Midsize SUVs are some of the most popular vehicles on the road these days. You sit a little taller, stretch a little better, haul more people, fit more stuff, and enjoy more power than a sedan or hatchback. It’s easy to see what Americans love so much about these intrepid vehicles. And midsize crossovers sit in that just-right zone that works really well for almost any family. In this lineup, we’re looking at two of the best on the market: the 2019 GMC Acadia and the Honda Pilot. Which is the best for you and your family? Read on.
Price: 2019 GMC Acadia
This one is easy because the GMC Acadia will save you almost $2,500 up front. That’s right, the 2019 Acadia starts at just $29,000 while the Honda Pilot costs at least $31,450. But what does your hard-earned money buy you? Standard features on the Acadia include rearview camera, Teen Driver, and IntelliLink infotainment system with 7-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, six-speaker audio system, satellite radio, five USB ports, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi hot spot, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. That ought to keep everyone reasonably entertained while you’re on the road.
By comparison, the 2019 Pilot’s standard features include push-button start, Bluetooth, two USB ports, seven-speaker audio system, and 5-inch display screen. That seriously skimps on entertainment and interior tech. The Pilot makes up for it with standard driver assistance features that include rearview camera, automatic high beams, forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control. We’ll let you decide which of those sets of features appeals to you more and whether or not the Pilot’s offerings merit the $2,500 price increase.
Fuel Economy: Tie
There’s no wrong way to go when it comes to fuel economy on the Acadia and Pilot. That’s because they have almost identical gas mileage numbers. The 2019 Acadia gets 21 city miles and 26 highway miles per gallon. Th 2019 Pilot gets slightly better highway numbers but slightly worse city numbers, getting 19 city and 27 highway mpg. Either way you dice it, you’re getting about the same combined mpg. Just ask yourself if you do more driving in stop-and-go or on the interstate.
Interior: 2019 GMC Acadia
The 2019 Acadia is plenty quiet and really comfortable on the inside. What’s really impressive are the quality materials and modern design. A glance inside the Honda SUV proves that the Pilot just isn’t as nice, with an outdated look, louder cabin, and the materials just aren’t as good. To its credit, the seats are just as comfortable. But we find the 2019 GMC Acadia to be the better SUV, inside and out.