The 2020 GMC Acadia doesn’t look like your regular ol’ family SUV. It’s built for families that go, but also offers a bold new grille and an athletic design to drive your family in style. It is an easy-to-drive midsize SUV that provides a smooth ride with room for everyone and everything. Let’s see how it stacks up against the 2020 NIssan Pathfinder. See for yourself at Reliable Buick GMC in the Sacramento area.
Design and Style
GMC has updated its Acadia SUV for 2020. The base Acadia seats seven people comfortably, with the option to seat six with second-row captain’s chairs. For the outdoor enthusiast, the all-new AT4 model offers more rugged styling and will seat five without the third-row of seating. Acadia provides plenty of up-front room and enough room for adult seating in the second row. It adapts to your family’s needs with the flexibility of available third-row seats and Smart Slide second-row seats. Behind the third-row seats, the Acadia has 12.8 cubic feet of cargo space, but put the seats down in the third row and you get 41.7 cubic feet of space. With both the second and third rows folded, you get plenty of room for hauling all your gear, with 79 cubic feet. A programmable power liftgate makes your life easier loading your gear in and out of the trunk. When properly equipped you can tow up to a respectable 4,000 pounds. You have the choice of 4 trims with the Acadia: SL, SLE, SLT, the all-new AT4, and the Denali. With so many great choices, there is an Acadia for everyone.
The 2020 Nissan Pathfinder makes no new significant changes for the 2020 model. The interior has changed little since the last redesign in 2013, giving it an outdated appearance and styling. All trims seat seven people in three rows, with comfortable seats in the front, but the leg room skimps in the back row, making it more suited for kids and teens. The Pathfinder’s firm ride quality with bumps and dips tend to jitter the SUV, making for an uncomfortable ride. The Pathfinder’s plus side is that it can tow up to 6,000 pounds when properly equipped. It has 16.2 cubic feet of space behind its third-row, 47.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down, and 79.5 cubic feet with the last two rows folded down. The Pathfinder is available in four trim levels: S, SV, SL, and Platinum.
Safety and Tech
Put your mind at ease with advanced safety technology, such as Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, along with additional available safety features to help you feel covered. You can stay connected wherever you go with a user-friendly infotainment system that connects to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an 8-inch touch screen that is easy to use. Additional standard features include tri-zone automatic climate control, a rear-seat reminder, a six-speaker audio system, satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hot spot and five USB ports.
The 2020 Nissan Pathfinder doesn’t come close to the new tech features of the Acadia. While Nissan offers some standard safety features, like forward collision warning with brake assist, it doesn’t measure up to the Acadia’s solid list of standard safety features. The Pathfinder’s infotainment may be easy to use, but it lacks the latest connectivity features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which have become standard in most vehicles.
Engine, Fuel, Price
You have the choice of three engine options with the Acadia and each comes paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The base 193-horsepower four-cylinder works well for your daily commute. For more power, you can opt for the 310 horsepower V6 or the new turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 230 horsepower. With an available Twin-Clutch AWD system and Adaptive Ride Control, you can feel confident wherever you go. You will get better gas mileage than most competitors, with 21/27 mpg in the city and highway. The SL base trim starts at $29,800 and ranges to a starting price of $46,300 for the Denali trim.
The base model of the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder has an MRSP or $31,680 and an MSRP of $42,920 for the Platinum fully loaded model. It is outfitted with a 2.5-liter V6 engine that makes 284 horsepower and is paired with a CVT automatic transmission. It accelerates well and feels composed around turns, but the firm suspension tends to bounce over rough payment. Front wheel drive is standard, with all wheel drive an available option. The Pathfinder estimates 20/27 mpg in the city and on the highway.
Overall
The 2020 GMC Acadia is an all-around great SUV, with style and performance that will meet your family’s needs. It gives you the power options to accommodate your driving style, while offering intuitive features and a smooth ride. The 2020 Nissan Pathfinder falls a little short of the Acadia, with a dated style and design, as well as the lack of connectivity features and power of the Acadia. Come take a ride and see for yourself.