2020 GMC Acadia vs 2020 Subaru Ascent

The 2020 GMC Acadia was positioned as a premium brand, falling somewhere between the Chevrolet and Cadillac models in terms of luxury and refinement. Built on the same platform as the Chevrolet Traverse and Cadillac XT5, the Acadia maintained a balance of premium features without the high-end price tag. Available in several trims—SL, SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali—the Acadia offered a range of options to suit different needs. The Denali trim, priced at $52,385 including destination charges, showcased a Satin Steel Metallic paint and optional technology package.

Design changes for the 2020 Acadia were most noticeable at the front, with a flat, blunt face, squared-off headlights, and a boxier grille with intricate detailing. These features gave the SUV a robust appearance, especially in the Denali trim with its upscale brightwork. Inside, though changes were subtle, the Denali trim featured new electronic transmission shift switches, a redesigned center console, and open-pore wood trim. Despite luxurious touches, the cabin combined soft surfaces with hard plastics, and aside from leather upholstery and wood trim, little else differentiated the SUV as a premium choice.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent, on the other hand, resembled a larger version of the Forester, adhering to Subaru’s practical and utilitarian design ethos. Gray plastic cladding protected the lower edges, while an oversize grille and exaggerated fender flares added a rugged appeal. Roof rails highlighted the Ascent’s versatility, and 20-inch aluminum wheels were available on three of the four trims.

Starting at $31,995, the base Ascent came with 18-inch wheels and lacked dark-tinted privacy glass. The Premium trim upgraded detailing and infotainment for $34,395, while the Limited trim at $39,345 added leather seats and more. The top-tier Touring trim, priced at $45,045, included premium leather, a panoramic sunroof, wood trim, and other luxury features. The Touring trim’s Java Brown leather and Abyss Blue Pearl exterior paint added an air of sophistication to an otherwise utilitarian vehicle.

Inside, the Ascent offered a stylish and high-quality cabin, with premium materials and thoughtful details. Technology and comfort features like heated and ventilated front seats, ambient lighting, and a plethora of USB ports made it a practical yet comfortable choice. Overall, the Ascent exuded a balance of practicality and subdued elegance.

The 2020 GMC Acadia boasted three engine options: a 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder in lower trims, a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 230 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque in the SLT, and a 310-hp 3.6-liter V6 offered in the AT4 and Denali trims. A nine-speed automatic transmission paired with all powertrains, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional, except for the AT4 which had an exclusive dual-clutch AWD system.

The Denali's 3.6-liter V6 provided smooth and effortless power, suitable for towing up to 4,000 pounds. The Acadia Denali AWD, when run in front-wheel-drive mode, showed noticeable torque steer. Fuel economy was fair, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined, though my testing yielded an average of 20.1 mpg. The Acadia’s handling felt precise and predictable, but ultimately forgettable in terms of driving dynamics.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine across all trims, generating 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine was mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive. The turbo engine provided solid acceleration and performed well at high elevations, but fuel efficiency suffered, with real-world testing yielding 18.9 mpg, below the EPA estimate of 22 mpg.

Despite its WRX roots, the Ascent’s handling did not inspire spirited driving. The steering was slow and numb, and the suspension struggled on undulating roads, resulting in an uneven and sometimes uncomfortable ride. The brakes overheated quickly and felt grumbly. The CVT, designed to mimic an automatic with eight programmed ratios, often delivered uneven power and unpredictable performance.

Nevertheless, the Ascent excelled off-road with features like Active Torque Split AWD, X-Mode traction, Hill Descent Control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it versatile for various terrains.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered flexible seating for up to seven passengers or six with the Denali’s standard second-row captain’s chairs. The front seats were wide and supportive, perfect for long trips, and the second-row captain’s chairs were similarly comfortable with heating options. The third row offered more space than expected, though rear cargo capacity was limited to 12.1 cubic feet with all seats in place. Folding the third row expanded cargo space to 41.7 cubic feet, while maximum cargo volume with the second row folded was 79 cubic feet.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent prioritized comfort, especially in the Touring trim. Soft leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel provided a luxurious feel. The driver’s seat featured a 10-way power adjustment with manual thigh support extension. Notably, the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment but still offered ample support.

The Ascent featured extensive storage solutions, including a dashboard shelf and multiple bins. It also provided a choice between a 3-person second-row bench and captain’s chairs in certain trims, with the Touring offering only the latter. The rear seats included climate controls, USB ports, and cup holders, making the Ascent family-friendly. Cargo space was a generous 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 47 cubic feet with it folded, and maxing out at 86 cubic feet. This, combined with roof rails, made the Ascent highly functional for various needs.

The 2020 GMC Acadia came standard with essential infotainment features like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims included an 8-inch touchscreen with better resolution and user experience, plus USB-C ports and wireless charging. The Denali trim’s Bose sound system and navigation performed well, and the high-definition surround-view camera, rear camera mirror, and head-up display added convenience and safety.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was equipped with the Starlink infotainment system, featuring Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a CD player. Beginning with the Premium trim, an 8-inch touchscreen, text-messaging capability, WiFi hotspot, and connected safety services were standard. The Touring trim added a high-resolution screen and navigation, but its voice-control system lagged behind in performance.

Despite these shortcomings, the Subaru’s infotainment system was user-friendly, with stereo knobs and separate climate controls aiding usability. The Touring trim’s Harman Kardon speakers delivered high-quality sound. Additionally, Subaru’s unique PIN Code Vehicle Access system allowed for secure vehicle access without a key fob, catering to active lifestyle users.

The 2020 GMC Acadia needed improvement in its safety features. While it included a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology, advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) were limited. Standard features included a blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning system, but forward collision warning and low-speed automatic emergency braking were only available on higher trims and as part of an optional Driver Alert Package. The

package also included lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, pedestrian braking, parking sensors, automatic high-beam headlights, and a head-up display. Enhanced automatic emergency braking was exclusive to the Denali trim.

The Acadia received 5-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in most assessments and a 4-star rollover resistance rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) provided incomplete data, with high marks in available tests but lacking information on headlight performance and small overlap frontal-impact protection for the front passenger.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was built on Subaru's latest global platform, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The Ascent featured Subaru’s EyeSight system, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Premium trim added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, while Limited included LED steering-responsive headlights with automatic high-beam operation and reverse automatic braking.

These systems were effective, with LED headlights performing well and the reverse automatic braking system proving useful. The EyeSight Assist Monitor projected helpful indicators onto the windshield, aiding in driver awareness without requiring a full head-up display.

For 2020, Subaru added a rear-seat reminder system to the Ascent, similar to those in other vehicles, to prevent leaving important items in the backseat. Starlink Safety Plus connected services were free for three years, including automatic collision notification, SOS emergency calling, and roadside assistance. The Security Plus upgrade, free for six months, added features like curfew, speed, and boundary alerts, as well as remote engine start with climate control operation.