2020 Honda Pilot vs 2020 GMC Acadia

The 2020 GMC Acadia was positioned as a premium SUV, offering a range of trims from the basic SL to the luxurious Denali. The Denali trim, in particular, showcased upscale aspirations with its brightwork and intricate detailing on the front grille. Despite its premium positioning, the Acadia's cabin featured a mix of soft surfaces and hard plastics, with leather upholstery and wood trim in the Denali. The design changes for 2020 were most noticeable in the front, with squared-off headlights and a boxier grille. However, the interior changes were subtle, with new electronic transmission shift switches and a redesigned center console.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda Pilot shared dynamic styling with the rest of the Honda lineup, featuring thin LED headlights and a multi-tiered grille. The Pilot's cabin was modern and spacious, with a semi-digital instrument panel and a comfortable, refined feel. Despite the use of hard plastics, the Pilot offered a solid level of refinement. The trim levels ranged from the base LX to the range-topping Black Edition, with the EX trim recommended for its added features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and tri-zone climate control. The Pilot's design aimed to provide a svelte appearance, masking its true size.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered three engine options. The lower trims came with a 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, while the SLT trim featured a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 230 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. 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 in 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 balanced driving experience, though it lacked memorable driving character.

The 2020 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine across all trims, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The LX, EX, and EX-L trims featured a 6-speed automatic transmission, while the Touring, Elite, and Black Edition trims received a 9-speed automatic transmission for more refined acceleration. The Pilot's ride was comfortable and tuned for easy commutes and road trips, though it lacked athleticism. The Intelligent Traction Management System offered drive modes for various conditions, enhancing the Pilot's capability in different terrains.

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, providing 6-passenger seating, with a bench seat available as a no-cost option. 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. The third-row seat was roomier than expected, though cargo space was limited to 12.1 cubic feet behind it. Folding the third-row seat expanded cargo capacity to 41.7 cubic feet, with a maximum of 79 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded.

The 2020 Honda Pilot provided a spacious 8-passenger cabin with second-row bench seating, while the Touring, Elite, and Black Edition trims featured second-row captain’s chairs, reducing seating capacity to seven. The Pilot's third row was adult-friendly, and EX trims and higher offered one-touch fold-down rear seats for easier access. With the second and third rows folded, the Pilot provided 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to its rivals. The Pilot was designed for family hauling, with plenty of storage spaces and a conversation mirror to keep an eye on rear passengers.

The 2020 GMC Acadia came equipped with essential infotainment features, including Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The 8-inch touchscreen offered a higher resolution display and improved voice recognition. The Denali trim included navigation and a Bose premium sound system. Additional technology upgrades included USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror for an unobstructed view behind the vehicle.

The 2020 Honda Pilot's LX trim featured a 5-inch color LCD screen with a 215-watt stereo system. Other trims included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system's layout was confusing, lacking a tuning knob and relying heavily on touchscreen interaction. Higher trims offered HD Radio, SiriusXM, and Cabin Control Remote Capability. Navigation, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a premium audio system were available on higher trims, with mobile hotspot capability and a wireless charging pad standard on the Elite and Black Edition.

The 2020 GMC Acadia included standard safety features like a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. However, advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) were limited, with blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning standard on base trims. Forward collision warning and low-speed automatic emergency braking were available on higher trims as part of a Driver Alert Package. The Acadia received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA in most assessments, but the IIHS provided incomplete data.

The 2020 Honda Pilot came standard with the HondaSensing suite, including forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Standard safety features also included front and side-impact airbags, child-seat anchors, and traction control. Optional features included parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring. The Pilot earned a 5-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Good rating from the IIHS, with a Superior score in crash prevention technology.