2020 GMC Acadia vs 2019 Subaru Ascent

The 2019 Subaru Ascent marked a significant departure from Subaru’s previous attempt at a 3-row SUV, the B9 Tribeca. Unlike the Tribeca, which suffered from minimal cargo space, poor fuel economy, and an almost nonexistent third row, the Ascent was a full and honest effort. It featured big, bold styling, ample cargo and passenger space, and the latest infotainment and driver-assistance technologies. With an upright design, pronounced fenders, and an imposing grille, the Ascent had a commanding presence. Its 113.8-inch wheelbase made it the largest Subaru passenger vehicle ever built, resembling a scaled-up Subaru Forester on the outside but feeling more like an extra-large Subaru Outback on the inside.

The cabin of the Ascent offered plenty of space for occupants, with options for either a 7-passenger layout with second-row captain’s chairs or an 8-passenger layout with a second-row bench. Trims included Base, Premium, Limited, and Touring, each offering various features. The Base trim came well-equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, 4 USB ports, and 19 cupholders. Higher trims added features like a windshield de-icer, power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and upgraded infotainment systems. The Limited trim, which was tested, included 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, leather seating, and a host of driver-assistance features. The top-tier Touring trim added even more luxury with ventilated front seats, woodgrain interior accents, and a 180-degree front-view camera.

The 2020 GMC Acadia, positioned as a premium brand alongside its Buick sibling, aimed to offer a more upscale experience than Chevrolet but not quite at the level of Cadillac. The Acadia came in SL, SLE, SLT, new rugged AT4, and luxurious Denali trim levels. The Denali trim, tested with optional all-wheel drive and extra-cost Satin Steel Metallic paint, featured a new front design with squared-off headlights and a boxier grille, giving it a more upscale appearance. Inside, changes were subtle, with new electronic transmission shift switches, a redesigned center console, and real open-pore wood trim for Denali models.

The Acadia’s cabin mixed soft surfaces with hard plastic panels, and controls were logically laid out. The Denali trim featured leather upholstery and wood trim, but aside from some contrast stitching and bronze-tinted plastic metallic accents, it lacked the premium feel expected at its price point. The Acadia’s interior storage space improved for 2020, thanks to new electronic transmission controls and a reconfigured center console. However, the third-row seat was roomier than expected, but the cargo volume behind it was limited to 12.1 cubic feet, requiring vertical stacking to maximize space. Folding the third-row seat down provided 41.7 cubic feet of cargo space, and with the second-row seats folded, the maximum cargo volume was 79 cubic feet, about average for the segment.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru’s standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The CVT had a manual tap-shift function with simulated “gears.” The turbo engine provided ample pickup for both city and highway driving, and the steering was well-weighted, though it might feel light for drivers used to the Outback. The Ascent had 8.7 inches of ground clearance and offered up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity with a tow-prep package. Fuel economy for the Ascent was 21 mpg city, 27 highway, and 23 combined, with the Limited trim returning 22.7 mpg in mixed driving.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered three different engines: a 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder for lower trims, a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 230 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque for the SLT, and a 310-hp 3.6-liter V6 for the AT4 and Denali variants. All engines were paired with a new nine-speed automatic transmission, and the Acadia was available with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), except for the AT4, which had a dual-clutch AWD system as standard. The V6 and nine-speed automatic provided smooth, refined power and up to 4,000 pounds of towing capacity. The test vehicle’s powertrain included automatic engine stop/start and an engine cylinder deactivation system, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined, and it averaged 20.1 mpg in FWD mode. The Acadia’s ride and handling were finely tuned, but the driving character was unremarkable.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent offered plenty of legroom and headroom in the first and second rows, while the third row was tighter for full-size adults. The third row was mainly for kids or could be dropped to make more room for gear, providing 47 cubic feet of cargo space, which grew to 86 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. This was more than the Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, and Honda Pilot, making the Ascent impressive in terms of cargo capacity. The Ascent also featured 19 cupholders, making it incredibly useful for road trips.

The 2020 GMC Acadia seated five, six, or seven passengers, depending on the trim level and configuration. The Denali trim provided 6-passenger seating with standard second-row captain’s chairs, but a bench seat was available as a no-cost option. The front seats were wide and supportive, with 10-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated seats. The second-row captain’s chairs were also heated, and rear passengers had air conditioning vents, USB ports, and a household-style power outlet. The third-row seat was roomier than expected, but the cargo volume behind it was limited to 12.1 cubic feet. Folding the third-row seat down provided 41.7 cubic feet of cargo space, and the maximum cargo volume was 79 cubic feet.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent came standard with Subaru’s StarLink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the base trim, and an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system had easy-to-follow menus, redundant physical buttons, and real dials for volume and tuning. The optional Technology Package added a Harman Kardon premium stereo, panoramic moonroof, navigation, and real-time traffic and weather updates. Smartphone connectivity via USB allowed access to contacts, messages, music, maps, and more.

The 2020 GMC Acadia included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and GMC Connected Services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Versions with an 8-inch touchscreen had a higher resolution display, a simplified user experience, and improved voice recognition. The test vehicle’s infotainment system included navigation and a Bose premium sound system, with voice-recognition technology that generally performed well. Additional technology upgrades for 2020 included new USB-C connection and charging ports, a more powerful wireless charging pad, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror providing an unobstructed wide-angle view.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent came standard with a full array of front- and side-impact airbags, vehicle dynamics control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assist technology was also standard on all trims, including pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. Higher trims added blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and reverse automatic emergency braking. The Ascent was backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The 2020 GMC Acadia included a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology as standard, along with GMC Connected Services with automatic collision notification and SOS emergency calling. Standard safety features included blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning. However, forward collision warning and low-speed automatic emergency braking were only available on higher trims and as part of a Driver Alert Package. The Acadia received 5-star ratings in most NHTSA crash tests and a 4-star rollover resistance rating, but IIHS data was incomplete, with high marks in available tests.