2020 Jeep Wrangler vs 2020 GMC Acadia

The 2020 GMC Acadia was positioned as a premium SUV, offering a range of trims from the basic SL to the luxurious Denali. Built on the same platform as the Cadillac XT5, the Acadia aimed to deliver a professional-grade experience. The Denali trim, in particular, showcased upscale aspirations with its Satin Steel Metallic paint and Technology Package, priced at $52,385. The design changes for 2020 were most evident in the front, with squared-off headlights and a boxier grille, while the cabin retained a mix of soft surfaces and hard plastic panels. Despite the leather upholstery and wood trim in the Denali, the interior struggled to fully establish itself as a premium choice.

In contrast, the 2020 Jeep Wrangler was unmistakable on the road with its iconic circular headlights, seven-slat grille, and boxy styling. The Wrangler Unlimited, a four-door variant, was particularly popular, offering a rugged, industrial look with features like removable doors and a fold-down windshield. Inside, the Wrangler embraced a retro design with circular climate vents and gauges, focusing on utility over luxury. The Rubicon trim, known for its off-road prowess, featured a lifted suspension and mud-terrain tires, while the Sahara trim offered a more comfort-oriented experience. Special editions like the Willys and Black and Tan added unique styling and off-road enhancements, showcasing Jeep's ability to diversify within a single model.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered three engine options, starting with a 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder for lower trims. The SLT trim introduced a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 230 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The AT4 and Denali trims featured a 310-hp 3.6-liter V6 engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Acadia's ride and handling were finely tuned, providing a smooth and refined driving experience, though it lacked memorable driving character. The Denali AWD model offered a towing capacity of up to 4,000 pounds and averaged 20.1 mpg in combined driving.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited came with a base 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with a standard 6-speed manual or optional 8-speed automatic transmission. A turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque was also available. New for 2020 was a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine, delivering 260 hp and an impressive 442 lb-ft of torque. The diesel engine excelled in off-road conditions, providing ample torque for navigating challenging terrain. However, the Wrangler's on-road experience was less refined, with road noise and a rough ride. The diesel engine offered fuel economy of 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined, though diesel fuel costs and availability were considerations for potential buyers.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered seating for five, six, or seven passengers, with the Denali trim featuring standard second-row captain’s chairs. The front seats were wide and supportive, with 10-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The second-row captain’s chairs provided similar comfort, and rear passengers had access to air conditioning vents, USB ports, and a power outlet. Cargo space was limited to 12.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 41.7 cubic feet with the third row folded and 79 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, a four-door variant, was known for its removable doors and fold-down windshield. The Wrangler's most popular feature was its droppable and removable roof, available in soft and hardtop options. The hardtop required multiple people for removal, while the Sky One-Touch roof offered a retractable cloth option. With the rear bench lowered, the Wrangler Unlimited provided 72 cubic feet of cargo space, less than some less-capable SUVs. Despite sacrificing comfort and cargo space, the Wrangler excelled in off-road capabilities.

The 2020 GMC Acadia came equipped with essential infotainment features, including Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The 8-inch touchscreen offered a higher resolution display and improved voice recognition. Additional technology upgrades included USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror, enhancing the overall user experience.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler's Sport and Sport S trims featured a basic 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The Rubicon and Sahara trims offered a 7-inch touchscreen with Uconnect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. An optional 8.4-inch Uconnect system added navigation, HD Radio, real-time traffic updates, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and an Alpine premium audio system, providing a comprehensive infotainment experience.

The 2020 GMC Acadia included standard safety features like a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning were standard from the base SL trim. However, advanced safety features like forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking required upgrading to higher trims and purchasing additional packages. The Acadia received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA in most assessments but had incomplete IIHS data.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler came with standard safety equipment, including airbags, electronic roll mitigation, and a backup camera. Optional safety packages added rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control, and forward-collision warning. These features were particularly beneficial given the Wrangler's unique sightlines and off-road capabilities.