the top-rung Denali Ultimate trim for the 2026 model year. – GM Canada photo*

GMC is giving the Cadillac treatment to its midsize three-row SUV.

The automaker launched the ultra-premium Denali Ultimate trim for the 2026 Acadia, and you can just smell the premium leather through the photos.

“Denali Ultimate represents the pinnacle of premium expression for the GMC brand, delivering an innovative mixture of stunning craftsmanship with real-world capability,” said Jaclyn McQuaid, global vice president of Buick and GMC, in a news release. “Expanding Denali Ultimate’s innovative technologies and exclusive design elements to the Acadia nameplate allows us to further differentiate our mid-size offering in a highly competitive segment.”

GMC Acadian Ultimate Denali closeup of seatback — *Topographical maps are etched onto the Denali Ultimate’s leather seats. – GM Canada photo*

What’s so special about new trim?

On the exterior, the top-rung Acadia gets a signature Vader Chrome grille and logo, LED daytime running lights with animated lighting sequence, exclusive badging and 22-inch machined aluminum wheels with a finish called After Midnight Metallic.

On the interior, you’ll find heated and ventilated front seats wearing Woodland Mahogany leather with plaited contrast stitching and Paldao wood laser-etched accents and embossed topographical maps on the seat backs, door trim and map pockets, plus there are unique floor mats and Denali Ultimate badging on the vehicle’s seat backs.

Standard features include:

Bose 16-speaker Performance Series sound system
Super Cruise capability (with three-year plan included) for hands-free driver assistance technology on compatible roads
22-inch machined aluminum wheels with After Midnight Metallic finish and all-season tires
Panoramic sunroof
Nine camera views including smart technologies like high-definition surround vision and rear camera mirror
Configurable eight-inch diagonal head-up display
AutoSense power liftgate
Performance suspension, which is said to improve ride and handling balance, and to isolate sharp road impacts.

Interior photos

Check out the ultra-luxurious interior in the photos below.

GMC Acadian Ultimate Denali front seats — *Heated and ventilated Woodland Mahogany full leather seats sit up front on the Denali Ultimate trim. – GM Canada photo*

GMC Acadian Ultimate Denali dashboard and steering wheel — *The GMC Acadia Denali Ultimate gets a configurable head-up display. – GM Canada photo*

GMC Acadia Denali Ultimate dashbaord — *The GMC Acadia Denali Ultimate gets Paldao wood laser-etched accents. – GM Canada photo*

GMC Acadia Denali Ultimate interior view from rear seats — *Occupants of the GMC Acadia Denali Ultimate are ensconced in luxury. – GM Canada photo*

GMC Acadia Denali Ultimate seat bottoms — *The Woodland Mahogany leather seats get plaited contrast stitching. – GM Canada photo*

GMC Acadia Denali Ultimate Bose speaker grille — *The GMC Acadia Denali Ultimate gets a 16-speaker Bose audio system. – GM Canada photo*

More on the Acadia

The 2026 GMC Acadia has more than 19 safety and driver assistance features and all-wheel drive is standard across all trims. The SUV also has a rear camera mirror, which allows drivers to look through a traditional rear-view mirror or a camera view, intended to be a less obstructed view than the traditional mirror.

The Acadia is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine with 328 hp and 326 lb.-ft. of torque sending power to the wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Towing capacity is 5,000 pounds.

The 2026 Acadia will be available in the third quarter of 2025, while the new Ultimate Denali models will arrive later in the year.

Pricing will be announced closer to the vehicle’s on-sale date.

For updates, visit the GMC Canada website.