GMC Acadia vs Toyota bZ

The 2024 GMC Acadia was built on a significantly modified version of its predecessor's platform, resulting in a larger and more imposing vehicle. It was 10.6 inches longer and 3.2 inches taller than the 2023 model, with styling that emphasized its increased size. The front end featured a more upright design and a broad grille, reminiscent of GMC's full-size SUVs and pickup trucks, framed by distinctive LED headlights. The wheel arches and door skins had intricate detailing that added definition, though this was mostly visible in specific lighting conditions. At the rear, quad exhaust tips drew inspiration from the C8 Corvette. The Acadia was available in three trims: Elevation, AT4, and Denali, each with unique styling features. The Denali trim, known for its glitzy grilles, was toned down based on customer feedback, while the AT4 featured rugged elements like red tow hooks and blacked-out trim. Inside, the Acadia's interior was redesigned to accommodate larger screens and create a sense of spaciousness, with a panoramic sunroof enhancing the light-filled cabin. The AT4's interior materials were preferred over the Denali's, which, despite its leather seats and unique stitching, did not feel as luxurious as expected.

The 2026 Toyota bZ was offered in XLE and Limited trims, with options for single-motor FWD or dual-motor AWD, and two battery sizes. The larger battery provided more power, performance, and range, with prices ranging from $36,495 to $46,895. The XLE test vehicle had FWD and the optional larger battery, transforming it into the XLE Plus. The bZ's exterior design was improved, with body-color trim preferred over the black overfender trim seen in previous models. Inside, the dashboard and center console were cleaner and more organized, with fabric seats featuring an upscale pattern. The center touchscreen was increased to 14 inches, integrating climate control with the display. However, the digital driver display was criticized for being too far away and difficult to read. The bZ's driving experience was generally agreeable, with good visibility and standard parking sensors. On the highway, it was comfortable but lacked robust passing power. The bZ was not ideal for winding roads due to its tires and steering, but it performed well as a commuter vehicle.

The 2024 GMC Acadia was powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. This engine replaced the previous 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and 3.6-liter V6 engines, offering more power than both. Despite the absence of a V6, the turbo-four engine was capable, providing strong and consistent acceleration. It enabled a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds with an available towing package. However, the engine note was coarse, which was more noticeable in the high-end Denali trim. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard, with FWD available on Elevation and Denali models, and AWD standard on the AT4. The AT4 also featured a twin-clutch system for off-road driving, a 1.2-inch ride height lift, special suspension tuning, skid plates, and a Terrain drive mode. While the Acadia AT4 was marketed as the most capable version, it was more of a light off-roader. The suspension tuning varied with wheel-and-tire combinations, with the Denali offering a comfortable ride despite its large wheels. However, both the Denali and AT4 experienced some wallowing and bouncing over road undulations.

The 2026 Toyota bZ offered different powertrain options depending on the trim and battery size. The XLE with FWD and a 57.7-kWh battery provided 165 horsepower and 198 pound-feet of torque, with an EPA-estimated range of 236 miles. The optional 74.7-kWh battery increased power to 224 hp and extended the range to 314 miles. Dual-motor AWD models produced 338 hp, with a range of 288 miles for the XLE AWD. The bZ could be recharged using a DC fast charger, taking about 30 minutes to go from 10% to 80% battery. A 240-volt Level 2 home charger required seven hours for a full charge with the larger battery. Efficiency tests showed the bZ performed better than EPA estimates in Eco mode, averaging 4.5 miles per kWh. The bZ's driving experience was characterized by instant torque, making it easy to break traction when accelerating. It was comfortable and quiet on the highway, but the FWD model struggled with mid-range passing power and produced a choppy ride on uneven pavement. The bZ was not suited for winding roads due to its tires and steering.

The 2024 GMC Acadia's interior was designed to create a sense of spaciousness, with a low dashboard and ample glass. It offered more headroom across all three rows compared to competitors like the Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Kia Telluride, and Toyota Grand Highlander. The Acadia also had more first-row legroom, though the Kia and Toyota offered more space in the second and third rows. Cargo space was significantly improved, with 23 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 97.5 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. This made the Acadia competitive in terms of cargo space, with an underfloor storage bin adding utility. The Acadia featured a "presence based" power liftgate for hands-free access to the cargo area. Small-item storage was reasonable, though the headlight controls were only accessible via the touchscreen.

The 2026 Toyota bZ was built on a skateboard-style EV platform, providing 8.1 inches of ground clearance and easy entry and exit. The front seats offered standard height adjustment, with eight-way power adjustment for both XLE and Limited trims. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with ventilated seats available on the Limited. The bZ lacked a traditional glove compartment but compensated with a large bin under the center armrest and a tray beneath the center console. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample legroom, though foot space was limited. The bZ offered 27.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, with an underfloor storage well for additional room. Folding the back seats down provided 56.9 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2024 GMC Acadia featured a standard 11-inch digital instrument cluster and a 15-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 12-speaker Bose audio system, wireless device charging, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot were also standard. An 8-inch head-up display and a 16-speaker Bose system were available. The infotainment system included Google built-in apps, such as Google Maps and Google Assistant, providing a familiar and user-friendly experience. The touchscreen was easy to use, with logical menu access and high-quality graphics. The instrument cluster offered multiple configurations, though small drive-mode icons could be difficult to see.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came with a 7-inch digital driver display and a new 14-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The driver display was criticized for being too far away and difficult to read. The 14-inch display ran the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, which was generally easy to use but lacked a home screen for simultaneous data display. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with SiriusXM satellite radio and various connected service plans. The Drive Connect feature powered the native navigation system and voice assistant, which performed well in testing.

The 2024 GMC Acadia's safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication. Standard driver assist features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. The Acadia also offered a rearview camera mirror and surround-view camera system. Super Cruise, a hands-free driving system, was available on all trim levels, though its utility was limited outside of highway driving.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist provided additional safety by adding subtle braking and steering inputs. The Limited trim offered Traffic Jam Assist and other advanced features. The bZ's adaptive cruise control was inconsistent in traffic, and the driver monitoring system was overly sensitive. The IIHS rated the bZ's front-crash avoidance tech as Good, but the headlights received a Poor rating, and frontal-impact crash-tests earned Acceptable ratings.