Acadia is the first to market of several new crossover vehicles that will all share the same underlying architecture. Saturn (Outlook) and Buick (Enclave) have already announced their versions. There may be more to come.

The format closely follows what is fast becoming the norm for this growing segment: three rows of seating; front or all-wheel drive; a multi-valve 3.6-litre V6 paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission; almost every safety, convenience and entertainment device yet devised by man; and of course, the "capability of an SUV with car-like driving characteristics."

That would be a pretty big car. Acadia's 5.1-metre (201-in.) length equals a Yukon's, and its 3020-mm (119 in.) wheelbase is longer. The good news, however, is that Acadia is roomier than a Yukon, yet weighs about 750 lbs. less.

Aside from the two front bucket seats, there's a three-person, 60/40-split third-row bench, and a choice between two second-row captain's chairs, or a 60/40-split, three-person bench. In other words, Acadia can seat up to eight.

An industry-first Smart Slide feature is standard on all second-row configurations, allowing quick and easy access to the third-row. And GM claims an above-average 558-litre (20 cu-ft) cargo capacity behind the third-row seat.

Big and roomy and safe and loaded

Probably bigger than would most families need