2020 GMC Acadia vs 2020 Volvo XC90

The 2020 GMC Acadia was positioned as a premium SUV, sitting between Chevrolet and Cadillac in terms of luxury. Built on the same platform as the Cadillac XT5, the Acadia shared powertrains and assembly origins with its more upscale sibling. The Acadia Denali, with its all-wheel drive and Satin Steel Metallic paint, aimed to convey an upscale image with its redesigned front featuring squared-off headlights and a boxier grille. Inside, the cabin retained a mix of soft surfaces and hard plastics, with new electronic transmission shift switches and open-pore wood trim in the Denali model. Despite these touches, the interior struggled to fully establish itself as a premium choice.

In contrast, the 2020 Volvo XC90 represented a pinnacle of modern Volvo design, showcasing a blend of elegance and functionality. The R-Design trim featured a blacked-out grille, aggressive styling elements, and striking 22-inch rims. The "Thor's hammer" LED headlights and curving taillights added to its distinctive look. Inside, the XC90 offered a luxurious experience with options like wool fabric seats and matte wood trim. The seats were praised for their comfort and support, with power-adjustable features and optional massage. The cabin was filled with high-quality materials, and the attention to detail was evident in features like the Swedish flag tag and the leather-wrapped center console.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered three engine options, starting with a 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine for lower trims. The SLT trim introduced a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 230 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The AT4 and Denali variants featured a 310-hp 3.6-liter V6 engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Acadia's ride and handling were finely tuned, providing a smooth driving experience, though it lacked memorable driving character. The V6 engine offered up to 4,000 pounds of towing capacity, and the test vehicle averaged 20.1 mpg in combined driving.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 came with three powertrains, all based on a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model produced 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, while the T6 added a supercharger for 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The Polestar tune further boosted the T6 to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft. Despite these numbers, the XC90's performance was not particularly sporty, with mid-range acceleration and noise levels falling short of expectations. The T8 plug-in hybrid offered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, but its added weight negated the speed advantage. The XC90's fuel economy was unimpressive, with the T6 AWD rated at 21 mpg combined.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered seating for five, six, or seven passengers, with the Denali trim providing standard second-row captain’s chairs. The front seats were wide and supportive, with 10-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The second-row captain’s chairs were also heated, and rear passengers had access to air conditioning vents, USB ports, and a power outlet. The third-row seat was roomier than expected, though cargo space was limited to 12.1 cubic feet behind it. Folding the third-row seat expanded cargo capacity to 41.7 cubic feet, with a maximum of 79 cubic feet available.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 featured a faster and more responsive Sensus infotainment system, with most controls integrated into the touchscreen. The cabin layout was praised for its organization and ease of use, with seven seats standard. An integrated booster cushion was available for the second-row bench, providing convenience for families. The third row was tight, suitable for small children only. Cargo space was generous, with up to 85.7 cubic feet available with the last two rows folded. The XC90's sightlines from the driver's seat were also noted as a positive feature.

The 2020 GMC Acadia came equipped with popular infotainment features, including Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The 8-inch touchscreen offered a higher resolution display and improved voice recognition. Additional technology upgrades included new USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a simple interface that was easy to navigate.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 featured Volvo Pilot Assist as standard, a semi-automated driving system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The R-Design trim included a Bowers & Wilkins stereo with 19 speakers and 1,400 watts of power, offering an exceptional audio experience. The portrait-oriented touchscreen provided easy navigation, though onboard apps were slow to load. The instrument panel could be reskinned, but lacked major reconfiguration options. The XC90's technology package was comprehensive, though some areas could benefit from improvement.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered standard safety features like a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. However, advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) were limited, with features like forward collision warning and low-speed automatic emergency braking available only on higher trims. The Acadia received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA in most assessments, but the IIHS provided incomplete data, with high marks in available tests.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 boasted top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, though the latter's headlight test lowered its rating to a Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. Volvo's commitment to safety was evident in its use of high-strength steels and innovative systems like whiplash protection and curtain airbags.