2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2020 GMC Acadia

The 2020 GMC Acadia was positioned as a premium brand, intended to be nicer than Chevys but not as luxurious as Cadillacs. Built on the same platform as the Cadillac XT5, the Acadia shared powertrains and assembly origins with its more upscale sibling. The Acadia Denali trim, with its all-wheel drive, extra-cost Satin Steel Metallic paint, and optional Technology Package, aimed to convey an upscale aspiration. The design changes for 2020 were most noticeable in the front, with squared-off headlights and a boxier grille. Inside, the cabin featured new electronic transmission shift switches, a redesigned center console, and real open-pore wood trim for Denali models. However, despite these updates, the interior still contained a mix of soft surfaces and hard plastic panels, with only minor accents to establish it as a premium choice.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic styling, with circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, exposed bolts and hinges, and protruding bumpers and fenders. Depending on the trim level, the Wrangler could take on different looks, with options for painted or exposed fenders, soft top or hardtop, and other individual styling touches. The Wrangler's interior was all about function, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and effective in-door cargo nets. The cabin also featured drain plugs for easy cleaning. The Wrangler Unlimited provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This was on par with smaller and less expensive crossovers, though the wheel-wells and roll-bars made it harder to fit larger items.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered three different engines. Lower trims had a 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The Acadia SLT came with a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, providing 230 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Acadia AT4 and Denali variants included a 310-hp 3.6-liter V6 engine, which was available in most other Acadias. All engines were paired with a new nine-speed automatic transmission, and every Acadia was offered with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), except for the Acadia AT4, which had an exclusive dual-clutch AWD system. The naturally aspirated V6 and nine-speed automatic made a terrific powertrain combination, supplying smooth, refined, effortless power and offering up to 4,000 pounds of towing capacity. The EPA rating for the test vehicle was 21 mpg in combined driving, and it averaged 20.1 mpg primarily in FWD mode.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler's powertrain lineup included gas and diesel, mild-hybrid power, and the Hemi V8. Most buyers likely opted for the standard 3.6-liter V6, making 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, with a choice of a six-speed manual transmission or eight-speed automatic. Other powertrains included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant of the 3.6-liter V6, a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 producing 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. All engines routed power to one of three four-wheel-drive (4WD) systems. The Rubicon 392 featured a 6.4-liter V8 engine, cranking out 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, turning the Wrangler into an off-road supercar. The 392 also featured beefed-up frame-rails, a 2-inch lift with Fox shock absorbers, and upgraded brakes. The dual-mode performance exhaust emitted an incredible rumble, adding to the Wrangler's appeal.

The 2020 GMC Acadia seated five, six, or seven passengers, depending on the trim level and configuration. The Denali trim provided 6-passenger seating with standard second-row captain’s chairs, though a bench seat was available as a no-cost option. The wide and supportive 10-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation ensured comfort within the leather-lined Denali’s cabin. Heated second-row captain’s chairs offered similar levels of comfort, and rear passengers enjoyed air conditioning vents, USB ports, and a household-style power outlet. Cargo volume measured just 12.1 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, expanding to 41.7 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded down, and 79 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded down.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered multiple options for cloth tops and hardtops. The basic setup was the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, with premium black cloth and classic-looking tan soft top options. The Freedom top was a three-piece hardtop with removable panels, available in black or body color, with insulated panels to reduce road noise. The Sky one-touch power top, featured on the Rubicon 392, was a power-retractable canvas panel that operated at speeds up to 60 mph. The Wrangler Unlimited provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The cabin featured drain plugs for easy cleaning, a small center console bin, glovebox, and effective in-door cargo nets.

The 2020 GMC Acadia included infotainment features such as Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and GMC Connected Services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Versions with an 8-inch touchscreen boasted a higher resolution display, a simplified user experience, and improved voice recognition. The Acadia’s infotainment system was simple to understand and use, with additional technology upgrades for 2020 including new USB-C connection and charging ports, a more powerful wireless charging pad, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport came with a basic 5-inch screen, with a 7-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto optional on the Sport S and standard on other trims. The sharp 8.4-inch Uconnect screen was also available. The Rubicon 392 featured a color TFT screen in the center of the instrument panel and a clever off-road camera nestled between the slats of the front grille, providing a clear view of the trail ahead.

The 2020 GMC Acadia came standard with several helpful features, including a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. Standard GMC Connected Services included automatic collision notification and SOS emergency calling. The base Acadia SL and up came with a standard blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning system. Forward collision warning and low-speed automatic emergency braking were available on SLT or AT4 trim at a minimum, as part of a Driver Alert Package. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2020 Acadia 5-star ratings in most assessments, plus a 4-star rollover resistance rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) offered incomplete data for the Acadia.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. However, lane-departure warning was not available. The Wrangler came with a backup camera with dynamic guidelines and a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading.