GMC Acadia Vs. Ford Explorer

Background Information to Know

As some of you might already know, the new 2020 GMC Acadia is a crossover SUV that offers great value to drivers living in Charlotte, NC, and beyond. The first-ever Acadia made its debut in 2006 as a 2007 year design. The Acadia has come a long way since the first-generation, which sported a six-speed automatic transmission and a 3.6L V6 engine. Today, the new GMC Acadia offers added power along with intuitive technology. If you're looking for a large vehicle, you will find yourself drawn to the Acadia for its new grille, standard LED headlamps and sculpted body. The Acadia offers three engine types: 2.5L I-4 in the SLE, 2.0L turbo in the SLT, and 3.6L V6 in the Denali edition.

The new Ford Explorer has had its fair share of transformations as well. The first-generation Explorer hit the streets in 1990 as a 1991 model year. The 2020 Ford Explorer is known for its smaller frame, which makes it an interesting competitor for the Acadia, a larger mid-size SUV. For over six generations, the Explorer has been evolving. Will Ford's updates be enough to rival the GMC Acadia's sculpted exterior? Let's compare builds to find out.options

Best 2020 Ford Explorer Features

For the 2020 model year, Ford automotive engineers have revamped the styling without sacrificing the features that draw drivers in. Overall, the SUV offers a user-friendly infotainment system with generous cargo space. However, are the add-ons strong enough for the new Ford vehicle to remain competitive with models like the GMC Acadia or even the Sierra 1500? Our total unbiased opinion is no, the new 2020 Ford Explorer is not the best SUV option, and here's why:

- Majority of the Ford Explorer trims (Base Explorer, XLT and Limited) offer a standard 2.3L EcoBoost® I-4 engine as well as access to the 3.0L EcoBoost® V6 engine in the Platinum and ST editions (ST includes a Twin-Turbo with 404 hp). The Explorer Limited offers an available 3.3L Hybrid powertrain. We won't deny that these pairings are powerful, but we're not sure the added kick of power is worth the overall asking price.

- The roof pillars are thicker than we would like them to be, which can be problematic for drivers with taller builds, as it is hard to see outside the rear window.

- For the price, the interior should have a more high-end feel. The cabin's black plastic surfaces don't necessarily blend well in the sunlight, as they tend to reflect a purple hue. The purple color wouldn't be an issue if it were consistent throughout the cabin. However, the panels still appear to be black in sunlight.

- The backseats feel like they have limited leg room, which seems counter intuitive given the extra headroom offered.

While Ford's SUV has tons of exciting features and agile handling, all of that ingenuity is overshadowed by a hefty price point. You'll get more bang for your buck if you stick with the competitively priced GMC Acadia.