New 2020 GMC Acadia SUV
The GMC Acadia returns for the 2020 model year refreshed with a more rugged exterior in the vein of the Sierra pickup. Under the hood, the six-speed automatic has been replaced by a more efficient nine-speed, and there’s even a new available turbocharged four-cylinder engine joining the two naturally aspirated engine choices. The 2020 Acadia also sees improvement in its infotainment system, and the adventurous AT4 trim level shows some truly aggressive off-road chops. These updates significantly improve this mid-sized SUV’s appeal, putting it on the must-see list for anyone shopping in this vehicle class.
Trims and Powertrains
The 2020 GMC Acadia is sold in five trim levels: SL, SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali. The SL and SLE come with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, although the latter can be upgraded with either the new turbocharged 2.0-liter engine (230 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque) or the robust 3.6-liter V6 (310 hp and 271 lb.-ft. of torque). The AT4 and Denali each get the V6 as standard, and front-wheel drive is standard for all but the AT4, which is all-wheel drive only (AWD is available for the SLE, SLT, and Denali). With the V6 engine and optional Trailering Package, the 2020 GMC Acadia is capable of towing up to 4,000 pounds.
Comfort and Convenience
The SL comes with LED lighting, heated power exterior mirrors with turn-signal indicators, a rearview camera, keyless entry and ignition, tri-zone automatic climate control, seating for seven, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The SLE is outfitted with much of the same, and it also gets selectable traction-control modes. Plus, several optional packages are available to add features like roof rails, a hands-free power liftgate, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, a keyless entry keypad, and remote start.
Most of those optional features are standard on the SLT (except for the keyless entry keypad), as is an auto-dimming rearview mirror and second-row captain’s chairs (the bench can be added back to seat three across instead). Buyers can opt for heated and ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, a power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, a power steering wheel, and memory functions for the driver’s seat. The AT4 rides on all-terrain tires and comes with hill descent control and automatic hill hold. Since it’s more utility-oriented, it comes standard with just two rows of seating to increase its cargo capacity – but the third row bench seat can be added.
With the range-topping Denali, the heated and ventilated front seats, memory functions, and power front passenger seat are included along with an automatic heated steering wheel with Denali-specific leather and heated rear outboard seats. The AWD version of this trim is eligible for the Denali Ultimate Package, which supplies a sunroof and a rearview camera washer.
Active Safety Features
The SL, SLE, and AT4 come with basic driver aids such as lane change and side blind-zone alert, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, and a rear seat reminder. Additional driver aids are available for the SLT through the Driver Alert II Package, which consists of lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, forward collision alert, a following distance indicator, front and rear park assist, and a safety alert seat. All of these are included with the Denali, although the Denali Ultimate Package adds adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The SL and SLE get the base GMC infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming, voice recognition, USB ports, and satellite radio. A 120-volt power outlet is available for the SLE. The SLT and AT4 add the 120-volt outlet as standard along with integrated navigation, a premium eight-speaker Bose audio system, and HD radio. Wireless phone charging is optional, but the Denali gets it as standard. A rear-seat infotainment system with or without a DVD player is available for the SLE and up.
Trims and Powertrains
The 2020 GMC Acadia is sold in five trim levels: SL, SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali. The SL and SLE come with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, although the latter can be upgraded with either the new turbocharged 2.0-liter engine (230 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque) or the robust 3.6-liter V6 (310 hp and 271 lb.-ft. of torque). The AT4 and Denali each get the V6 as standard, and front-wheel drive is standard for all but the AT4, which is all-wheel drive only (AWD is available for the SLE, SLT, and Denali). With the V6 engine and optional Trailering Package, the 2020 GMC Acadia is capable of towing up to 4,000 pounds.
Comfort and Convenience
The SL comes with LED lighting, heated power exterior mirrors with turn-signal indicators, a rearview camera, keyless entry and ignition, tri-zone automatic climate control, seating for seven, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The SLE is outfitted with much of the same, and it also gets selectable traction-control modes. Plus, several optional packages are available to add features like roof rails, a hands-free power liftgate, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, a keyless entry keypad, and remote start.
Most of those optional features are standard on the SLT (except for the keyless entry keypad), as is an auto-dimming rearview mirror and second-row captain’s chairs (the bench can be added back to seat three across instead). Buyers can opt for heated and ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, a power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, a power steering wheel, and memory functions for the driver’s seat. The AT4 rides on all-terrain tires and comes with hill descent control and automatic hill hold. Since it’s more utility-oriented, it comes standard with just two rows of seating to increase its cargo capacity – but the third row bench seat can be added.
With the range-topping Denali, the heated and ventilated front seats, memory functions, and power front passenger seat are included along with an automatic heated steering wheel with Denali-specific leather and heated rear outboard seats. The AWD version of this trim is eligible for the Denali Ultimate Package, which supplies a sunroof and a rearview camera washer.
Active Safety Features
The SL, SLE, and AT4 come with basic driver aids such as lane change and side blind-zone alert, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, and a rear seat reminder. Additional driver aids are available for the SLT through the Driver Alert II Package, which consists of lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, forward collision alert, a following distance indicator, front and rear park assist, and a safety alert seat. All of these are included with the Denali, although the Denali Ultimate Package adds adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The SL and SLE get the base GMC infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming, voice recognition, USB ports, and satellite radio. A 120-volt power outlet is available for the SLE. The SLT and AT4 add the 120-volt outlet as standard along with integrated navigation, a premium eight-speaker Bose audio system, and HD radio. Wireless phone charging is optional, but the Denali gets it as standard. A rear-seat infotainment system with or without a DVD player is available for the SLE and up.