Toyota Highlander vs GMC Acadia

The 2020 GMC Acadia was positioned as a premium brand, intended to be nicer than Chevys but not as luxurious as Cadillacs. Built on the same platform as the Cadillac XT5, the Acadia shared powertrains and assembly origins in Spring Hill, Tennessee. The Acadia Denali, with its all-wheel drive, Satin Steel Metallic paint, and Technology Package, had a sticker price of $52,385. Design changes for 2020 included a more intricate front grille and squared-off headlights, while the cabin saw minor updates like new electronic transmission shift switches and real open-pore wood trim in Denali models. Despite these updates, the interior still featured a mix of soft surfaces and hard plastic panels, with leather upholstery and wood trim attempting to establish a premium feel.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander stood out with its distinctive design, featuring wide headlights, a long hood, and an assertive trapezoidal grille. The character line along the side was reminiscent of the Supra sports car, and the taillights had a Lexus-like appearance. The Highlander XSE trim added a sportier look with a restyled front end, 20-inch wheels, and a larger lower air intake. The Limited trim, just below the Platinum level, offered chrome roof rails and accents, giving it an upscale appearance. Inside, the Highlander Limited boasted near-flawless fit and finish, with tan leather seats and dark brown trim. The wood details, though not real, added to the luxurious feel. The Highlander excelled in comfort and convenience, essential for a family car.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered three engine options: a 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder for lower trims, a 230-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder for the SLT, and a 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 for the AT4 and Denali variants. All engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive available. The AT4 featured 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 combined driving. The Acadia's ride and handling were finely tuned, offering a balanced driving experience, though it lacked memorable driving character.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, the Highlander also offered a hybrid model. The powertrain provided adequate performance for daily driving, comparable to competitors like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride. The Highlander XSE trim added sportier suspension tuning, including higher-rated springs, retuned shock absorbers, and a rear stabilizer bar. While not a track beast, the XSE trim offered a bit of driving excitement for family-focused shoppers. The Highlander's soft suspension contributed to a comfortable ride, though it tended to lumber through corners.

The 2020 GMC Acadia could seat five, six, or seven passengers, with the Denali trim offering six-passenger seating via second-row captain’s chairs. The front seats were wide, supportive, and featured 10-way power adjustments with 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 household-style power outlet. The third-row seat was roomier than expected, though cargo space was limited to 12.1 cubic feet behind it. Folding the third-row seat expanded cargo space to 41.7 cubic feet, and with the second-row seats folded, the Acadia offered 79 cubic feet of cargo volume.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in interior space and functionality. It featured large shelves ahead of the front seats for storage, with a pass-through for charging cords. A wireless charging pad was standard on trims above the LE. Second-row passengers enjoyed ample legroom, with seats that moved forward and backward to optimize space. The third-row seats could accommodate adults if the second-row passengers adjusted their seats. However, the rear-seat climate control vents were positioned on the ceiling, which was less than ideal. Cargo space behind the third row was 16 cubic feet, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.3 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded.

The 2020 GMC Acadia came equipped with essential infotainment features, including Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The 8-inch touchscreen offered a higher resolution display, simplified user experience, and improved voice recognition. The test vehicle included navigation and a Bose premium sound system, though voice recognition occasionally required multiple attempts. The infotainment system was user-friendly, and new USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror were added for 2020.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen available on the Limited trim and standard on the Platinum trim. Both systems were user-friendly, though navigation struggled with points of interest. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard across the lineup. The 12.3-inch screen was bright, crisp, and fast, though it only displayed certain apps in full width. The JBL audio system sounded good but was not overly impressive. The system included a volume knob and a tuning knob, but navigation was limited to an 8-inch rectangle on the larger screen.

The 2020 GMC Acadia included standard safety features like a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. Standard ADAS features included blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning. However, forward collision warning and low-speed automatic emergency braking were only available on SLT or AT4 trims and required an additional Driver Alert Package. The Denali trim offered enhanced automatic emergency braking at higher speeds. The Acadia received 5-star ratings in most NHTSA crash tests and a 4-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS provided incomplete data, with high marks in available tests.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander upgraded its safety features to Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support. Additional features included road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. The Highlander received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.