GMC Yukon vs GMC Acadia
Overview | |
MSRP$51,000 | MSRP$29,800 |
Listings9433 | Listings9384 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.7 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.0 out of 10 |
Pros
Cons
| Pros
Cons
|
Reviews SummaryWith the redesigned 2021 GMC Yukon, several good things happen. First, GMC improves passenger space and cargo space by stretching the wheelbase and switching to an independent rear suspension design. Second, those same changes, coupled with a new adaptive air suspension option, enhance the full-size SUV’s ride and handling. Third, payload ratings rise by as much as 100 pounds. Fourth, the Yukon gets a significant technology upgrade. But at the same time, the new Yukon takes a couple of steps backward. Tow ratings can’t match the outgoing Yukon, and in some cases, fuel economy numbers worsen rather than improve. Still, all things considered, the new 2021 Yukon represents advancement. | |
Reviews SummaryLong story short, as a friend of mine likes to say, GMC screwed up. This is just my opinion, of course, but when GMC redesigned the Acadia for the 2017 model year, the SUV shrank in size and switched to a softer look in order to plug a huge hole in the Buick-GMC SUV lineup. Fast-forward to 2020, and GMC may have decided this move was a bad idea. As part of a refresh, the new Acadia adopts bolder styling and adds a new AT4 trim level with greater off-roading capability. Additional changes include the availability of a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a new nine-speed automatic transmission, and new and updated technology. These revisions do help the Acadia to better stand out in what is now an ocean of midsize SUVs, from Hyundai to Kia and Honda to Toyota, and everything in between, but it’s up to GMC to make people aware of this fundamentally good, but oh-so-vanilla SUV. And the company must also address the Acadia’s questionable value. | |
No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine5.3L 355 hp V8 | Engine2.5L 193 hp I4 |
Drive Train4X2 | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity9 | Seating Capacity7 |
Horsepower355 hp @ 5600 rpm | Horsepower193 hp @ 6300 rpm |
MPG City15 | MPG City21 |
MPG Highway20 | MPG Highway27 |
Engine | |
Engine Name5.3L 355 hp V8 | Engine Name2.5L 193 hp I4 |
Torque383 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm | Torque188 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm |
Horsepower355 hp @ 5600 rpm | Horsepower193 hp @ 6300 rpm |
Drivetrain4X2 | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City15 | MPG City21 |
MPG Highway20 | MPG Highway27 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity9 | Seating Capacity7 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall4 | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space25.5 cu ft | Cargo Space12.8 cu ft |
Curb Weight5490 lbs | Curb Weight3923 lbs |
Height76.5 in | Height66.7 in |
Length210.0 in | Length193.4 in |
Width81.0 in | Width75.4 in |
Wheelbase120.9 in | Wheelbase112.5 in |
Maximum Payload1792 lbs | Maximum Payload2078 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity8400 lbs | Maximum Towing Capacity |
Standard Towing Capacity7900 lbs | Standard Towing Capacity |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $51,000 | $29,800 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 7.7 out of 10Read full review | 7.0 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
Cons
| Pros
Cons
|
Summary | With the redesigned 2021 GMC Yukon, several good things happen. First, GMC improves passenger space and cargo space by stretching the wheelbase and switching to an independent rear suspension design. Second, those same changes, coupled with a new adaptive air suspension option, enhance the full-size SUV’s ride and handling. Third, payload ratings rise by as much as 100 pounds. Fourth, the Yukon gets a significant technology upgrade. But at the same time, the new Yukon takes a couple of steps backward. Tow ratings can’t match the outgoing Yukon, and in some cases, fuel economy numbers worsen rather than improve. Still, all things considered, the new 2021 Yukon represents advancement. | Long story short, as a friend of mine likes to say, GMC screwed up. This is just my opinion, of course, but when GMC redesigned the Acadia for the 2017 model year, the SUV shrank in size and switched to a softer look in order to plug a huge hole in the Buick-GMC SUV lineup. Fast-forward to 2020, and GMC may have decided this move was a bad idea. As part of a refresh, the new Acadia adopts bolder styling and adds a new AT4 trim level with greater off-roading capability. Additional changes include the availability of a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a new nine-speed automatic transmission, and new and updated technology. These revisions do help the Acadia to better stand out in what is now an ocean of midsize SUVs, from Hyundai to Kia and Honda to Toyota, and everything in between, but it’s up to GMC to make people aware of this fundamentally good, but oh-so-vanilla SUV. And the company must also address the Acadia’s questionable value. |
Video | No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 5.3L 355 hp V8 | 2.5L 193 hp I4 |
Drive Train | 4X2 | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 9 | 7 |
Horsepower | 355 hp @ 5600 rpm | 193 hp @ 6300 rpm |
MPG City | 15 | 21 |
MPG Highway | 20 | 27 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 5.3L 355 hp V8 | 2.5L 193 hp I4 |
Torque | 383 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm | 188 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm |
Horsepower | 355 hp @ 5600 rpm | 193 hp @ 6300 rpm |
Drivetrain | 4X2 | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 15 | 21 |
MPG Highway | 20 | 27 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 9 | 7 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 4 | 5 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 25.5 cu ft | 12.8 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 5490 lbs | 3923 lbs |
Height | 76.5 in | 66.7 in |
Length | 210.0 in | 193.4 in |
Width | 81.0 in | 75.4 in |
Wheelbase | 120.9 in | 112.5 in |
Maximum Payload | 1792 lbs | 2078 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | 8400 lbs | |
Standard Towing Capacity | 7900 lbs | |


CarGurus highlights

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 GMC Acadia is 7 out of 10, while the 2021 GMC Yukon scores 7.67 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the recommendation is to choose the 2021 GMC Yukon for its higher overall score and advanced features.
Choose the 2021 GMC Yukon if:
- You need a full-size SUV with ample passenger and cargo room.
- You prioritize advanced safety and technology features.
- You are willing to invest in a more luxurious and powerful vehicle.
Choose the 2020 GMC Acadia if:
- You prefer a midsize SUV with upscale design elements.
- You are looking for a comfortable ride and decent cargo space.
- You want a vehicle with essential technology features at an affordable price.
CarGurus highlights

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 GMC Acadia is 7 out of 10, while the 2021 GMC Yukon scores 7.67 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the recommendation is to choose the 2021 GMC Yukon for its higher overall score and advanced features.
Choose the 2021 GMC Yukon if:
Shop Now- You need a full-size SUV with ample passenger and cargo room.
- You prioritize advanced safety and technology features.
- You are willing to invest in a more luxurious and powerful vehicle.
Choose the 2020 GMC Acadia if:
Shop Now- You prefer a midsize SUV with upscale design elements.
- You are looking for a comfortable ride and decent cargo space.
- You want a vehicle with essential technology features at an affordable price.

By: CarGurus + AI
At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.






































