2019 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2020 GMC Acadia

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe marked a significant departure from Hyundai's traditionally conservative styling. It showcased a bold, futuristic exterior that set it apart from previous models. However, its design wasn't entirely unique, as it bore a resemblance to the Jeep Cherokee's upper LED strip and mid-level headlight clusters. Despite this, Hyundai executed the design more effectively. Inside, the Santa Fe combined modern aesthetics with practical functionality. The cabin featured deep compartments in the doors and center console, earthy tones, unique speaker patterns, and a textured headliner that added a touch of style.

In contrast, the 2020 GMC Acadia aimed to position itself as a premium SUV, with a design that emphasized a flat, blunt face, squared-off headlights, and a boxier grille. The Denali trim, in particular, showcased upscale aspirations with its brightwork. Inside, the changes were subtle, with new electronic transmission shift switches, a redesigned center console, and real open-pore wood trim for Denali models. The cabin featured a mix of soft surfaces and hard plastic panels, with controls laid out logically. However, aside from leather upholstery and wood trim, the Acadia Denali lacked distinctive premium touches.

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine options. The base 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine produced 185 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, while the Limited and Ultimate trims featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, with power sent to either the front wheels or available all-wheel drive (AWD). The base engine was noted for being sluggish, but the 2.0T provided strong acceleration. The Santa Fe had a ground clearance of 7.2 inches, which limited its off-road capabilities but contributed to its stable handling. The drive mode selector offered Sport, Comfort, and Smart settings, and the most fuel-efficient model achieved 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined.

The 2020 GMC Acadia came with three engine options. Lower trims featured a 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, while the SLT trim had a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 230 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The AT4 and Denali variants included a 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine. All engines were paired with a new nine-speed automatic transmission, and the Acadia was available with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The AT4 trim had an exclusive dual-clutch AWD system and all-terrain tires. The V6 engine provided smooth, refined power and a towing capacity of up to 4,000 pounds. The test vehicle's EPA rating was 21 mpg combined, and it averaged 20.1 mpg in FWD mode. The Acadia's ride and handling were finely tuned, but its driving character was considered forgettable.

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe offered 71 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, which was less than some compact crossovers. With the rear seats up, it provided 35.9 cubic feet of cargo space. The Santa Fe featured a hands-free power liftgate and multiple storage compartments throughout the cabin, enhancing its practicality.

The 2020 GMC Acadia's seating capacity varied by trim level, accommodating five, six, or seven passengers. The Denali trim featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and heated second-row captain’s chairs. The third-row seat was roomier than expected, but the cargo space behind it was limited to 12.1 cubic feet. With the third-row seat folded, the Acadia offered 41.7 cubic feet of cargo space, and with the second-row seats folded, it provided 79 cubic feet. The reconfigured center console improved interior storage space.

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a user-friendly infotainment system with a floating screen design. The base SE trim included Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added satellite radio, HD Radio, and Hyundai’s BlueLink infotainment system with Alexa integration. The Ultimate trim featured a head-up display, wireless charging pad, and an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen. Heated seat switches were conveniently placed on the door, and the Ultimate trim also included rear USB ports and a wall-style power outlet.

The 2020 GMC Acadia came standard with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and GMC Connected Services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The 8-inch touchscreen in higher trims had a higher resolution display, simplified user experience, and improved voice recognition. The test vehicle included navigation, a Bose premium sound system, and new USB-C ports. Additional technology upgrades for 2020 included a more powerful wireless charging pad, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror.

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Hyundai’s Smart Sense package included forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Safe Exit Assist System prevented rear doors from opening if a car was approaching from behind.

The 2020 GMC Acadia included standard safety features such as a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. However, advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) were limited. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning were standard, but forward collision warning and low-speed automatic emergency braking were only available on higher trims. The Acadia received 5-star ratings in most NHTSA crash tests and a 4-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS provided incomplete data, with high marks in some tests but no ratings for headlight performance or small overlap frontal-impact protection for the front passenger.