2020 Kia Telluride vs 2020 GMC Acadia

The 2020 Kia Telluride represented a significant departure from Kia's previous reputation for producing adequate but unremarkable vehicles. It boasted a design that appeared far more expensive than its actual price, although the Kia badge somewhat detracted from its upscale appearance. The Telluride's exterior design was a blend of boxy and fluid elements, reminiscent of both Chevy and Volvo models. It featured upright, rectilinear themes with wide-spaced vertical headlights and a silver mesh grille. The interior was equally impressive, with a design that could be mistaken for a Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. High-quality materials, such as matte wood and knurled metal knobs, contributed to a luxurious feel, although some elements, like the wood, were not entirely real. The Telluride's interior was spacious and well-appointed, with features like Nappa leather seats and a soft headliner in the SX trim.

In contrast, the 2020 GMC Acadia aimed to position itself as a premium SUV, sitting between Chevrolet and Cadillac in the GM hierarchy. The Acadia Denali trim, in particular, featured a luxurious cabin with wide and supportive 10-way power-adjustable front seats, leather upholstery, and real open-pore wood trim. The exterior design changes for 2020 included a more squared-off front with intricate detailing on the grille, giving it a more upscale appearance. The interior, while comfortable and logically laid out, did not offer the same level of premium feel as the Telluride. The Acadia's cabin had a mix of soft surfaces and hard plastic panels, and while it included features like heated second-row captain's chairs and a household-style power outlet, it lacked the overall refinement of the Telluride.

The 2020 Kia Telluride came equipped with a single engine option: a 3.8-liter V6 producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This power was routed through an 8-speed automatic transmission to either the front wheels or all four wheels, with AWD available as a $2,000 option. While the Telluride's engine provided sufficient power to move its substantial weight, the transmission's response was sometimes delayed and inconsistent. The steering was slow, and there was noticeable body lean, but the ride quality was smooth, aided by double-paned glass and acoustic insulation. The Telluride's towing capacity was 5,000 pounds with the optional Towing package, and its fuel economy was EPA-estimated at 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined for AWD models.

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. The V6 engine, paired with a new nine-speed automatic transmission, provided smooth and refined power delivery. The Acadia's ride and handling were finely tuned, offering a balanced driving experience. The V6-powered Acadia had a towing capacity of up to 4,000 pounds. The test vehicle's fuel economy was EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined, with an average of 20.1 mpg in real-world driving. The Acadia's steering, suspension, and brakes performed well, but the overall driving experience was unremarkable.

The 2020 Kia Telluride could seat seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim. The base LX and EX trims seated eight, while the S and SX trims offered seven-passenger seating with second-row captain's chairs. The SX trim added features like heating and cooling for the second-row seats, manual side-window shades, and a third climate zone. The Telluride's cabin was spacious, with ample room in the second row and a tolerable third row for adults. Cargo capacity was 21 cubic feet with all seats raised and 87 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The interior featured analog gauges, buttons, knobs, and a regular PRNDL shifter, complemented by two displays: a 3.5-inch instrument panel and an 8-inch dash screen, with larger screens available on higher trims.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered seating for five, six, or seven passengers, depending on the trim level. The Denali trim provided six-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 adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The second-row captain's chairs were also heated and comfortable, with air conditioning vents, USB ports, and a household-style power outlet. The third-row seat was roomier than expected, but the cargo space behind it was limited to 12.1 cubic feet. With the third-row seat folded down, cargo capacity increased to 41.7 cubic feet, and with the second-row seats folded, it reached 79 cubic feet.

The 2020 Kia Telluride came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Kia's UVO link, which allowed remote access to the vehicle via an app. Upper trims with navigation featured fast and accurate voice inputs, live traffic and weather updates, and a proximity key. The SX trim included advanced features like a live feed of the blind spot on the instrument cluster, Highway Driving Assist, a quiet mode for the stereo, and an intercom for the third row. The SX also had bright LED headlights, dual moonroofs, and a Harman Kardon surround stereo. However, the Telluride lacked onboard WiFi and a rear-seat entertainment option.

The 2020 GMC Acadia included standard infotainment features like Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and GMC Connected Services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The 8-inch touchscreen had a higher resolution display, simplified user experience, and improved voice recognition. The test vehicle's infotainment system was easy to use, with navigation and a Bose premium sound system. Additional technology upgrades for 2020 included new USB-C ports, a more powerful wireless charging pad, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror. The rear camera mirror provided an unobstructed wide-angle view, especially useful when the cargo area was packed.

As of the writing, the 2020 Kia Telluride had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it was expected to receive top scores. The Telluride came standard with a comprehensive suite of active driver assists, including forward-collision alert with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, and adaptive cruise control. Safe Exit Assist, which prevented passengers from opening the rear doors if an approaching vehicle was detected, was also standard. Optional features included surround-view cameras and front parking sensors.

The 2020 GMC Acadia came standard with a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. GMC Connected Services included automatic collision notification and SOS emergency calling, but the free trial period was short. Standard ADAS features included blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning. Forward collision warning and low-speed automatic emergency braking were available on SLT and AT4 trims as part of a Driver Alert Package, which also included lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, pedestrian braking, parking sensors, automatic high-beam headlights, and a head-up display. Enhanced automatic emergency braking was exclusive to the Denali trim. The NHTSA gave the Acadia 5-star ratings in most assessments and a 4-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not tested the Acadia for headlight performance or small overlap frontal-impact protection for the front passenger but gave high marks in other tests.