2021 Toyota 4Runner 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. Despite this marketing, the Acadia shared its platform, powertrains, and assembly location with the Cadillac XT5. The Acadia came in various trims, including the luxurious Denali, which featured all-wheel drive, Satin Steel Metallic paint, and a Technology Package, bringing the price to $52,385. The 2020 model had 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 real open-pore wood trim for Denali models. The cabin had a mix of soft surfaces and hard plastic panels, with logical control layouts, but lacked distinctive premium features beyond leather upholstery and wood trim.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner, last redesigned 12 years ago, had an enduring design with a two-box body, flared fenders, and trapezoidal wheel arches. Most versions had an aggressive look, except for the chrome-festooned Limited. The 4Runner was offered in various trims, including the new Trail Special Edition, priced at $38,565 for the RWD model. The 4Runner's design was practical and durable, with features like a Yakima RoadWarrior rooftop cargo basket and a custom-made 40-quart cooler. Inside, the Trail Special Edition had black cloth upholstery with tan stitching, all-weather floor mats, and a sliding rear cargo tray. The interior was dominated by hard plastic, which was easy to clean and suited the SUV's rugged nature. The dashboard had big knobs and buttons, and the 4Runner required a traditional key to start.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered three engines: a 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a 230-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, and a 310-hp 3.6-liter V6. All engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, with FWD or AWD options. The AT4 trim had 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 an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined. The Acadia's ride and handling were finely tuned, offering a smooth driving experience, though it lacked memorable driving character.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner had a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The Trail Special Edition had a part-time 4WD system, with a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds. The 4Runner excelled off-road, with features like A-Trac, a locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select, and Crawl Control available on higher trims. On pavement, the 4Runner felt slow, heavy, and clunky, with challenging steering and braking. The SUV averaged 16.8 mpg during testing, with an EPA rating of 17 mpg combined. The 4Runner's truck-like driving characteristics added to its charm but could be challenging for daily use.

The 2020 GMC Acadia seated five, six, or seven passengers, with the Denali trim offering six-passenger seating with second-row captain’s chairs. The front seats were wide, supportive, and comfortable, with heating and ventilation. The second-row captain’s chairs were also heated, with air conditioning vents, USB ports, and a power outlet. The third-row seat was roomier than expected but had limited space behind it. 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 Toyota 4Runner sat high off the ground, making entry challenging for shorter individuals. The front and rear seats were comfortable, with good legroom, visibility, air conditioning vents, and USB ports. The test vehicle had a sliding cargo deck that held 440 pounds, taking up some cargo space but adding utility. Cargo space was up to 47.2 cubic feet behind the back seat and 89.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The Trail Special Edition's roof rack added extra storage capacity.

The 2020 GMC Acadia included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The 8-inch touchscreen had a higher resolution, simplified user experience, and improved voice recognition. The test vehicle had navigation, a Bose premium sound system, USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner Trail Special Edition had an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM, and five USB ports. The premium audio upgrade added dynamic navigation, point-of-interest search, voice recognition, and a one-year subscription to Destination Assist. The system had physical shortcut buttons and knobs, making it easy to use, even with gloves.

The 2020 GMC Acadia had standard rear-seat reminder, Teen Driver technology, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. Advanced safety features like forward collision warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance were available on higher trims. The NHTSA gave the Acadia 5-star ratings in most assessments and a 4-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had incomplete data but gave high marks in available tests.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner had Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning were not available. The NHTSA gave the 4Runner a three-star rollover resistance rating and a three-star rating for front passenger protection in a frontal-impact crash. The IIHS rated the 4Runner's roof crush strength as "Good" but gave a "Marginal" rating for driver protection in a small overlap frontal-impact collision.