2019 GMC Acadia vs 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2019 GMC Acadia captivated audiences with its handsome aesthetics and upscale appearance, giving buyers more than they expected in a midrange SUV. The shorter wheelbase conferred a more athletic stance, while the upright grille added a touch of sophistication. Despite not being marketed as an upscale SUV, the Acadia held its own against higher-priced models like the Buick Envision. The various trims, ranging from the base SL to the luxurious Denali, offered a wide range of features and cosmetic upgrades. The base SL trim included 17-inch painted aluminum wheels, while higher trims added everything from LED headlights and machined aluminum wheels to premium stereo systems and unique Denali-specific design elements.

In contrast, the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe went for a bolder, more experimental design that may not have resonated with everyone. The grille shape, stacked front lighting elements, and asymmetrical fender stampings were points of potential controversy. However, the interior design aimed to impress with its high-contrast visuals, diamond-textured speaker grilles, and creative storage spaces. Though the materials used couldn’t match the high-style design, the Santa Fe earned points for its build quality and comfortable layout, especially in the Limited 2.0T trim, which came with additional premium features.

The 2019 GMC Acadia presented two engine options: a 193-horsepower inline 4-cylinder and a 310-horsepower V6. The V6, available in higher trims like the SLT-1 AWD and Denali, delivered thrilling acceleration and could tow up to 4,000 pounds. Paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, the V6 was notably the engine to choose for those who wanted power and versatility. The AWD system, equipped with GMC’s Active Twin Clutch, added to its capability. Fuel economy for the V6 was reasonable, with ratings of 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, and our test model achieved around 19.8 mpg combined.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, on the other hand, offered a choice between a less inspiring 185-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a more robust 235-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. The turbocharged engine provided a notable improvement, delivering 260 lb-ft of torque for better performance, particularly at higher altitudes. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the Santa Fe’s handling was smooth and composed, making it a pleasant daily driver. Although not designed for serious off-roading, it performed well in moderate off-road conditions. Fuel economy for the turbo version was around 23 mpg combined, with our test model achieving 22.1 mpg.

In terms of interior space, the 2019 GMC Acadia offered a versatile layout with plenty of storage options. The base models featured 7-passenger seating, while higher trims like the SLT-1 came with second-row captain’s chairs, reducing the capacity to six but increasing comfort. The third-row seats were tight and best for children. Cargo space was somewhat limited for a midsize SUV, offering 12.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats, 41.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 79 cubic feet with the second and third rows down.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled with its two-row layout designed for five passengers. The Limited trim offered eight-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, making long journeys comfortable. The dual-zone automatic climate control with a Clean Air ionizer was a significant plus, as was the massive panoramic sunroof. Rear seats were spacious and came with perks like air conditioning vents and sunshades. However, the Santa Fe fell short in cargo space compared to the Acadia, offering 35.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 71.3 cubic feet with them folded down, though it did have useful storage compartments under the cargo floor.

The 2019 GMC Acadia came with a 7-inch touchscreen running the IntelliLink infotainment system, which was easy to use and included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and multiple USB ports. Higher trims upgraded to an 8-inch screen and added features like navigation and a semi-digital instrument panel in the Denali trim. A head-up display and in-cabin WiFi were also available, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe also excelled in technology, featuring a high-mounted touchscreen infotainment system that was easy to use. Key features included control knobs, menu shortcut buttons, and Bluetooth connectivity, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Limited trim added an 8-inch display, navigation, a surround-view camera, and a 12-speaker Infinity sound system. Advanced features such as a head-up display and a Blind-Spot View Monitor were also included.

The 2019 GMC Acadia came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, and traction control. Higher trims added valuable safety features through two Driver Alert Packages, which included blind-spot warnings, lane-change alerts, and low-speed forward automatic braking, among others. However, some of these features were standard in competitor models.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe surpassed many rivals in safety, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and an ultrasonic occupant alert system. The Blind-Spot View Monitor in the Limited trim was an innovative addition that provided real-time camera feeds of the vehicle’s blind spots.