From its bold grill to its athletic design, the 2021 GMC Acadia is built for families on the go, allowing room for everyone and everything. Let’s compare it to the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse.
Design
The 2021 GMC Acadia made a few changes for this model year. Second-row captain’s chairs are now standard on all but the base SL trim, providing seating for up to six people. There are three new exterior colors that join Acadia’s lineup for 2021 – Cayenne Red Tintcoat, Hunter metallic, and Midnight Blue metallic. Acadia offers comfortable seating in the first two rows, with plenty of head-and legroom for adults. The third row offers a little less space, making it a better option to seat children. Second and third row fold-flat-seating and Smart Slide second row seats provide ease with cargo storage and getting in and out of your SUV. With up to 79 cubic feet of cargo space when both seats are folded down, the Acadia offers plenty of cargo space for your next adventure, with storage cubbies providing ample space to store your goodies. A hands-free power liftgate is available for your convenience. The GMC Acadia is offered in five trim levels – SL, SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali.
The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse features lots of space for passengers in all three rows of seating; as well as plenty of cargo space. It seats eight people in its lower trims, with a second-row bench seat. Higher trims offer second-row captain's chairs and seat seven. The Traverse provides a comfortable, cushioned ride, with easy access to get in and out of each row. Cloth upholstery comes standard and leather upholstery and power-adjustable front seats are available; as well as heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. You’ll get plenty of cargo space with 23 cubic feet behind the rear seats, 57.8 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and 98.2 cubic feet of cargo space when the second and third row seats are folded down. The Traverse is available in seven trims: L, LS, LT Cloth, LT Leather, RS, Premier, and High Country.
Power and Fuel
With Acadia’s base engine, it features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 193 horsepower or an optional 3.6-liter V6 that will give you 310 horsepower. A turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with 230 horsepower is available on the SLT and Denali trims. A nine-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive are standard and all-wheel drive is optional. The 2.5-liter delivers a 1000-pound towing capacity and the V6 can tow up to 4000 pounds when properly equipped. The Acadia offers 21/27 mpg in the city and on the highway with its base 2.5-liter engine and 19/27 mpg city/highway with the V6 front-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine with front-wheel drive will give you 22/29 mpg city/highway. Acadia’s starting price ranges from $29,800 to $48,300.
The Chevy Traverse features a 310-horsepower V6 engine on all models with a nine-speed automatic transmission, providing enough power for everyday driving needs, but with average acceleration. Its design makes the Chevrolet easy to drive and maneuver and ride smoothly over most road surfaces. When properly equipped, the Traverse can tow up to 5000 pounds. It is standard with front-wheel drive and available with all-wheel drive. The Traverse has a gas mileage rating of 18/27 mpg in the city and on the highway when equipped with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive will give you 17/25 mpg. Pricing starts out at $32,900 for the LS trim and ranges to a starting price of $53,200 for the all-wheel-drive High Country.
Safety and Technology
The GMC Acadia features modern, onboard technology to keep you connected wherever you go. A standard 8-inch infotainment touchscreen comes with the SL and SLE trim, with five USB ports, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, along with keyless ignition and entry. The SLT trim adds navigation and an eight-speaker Bose audio system with HD radio. Safety features included are the Onstar connected services, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The SLT will also feature forward collision mitigation, lane keeping assist, and automatic high beams. Denali’s upgraded packages will add even more safety and technology features to your driving.
Standard features in the Traverse include Chevrolet's user-friendly Infotainment 3 system with a 7-inch touch screen, six USB ports, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hot spot, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The touch screen responds quickly to inputs and features an intuitive menu layout. A rear-seat entertainment system, an 8-inch touch screen, navigation, a 10-speaker Bose audio system, and satellite radio are available options. Standard safety features include a rearview camera, rear-seat reminder, Teen Driver system and a reminder to buckle up before driving. Available active safety features include adaptive cruise control, a surround-view parking camera system, a rear camera mirror, forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, rear parking sensors, and rear cross traffic alert.
Overall
The 2021 GMC Acadia and 2021 Chevrolet Traverse are two classy SUVs that will meet your family’s needs, while offering a similar price tag. They offer plenty of room for adults in the first two rows of seating and enough cargo room to bring your gear on your next adventure. If you want more passenger and cargo room, as well as a higher towing capability, the Traverse will give you that option. The Acadia will give you better gas mileage; as well as better acceleration with its turbocharged engine.