2019 GMC Acadia vs 2020 Cadillac XT4

The 2019 GMC Acadia presented itself as a stylish SUV with a shorter wheelbase that contributed to its athletic stance. Its upright grille added an upscale touch, making it comparable to more expensive models like the Buick Envision. Despite being categorized as a midsize SUV, the Acadia felt closer in size to compact competitors, such as the Nissan Rogue. The Acadia offered a range of trims, from the base SL to the luxurious Denali, each adding various features and options. The SLT-1 AWD trim, with its Black Edition appearance package, provided a more aggressive look, aligning with current buyer preferences. Overall, the Acadia was appreciated for its broader appeal and upscale feel, making it a strong contender in its class.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4, with its Premium Luxury trim, showcased a visually appealing design, especially with its 20-inch alloy wheels. The XT4's styling was crisp and tailored, though it suffered from excessive front overhang due to its front-drive platform. Inside, the cabin was mostly pleasant, with competitive-quality materials, though some areas, like the power window controls, fell short of luxury expectations. The XT4's interior was comfortable, featuring soft leather and padded surfaces, but the rear seat lacked support. Despite some noise issues, the XT4's air conditioning system performed exceptionally well, even during a heatwave. The XT4 offered ample storage space, though its cargo capacity was limited compared to some competitors.

The 2019 GMC Acadia offered two engine options: a base inline 4-cylinder and a more powerful 3.6-liter V6. The V6, producing 310 horsepower, was available on higher trims and provided impressive acceleration, even chirping the tires on takeoff. The Acadia's power was managed by a 6-speed automatic transmission, with the option of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The AWD system featured GMC's Active Twin Clutch, allowing drivers to switch between different modes for varied driving conditions. The V6-equipped Acadia could tow up to 4,000 pounds, making it versatile for different driving needs. Fuel economy varied, with the base 4-cylinder achieving 21 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, while the V6 returned slightly lower figures.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, provided a lively driving experience, though the transmission was sometimes hesitant to downshift. The XT4's FWD model achieved an EPA rating of 26 mpg, with the test vehicle returning 24.8 mpg. The XT4's driving dynamics were mixed, with good steering effort in Tour mode but an artificially heavy feel in Sport mode. The suspension struggled with speed humps and smaller bumps, and the 20-inch wheels contributed to road noise. Despite these issues, the XT4 offered impressive grip and effective brakes, making it enjoyable on smooth roads.

The 2019 GMC Acadia provided ample space for the driver and front passenger, with deep trays and bins for storage. The SLT-1 AWD trim featured captain's chairs in the second row, reducing seating capacity to six. While the second-row seats were comfortable, the third row was cramped and best suited for children. Cargo space was limited, with 12.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 79 cubic feet with all seats folded. Despite its smaller cargo capacity, the Acadia's rubberized floor mats made it practical for outdoor activities.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 offered a comfortable interior with soft leather and padded surfaces. The front seats were heated, ventilated, and massaging, while the rear seats were heated with air conditioning vents. The XT4's rear passenger compartment was spacious, though the seat cushion lacked support. The air conditioning system was highly effective, quickly cooling the cabin during a heatwave. The XT4's interior featured a clean design with ample storage, including umbrella holders and a wireless smartphone charger. However, cargo space was limited, with 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.9 cubic feet with the seats folded.

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

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 featured the updated Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system, which was more user-friendly than previous versions. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and Bluetooth pairing. The 8-inch touchscreen was complemented by controls on the center console and steering wheel, as well as a voice-recognition system. However, the screen size was considered small for a luxury vehicle, and the climate system was not integrated with voice commands. The optional 13-speaker Bose audio system provided a satisfying listening experience, though the test vehicle lacked some advanced features like a head-up display.

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 included the Driver Alert Package 2, which offered additional features like low-speed forward automatic braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive headlights. While comprehensive, these features were standard on some competitors' base trims.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 added several safety features as standard, including forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-change warning. The Driver Awareness Package included automatic high-beam headlights and lane-keeping assistance. The XT4 received a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not completed all testing. The test vehicle's lane-keeping system was inconsistent, highlighting the need for driver attention.