2020 GMC Acadia vs 2021 Lexus GX

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 in Spring Hill, Tennessee. The Acadia Denali, with its all-wheel drive, extra-cost Satin Steel Metallic paint, and optional Technology Package, had a window sticker price of $52,385. The 2020 model featured noticeable design changes, especially in the front with squared-off headlights and a boxier grille. Inside, changes were subtle, with new electronic transmission shift switches and redesigned center console, but the cabin still mixed soft surfaces with hard plastic panels, lacking a truly premium feel despite leather upholstery and wood trim.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 retained its decade-old body shell with updates like the spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model added standard silver 18-inch wheels on the Premium trim. The GX's styling was coherent despite its origins, with a tough, aggressive look. However, the interior felt outdated, with wood trim resembling plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, but the overall interior did not meet modern luxury SUV standards.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered three engine options: a 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a 230-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, and a 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6. All engines were paired with a new nine-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive available. The AT4 trim featured a dual-clutch AWD system and all-terrain tires. The V6 engine provided smooth, refined power and a towing capacity of up to 4,000 pounds. The test vehicle averaged 20.1 mpg in FWD mode, with a combined EPA rating of 21 mpg. The Acadia's ride and handling were finely tuned, though it lacked memorable driving character.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 featured a single powertrain: a 4.6-liter V8 producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX's 5,130-pound weight impacted its performance, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. Merging and overtaking required careful planning, and braking was less responsive. The body-on-frame construction resulted in a less refined ride quality. However, the GX excelled in off-road capability, with a Torsen center differential, low-range 4WD, and several driver aids. The GX had a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds and respectable off-road metrics, though it was outperformed by the Land Rover Discovery in some areas.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered seating for five, six, or seven passengers, with the Denali trim providing six-passenger seating via second-row captain’s chairs. The front seats were wide, supportive, and power-adjustable, with 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 but still limited in space. Cargo volume was 12.1 cubic feet behind the third row, 41.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 79 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior ergonomics felt dated, with an upright dashboard and high center console limiting legroom. The steering wheel's odd angle and tall seating position were reminiscent of driving a bus. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, though forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. Storage space was limited, with small center-console storage, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. The GX offered three rows of seating, with a power-folding third row available on higher trims. However, the third row was best for children and difficult to access. Cargo space was limited, with 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded.

The 2020 GMC Acadia included standard infotainment features like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The 8-inch touchscreen had a higher resolution and improved user experience. The test vehicle's navigation and Bose premium sound system performed well, though voice recognition sometimes required multiple attempts. Additional tech upgrades included USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with standard Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions. The touchscreen was complemented by analog controls for most functions, providing a user-friendly interface despite its primitive appearance. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was available.

The 2020 GMC Acadia came with standard safety features like a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. Standard ADAS 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 5-star ratings in most NHTSA crash tests and high marks from the IIHS, though some tests were incomplete.

The 2021 Lexus GX included the Lexus Safety System+ bundle with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the GX lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models. NHTSA and IIHS crash-test ratings were not available.