2019 GMC Acadia vs 2020 Subaru Outback

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, feeling closer in size to compact competitors such as 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, power liftgate, fog lights, premium stereo systems, and various driver-assistance features. The range-topping Denali trim brought luxury features like a hands-free power tailgate, unique 20-inch wheels, and leather-appointed seating.

Subaru knew it had a winning formula with the Outback and aimed for incremental improvements in the 2020 model. The sixth-gen Outback was built on Subaru’s Global Platform, offering a 70% increase in structural rigidity. The base 2.5-liter engine had 90% new parts, while higher trims featured a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine from the Ascent.

Externally, changes were subtle, but the interior saw significant upgrades, including an 11.6-inch touchscreen for all but the base trim. The innovative DriverFocus system used infrared monitoring to detect and notify sleepy or distracted drivers. The Outback was available in seven trims, with the XT trims featuring the turbo engine. Starting at $26,645, the base trim included LED headlights, keyless entry, and automatic climate control, while higher trims added features like a power liftgate, blind-spot monitoring, and a Harman Kardon stereo.

The 2019 GMC Acadia offered two engines: a 193-hp inline 4-cylinder and a 310-hp 3.6-liter V6. The V6 was not available in the base SL or SLE-1 trims but was optional in the SLE-2 and standard in higher trims. The V6 provided fantastic acceleration and could chirp the tires from a quick takeoff. Power was sent through a 6-speed automatic transmission to either 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. Fuel economy for the base 4-cylinder FWD was 21 mpg city, 26 highway, while the V6 AWD returned 17/25/20.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an upgraded 2.5-liter engine with 182 hp, a 7-hp increase over 2019, and 26 mpg city, 33 highway. The 2.4-liter turbocharged engine in XT trims produced 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, allowing the Outback to hit 60 mph in around 7 seconds. Both engines were paired with a CVT, which Subaru tuned to act more like a traditional automatic transmission. Subaru’s symmetrical AWD system provided consistent power delivery and better handling, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance for off-road capability. The Outback’s AWD system and boxer engine design reduced wear on components and improved weight balance.

The 2019 GMC Acadia provided ample space for the driver and front passenger, with deep trays and bins for small items. The SL, SLE-1, and SLE-2 trims featured 7-passenger seating, while the SLT-1 AWD had captain’s chairs, reducing capacity to 6. The second-row seats were comfortable and provided decent head- and legroom, but the third-row seats were cramped and 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 the midsize SUV class but practical for outdoor activities with rubberized floor mats.

The 2020 Subaru Outback offered 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space, expanding to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The increase in width between the rear wheels contributed to the larger interior space. The Outback provided ample legroom and headroom, even for taller passengers, and excellent visibility in nearly every direction. The low load height and lower center of gravity improved braking and handling, making the Outback a practical choice for both passengers and cargo.

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, five USB ports, and a WiFi hotspot. The SLT-1 trim upgraded to an 8-inch screen, and the Denali trim added standard navigation. Higher trims also included a 4.2-inch color information display within the gauge cluster, with the Denali trim featuring an 8-inch display. The Acadia was available with a color head-up display showing vehicle speed, engine rpm, and safety alerts.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen for all but the base trim, which had dual 7-inch screens. The screen was large and easy to navigate, but lag issues affected its performance. The system experienced delays in map navigation, app opening, and even volume adjustments. The camera resolution was also subpar. Despite these issues, the screen was visually appealing and had potential for improvement.

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 added low-speed forward automatic braking, lane-departure warning, pedestrian detection, forward-collision alert, adaptive headlights, and high beams.

The 2020 Subaru Outback’s standard safety suite included Subaru’s EyeSight system, which could be obstructed by weather conditions. The DriverFocus system, designed to alert distracted drivers, was unreliable and often triggered false alerts. Despite these issues, the Outback’s standard AWD system provided excellent traction and stability.