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Our experts tried out the 2020 GMC Acadia. We have thoughts about the interior, powertrain, and trim levels. Keep reading for our assessment.
2020 GMC Acadia – media.gmc.com | Shop 2020 GMC Acadia on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2020 GMC Acadia?
The 2020 GMC Acadia adds newly standard LED headlights and a new grille. The Acadia adds a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine which becomes standard on trims above the SLE. GMC has also included a new AT4 model for off-roading enthusiasts. Finally, GMC has improved their infotainment system with a new 8.0 inch screen.
The Breakdown
Nicely improved interior
Powerful, though fuel efficient turbocharged engine
Better infotainment than before
3rd row isn’t that spacious
Seems overpriced
We would love to see some good family space.
2020 GMC Specs
- 193 horsepower from base engine
- 188 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 5 available trims
- 12.8 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 79 total cu-ft cargo capacity with seats down
- Towing capacity of 4,000 lbs
- 5-star NHTSA crash test
- Industry standard warranty
2020 GMC Acadia Powertrain
GMC builds three engines for the 2020 GMC Acadia. Let’s start with the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder base engine which produces 193-horsepower and 188 ft-lb of torque. Our expectations are high for this engine, as it’s used mostly to power the lower, less expensive trims. The engine is not especially quick though it has good fuel economy.
One step up comes from the 3.6-liter 6-cylinder engine capable of 310-horsepower and 271 ft-lb of torque. This engine is significantly faster than the 4-cylinder base engine, which is totally expected from a 6-cylinder.
Our choice would be the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. With lower 230-horsepower, the torque factor is more helpful at 258 ft-lb, providing a more meaningful balance of fuel economy and acceleration.
All three engines are paired to a 9-speed automatic transmission. GMC does make both front wheel drive and all-wheel drive available for the Acadia, making it a great option for snow driving.
The ride is good for a larger SUV. We tried the Denali and others, and the Denali provided an enhanced drive over bumps and turns. Overall, the Acadia isn’t exactly sporty but provides a comfortable and smooth ride across all trims.
Towing & Payload
The base engine with the 2020 GMC Acadia offers about 1,000-lbs of towing, which is not great – and often involves just a trailer. Moving up to the 6-cylinder turbocharged engine offers up to 4,000 lbs of towing. If you want to do towing and bring your boat or even large equipment like an ATV, we might suggest a different SUV for your needs.
2020 GMC Acadia Fuel Economy & MPG
The 2.5-liter engine provides 21 city and 26 highway mpg. The 3.6-liter 6-cylinder engine moves in a different direction to 19/27 mpg.
The turbocharged engine improves to up to 21 city and 28 highway. The fuel economy isn’t great on the base engines but does improve when you move up to the 2021 Acadia.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
The 2020 GMC Acadia is kind of an odd combination of space inside. The exterior looks smaller, and that is reflected on the inside. While the front seats have ample cargo space for your laptop and whatever the kids have you from the back seat.
The third row isn’t especially spacious for taller or long legged passengers though kids will find it acceptable. In regards to actual cargo space, the trunk fits a couple of loaded suitcases with the third row in place, but it isn’t as spacious as the Dodge Durango. The Acadia will still travel well, but might not be as comfortable when packed unlike other family SUV’s like we talk about here.
The Acadia comes with either leather or cloth seating, which is welcoming. Not everyone likes leather, though it is easier to clean.
Entertainment & Technology
The GMC Acadia comes with a refined but easy infotainment system and a new 8-inch touchscreen. The menu is easy to navigate while the Denali offers more customization for the whole vehicle, including safety and interior features.
The Acadia and the entire GM lineup now have 4G LTE WiFi built in so you can stream the internet through your Acadia as a hotspot. This is handy for working on the road without burning up your phone battery and data.
You also get plenty of USB ports for charging and staying connected.
Safety Features
The Acadia managed a stellar 5-star safety rating with the NHTSA. Safety options like emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring are available in the higher trim levels. Check out previous Acadia reviews for a peek at their safety record – it’s pretty good.
2020 GMC Acadia Trims & Pricing
SL $30,995
SL offers the most basic trim with the standard 2.5-liter engine. You get access to safety options like lane change alert, rear cross traffic, and others but they aren’t standard. The SL has standard manual driver and passenger seat. Tech wise, you do get the OnStar and 4G LTE systems built in.
SLE $34,995
The SLE adds on potential heated seats and 18” wheels. Floor mats are added and wireless charging becomes available.
SLT $40,895
The SLT is our favored trim because it offers the most flexibility. Want the 2.0 liter turbocharged engine? You can get it here. A drive mode selector is also available, in addition to a programmable liftgate and LED headlights. Navigation now becomes available for the infotainment system, along with a BOSE 8 speaker system. Comfort options like memory settings for your heats are now available.
AT4 $43,395
AT4 literally stands for all-terrain 4WD. With that said, 4WD becomes standard. AT4 has some similarities with the next trim level in Denali, except that the AT4 comes with 20” darkened wheels instead of brights, a rear part assist, and unique tires, which often include Goodyear Wranglers for better off-roading. Additional features include available eight way power seats, heated and ventilated seats, and additional leather choices.
Denali $47,495
The Denali offers all the luxury you’ll want in the Acadia, and is quite similar to the AT4 package, without the addition of roof rails or stubby tires. You’ll have an available technology package, all the safety features including emergency braking and blind sone alerts. The signature look to the Denali comes into play here too with the 20” ultra bright wheels and a signature grille.
Warranties
The standard GMC warranty is 3 years or 36,000 miles A 5 year or 60,000 mile powertrain warranty is included as well.
What we think
2020 GMC Acadia – media.gmc.com | Shop 2020 GMC Acadia on Carsforsale.com
If we had to pick a trim, we’d go SLT for the value of being able to add the turbocharged engine. While the Acadia drives nicely and does have space, there are competitors like the Dodge Durango which offer similar advantages – and more space, for less money. We also realize that the GMC Acadia is intended to offer. To get a better value, we also suggest looking at a used Acadia.
