The GMC Acadia has seen plenty of upgrades to its 2020 model. It’s lighter on its feet than the competition. Adjusted for stricter fuel-efficiency standards, the new GMC Acadia is a little slimmer and shorter than its rivals and 500 pounds lighter. The result is a three-row SUV that offers a comfortable ride, three engine choices, and an easy-to-use infotainment system.

It sounds like an SUV that has a lot going for it. But is it safe?

The 2020 GMC Acadia

The 2020 GMC Acadia is boxy in design, seats up to seven, and has a new off-roading model. It’s upscale enough at the price to attract families on a budget. Though it might not achieve the excellence of a Mazda CX-9, it’s an appealing, contemporary SUV with lots of cargo space and helpful convenience features.

Updated for 2020, the Acadia’s LED highlights are now standard. Its grill is new, and minor changes were made at the rear. It offers second-row seats that slide and tip forward to make third-row entry easier. A hands-free liftgate is available as well.

The Acadia’s SLT and Denali trims got a new standard turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. The latest AT4 models feature off-road-inspired design, according to U.S. News. A new infotainment system has updated software and a high-resolution eight-inch touchscreen. 

Other improvements include a new electronic gear selector, which saves room at the center console. The 18- and 20-inch wheels have new designs. And the Acadia now has a nine-speed automatic transmission standard with all engine options.

Standard safety features

The GMC Acadia offers blind-spot monitoring with a lane-change alert standard. Automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane departure warning with lane-keeping assist are available as options.

Other standard safety features are rear cross-traffic alerts, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, and a rear-seat reminder. Plus, there’s the Teen Driver system, which allows parents to set limits on speed and stereo volume levels for secondary drivers.

The available GMC Safety Alert driver’s seat sends pulses to alert the driver about possible forward collisions, pedestrians in front of the vehicle, and traffic crossing behind it.

There are two forward collision warning features, according to Consumer Reports. One has low-speed automatic braking with pedestrian detection. This helps prevent or lessen the impact of front crashes. The warning system activates at speeds over 25 mph to monitor the road. It even warns the driver if it detects a pedestrian. Low-speed automatic braking activates between 5 and 50 mph if the driver’s response isn’t fast enough.

Forward collision warning with high-speed automatic braking offers adaptive cruise control at higher speeds. The warning system lets drivers know of potential collisions, pedestrians, and more.

Other available driver-assist features include a head-up display, a surround-view parking camera system, and front driving sensors.

Crash tests

When it came to crash testing, the 2020 GMC Acadia performed well. It earned four out of five stars on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) test. The NHTSA didn’t give an overall safety rating to the Acadia, U.S. News reported.

The 2020 GMC Acadia equipped with the Technology package received a Good rating in all five Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests. The same model garnered a Superior rating — the top honor — for front crash prevention. Models equipped with the Driver Alert II package earned an Advanced rating.

Overall, with its intuitive tech features, good fuel-efficiency, and generous cargo space when the back seats are folded, the 2020 GMC Acadia is a high-quality SUV. Best of all, it provides solid standard safety features, offers plenty of optional safety features, and performed well in crash tests.