2021 Land Rover Range Rover 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 an upscale aspiration with its brightwork and intricate detailing on the front grille. Inside, the cabin featured a mix of soft surfaces and hard plastic panels, with leather upholstery and wood trim in the Denali. However, aside from some contrast stitching and bronze-tinted accents, the Acadia struggled to establish itself as a truly premium choice.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had long evolved from its rugged origins to become a symbol of luxury. Starting at $92,000, the Range Rover offered a wide range of powertrains and personalization options, with the potential to reach a price tag of $250,000. The HSE Westminster special edition, priced at $106,715, featured a modest set of options but still exuded luxury with its Byron Blue exterior and Ivory-color interior. The Range Rover's design, with hallmark cues like blacked-out pillars and clean styling, maintained a timeless appeal. Inside, the cabin offered a high-contrast design with a mid-century modern ambiance, though the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was not as intuitive as newer models.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered three engine options, starting with a 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine for lower trims. The SLT trim introduced a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 230 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque. The AT4 and Denali variants featured a 310-hp 3.6-liter V6 engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Acadia's ride and handling were finely tuned, providing a smooth and refined driving experience. However, the SUV's driving character was considered forgettable, and torque steer was a frequent issue when running the Denali AWD in FWD mode. The test vehicle achieved an average fuel economy of 20.1 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 21 mpg in combined driving.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrain choices, including turbodiesel V6, supercharged V8, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. The HSE Westminster special edition featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine with 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Range Rover's 4WD system, with a two-speed transfer case and Terrain Response 2 traction control, ensured its legendary off-road capabilities. The adaptive air suspension provided a classic wafting sensation, while the SUV's power built smoothly and silently. However, the steering was slow in response, and the Range Rover's weight and tall center of gravity led to side-to-side wallow on uneven roads. The test vehicle achieved an average fuel economy of 18.5 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 20 mpg in combined driving.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered seating for five, six, or seven passengers, with the Denali trim providing 6-passenger seating with standard second-row captain's chairs. The front seats were wide and supportive, with 10-way power-adjustable options, 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 the distance to the back of the SUV was limited. Cargo volume 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 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier access. The front seats were decadently comfortable, wrapped in quality leather upholstery. However, the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability, resulting in a slouched seating position. Despite this, the back seat offered quad-zone climate control and heated and ventilated outboard seating positions. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments and a refrigerated center-console bin. Luggage volume was also restricted, with 25 cubic feet available behind the rear seats and 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. A button in the cargo area activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

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 infotainment system was user-friendly, with additional technology upgrades like USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system, while not entirely intuitive, could be navigated by those familiar with smartphones and tablets. The system's dual 10-inch touchscreens posed a distraction while driving, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover also offered a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app as a digital owner’s manual.

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 features like forward collision warning and low-speed automatic emergency braking available only 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, with high marks in available tests.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover came standard with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and parking sensors. Optional packages offered additional driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, though the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond in certain situations.