When GMC revealed the 2020 Acadia on February 18th, it only provided three photos to go along with its announcement, and all three were digitally altered in some way, making it rather difficult to really appreciate the updated design of the midsize crossover SUV. Luckily, our spy photographers managed to catch up to a completely undisguised tester of the 2020 GMC Acadia facelift on the streets of metro Detroit, giving us our first look at the updated model.
The vehicle seen here is the SLT trim level coated in (what appears to be) Ebony Twilight Metallic. Thanks to gobs of recent showfall in the Detroit area, the body is filthy – giving the Acadia some added charisma.
| Base | Good | Better | Better Off-Road | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL | SLE | SLT | AT4 | Denali |
The 2020 GMC Acadia features an updated exterior design that’s bolder. It all starts with a new grille that’s part of the new front fascia, both of which are more rugged and upright than the pre-facelift model. The signature GMC C-shaped lighting has also been updated for the facelifted model, and it comes across really well in these real-world pics.
As you can see in these photos, the C-shaped Daytime Running Light (DRL) features elongated horizontal elements that wrap the top and bottom portions of the headlight. In addition, the white C-shaped DRL switches to an amber hue when the turn signal (and/or the hazard lights) are enabled. The 2020 GMC Acadia refresh also brings LED-based forward lights as standard equipment, but they are not enabled in this model.
The 2020 Acadia also delivers new, trim-specific 18- and 20-inch wheel designs. The model seen here rides on a new set of what appear to be 18-inch units. Also take note of the new outside mirrors, which now feature integrated LED turn signals as well as a power-folding feature standard on Denali and available on the SLT. The pre-facelift Acadia did not feature either a power-folding feature or an integrated turn signal.
Out back is a new integrated rear fascia with a new set of tailamps. Interestingly, the C-shaped lighting signature seen at the front has been reduced to a vertical bar at the rear.
There’s also a new, hands-free power liftgate with a projected GMC logo as standard on SLT, AT4 and Denali models. By comparison, 2017, 2018, and 2019 models featured a hands-free power liftgate but without the GMC logo projection. It was standard only on the Denali model.
Inside, the 2020 GMC Acadia facelift features a redesigned center console with enhanced storage space along with unique Denali interior color schemes and a new, open-pore wood decor. The introduction of GM’s Electronic Precision Shift enables more storage room in the center console by replacing the conventional gear selector lever with an electronically-controller gear selection consisting of intuitive push buttons and pull triggers. Photos of the new center console with the EPS feature are currently not available; in fact, no photos of the 2020 Acadia’s interior are available.
Under the hood, the 2020 GMC Acadia gets several new updates. First, the existing, naturally-aspirated 2.5L LCV I4 and 3.6L LGX V6 carry over from prior model years. But for the 2020 Acadia, the new GM 9-speed automatic transmission replaces the 6-speed unit. The nine-speed’s additional clutches and gears offer better optimized acceleration and efficiency, and engine noise is reduced during cruising for greater refinement.
The last change is the introduction of GM’s new, turbo-charged 2.0L LSY I-4 engine in the 2020 GMC Acadia. It is standard on SLT and Denali models, expanding the Acadia’s propulsion choices for customers and adding a new dimension to the crossover’s performance. In the Acadia, the all-new, boosted four-banger makes 230 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It gets mated to the same 9-speed automatic gearbox as the 2.5L and 3.6L.
The 2020 GMC Acadia goes on sale this fall, with production at the GM Spring Hill assembly plant in Tennessee.
Comments
The DRLs look great, and I like the grille. But the bigger grille makes the Acadia look bigger to me…
It s a definite improvement exterior-wise. This segment is so crowded these days that the exterior alone isn’t adequate to size up one vehicle against the rest.
Looks pretty snazzy, liked it before, still looks good. GMC really missed out on a chance to get rid of that horribly ugly chrome bar across the lift gate.
Looks ok but I still like the smaller grill better. This one just makes it look more square and flat in front.
I do like the addition of the heads up and am very pleased there is a defeat button on auto stop.
The part many miss is how Togo’s the Denali Driveswith the variable suspension. I hit a on ramp last night at 70 mph last night and accelerated through. No drama and it was as stable as many sport sedans.
We stopped to see the Explorer and Edge last night and the wife did not like trigger inside. The Explorer was even more expensive but just felt cheap.
I like it. The exterior design is pure GMC DNA.
I would take a Denali over the new XT6, which is pretty much the same car.
Don’t like the trim on the windows and it’s not on the back windows! Dumb! Also the design . The bottom of the windows are too high! Makes it hard to see around .
I see a Dodge Durango up front and a Ford Explorer from the back. Not saying it’s a bad thing, I just never really looked at it close until now.
Just not a fan of the massive oversized grille fad that seems to be spreading like wildfire these days. The defeat switch is good on the stop/start but note that last year’s models with the 3.6 didn’t have this feature so I’m wondering if its included on all 3 engines this year. Some of the other changes are okay save the stupid push/pull shift switches.
An what is with the ever shrinking power and torque ratings on the 2.0T engines? Note that this same size engine makes 275 HP on the Camaro and close to that amount on certain Cadillacs and as little as 3 years ago made 259/260 on certain FWD models. If this is supposed to be a substitute for a V6 then the current 230/258 figures are not coming close to cutting it. Even FCA is getting 270 Hp and 295 torque out of there new 2.0T in the Cherokee and Wrangler.
Its the new 2.0t from the Caddy XT4 not the one in the camaro or Terrain. I believe it also includes cylinder deactivation which the current 2.0 does not.
I know which engine it is but can’t understand why they keep shrinking the power and torque figures. Like the MPG figures it’s almost as if they are dumbing down the internal combustion engine enough where they hope we are all going to want electric cars.
But….did they add the 7th seat back??? I need the 7th seat. I’m a soccer mom that travels with lots of stuff and people. I have the 2017 limited and am scared I have to look elsewhere for a 7 seater SUV. I LOVE my Acadia so much. Please make sure there is a 7th seat in the 2020.
The second-gen Acadia always had a seven-seat interior option. In fact, it’s the base seating option for the vehicle, RPO Code ABA and is in the 2-3-2 seating arrangement.
If you need better 3rd row seating check out the Traverse or Enclave.
Here’s a You Tube video from the NYIAS worth seeing–https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8p9boCWBCA
This vehicle really needs more of a styling update than just squaring off the front end and giving it a massive grille.
That upward sloping belt line that ends after the rear doors is just bizarre looking. Then you have the huge chrome strip on the back. And now a gigantic chrome grille. It is really rather ungainly.
I like the old design better, actually. I’m sure it will get a redesign in 2 years.