2020 GMC Acadia

While not falling into the luxury crossover segment, the Acadia is a little on the pricey side. At least, once you look past the extremely limited entry-level SL, which goes for $29,800. With a few more standard features, and plenty more available ones, the SLE feels confident charging $33,800, with a surcharge of $2,400 to add all-wheel-drive. The mid-tier SLT sits just below the $40k mark at $39,700, and passes it when you add the $2,000 AWD. Available only with all-wheel-drive, the new AT4 starts at $42,200, which is still quite a bit below the top-tier Denali's $46,300. Once again, opting for the all-wheel drivetrain adds $2,000 to the bill. These prices don't include tax, registration, licensing, or GMC's $1,195 handling fee.

Despite its classification by GMC as an SUV, the Acadia is more carlike than many of its rivals. Thus the crossover handles with greater ease than a vehicle of its size normally would. But ease doesn't equate to fun, which the Acadia certainly is not. Steering is light and responsive, perfect for maneuvering around town, which is further helped by the crossover's relatively slim dimension. However, there is almost no feedback from the wheels.

This is exacerbated by the vehicle's tendency to turn wide, meaning you could understeer without realizing it if you don't pay attention. In other areas, the handling dynamics are more stable. The brakes are more than powerful enough to bring the relatively sprightly crossover to a stop, and the suspension is quite excellent, absorbing all road imperfections in its stride.

The Acadia could technically go off-road, thanks to its available all-wheel drivetrain and All-Terrain Package, but this is geared more towards poor road conditions than it is an invitation to go off the beaten path. Overall, the GMC Acadia is a comfortable, unobjectionable driver that performs its job as a family hauler well, but it certainly isn't a sporty SUV.

The crossover market is an unquestionably competitive one, regardless of the specific segment you look at. In terms of midsize crossovers, the GMC Acadia has always struggled to stay abreast of the competition, with highly capable rivals like the Kia Telluride, Honda Pilot, and Hyundai Palisade. It may be a bit more affordable, but the savings in initial cost simply aren't worth what you're giving up.

The Acadia is a bit smaller than your average midsize SUV, and while this gives it a bit of an edge when maneuvering around town, it has its downsides, too. The cabin simply isn't large enough to properly accommodate three rows of seats. And this is after you take into account that there is only 12.8 cubic feet of standard trunk space behind the third row!

At least the small cabin is well-appointed, with plenty of standard features, an easy-to-use infotainment suite, and high-quality materials, especially on the upper trims. But moving up the trim levels, the price quickly outweighs value, with many rivals offering similar or better for equal or less cost.

The GMC Acadia is a capable vehicle, with much going for it, but the changes made for the new year simply aren't enough to launch it into a commanding position within the segment. It may still be worth a look, and if you value a comfortable ride and space for seven above all else, it may still appeal to you... but there are better options out there.

Considering the changes to the Acadia for 2020, we'd suggest going for the model that best incorporates them while still offering decent value for money. The SLT seems to fit the bill in this regard. It is the first model to come standard with the new turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which delivers similar performance to the pricier V6, and it also gets enough comfort upgrades like leather upholstery and heated seats to ensure you feel that your money has been well-spent. Unfortunately, it lacks some of the safety features that many have come to expect as standard on their family SUVs, including forward collision avoidance, but these can be added on for less than it would take to upgrade to the top-tier Denali.

Despite heralding from the same parent company, the GMC Acadia and Chevy Traverse are by no means the same vehicle. Both crossovers share the same starting price, but the Traverse comes with a 310-hp V6 as standard, and it's quite a bit larger than the Acadia. This translates to significantly more cargo space, with 23 cubic feet behind the third-row seats. There is more overall seating, too, with eight appointments as standard inside the Traverse. Both crossovers are similarly accoutered in terms of features, although the top-tier Chevy is a bit pricier than its Denali cousin. Still, in terms of value for money, the Traverse seems to offer more utility at a similar or lower price, if you look at the more affordable models.

The smaller sibling to the Acadia, the GMC Terrain tries to be everything its big brother is, just in a smaller package. However, even for its smaller size, the base 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder doesn't feel powerful enough with only 170 hp and 203 lb-ft. The available 2.0-liter version is much better, though. Much like the Acadia, the Terrain places its focus on a comfortable ride rather than a fun drive, delivering similar comfort to the larger crossover. With a lower price tag (although it's still pricey), and better fuel economy, the Terrain certainly has appeal. Seating only five as standard, it offers 29.6 cubic feet of trunk space. This is quite a bit less than the Acadia in five-seater configuration, and is subpar for the compact segment, too. Neither crossover leads its segment, but the Acadia is more practical if you're looking for comfort and space.