2021 Subaru Ascent vs 2020 GMC Acadia

The 2020 GMC Acadia was positioned as a premium brand, situated between Chevrolet and Cadillac in GM’s hierarchy. Despite this positioning, the Acadia shared its underpinnings with the Chevrolet Traverse and Cadillac XT5, all manufactured in Spring Hill, Tennessee. The Acadia for 2020 came in several trims: SL, SLE, SLT, the rugged AT4, and the luxurious Denali. The Denali trim, priced at $52,385 with destination charges, featured all-wheel drive, Satin Steel Metallic paint, and an optional Technology Package.

The 2020 Acadia's design changes were most noticeable at the front, showcasing squared-off headlights and a boxier grille, giving it a traditional GMC look, especially in the Denali trim with its brightwork. Internally, changes were minimal, focusing on new electronic transmission shift mechanisms, a revamped center console, and open-pore wood trim for the Denali. The Acadia's interior combined soft surfaces with hard plastic panels, ensuring all controls were user-friendly and logically placed. Despite the new design elements, the Denali's cabin offered little beyond leather upholstery and wood trim to convey a sense of luxury.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Ascent debuted in 2019, filling a noticeable void in Subaru's lineup for three-row SUVs. The Ascent's design echoed its Forester and Outback siblings but scaled up for a larger, three-row layout. Internally, this familial design extended to the dash, reinforcing Subaru’s brand identity. The Ascent came in Standard, Premium, Limited, and Touring trims. The base trim featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen, tri-zone climate control, and multiple USB ports. Stepping up to higher trims added features like a larger touchscreen, power-adjustable seats, stain-resistant upholstery, ventilated front seats, ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and a premium 14-speaker Harman Kardon system.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered three engine options. The entry-level was a 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The move to the SLT introduced a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 230 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque. Higher trims like the AT4 and Denali were equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine generating 310 hp, a configuration available across several other trims. Each engine was paired with a new nine-speed automatic transmission, with choices between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), except for the AT4, which exclusively featured a dual-clutch AWD system and off-road tires.

The Acadia’s V6 engine, combined with the nine-speed transmission, provided refined power and a towing capacity of up to 4,000 pounds. Advanced features like automatic engine stop/start and cylinder deactivation aimed to enhance fuel efficiency, resulting in an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined for the AWD model, though real-world testing averaged at 20.1 mpg. The Acadia’s handling was smooth and responsive, but it lacked a distinctive driving character, making it an efficient but unremarkable ride.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent came with a single engine choice: a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder making 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) driving Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. While the absence of a premium engine option might deter some, this standard powertrain proved competent in urban and highway settings, maintaining Subaru's reputation for handling in inclement conditions.

The Ascent's ride focused on comfort and adaptability, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance enhancing its capability for snow and light off-roading. It was rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds and included standard Trailer Stability Assist, situating it well within the class for utility and performance.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered seating configurations for five, six, or seven passengers, with the Denali trim providing six-passenger seating via second-row captain’s chairs. These chairs, along with the ventilated 10-way power-adjustable front seats, added to the Denali’s comfort, making long trips enjoyable. The reconfiguration of the center console and the introduction of electronic transmission controls improved interior storage options.

Despite a more compact design compared to earlier models, the third row of the Acadia remained spacious when second-row seats were adjusted. In terms of cargo, the Acadia offered 12.1 cubic feet behind the third-row seats, expanding to 41.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. With all rear seats down, cargo capacity reached 79 cubic feet, providing reasonable versatility for its class.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent excelled in cargo space, offering 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.5 cubic feet with the third row dropped, and a maximum of 86.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded down. This spacious layout was complemented by 19 cupholders and multiple storage compartments throughout the cabin. Seating configurations allowed for up to eight passengers with bench seating or seven with optional second-row captain's chairs. While the first two rows were very spacious, the third row was best suited for children or shorter trips for adults.

In 2020, every GMC Acadia was equipped with popular infotainment features such as Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims displayed upgraded 8-inch touchscreens, a simplified user interface, and enhanced voice recognition technology. The Acadia’s infotainment system was intuitive, ensuring even tech novices could navigate its functions. Technological advancements included new USB-C ports, an optional high-powered wireless charging pad, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror offering an unobstructed view behind the SUV.

Similarly, the 2021 Subaru Ascent featured the StarLink infotainment system, known for its user-friendly layout and large icons. Standard tech included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. USB ports spread across all three rows, with an available WiFi hotspot and a premium Harman Kardon stereo system in higher trims, provided ample connectivity and entertainment options.

For the 2020 GMC Acadia, safety equipment was a mixed bag. While it included basics like a rear-seat reminder system, Teen Driver technology, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert, more advanced safety features required higher trims or additional packages. Important features like forward collision warning and low-speed automatic emergency braking were not standard across all variants. The optional advanced safety systems included lane-departure warning, pedestrian braking, parking sensors, and a head-up display. In crash tests, the Acadia received strong ratings from the NHTSA and respectable marks from the IIHS.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Ascent earned the IIHS 2021 Top Safety Pick+ accolade, reflecting its robust safety design and comprehensive EyeSight driver-assistance system. EyeSight included features such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning, with high beam assist and adaptive headlights standard starting in 2021. Additional optional features like reverse automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert enhanced the Ascent's safety profile.