GM Refreshes 2020 GMC Acadia

General Motors conducts a midcycle enhancement to its popular GMC Acadia large crossover, adding a new engine, trim line, bolder styling and more connectivity and infotainment.

“The 2020 Acadia is stylish, functional and capable with more of the smart convenience and connectivity features that customers rely on every day,” Duncan Aldred, vice president-Global GMC, says in a statement. “And with GMC’s signature refinement at its core, the new Acadia advances the brand’s commitment to offering premium vehicles for discerning crossover customers.”

Tweaks to the Acadia come in a timely manner, as sales of the vehicle fell last year below 100,000 units to 88,621 from 111,276 in the year-ago period, according to Wards Intelligence.

The ’20 Acadia will arrive at U.S. dealers in the fall with a newly available 2.0L turbocharged gasoline 4-cyl. offering 230 hp and 258 lb.-ft. (350 Nm) of torque. It leverages GM’s recently introduce tri-power valvetrain, which varies lift across the rpm band to optimize power and efficiency.

A dual-scroll turbo delivers peak torque between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm, while Active Fuel Management shuts down two cylinders to save fuel in light-load conditions. The turbo-4 will mate to a new 9-speed automatic transmission that optimizes acceleration and efficiency, the automaker says, while delivering greater refinement and reduced engine noise.

GMC Acadia Denali.

Electronic Precision Shift comes to the model for the first time. EPS bowed on the GMC Terrain midsize CUV and uses push buttons and pull triggers to change gears instead of a conventional shifter. It frees up center-console space, too.

The Acadia also will retain its 2.5L naturally aspirated 4-cyl. and 3.6L V-6, although each will adopt the 9-speed automatic in place of a 6-speed automatic previously offered.

The AT4 trim line will make its first appearance on the Acadia. The AT4 design came to GMC last year with the ’19 GMC Sierra large pickup, adding styling cues such as a black chrome-accented grille and a rugged, off-road design including a choice of 17-in. or 20-in. wheels with all-terrain tires. The 310-hp 3.6L V-6 is standard equipment on the AT4, as is a twin-clutch all-wheel-drive system.

Fresh design elements across the Acadia range, which also comes in SLE, SLT and flagship Denali trim levels, include a new grille, updated front and rear fascias and the brand’s signature C-shaped lighting. Exterior mirrors feature integrated LED turn signals and include a power-folding feature as standard equipment on Denali models and optional on SLT trim.

A hands-free power liftgate with GMC logo projection is added as standard on SLT, AT4 and Denali variants, while a redesigned center console offers enhanced storage space. Open-pore wood decor is introduced to the Denali interior color scheme.

The refresh also includes availability of the latest GMC infotainment system, which GM considers more intelligent and intuitive with better voice recognition, a higher-resolution touchscreen and simpler interface requiring fewer steps to perform several tasks. A more user-friendly layout to the 8-in. (20-cm) touchscreen is inspired by the latest smartphone technology.

GMC Acadia Denali interior.

The new infotainment system also adds a personal profile so owners can tailor the system to their preferences, including personalized climate settings, and transfer those settings to a compatible GM vehicle.

An all-new Navigation2 interface offers a “one shot” destination entry feature, improved route guidance functionality and personalized settings, GM says. An available connected Navigation3 interface adds real-time updates and predictive navigation.

Two new USB-C charging ports, which are the newest form of device charging, are integrated in the front and rear of the center console to bring the number of ports in the Acadia to five, including a USB-A charging port for the third-row seating area.

Additional enhancements include available next-generation, 15-watt wireless phone charging; a high-definition rear camera goes digital and is standard on SLT, AT4 and Denali; a rearview camera mirror becomes available on Denali models; the braking system on models equipped with the 2.0L turbo-four receive electronic boosting technology; and suspension refinements enhance ride and handling.