2020 GMC Acadia vs 2020 Ford Edge

The 2020 GMC Acadia was positioned as a premium SUV, sitting between the Chevrolet and Cadillac brands. Despite sharing its platform and powertrains with the Cadillac XT5, the Acadia aimed to offer a "professional grade" experience with its various trims, including the luxurious Denali. The Denali trim featured a distinctive front design with squared-off headlights and a boxier grille, emphasizing its upscale aspirations. Inside, the cabin retained a mix of soft surfaces and hard plastics, with new electronic transmission shift switches and real open-pore wood trim for the Denali. However, aside from leather upholstery and some metallic accents, the Acadia Denali struggled to fully establish itself as a premium choice.

The 2020 Ford Edge, introduced in its second generation in 2015, received a styling update in 2019 that carried over to 2020. This update gave the Edge a resemblance to the Ford Fusion sedan, with angular headlights and a large grille. Inside, the Edge's cabin showed signs of aging, with a layout largely unchanged since 2015. The center console featured small, awkwardly arranged controls, but the rotary shifter was a modern touch. Despite the use of soft-touch materials, the heavy presence of hard plastics detracted from the overall cabin quality. The Edge was available in SE, SEL, Titanium, and ST trims, each offering a range of features from basic to luxurious, with the ST trim focusing on performance.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered three engine options. Lower trims came with a 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, while the SLT trim featured a new 230-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The AT4 and Denali trims boasted a 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine. All engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and the Acadia was available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, except for the AT4, which had a standard dual-clutch AWD system. The V6 engine provided smooth and refined power, with a towing capacity of up to 4,000 pounds. The Acadia's ride and handling were finely tuned, offering a comfortable driving experience, though it lacked memorable driving character.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering solid low-end acceleration. The Edge ST trim featured a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, with standard all-wheel drive. The ST provided a more engaging driving experience, with heavy steering and excellent cornering capabilities. A Sport mode enhanced throttle response and transmission mapping, while an available ST Performance Brake Package included upgraded brakes and performance tires.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered seating for five, six, or seven passengers, depending on the trim and configuration. The Denali trim featured standard second-row captain's chairs, with an option for a bench seat. The front seats were wide and supportive, with 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The second-row captain's chairs were also heated, and rear passengers had access to air conditioning vents, USB ports, and a power outlet. Cargo space measured 12.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 41.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 79 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2020 Ford Edge provided a spacious cabin with a commanding view of the road. The second-row seats offered ample head- and legroom, without the need to adjust the front seats. The Edge did not offer a third row, but the two rows provided were comfortable and roomy. Cargo space measured 39.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This was more than some competitors, though slightly less than the Honda Passport. The SEL and Titanium trims featured a hands-free power liftgate for added convenience.

The 2020 GMC Acadia came equipped with popular infotainment features, including Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Models with an 8-inch touchscreen offered a higher resolution display and improved voice recognition. The test vehicle included navigation and a Bose premium sound system, with voice recognition performing well in most cases. Additional technology upgrades included new USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror for enhanced visibility.

The 2020 Ford Edge featured the SYNC 3 infotainment system as standard, with an 8-inch touchscreen and easy-to-use interface. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, allowing users to utilize their preferred navigation apps. An optional voice-activated navigation system was available on higher trims, with real-time traffic updates included. The Edge also offered two smart-charging USB ports and an available semi-digital instrument panel. An optional dual rear-seat entertainment system was available for all trims.

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. Standard features included blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning, but forward collision warning and low-speed automatic emergency braking were only available on higher trims. The Acadia received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA in most assessments, with a 4-star rollover rating. The IIHS provided incomplete data, with high marks in available tests.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 system was standard on all trims, offering automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The SEL trim offered an upgraded Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package with adaptive cruise control and active lane centering. The Edge received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.