2020 GMC Acadia vs 2019 Mazda CX-5

2019 Mazda CX-5
2019 Mazda CX-5
$24,350MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 GMC Acadia
2020 GMC Acadia
$29,800MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2019 Mazda CX-5
$24,350MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 GMC Acadia
$29,800MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP

$24,350

MSRP

$29,800

Listings

157

Listings

198

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

8.3 out of 10

Expert reviews

7.0 out of 10

Pros

  • Stylish design

  • Standard advanced safety features

  • Excellent value for money

Cons

  • Unintuitive technology

  • Underwhelming base engine

Pros

  • Spacious third row

  • Easy-to-use technology

Cons

  • Advanced safety features are not standard

  • Fairly pedestrian performance

2019 Mazda CX-5 Reviews Summary

In a segment dominated by some pretty intimidating competitors like the Toyota RAV4, the Honda CR-V, and the Subaru Forester, the Mazda CX-5 has been slowly winning over consumers year after year with good looks and a best-in-class driving experience. But rather than resting on its laurels, Mazda has updated the CX-5 just one year into its second generation, improving handling with an updated version of its G-Vectoring Control system, increasing connectivity with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and boosting power with a turbocharged engine for two new top-tier trims—the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature.

2020 GMC Acadia Reviews Summary

Long story short, as a friend of mine likes to say, GMC screwed up. This is just my opinion, of course, but when GMC redesigned the Acadia for the 2017 model year, the SUV shrank in size and switched to a softer look in order to plug a huge hole in the Buick-GMC SUV lineup.

Fast-forward to 2020, and GMC may have decided this move was a bad idea. As part of a refresh, the new Acadia adopts bolder styling and adds a new AT4 trim level with greater off-roading capability. Additional changes include the availability of a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a new nine-speed automatic transmission, and new and updated technology.

These revisions do help the Acadia to better stand out in what is now an ocean of midsize SUVs, from Hyundai to Kia and Honda to Toyota, and everything in between, but it’s up to GMC to make people aware of this fundamentally good, but oh-so-vanilla SUV. And the company must also address the Acadia’s questionable value.

No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine

2.5L 187 hp I4

Engine

2.5L 193 hp I4

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

7

Horsepower

187 hp @ 6000 rpm

Horsepower

193 hp @ 6300 rpm

MPG City

25

MPG City

21

MPG Highway

31

MPG Highway

27
2019 Mazda CX-5
2019 Mazda CX-5
$24,350MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 GMC Acadia
2020 GMC Acadia
$29,800MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2019 Mazda CX-5
$24,350MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 GMC Acadia
$29,800MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP
$24,350
$29,800
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews

4.8

4.9

Expert reviews

8.3 out of 10

Read full review

7.0 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons

Pros

  • Stylish design

  • Standard advanced safety features

  • Excellent value for money

Cons

  • Unintuitive technology

  • Underwhelming base engine

Pros

  • Spacious third row

  • Easy-to-use technology

Cons

  • Advanced safety features are not standard

  • Fairly pedestrian performance

Summary
In a segment dominated by some pretty intimidating competitors like the Toyota RAV4, the Honda CR-V, and the Subaru Forester, the Mazda CX-5 has been slowly winning over consumers year after year with good looks and a best-in-class driving experience. But rather than resting on its laurels, Mazda has updated the CX-5 just one year into its second generation, improving handling with an updated version of its G-Vectoring Control system, increasing connectivity with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and boosting power with a turbocharged engine for two new top-tier trims—the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature.

Long story short, as a friend of mine likes to say, GMC screwed up. This is just my opinion, of course, but when GMC redesigned the Acadia for the 2017 model year, the SUV shrank in size and switched to a softer look in order to plug a huge hole in the Buick-GMC SUV lineup.

Fast-forward to 2020, and GMC may have decided this move was a bad idea. As part of a refresh, the new Acadia adopts bolder styling and adds a new AT4 trim level with greater off-roading capability. Additional changes include the availability of a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a new nine-speed automatic transmission, and new and updated technology.

These revisions do help the Acadia to better stand out in what is now an ocean of midsize SUVs, from Hyundai to Kia and Honda to Toyota, and everything in between, but it’s up to GMC to make people aware of this fundamentally good, but oh-so-vanilla SUV. And the company must also address the Acadia’s questionable value.

Video
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
2.5L 187 hp I4
2.5L 193 hp I4
Drive Train
FWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
5
7
Horsepower
187 hp @ 6000 rpm
193 hp @ 6300 rpm
MPG City
25
21
MPG Highway
31
27
Look and feel

2019 Mazda CX-5

9/10

2020 GMC Acadia

8/10
The 2019 Mazda CX-5 is rated 9 out of 10 by CarGurus experts, while the 2020 GMC Acadia is rated 8 out of 10. The Mazda CX-5 is described as the best-looking, best-driving midsize crossover on the market. The base Sport trim offers impressive features like LED headlights, a 7-inch touchscreen, and a comprehensive safety suite. On the other hand, the 2020 GMC Acadia is positioned as a premium brand alongside its Buick sibling, offering a rugged AT4 trim and luxurious Denali trim levels.
Picture of 2019 Mazda CX-5
Picture of 2019 Mazda CX-5
Picture of 2019 Mazda CX-5
Picture of 2019 Mazda CX-5
Picture of 2019 Mazda CX-5
Picture of 2019 Mazda CX-5
Picture of 2019 Mazda CX-5
Picture of 2019 Mazda CX-5
Picture of 2019 Mazda CX-5
Performance

2019 Mazda CX-5

8/10

2020 GMC Acadia

7/10
CarGurus experts rate the 2019 Mazda CX-5 8 out of 10 and the 2020 GMC Acadia 7 out of 10. The 2019 Mazda CX-5 offers a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The new Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims employ a turbocharged version of the same engine, offering up to 250 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The 2020 GMC Acadia offers three different engines, including a 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, and a 310-hp 3.6-liter V6 engine.
Form and function

2019 Mazda CX-5

8/10

2020 GMC Acadia

8/10
The 2019 Mazda CX-5 is rated 8 out of 10 by CarGurus experts, offering captivating looks, spirited performance, and useful space. The CX-5 provides 30.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. The 2020 GMC Acadia also scores an 8 out of 10 and seats five, six, or seven passengers, with a maximum cargo volume of 79 cubic feet when the second-row seats are folded down.
Technology

2019 Mazda CX-5

7/10

2020 GMC Acadia

8/10
The 2019 Mazda CX-5 is rated 7 out of 10 by CarGurus experts, offering Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard on everything above the base Sport trim. The MazdaConnect infotainment system is attractive and responsive. The 2020 GMC Acadia scores an 8 out of 10 and includes Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and GMC Connected Services, with an 8-inch touchscreen boasting a higher resolution display and improved voice recognition.
Safety

2019 Mazda CX-5

9/10

2020 GMC Acadia

6/10
The 2019 Mazda CX-5 is rated 9 out of 10 by CarGurus experts, offering standard i-ActiveSense safety suite across the range. The 2020 GMC Acadia scores a 6 out of 10 but does come standard with a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology, with standard blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning system.

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

Based on its ratings, the 2019 Mazda CX-5 emerges as the more highly rated vehicle, offering a compelling combination of performance, technology, safety, and cost-effectiveness.

Choose the 2020 GMC Acadia if:

7of 10overall
  • You are looking for a midsize SUV with multiple engine options and seating configurations.
  • You prioritize a vehicle with a spacious cargo area and comfortable seating for up to seven passengers.
  • You are interested in a vehicle with advanced connectivity features and a higher-resolution touchscreen display.
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Choose the 2019 Mazda CX-5 if:

8.3of 10overall
  • You prioritize a stylish and well-equipped midsize crossover with a strong focus on safety features.
  • You seek a vehicle with a spacious interior and a cost-effective price point.
  • You value a responsive and user-friendly infotainment system with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
157 results
See all

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

Based on its ratings, the 2019 Mazda CX-5 emerges as the more highly rated vehicle, offering a compelling combination of performance, technology, safety, and cost-effectiveness.

Choose the 2020 GMC Acadia if:

Shop Now
7of 10overall
  • You are looking for a midsize SUV with multiple engine options and seating configurations.
  • You prioritize a vehicle with a spacious cargo area and comfortable seating for up to seven passengers.
  • You are interested in a vehicle with advanced connectivity features and a higher-resolution touchscreen display.
198 results

Choose the 2019 Mazda CX-5 if:

Shop Now
8.3of 10overall
  • You prioritize a stylish and well-equipped midsize crossover with a strong focus on safety features.
  • You seek a vehicle with a spacious interior and a cost-effective price point.
  • You value a responsive and user-friendly infotainment system with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
157 results

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By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

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