2019 GMC Acadia vs 2020 Dodge Durango

The 2019 GMC Acadia was a stylish SUV with a shorter wheelbase that gave it an athletic stance, complemented by an upright grille that added an upscale touch. Despite not being marketed as a luxury SUV, it rivaled the more expensive Buick Envision in terms of aesthetics. The Acadia was often seen as a step up for Chevrolet Equinox owners, but it had a broader appeal, feeling closer in size to compact competitors like the Nissan Rogue. The Acadia offered various trims, from the basic SL to the luxurious Denali, each adding more features and options, such as LED headlights, premium audio systems, and driver-assistance technologies. The SLT-1 AWD with the Black Edition appearance package was particularly recommended for its balance of features and style.

The 2020 Dodge Durango retained its styling from a 2014 update, with a design rooted in a decade-old platform. Its cabin, shared with the Jeep Grand Cherokee, felt dated compared to its sibling's more significant updates. However, a refresh was anticipated for the 2021 model year, promising more aggressive styling and a revamped interior. The Durango offered trims like the SXT, GT, Citadel, R/T, and SRT, each adding features such as larger wheels, sport-inspired grilles, and premium upholstery. The SRT trim stood out with its unique look and performance-oriented features, including ventilated seats and optional racing stripes.

The 2019 GMC Acadia offered two engine options: a 193-horsepower inline 4-cylinder and a more powerful 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6. The V6 was standard on higher trims and provided impressive acceleration, with power delivered through a 6-speed automatic transmission to either front-wheel drive or available 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 Acadia could tow up to 4,000 pounds and offered a balanced driving experience, with fuel economy figures of 17/25/20 mpg for the V6 AWD configuration.

The 2020 Dodge Durango came with a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 horsepower, while the R/T trim featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 360 horsepower. The top-tier SRT trim boasted a 6.4-liter Hemi V8, delivering 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, with power sent to rear-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive. The SRT trim offered a performance-tuned suspension and Brembo brakes, with the Dodge SRT performance pages providing detailed engine status updates and drive mode customization. The Durango's handling was surprisingly agile for its size, with minimal body roll and impressive cornering capabilities.

The 2019 GMC Acadia provided ample space for front passengers, with deep trays and bins for storage. The SL, SLE-1, and SLE-2 trims offered 7-passenger seating, while the SLT-1 AWD featured second-row captain's chairs, reducing capacity to six. The second-row seats were comfortable and provided decent head- and legroom, but the third row was cramped and best suited for children. The Acadia offered 12.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 79 cubic feet with all seats folded, which was small for its class. Rubberized floor mats made it ideal for outdoor activities.

The 2020 Dodge Durango offered 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 84.5 cubic feet with all seats folded. This was comparable to competitors like the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. The Durango's cabin was spacious, with comfortable front seats and a choice of second-row bench or captain's chairs. The third row was more suitable for children, but access was easy thanks to large second-row doors and foldable seats. The Durango also featured multiple storage bins and cupholders, with the SRT trim offering a second-row center console.

The 2019 GMC Acadia's base SL trim came with a 7-inch touchscreen running the IntelliLink infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a WiFi hotspot. Higher trims like the SLT-1 upgraded to an 8-inch screen, with the Denali adding navigation. The SLT-1 and SLT-2 trims included a 4.2-inch color information display in the gauge cluster, while the Denali offered a larger 8-inch display. A color head-up display was also available, providing information such as speed and safety alerts.

The 2020 Dodge Durango's SXT and GT trims featured a 7-inch touchscreen, with an 8.4-inch screen standard on higher trims. The Uconnect infotainment system was praised for its intuitive layout and ease of use, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. The R/T, Citadel, and SRT trims included navigation and a premium audio system, with an optional 19-speaker Harman Kardon system. The semi-digital instrument panel was user-friendly, and the 2021 update promised larger screens.

The 2019 GMC Acadia came with standard 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, offering features like low-speed forward automatic braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive headlights. However, many of these features were standard on competitors like the Toyota RAV4.

The 2020 Dodge Durango included airbags, electronic stability control, and trailer sway control. Rear parking sensors were available on the SXT and standard on other trims. The Technology Group package added adaptive cruise control, forward-collision avoidance, and lane-departure warning, but these were optional. The Durango earned a four-star rating from the NHTSA and a Moderate score in IIHS driver’s side small-front overlap testing, with optional crash-prevention technology rated as Superior.