2019 GMC Acadia vs 2020 Volvo XC90

The 2019 GMC Acadia was a handsome SUV with a shorter wheelbase that provided an athletic stance and an upscale appearance thanks to its upright grille. Despite not being marketed as an upscale 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, power liftgate, fog lights, premium stereo systems, and various driver-assistance features. The range-topping Denali trim added luxury touches like a hands-free power tailgate, unique 20-inch wheels, HID headlights, and leather-appointed seating.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 showcased the pinnacle of Volvo design, proving that a big and tall SUV could be as beautiful as a low-slung sedan. The R-Design trim featured blacked-out, honeycomb grille treatment, black window surrounds, mirrors, a more aggressive chin spoiler, and bright 22-inch rims. The "Thor's hammer" LED headlights and tall, thin, curving LED taillights were standard, emphasizing the vehicle's width and stability. The Thunder Grey Metallic paint with a blue hue contrasted beautifully with the beige-leather and aluminum interior.

The XC90's interior was a testament to Volvo's craftsmanship, with options like matte wood trim and wool fabric seats in the Inscription models, and leather with aluminum or carbon-fiber trim in the R-Design. The seats were sculpted and supportive, offering power-adjustable thigh extensions and optional massage. The rear seats, available as a bench or captain's chairs, were almost as comfortable as the front. The cabin featured rich leather, padded materials, and finer details like the Swedish flag tag on the front passenger seat and a twist-action ignition knob.

The 2019 GMC Acadia offered two engines: an inline 4-cylinder and a V6. The base 4-cylinder engine produced 193 horsepower and was available only with front-wheel drive (FWD). The 3.6-liter V6 engine, available in higher trims, delivered 310 horsepower and provided fantastic acceleration. The V6 could be paired with either FWD or all-wheel drive (AWD), featuring GMC's Active Twin Clutch system for various driving modes. 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, and 23 combined, while the V6 AWD returned 17/25/20 mpg.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the T6 added a supercharger for a total of 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet. The T6 Polestar tune increased these figures to 330 horsepower and 325 pound-feet. The T8 plug-in hybrid combined a turbocharged engine with an 11.6-kWh battery for 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque, offering up to 18 gas-free miles. The T6 AWD was rated at 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the T5 AWD achieved 20/27/23 mpg. The T8 hybrid returned 27 mpg combined once the battery was depleted.

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 with a middle bench seat, while the SLT-1 AWD had second-row 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. Cargo space was 12.8 cubic feet 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.

The 2020 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system was faster and more responsive than previous models, with all climate controls integrated into the touchscreen. The cabin layout was stellar, with seven seats standard and an integrated booster cushion for young children in the second-row bench. Six seats were an option on the T6 and T8 powertrains but unavailable on the R-Design model. The first and second rows offered generous legroom and comfort, while the third row was tight and suitable only for small children. Cargo space was up to 85.7 cubic feet with the last two rows folded.

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. Higher trims also included a 4.2-inch color information display within the gauge cluster, with the Denali offering an 8-inch display. A color head-up display was also available.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 came standard with Volvo Pilot Assist, a semi-automated driving system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The R-Design trim featured a Bowers & Wilkins stereo with 19 speakers and 1,400 watts of power. The portrait-oriented touchscreen made navigation easier, though onboard apps were slow to load. The instrument panel could be reskinned to show the map between the two analog-style dials, but there was no major reconfiguration option like in some competitors.

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 included the Driver Alert Package 2, which added low-speed forward automatic braking, lane-departure warning, pedestrian detection, forward-collision alert, and adaptive headlights and high beams.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though the latter's headlight test lowered its rating to a Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, a driver-attention monitor, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. Volvo's commitment to safety was evident in features like a boron steel roof, curtain airbags, and a unique whiplash protection system for the front seats.