Back in 2016, the GMC Acadia may have been the better option over the Buick Enclave but that isn’t the case in 2020. The 2020 GMC Acadia is one of the most widely-criticized models in the SUV class and there a few reasons as to why. If you have had your eye on the Acadia, you might want to look at alternatives such as the 2020 Buick Enclave. Here is why you should consider the Enclave over the Acadia.

The 2020 GMC Acadia and its flaws

The GMC Acadia looks bold and appealing on the outside, but once you get behind the wheel you can see why it’s an SUV nobody really wants to buy. Its interior design is outdated. Its power is lackluster, and it has a particularly spotty reliability history. The Acadia also doesn’t offer much at a value.

Performance comparison

The Acadia features three engine options but that’s not as exciting as it may sound. The standard 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is pretty basic and it doesn’t move the Acadia as easily as we think it should. GMC introduced a new 230-hp, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder option for 2020 which is more satisfying. 

Furthermore, the best engine option on the Acadia comes standard on the Enclave and that’s a 3.6-liter V6 engine that generates a 310-hp. So with that being said, the Enclave is more of a stand out here because it offers a standard silky-smooth ride quality. Fuel economy ratings are decent for both of these SUVs.

On the inside 

The Enclave is considered as an upscale model and offers a handsome interior that also delivers on comfort.  This SUV can seat up to seven people. The Enclave’s seats are firm and support plus there’s plenty of head- and legroom.  It also offers more cargo space compared to the Acadia. 

As far as interior quality goes, the Acadia isn’t terrible, it just feels cheap. There’s a hodge-podge of different materials that don’t work all that well together. Aside from that, the Acadia is comfortable to ride in. 

Since the Acadia and the Enclave are both under the General Motors umbrella, they offer a lot when it comes to infotainment. An 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay,  Android Auto, and a wifi hotspot are standard features on both models. There are a few more standard features on the Enclave though which include Siri Eyes Free.

Safety

Both the Acadia and the Enclave have solid crash-test scores from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. To help prevent crashes altogether, both SUVs are also available with desirable advanced safety features including lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and front parking sensors. 

The final verdict

The Enclave is a more well-rounded option compared to the Acadia. It offers a refined cabin, satisfying power, and more technology features too. The main drawback for the Enclave though is that not many advanced safety features come standard which is bummer for a luxury model. Still, the Enclave does a lot more to be a stand out than the Acadia does.