Outlook vs Acadia

[oicu812]

What are the significant differences between the Outlook & Acadia?

I just pulled down the recently released specs for the Acadia and compared them with what was released for the Outlook and they look nearly identical. On paper they appear mechanically identical. The only diffs I can see are interior details like woodgrain accents, leather, bigger skylight, which don't weigh much in my decision making.

Will there be any significant pricing difference between them, and if so, what are your getting for the extra cost besides a badge?

[Uzzy]

These vehilces are "Badge Engineered." That is very different from re-badges. GM is a car company made of several divisions "A car for every purse and purpose." They cover the spectrum from econo boxes, rough and tumble trucks, to high end luxury, using different nameplates. The Outlook and Acadia are mechanically identical, you're right. The difference is the styling inside and out. The Buck Enclave is also mechanically identical, but the styling is even further removed from GMC and Saturn to be more with the niche that Buick fills when compared to the rest of GM. I don't know what the difference in price is, but I know the Buick will be at the top of the heap, and I think Saturn will be just below GMC in the GM hiearchy, but I'm not sure. They seem almost even keel with Saturn's new spot in the lineup, one doing cars, and the other trucks. The thing to decide when choosing between the Outlook, and Acadia will be purely cosmetic and ergonomic? Which vehicle looks more appealing to you. Which interior layout do you prefer? Depending on the price difference price may or may not be a factor. For me, I like the exterior of the Acadia compared to the Outlook. I haven't sat in either, but from pictures, I think the Acadia might be a better suited interior for me as well. So if the Saturn buying experience isn't enought to get me into an Outlook, I'd be buying an Acadia if I were in the market for a new crossover SUV. As it happens, the local deal I deal with own both a Pontiac/Buick/GMC and a Saturn/SAAB/HUMMER store on the same pad, so I'd be buying from the same people and all that. In that case, it's the Acadia for me, unless they can work out some financing that can put me in an Enclave. That one is still my fave of the bunch.

[oicu812]

Originally Posted by Uzzy

The thing to decide when choosing between the Outlook, and Acadia will be purely cosmetic and ergonomic? Which vehicle looks more appealing to you. Which interior layout do you prefer? Depending on the price difference price may or may not be a factor. For me, I like the exterior of the Acadia compared to the Outlook. I haven't sat in either, but from pictures, I think the Acadia might be a better suited interior for me as well.

I agree that the Enclave is more greatly differentiated from its platform mates, and it's the first Buick (or GM, for that matter) to really catch my attention. But I think seating for 7 passengers would be more useful to me, and I think it's price point will be too high.

On the Outlook/Acadia, I just don't see the differences. The differences in grills, bumpers, d-pillars, and tailpipes don't measure up to much, for me. Interior wise, they both offer 7 or 8 seating and the usual assortment of techno doo-dads like electronics, guages, cup holders, and compartments.

I'm guessing that if there is a significant pricing difference between them, that the GMC will have 'nicer' leather and surfaces, while the Saturn will feel cheaper somehow. I hope this isn't the case, but that's usually how badge engineering works out.

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by oicu812

I'm guessing that if there is a significant pricing difference between them, that the GMC will have 'nicer' leather and surfaces, while the Saturn will feel cheaper somehow. I hope this isn't the case, but that's usually how badge engineering works out.

Well you have to make something cheaper for those that can't afford the nicities. If Chevy and Pontiac were to get Lambda bsed crossovers The Pontiac would be more driver and performance oriented (ideally ), and the Chevy would be more focused on a lower priced family hauler.

[oicu812]

Originally Posted by Uzzy

Well you have to make something cheaper for those that can't afford the nicities.

I agree, but usually it's a significant mechanical difference like engine/trans/suspension, or stability/traction control, or 5 vs 7 pass seating. If there's going to be a 5-10% price premium on the Acadia, I'd be surprised if nicer leather and woodgrain costs that much.

We'll wait to see what pricing shows us. If the prices are close to the same, then perhaps the only difference is whether you prefer a Saturn or a GMC.

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by oicu812

I agree, but usually it's a significant mechanical difference like engine/trans/suspension, or stability/traction control, or 5 vs 7 pass seating. If there's going to be a 5-10% price premium on the Acadia, I'd be surprised if nicer leather and woodgrain costs that much.

We'll wait to see what pricing shows us. If the prices are close to the same, then perhaps the only difference is whether you prefer a Saturn or a GMC.

I think Standard features will account for it's pricing point. The Acadia will come with more standard features, while the Outlook can be had without some. Similarly equipped they should be about the same.

[cdp326]

I'd think the Outlook will probably be of equal or a bit higher quality than the Acadia. The Outlook will have to appeal to a broader array of people, whereas the Acadia will only have to go to a little above the Enclave's starting price, since GM hopes to have Pontiac-Buick-GMC dealers all combined.

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by cdp326

since GM hopes to have Pontiac-Buick-GMC dealers all combined.

They don't already? They have been for as long as I've been paying attention, in Canada. Seems to work here just fine.

[cdp326]

Originally Posted by Uzzy

They don't already? They have been for as long as I've been paying attention, in Canada. Seems to work here just fine.

In the US, no, not quite yet. Not all here are all 3 (most are, IIRC), but most probably will be soon. GM's said that a dealer of one or two of them may not have a full product line unless they add the ones they don't have.