2021 Chrysler Pacifica 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. Built on the same platform as the Cadillac XT5, the Acadia shared powertrains and assembly origins with its more upscale sibling. The Denali trim, in particular, aimed to convey upscale aspirations with its brightwork and intricate detailing, especially noticeable in the redesigned front with squared-off headlights and a boxier grille. Inside, the Acadia maintained a mix of soft surfaces and hard plastic panels, with the Denali trim featuring leather upholstery and wood trim. However, aside from some contrast stitching and bronze-tinted accents, it struggled to establish itself as a truly premium choice.

In contrast, the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh that enhanced its exterior with new LED headlights and a hexagonal grille, giving it a more muscular aesthetic. The Pacifica's design retained sophistication, especially noticeable in the rear with an all-LED taillamp. Inside, the Pacifica offered a premium experience, particularly in the Pinnacle trim, which featured quilted leather seats, suede pillows, and Beber floor mats. The flat dashboard, anchored by a 10.1-inch touchscreen, provided a modern and practical design. The Pacifica's interior was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and ample storage, making it a solidly premium vehicle in its top trims.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered three engine options: a 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder for lower trims, a 230-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder for the SLT, and a 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 for the AT4 and Denali variants. All engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive available. The AT4 trim featured a dual-clutch AWD system and all-terrain tires. 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, though its driving character was considered forgettable. The test vehicle achieved an average of 20.1 mpg in combined driving.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered a traditional 3.6-liter V6 engine with 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Alternatively, a hybrid powertrain combined a V6 engine with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission, achieving 260 horsepower and an all-electric range of over 30 miles. The Pacifica's AWD system, available for the first time in 16 years, activated on-demand based on driving conditions. The hybrid model delivered 82 MPGe and 30 mpg combined, while the traditional V6 achieved 22 mpg combined. The Pacifica's AWD system deactivated automatically to improve fuel efficiency when not needed.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered seating for five, six, or seven passengers, with the Denali trim providing six-passenger seating with second-row captain's chairs. 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 available with the second-row seats folded.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and ample storage. The front seating area was spacious, with a padded center console lid replacing armrests. Power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow 'n Go seating were standard. The second-row seats offered under-console storage, and the third-row bench seat could be stowed for additional cargo space. The Pacifica Pinnacle trim provided best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters, making it ideal for family travel.

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 test vehicle 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.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering a modern and customizable experience. Hands-free sliding doors were available on mid-grade models and above. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with navigation that rerouted quickly. The second-row in-seat entertainment system remained an option, with additional games available. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with a rear-facing child seat view. The sound system options ranged from a six-speaker system to a 20-speaker Harman Kardon system.

The 2020 GMC Acadia included standard safety features such as a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. Standard ADAS features included blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning. Forward collision warning and low-speed automatic emergency braking were available on higher trims. The Acadia received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA in most assessments, with a 4-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS provided incomplete data for the Acadia.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came standard with 97 safety features, increasing to 100 in the Pinnacle trim. Key safety technologies included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.