2021 Toyota Sequoia 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 its assembly line with Chevrolet models, yet aimed to distinguish itself with upscale aspirations. The Denali trim, in particular, featured all-wheel drive, a sophisticated Satin Steel Metallic paint, and a Technology Package, bringing its price to $52,385. The Acadia's design updates were most evident in its front, with squared-off headlights and a boxier grille, while the interior saw minor changes like new electronic transmission shift switches and open-pore wood trim in the Denali model. Despite these enhancements, the cabin's mix of materials and design elements did not fully establish the Acadia as a premium choice.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, on the other hand, was a veteran in the SUV market, having been introduced in 2007. Despite a facelift in 2018 and the introduction of a Nightshade Special Edition in 2021, the Sequoia's design felt dated. Its massive center dash and small 7-inch touchscreen were reminiscent of mid-2000s styling. However, the Sequoia offered a spacious cabin, with ample headroom and legroom in the second row, and comfortable, supportive seats throughout. The Sequoia's trims ranged from the entry-level SR5 to the off-road-focused TRD Pro and the luxurious Platinum, each offering a variety of features and options to suit different needs.

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 featured a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 230 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque. The AT4 and Denali trims came with 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, though it lacked memorable driving character. The Denali AWD model offered a towing capacity of up to 4,000 pounds and an EPA rating of 21 mpg in combined driving.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a robust 5.7-liter V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, offering stout acceleration despite the Sequoia's weight. The Sequoia's driving dynamics were reminiscent of a truck, with a soft suspension and strong brakes. It could tow up to 7,400 pounds, though it lagged behind competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe in towing capacity. The Sequoia's wide stance and soft suspension resulted in some body-roll during cornering, but it settled well into turns.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered seating for five, six, or seven passengers, with the Denali trim providing standard second-row captain’s chairs. The front seats were wide and supportive, with 10-way power adjustments, 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 Acadia's cargo space was limited to 12.1 cubic feet behind the third row, but expanded to 41.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 79 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin, with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to over 66 cubic feet with the third row folded, and an impressive 120 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The Sequoia's power-retractable rear window was a unique feature, allowing easy access to the cargo area. While the front-row space could have been better utilized, the Sequoia offered deep in-door pockets, a massive center console, and multiple cupholders, providing ample storage options.

The 2020 GMC Acadia came equipped with a comprehensive infotainment system, featuring 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 Acadia also included new USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror, enhancing its technological appeal.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. Our test model had a larger 9-inch screen, though it still felt small on the large dash. The Sequoia's infotainment system was straightforward and easy to use, with large hard buttons for navigation. The digital trip computer was small but functional, offering a simple and user-friendly experience.

The 2020 GMC Acadia included standard safety features like a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. It also offered blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning as standard on most trims. However, advanced safety features like forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking were only available on higher trims and required additional packages. The Acadia received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA in most crash tests, but the IIHS provided incomplete data.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. While it lacked more advanced features like lane-keeping assist, the Sequoia offered a comprehensive safety package. However, it scored only four stars in the NHTSA's rollover test and lacked further crash test ratings.