2020 GMC Acadia
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.

- Class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV AWD, 4dr SUV AWD Denali, 4dr SUV FWD
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl
- Transmission
- 6-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 6–7
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 24 combined · 21 city / 28 hwy
- Length
- 193.3 in
- Curb weight
- 3,922–4,389 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 6 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 24 MPG combined — 23% better than the average 2020 standard SUV (19.5 MPG).
- AWD / 4WD available
- Seats up to 73 rows of seating.
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
- Emergency braking not standardAutomatic emergency braking is optional or limited to some trims.
- 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 3). Confirm repairs with the VIN.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 25 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2020 GMC Acadia is a standard SUV offered with 3 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl and 3.6L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 193 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,240 lb (4dr SUV AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 24 MPG combined (21 city / 28 highway), 23% better than the 2020 standard SUV average of 19.5 MPG, for an estimated $2,800 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 106 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2020
- Engine added: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 Acadia →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Springhill, Tennessee
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2020 Acadia configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV AWD | 193.3 in | 75.6 in | 66.5 in | 112.6 in | 64.6 / 64.6 in | 4,240 lb | 57/43 |
| 4dr SUV AWD Denali | 193.3 in | 75.6 in | 66.5 in | 112.6 in | 64.6 / 64.6 in | 4,389 lb | 57/43 |
| 4dr SUV FWD | 193.3 in | 75.6 in | 66.5 in | 112.6 in | 64.6 / 64.6 in | 3,922 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acadia FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 28 / 24 | +23% | $2,800 | 362 |
| Acadia FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic 9-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 27 / 23 | +18% | $2,900 | 382 |
| Acadia AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 27 / 23 | +22% | $2,900 | 374 |
| Acadia FWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 9-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | +13% | $3,050 | 413 |
| Acadia AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 9-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 21 | +12% | $3,200 | 433 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 GMC Acadia SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 16.4% |
| 2020 GMC Acadia SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 15.1% |


Similar 2020 standard SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 GMC Acadia (this car) | 24 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser | 14 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Toyota 4Runner | 17 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2020 Ford Explorer | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 35 |
| 2020 Toyota Highlander | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 21 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2020 Kia Telluride | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
Recalls (6)
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · Sep 22, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V709000 · 95,231 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with the optional Surround Vision feature. The rearview camera coaxial cable connectors may have been crimped improperly, causing the rearview camera to fail or function intermittently.
- Risk
- An inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the coaxial cables, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222378380.
Tires · Feb 25, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V115000 · 33,838 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
- Risk
- Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.
Tires · Nov 5, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V684000 · 7,516 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with Continental tires that were overcured.
- Risk
- Overcured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation which could lead to partial or full tread/belt loss. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect vehicles and replace tires that have DOT number and production mold number combinations identified by Continental, free of charge. The recall began December 17, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202319030.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · Oct 29, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V668000 · 194,105 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
- Risk
- Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Oct 15, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V639000 · 2,781 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, Cadillac XT6, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel pump's jet nozzle may have a plastic burr remaining from the manufacturing process, possibly causing a blocked nozzle and an insufficient fuel supply to the engine.
- Risk
- Insufficient fuel supply can result in an engine stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module. The recall began November 16, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202314760.
Air Bags › Side/Window › Curtain › Inflator · Jul 30, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V446000 · 769 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5 and XT6, Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 and Traverse and GMC Acadia and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The diffuser component of the Roof-Rail Air Bag (RRAB) inflator may not have been properly crimped to the inflator and could separate from the inflator during air bag deployment.
- Risk
- If the diffuser separates from the inflator during deployment, RRAB performance may be degraded, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect RRAB modules, free of charge. The recall began September 3, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N202305380.
Not every 2020 GMC Acadia is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2020 GMC Acadia buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 29 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 28 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Power Train — 21 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 10,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 GMC Acadia. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Acadia years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Acadia | 22 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Acadia | 22 | 203.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 10 |
| 2025 Acadia | 23 | 203.9 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 69 |
| 2024 Acadia | 23 | 203.9 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 61 |
| 2023 Acadia | 25 | 193.3 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 49 |
| 2022 Acadia | 25 | 193.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 52 |
| 2021 Acadia | 25 | 193.3 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 155 |
| 2019 Acadia | 23 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 388 |
| 2018 Acadia | 23 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 398 |
| 2017 Acadia | 23 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 706 |
| 2016 Acadia | 18 | 201.2 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 236 |
| 2015 Acadia | 19 | 201.2 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 243 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or GMC. How we calculate this →