2019 GMC Acadia vs 2020 Audi Q7

The 2019 GMC Acadia was a handsome SUV with a shorter wheelbase that provided an athletic stance and an upright grille that gave it an upscale appearance. Despite not being marketed as a luxury SUV, it was as nice as, if not nicer than, the more expensive Buick Envision. The Acadia had broader appeal than other GM vehicles like the Chevrolet Equinox and Buick Envision. Although considered a midsize SUV, it felt closer in size to compact competitors like the Nissan Rogue.

The Acadia came in several trims: SL, SLE-1, SLE-2, SLT-1, SLT-2, and Denali. The base SL trim featured 17-inch wheels, 7-passenger seating, remote keyless entry, 3-zone climate control, and heated power side mirrors. Higher trims added features like LED headlights, Sirius XM, power liftgate, fog lights, and more. The SLT-1 trim, which CarGurus recommended, included a Bose 8-speaker stereo, driver-assistance features, and a Black Edition appearance package. The range-topping Denali trim added luxury features like a hands-free power tailgate, HID headlights, and leather-appointed seating.

The 2020 Audi Q7 offered multiple variations, including the 45 TFSI with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and the 55 TFSI with a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. A performance-tuned SQ7 with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 was also available. The Q7 55 TFSI, starting at $60,800, came in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims. The test vehicle had the Prestige upgrade, Navarra Blue metallic paint, a Cold Weather Package, and a Towing Package, totaling $74,290.

Design changes for 2020 included new wheels and lighting elements, aligning the Q7 with the flagship Q8 model. The test vehicle featured 20-inch turbine-style wheels with Pirelli Scorpion Verde run-flat tires. Inside, the Q7 adopted the high-tech dashboard and instrumentation from the Q8, replacing physical controls with three digital displays. The cabin, decked out in Okapi Brown leather and Gray/Brown Fine Grain Ash wood inlays, was upscale and high-tech. The Prestige trim's multi-color ambient lighting added a soothing vibe at night.

The 2019 GMC Acadia offered two engines: an inline 4-cylinder and a V6. The V6 was not available in the base SL or SLE-1 trims but was optional in the SLE-2 and SLE-1 with FWD. The SLT-1 AWD, SLT-2, and Denali trims came standard with the V6. The base 4-cylinder engine produced 193 horsepower, while the 3.6-liter V6 engine delivered 310 hp, providing fantastic acceleration and the ability to chirp the tires from a quick takeoff.

Power was sent through a 6-speed automatic transmission to the front wheels or available AWD. The AWD system featured GMC’s Active Twin Clutch system, allowing drivers to switch between FWD, AWD, Sport mode, and All-Terrain mode. The V6 Acadia could tow up to 4,000 pounds when properly equipped. The best fuel economy came from the base SL with the 4-cylinder engine and FWD, returning 21 mpg city, 26 highway, and 23 combined. The SLT-1 AWD with the V6 returned 17/25/20, and during a week of combined driving, it averaged 19.8 mpg.

The 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI debuted a new 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine generating 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It featured a 48-volt mild-hybrid electrical system powered by a lithium-ion battery, which helped conserve fuel. The engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Audi’s Quattro AWD system. Audi Drive Select offered several driving modes, including Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Individual, and Allroad.

The 55 TFSI drivetrain could accelerate the 5,082-pound SUV from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, with a maximum tow rating of 7,700 pounds. The EPA estimated 18 mpg combined, and during a road trip, the Q7 averaged 21 mpg. The Prestige trim included an adaptive air suspension, and Audi Drive Select adjusted firmness settings and suspension height. The Q7 performed well on both pavement and trails, with the turbocharged engine providing speedy acceleration and the mild-hybrid technology operating transparently.

The 2019 GMC Acadia provided ample space for the driver and front passenger, with deep trays for small items and functional in-door bins. The SL, SLE-1, and SLE-2 trims featured 7-passenger seating with a middle bench seat, while the SLT-1 AWD had captain’s chairs, reducing seating capacity to 6. The second-row seats were comfortable and provided decent head- and legroom, but 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 folded.

The 2020 Audi Q7, though it included three rows of seats and seven-passenger capacity, was best used as a five-passenger vehicle. The third-row seat was suitable only for young children and required sliding the second-row seats forward. With the third-row seat in use, cargo space was limited to 14.2 cubic feet, expanding to 35.7 cubic feet with the third row folded and 69.6 cubic feet with both rows folded.

The Q7’s cabin was comfortable for a family of four, with eight-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats. The second-row seats provided plenty of legroom and thigh support, and the four-zone climate control, heated rear cushions, and rear side window shades ensured comfort in varying temperatures. The panoramic sunroof was perfect for sightseeing and stargazing. However, the Q7 lacked practical interior storage, with limited space under the center armrest and narrow cupholders in the console.

The 2019 GMC Acadia’s base SL trim came with a 7-inch touchscreen running GMC’s IntelliLink infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, five USB ports, and a WiFi hotspot. The SLT-1 trim upgraded to an 8-inch screen, and the Denali trim added standard navigation. The SLT-1 and SLT-2 trims included a 4.2-inch color information display within the gauge cluster, while the Denali trim featured an 8-inch display, turning it into a semi-digital instrument panel. The Acadia was also available with a color head-up display.

The 2020 Audi Q7 introduced MMI Touch Response technology, combining a 10.1-inch touchscreen with an 8.6-inch touchscreen. The system included natural voice recognition, handwriting recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation with Google Earth imagery, and Audi Connect subscription services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The user interface was intuitive, and the voice-recognition technology was excellent. The Prestige trim included a full-color head-up display and a Bose premium sound system.

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 a blind-spot warning system, 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 Audi Q7 featured HD Matrix LED headlights, which provided excellent illumination but were rated "poor" by the IIHS due to excessive glare. The Q7 included numerous advanced driving-assistance systems, with upgrades available through the Executive Package or Prestige trim. Highlights included Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist with adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assistance, and lane-centering assistance. The IIHS gave the Q7 the highest ratings for collision protection, except for the "poor" headlight assessment.