2022 GMC Acadia — Transmission & Axle Gear Ratios

The 2022 GMC Acadia is a versatile midsize SUV designed to offer a balance of comfort, fuel efficiency, and towing capability. Whether you are daily driving your family or towing a small boat to the lake, the powertrain configuration plays a massive role in how the vehicle performs. Understanding the transmission and axle gear ratios in your 2022 Acadia can help you maximize fuel economy or leverage your SUV's maximum towing capacity.

Below is a comprehensive guide to the transmission gear ratios, available axle ratios, and how they impact the 2022 GMC Acadia's performance.

Transmission gear ratios

For the 2022 model year, the GMC Acadia comes equipped exclusively with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Depending on your engine choice—either the 2.0L Turbocharged inline-four or the 3.6L naturally aspirated V6—the Acadia uses variations of GM’s 9-speed transverse automatic transmission (the 9T50 or 9T65).

This transmission features a wide gear spread, offering an aggressive first gear for off-the-line acceleration and multiple overdrive gears to keep engine RPMs low at highway speeds for optimal fuel economy.

GM 9-Speed Automatic Transmission (9T50 / 9T65)

Available axle ratios

Because the 2022 GMC Acadia is a front-wheel-drive (FWD) biased vehicle with available all-wheel-drive (AWD), the final drive (axle) ratios are relatively streamlined compared to a traditional rear-wheel-drive truck. The ratio you get is directly tied to the engine equipped under the hood.

Here are the final drive axle ratios available for the 2022 GMC Acadia:

How to identify your axle ratio

If you bought your 2022 GMC Acadia used or are simply unsure which powertrain configuration you have, you can easily identify your specific axle ratio using a few different methods:

1. Door-Jamb RPO Sticker: General Motors vehicles use Regular Production Option (RPO) codes to identify factory-installed equipment. On the 2022 Acadia, look for the Service Parts Identification (SPID) sticker. This silver or white sticker with a QR code is typically located on the driver's side door jamb or inside the glove box. Scan the QR code or look for three-digit alphanumeric codes like FXM (3.47) or FXC (3.49).
2. VIN Decoder: The easiest way to verify your axle ratio and engine configuration is to run your 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) through a GM-specific VIN decoder or contact a local GMC dealership's parts department.
3. Engine Check: Because the 2022 Acadia links its final drive ratios directly to the engine size, simply identifying your engine will tell you your ratio. If you have the 2.0L Turbo, you have the 3.47 ratio. If you have the 3.6L V6, you have the 3.49 ratio.

Towing vs MPG impact

Gear ratios are a mechanical compromise between low-end pulling power and high-speed efficiency.

• Numerically Lower Ratios (e.g., 3.47): Often referred to as "taller" gears, these are designed to keep the engine RPMs low at cruising speeds. This reduces internal engine friction and significantly improves highway fuel economy (MPG). However, they provide less mechanical torque multiplication, meaning the vehicle won't tow as heavily. The 2.0L Turbo with the 3.47 ratio is best for maximizing fuel efficiency.
• Numerically Higher Ratios (e.g., 3.49): Often called "shorter" gears, these provide better torque multiplication to the wheels. While the difference between 3.47 and 3.49 is slight in the Acadia, the 3.49 final drive is paired with the more powerful V6 engine. This combination allows the Acadia to achieve its maximum towing capacity of 4,000 pounds when properly equipped with the Trailering Package. The trade-off is slightly lower highway fuel economy compared to the 4-cylinder model.

Common issues

While the 2022 GMC Acadia's drivetrain is generally reliable, some owners of modern crossover AWD systems may experience the following driveline issues as the vehicle ages:

• Ring & Pinion Whine: A high-pitched whining noise from the rear differential (on AWD models) during acceleration or deceleration can indicate improper gear mesh or worn ring and pinion gears.
• Carrier Bearing Wear: A low hum or rumble felt through the floorboards at middle-to-high speeds often points to a worn driveshaft carrier bearing.
• AWD Clutch Wear: The Acadia's twin-clutch AWD system (found in the AT4 trim) uses clutch packs to route power to individual rear wheels. If the differential fluid isn't changed at regular intervals, these clutches can wear prematurely, leading to shuddering or binding during tight turns.

Find a driveline shop on Repairius to keep your 2022 GMC Acadia's transmission and axles running smoothly!