The segment of crossover SUVs is seeing a surge in popularity since it got launched in the automotive market. The reason behind this ever growing popularity is quite easy to understand. In earlier days only a few could afford the advantages of an SUV, and moreover it was not a comfort oriented car type, which people would love to linger in. So, the automakers came up with the concept of crossovers that brought the utility and capability of an SUV while offering the at-home comfort of a compact car. But whenever a buyer chooses to buy a crossover SUV, it is basically the utility aspect that tops the list of priorities. In that respect, we wanted to check out if the 2020 GMC Acadia model series which is a popular name in its segment is still able to deliver the same level of utility and purposes, when the market is already flooded with same category vehicles.

Our search and quest ended at the doorstep of the Salinas GMC dealership, where the staff took an eager initiative to explain us the right answer.

Truck Like Power

The 2020 edition of GMC Acadia as a three-row crossover SUV is overdosed with power. GMC known to be a heavy vehicle manufacturing brand maintained its habit of enabling its products with abundant power.

At the base, the 2020 GMC Acadia shows a 2.0-liter turbo-4 engine under the hood and this year this is a newfound addition that can produce 230-horsepower, and 258 pound-feet of torque after mating to a 9-speed automatic transmission replacing the earlier 6-speed one. This newly added transmission is programmed with stop/start system that enhances the fuel efficiency of the 2020 GMC Acadia.

It gets included in the existing power lineup where the other two engine options are 193-hp rated 2.5-liter inline-4 engine at the base and the optional 310-hp maker 3.6-liter V-6 one.

Other Notable Features

For the year 2020, the GMC Acadia comes dressed up with a pair of new exterior mirrors that are meant to work with the integrated LED turn signals. Other changes include a new power liftgate especially allotted for the SLT, AT4, and Denali trim models to project the GMC logo that will get reflected on the ground during night drives.

On the infotainment and connectivity side, GMC installs two extra USB Type-C ports attached to the center console of every 2020 Acadia, so now totally you get five of them. On the optional list of features, there is a new head-up display system as well as a 15-watt wireless charging pad to keep the electronic devices charged up all the way.

How Purposeful

When we asked a recent buyer at the premise of the GMC dealer near Salinas, about how purposeful is the 2020 GMC Acadia, he replied with a broad smile on his face that, it feels like that ideal crossover SUV he has always yearned for. Not only it accommodates a big group of travelers who love to explore new destinations together, it also stays ready for any task that can be served by this big an SUV model.

Clare Louise