Ford Explorer vs. GMC Acadia
When comparing the Ford Explorer to the GMC Acadia, the Ford Explorer has the advantage in the areas of interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. The GMC Acadia has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing and typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. Based on this comparison of the Ford Explorer versus the GMC Acadia, the Ford Explorer is a better car than the GMC Acadia.
Ford Explorer versus GMC Acadia Pricing
A one- to five-year-old used Ford Explorer ranges from $25,524 to $40,893 while a used GMC Acadia from the same model year range is priced between $24,975 to $39,994. For a new model, the Ford Explorer's price is between $39,880 and $61,047, with the GMC Acadia priced between $37,644 and $56,684.
Ford Explorer versus GMC Acadia Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Ford Explorer is 8.5 out of 10 while the GMC Acadia's quality rating is 8.1 out of 10. This results in the Ford Explorer being ranked 5 out of 25 Best Midsize SUVs and the GMC Acadia being ranked 11 out of 25. Out of 15 Best Midsize SUVs for the Money, the Ford Explorer is ranked 15 and the GMC Acadia is ranked 11. The Ford Explorer is also ranked 7 out of 61 Best Crossover SUVs while the GMC Acadia is ranked 16 out of 61. The Ford Explorer is also ranked 7 out of 31 Best SUVs with 3 Rows while the GMC Acadia is ranked 13 out of 31. The Ford Explorer is also ranked 7 out of 28 Best Crossover SUVs for the Money while the GMC Acadia is ranked 14 out of 28. The Ford Explorer is also ranked 7 out of 21 Best SUVs with 3 Rows for the Money while the GMC Acadia is ranked 13 out of 21.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the Ford Explorer’s base engine makes 300 horsepower, and the GMC Acadia base engine makes 228 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison
While both models are crossover/midsize SUVs, the Ford Explorer has the advantage of offering more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, and trunk space. The GMC Acadia has the advantage in the area of rear leg room.
Hauling, Towing, and Off-Road Capabilities Comparison
The Ford Explorer has the advantage of offering higher ground clearance, while the GMC Acadia has the advantage of offering higher payload capacity.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Ford Explorer has higher safety ratings than the GMC Acadia, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.73 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Ford Explorer has the advantage with a Top Safety Pick+ award.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
$39,880 - $61,047
Used Asking Price:
$25,524 - $40,893
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
46.2%
Pricing
New Asking Price:
$37,644 - $56,684
Used Asking Price:
$24,975 - $39,994
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
52.8%
iSeeCars Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
8.4 / 10
Retained Value:
7.1 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.1 / 10
Reliability:
8.0 / 10
Retained Value:
6.8 / 10
Safety:
9.5 / 10
iSeeCars Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 25Ranking
5 out of / 31Ranking
5 out of / 25Ranking
5 out of / 15Ranking
6 out of / 61Ranking
6 out of / 25Ranking
7 out of / 61Ranking
7 out of / 61Ranking
7 out of / 31Ranking
7 out of / 28Ranking
7 out of / 25Ranking
7 out of / 21Ranking
9 out of / 31Ranking
13 out of / 31Ranking
43 out of / 61iSeeCars Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 25Ranking
5 out of / 31Ranking
11 out of / 25Ranking
11 out of / 15Ranking
12 out of / 25Ranking
13 out of / 31Ranking
13 out of / 21Ranking
14 out of / 61Ranking
14 out of / 31Ranking
14 out of / 28Ranking
15 out of / 25Ranking
16 out of / 61Ranking
16 out of / 31Ranking
29 out of / 61Ranking
37 out of / 61Summary Review
The Ford Explorer is one of the defining vehicles of its segment. This three-row SUV is big, tough, and versatile. Ford redesigned its Explorer for 2020, switching it back to a rear-wheel-drive-based vehicle with a more rugged foundation.
Summary Review
GMC’s Acadia is a crossover SUV that offers seating from five to eight passengers, depending on model year and trim. Shoppers will find the Acadia is a bit like an upscale version of the Chevy Traverse.
Pros and Cons
- Passenger Space
- Advanced 4X4 all-wheel-drive system available
- Class-leading engines on many trims, including a hybrid
- Older models lack some basic advanced safety systems common for their model years
- No 8-passenger seating option for 2021
Pros and Cons
- Near-luxury trims available
- Off-road-focused trims available
- Three engine choices
- No green (hybrid/electric) powertrain available
- Advanced active safety systems are optional, not standard
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Flex Fuel, Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Trim Levels
Base, Limited, ST-Line, ST, Platinum, King Ranch, Police Interceptor Utility, XLT, Timberline
Trim Levels
SLE, AT4, SLT, Denali
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK +
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.73 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
300 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
310 foot-lbs @ 3500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.069 hp per pound
Towing Capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
228 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 1500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.055 hp per pound
Towing Capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / 4X4
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined MPG):
22 / 29 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
427 / 563 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Heated Seats:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Standard/Optional Features
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Heated Seats:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Safety Equipment
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
43 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
61.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
40.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
61.9 inches
Cargo Space:
18.2 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
87.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
170.9 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40 inches
Front Leg Room:
41 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59.4 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
58.7 inches
Cargo Space:
12.8 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
79 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
156.6 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4345 lbs
Width:
89.3 inches
Height:
69.9 inches
Length:
198.8 inches
Wheelbase:
119.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.9 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4155 lbs
Width:
75.4 inches
Height:
66.7 inches
Length:
193.4 inches
Wheelbase:
112.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.2 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum
Tire Size:
255/65R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum with painted accents
Tire Size:
P235/65R18
