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2020 GMC Acadia Refresh Shows Off New LED Headlights In New Spy Shots

Back in April, we brought you our first look at the incoming refresh for the 2020 GMC Acadia. That vehicle was equipped with placeholder headlights and taillights, along with a very healthy amount of camouflage, making it difficult to see what was going on under the cover. Luckily, the prototype we caught undergoing testing today is wearing production headlights, giving us our best look yet at the new units.

2020 GMC Acadia Spy Shots - exterior - headlights - September 2018 002

There are two primary things taking place here. The first is the addition of LED-based Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) via a new interpretation of GMC’s C-shaped signature that enveloped the headlight on the top and bottom, as well as on the outside corners.

The signature C-shaped DRLs wrap what appears to be two LED reflectors inside the headlight cluster, positioned horizontally next to one another. The federally-mandated side amber marker light is present and accounted for on the outside-most part of the headlight.

So, it sure looks like the new 2020 GMC Acadia will have a full-LED headlight treatment that has a refined, high-end look bordering on being sinister.

2020 GMC Acadia Spy Shots - exterior - headlights - September 2018 003

Note that the current 2017-2019 Acadia models feature LED-based DRLs on all models except for the base SL, but they don’t really feature a notable signature as seen here. The current models also feature projector-beam headlamps on all models except for the range-topping Denali, which uses HIDs. At this point, we don’t know whether the full LED headlights seen on this prototype will be standard on all 2020 GMC Acadia models, or be reserved to a few select trims.

2020 GMC Acadia Spy Shots - exterior - headlights - September 2018 004

Notice the bright yellow object in the middle of the front grille. That’s undoubtedly part of a new front-view camera system, which we will explore in a subsequent post.

About GMC Acadia

The GMC Acadia is a mid-size crossover utility vehicle (CUV). It is the largest GMC crossover currently offered, slotting above the compact GMC Terrain.

The current model was introduced for the 2017 model year and represents the second generation of the Acadia nameplate. It rides on the GM C1 platform shared with the Cadillac XT5. It is expected that the upcoming, future Chevrolet Blazer will ride on the same platform. Meanwhile, the second-generation Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave use a longer-wheelbase variant of the same architecture.

Compared to its first-generation predecessor, the second-gen Acadia is an all-new vehicle that is one size segment smaller, while also being sleeker, more modern, more tech-laden and much lighter. Despite its smaller size, the second-gen Acadia manages to retain three rows of seating and generous cargo space.

2019 GMC Acadia Black Edition

The Acadia Black Edition was introduced for the 2019 model year

For the 2018 model year, the Acadia got a new color, automatic heated steering wheel in place of the manual heated steering wheel, Tire Fill Alert, some new wheels on the SLT-1 All Terrain model, as well as broader availability of the 3.6L V-6 engine and All-Terrain package.

For the 2019 model year, the Acadia receives several new colors, Express Up and Down window controls for the driver’s-side controls as standard on the SLE-2 and SLT-1 trims, the expanded availability of the Ebony interior color with the All-Terrain package on the SLT trim level and the introduction of the Acadia Black Edition.

A midcycle refresh is in store for the 2020 model year that’s expected to deliver updated styling, the new GM 9-speed automatic transmission, in-vehicle technology updates, and other enhancements. See more on the 2020 GMC Acadia.

The GMC Acadia is built exclusively at the GM Spring Hill factory in Tennessee operated by GM USA.

Stay tuned to GM Authority for more GMC Acadia news and and GMC news.

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Comments

  1. About time. Not sure why it took so long to get LEDs on the Acadia, especially the Denali.

    Reply
  2. I don’t dislike the Acadia, but making it smaller to compete with the Grand Cherokee and then giving it the front drive proportions and ground clearance of a Dodge Caravan is just weird.

    I’d rather just get the Grand Cherokee. It can go off road, looks more expensive, had better proportions, and let’s the driver turn off the annoyance that is start/stop.

    I guess I just don’t get the point of the new “smaller” Acadia. It seems to sacrifice a lot of space without being made more appealing in other areas.

    Reply
    1. The point is that the overwhelming majority of the target market is looking for a vehicle exactly the size of this second-gen Acadia (or the Grand Cherokee). Most buyers do not need off-road capabilities beyond what’s offered by the Acadia already, so that’s a non-starter. Moreover, very few potential Grand Cherokee buyers walk into a Jeep showroom with the intention of doing any serious off roading. If they are, they will probably end up with a Wrangler. But as it stands, most Acadias and GCs never see anything but pavement/asphalt. The remaining percentage that go “off road” is usually to a camp site that a Spark can reach just as well.

      By comparison, the first gen Arcadia was an outlier in that it was simply too big… it’s the same reason there is now a third vehicle off this architecture – the new Blazer… and there probably can be a fourth for Buick to slot between the Envision and Enclave.

      This is a very competitive space and GM needs to pull out all the stops to not fall behind. In fact, I’d characterize this segment as the new midsize sedan space of the 90s and early 2000s.

      Reply
      1. Seen Acadia sales vs. Jeep, Alex? Which one has more brand cache internationally?

        Most people don’t need a Mercedes either, but they sell…

        Reply
    2. Well the down size sold us on one. We shopped the Acadia before but just too big. We went Terrain.

      Now down sized it is the perfect size for us. We can haul 6 but never do but the extra cargo room over the Terrain is a big help.

      The loss and gain of space depends on what you were driving before. If we need more the Buick is in the same show room.

      Also we do not go off road and in sport mode the Acadia is 40 front 60 rear drive. It drives more like our old SSEI than a truck.

      Just because it turned you off it has picked up many new buyers in the first couple years.

      Note too we only paid a little more than we did for our Terrain.

      GM is trying to build CUV models for everyone not 4 variations of the same one.

      As for those with the LED fetish I hope this solves their desire.

      Reply
      1. +1 on the LED fetish. I chuckled.

        But on a serious note: nowadays, LEDs are the equivalent of candy… and buyers are hungry for sugar. The more models in which they implement attractive LEDs, the more attention and purchase considerations they will get from the general populous.

        Reply
        1. Oh they get a big for anything visually new. Headlights have always been a bug.

          The change to square everyone wanted the new ones, change to Composites everyone wanted them, add the rear window brake light people added them, hid came and people wanted them, led same. Once they are on all cars people will be off to the next new thing.

          Remember people adding on star antennas. Fake but they had to have them.

          To be honest my hids work fine.

          I think a lot of this comes down to the lack of changes we see in cars today. When I was a kid every rear was a major refresh on most cars. Today we go years and you can buy a new car today that came out 5 years ago that looks just the same.

          I often wonder if automakers ever consider that even small updates to the point you can tell they years appart would be beneficial to them. Like I bought a year end 17 but if the 18 had a new grill I may have paid more for it.

          I am not talking but make overs but trim changes to make em appear more updated. Snap on some new plastic or add an odd light here it there.

          Reply
          1. I think the theory of making small yearly updates to differentiate the models apart would work. It would also allow them to stretch the lifecycle of a platform, in turn making it more profitable.

            I think we will see this with the D2 and E2 sedans/hatches more than anything… but the issue is that the updates implemented for both the Cruze and Malibu MCEs are so sub-par, that they might as well not have done them.

            PS: yeah, the HIDs on the Acadia Denali work well… but the lesser models with the projector beams are very sub-par.

            Reply
            1. I don’t know about stretching them much more but you may get more sales per year and make more money per year.

              Markets are so competitive now that you will still need to up date the package.

              My point is my Terrain changed so little from into to end of cycle there was little incentive to update. But yet the platform was still over due in the end. It was not packaged well or efficient in cargo room.

              The real key is to make changes for the better not just for the sake of change.

              The base lights were ok the Denali were just better.

              Just because the base might get LED may not make them much better. Will see what we get. What is shown here is a Denali.

              Reply
  3. Wouldn’t even consider it if it still uses ancient 3.6L V6. Anything less than 350hp for this car is too weak.

    Reply
  4. Y hope they change the ugly front grille , ,the Chevy look better,,,

    Reply

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