2020 GMC Acadia vs 2020 Hyundai Palisade

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade was a standout in terms of styling, with a bold design that could easily be mistaken for a luxury brand. Its massive grille and thin headlights gave it a distinctive look, complemented by a unique LED character line. The use of chrome and interesting character lines added to its visual appeal, though some might have found it a bit busy. Inside, the Palisade offered an upscale feel with a fully digital instrument panel, a large touchscreen, and a center console filled with controls. The top-of-the-line Limited trim featured ambient lighting, leather upholstery, and a host of other premium features.

In contrast, the 2020 GMC Acadia aimed for a more rugged and professional look, especially with its Denali trim. The front design changes included squared-off headlights and a boxier grille, giving it a more upscale appearance. Inside, the changes were subtle, with new electronic transmission shift switches and real open-pore wood trim for the Denali. The cabin featured a mix of soft surfaces and hard plastic panels, with controls laid out logically. However, aside from the leather upholstery and wood trim, there wasn't much to distinguish the Acadia as a premium choice.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade came equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, offering smooth and responsive performance. The Palisade featured multiple drive modes, including Sport, Comfort, Eco, Snow, and Smart, which adjusted the vehicle's behavior based on driving conditions. The Limited trim's self-leveling rear suspension enhanced its handling, making it a joy to drive even on bumpy roads. Fuel economy for the Palisade was 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 22 combined for the FWD model, with slightly lower figures for the AWD version.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered three engine options: a 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a 230-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, and a 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6. All engines were paired with a new nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 engine, available in the AT4 and Denali trims, provided smooth and refined power, with a towing capacity of up to 4,000 pounds. The Acadia's ride and handling were finely tuned, offering a comfortable and predictable driving experience. Fuel economy for the V6 AWD model was 21 mpg combined, with the test vehicle averaging 20.1 mpg.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade excelled in interior space and versatility, offering 45.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row down and 86.4 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The third row was spacious enough for adults on longer trips, and the second-row captain's chairs provided ample comfort and storage options. The power-folding third-row seats added convenience, though they operated slowly.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered seating for five, six, or seven passengers, depending on the trim level. The Denali trim featured comfortable 10-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, as well as heated second-row captain's chairs. The third-row seat was roomier than expected, though cargo space was limited to 12.1 cubic feet behind the third row. With the third row folded, cargo space increased to 41.7 cubic feet, and maximum cargo volume was 79 cubic feet.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and multiple USB ports. The SEL trim offered an optional Driver Guidance package, which included a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, satellite radio, and an in-car intercom system. The Limited trim featured a Harman Kardon premium audio system, a surround-view monitor, and a head-up display.

The 2020 GMC Acadia included 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. The Denali trim featured navigation, a Bose premium sound system, and additional technology upgrades like USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It came standard with forward-collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, driver-attention warning, and parking sensors. The digital instrument panel displayed parking sensor warnings and featured a unique blind-spot camera system.

The 2020 GMC Acadia included a rear-seat reminder system, Teen Driver technology, and standard blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning. However, advanced safety features like forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking were only available on higher trims and as part of optional packages. The Acadia received 5-star ratings in most NHTSA crash tests but had incomplete IIHS data.