2019 GMC Acadia vs 2020 Acura MDX

The 2019 GMC Acadia was a handsome SUV with a shorter wheelbase that provided a more athletic stance. Its upright grille gave it an upscale appearance, making it comparable to the more expensive Buick Envision. Despite not being billed as an upscale SUV, the Acadia had broader appeal and felt closer in size to compact competitors like the Nissan Rogue. The Acadia came in various trims, from the base SL to the luxurious Denali, each adding more features and options, such as LED headlights, power liftgate, and premium stereo systems.

The 2020 Acura MDX was a good-looking crossover SUV with a sleek and low-slung design. Its Jewel Eye LED headlights added a rich look to the front, while the trapezoidal grille anchored an expressive face. Inside, the MDX featured a modern and simple design with twin infotainment screens and high-quality materials. The MDX felt solid and well-built, with knobs and switches that actuated with authority. The interior was functional, with ample storage and a flexible center console.

The 2019 GMC Acadia offered two engines: a 193-horsepower inline 4-cylinder and a 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6. The V6 was available in higher trims and provided fantastic acceleration, with power sent through a 6-speed automatic transmission to either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The AWD system featured GMC’s Active Twin Clutch system, allowing for different driving modes. The V6 Acadia could tow up to 4,000 pounds and offered a balanced driving experience. The best fuel economy came from the 4-cylinder engine with FWD, returning 21 mpg city, 26 highway, and 23 combined.

The 2020 Acura MDX came with two powertrains: a 290-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and a 321-horsepower hybrid system. The V6 was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrid used a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The MDX displayed good straight-line performance and nimble handling, especially with the SH-AWD system, which incorporated torque-vectoring technology. This system improved handling by directing power to the outside wheel during cornering. The MDX’s four-wheel independent suspension provided a comfortable ride, making it a great companion for long drives.

The 2019 GMC Acadia provided ample space for the driver and front passenger, with deep trays and functional bins for storage. The SL, SLE-1, and SLE-2 trims featured 7-passenger seating, while the SLT-1 AWD had 6-passenger seating with second-row captain’s chairs. The third-row seats were suitable only for kids. The Acadia offered 12.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 41.7 cubic feet with the third row folded and up to 79 cubic feet with both rows down. This was small for a midsize SUV but made up for it with rubberized floor mats for easy cleaning.

The 2020 Acura MDX featured sliding and reclining second-row seats, making it easier to access the third row. It offered 15.8 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 43.4 cubic feet with the third row folded and up to 90.9 cubic feet with both rows down. The MDX had a recessed cubby hole and underfloor storage for concealed items. Up front, it had a big glove box, a flexible center console, and door panels with water-bottle pockets. The MDX also featured tri-zone climate control, providing separate heating/cooling options for different cabin areas.

The 2019 GMC Acadia’s base SL trim came with a 7-inch touchscreen running GMC’s IntelliLink infotainment system, which included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, five USB ports, and a WiFi hotspot. The SLT-1 trim upgraded to an 8-inch screen, and the Denali added navigation. Higher trims also featured a 4.2-inch color information display within the gauge cluster, with the Denali offering an 8-inch display. The Acadia was available with a color head-up display for additional information.

The 2020 Acura MDX came with standard tech features like Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SMS/MMS text message and email capability, and an eight-speaker audio system. The Technology Package added features like rain-sensing windshield wipers, navigation, GPS-linked climate control, and a premium audio system. The Advance Package included additional tech like a surround-view camera system, Head-Up Warning, and heated and ventilated front seats. The Entertainment Package added a DVD rear entertainment system with a 110-volt power outlet and wireless headphones.

The 2019 GMC Acadia came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, and traction control. The Driver Alert Package 1, standard on the SLT-1 and optional on the SLE-2, added blind-spot warning, lane-change alert, and rear park assist. The SLT-2 trim added the Driver Alert Package 2, which included low-speed forward automatic braking, lane-departure warning, pedestrian detection, forward-collision alert, and adaptive headlights and high beams.

The 2020 Acura MDX came with standard AcuraWatch, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Technology Package added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Advance Package added Head-Up Warning. The MDX featured a sophisticated body design for crash impact absorption and received high safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA.