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Starting at
Starting at
| 193-310 HP | Horsepower | 185-295 HP |
| 188-271 lb-ft | Torque | 184-263 lb-ft |
| Yes | Standard Apple CarPlay | No |
The 2019 GMC Acadia vs 2019 Toyota Highlander have both been tough competitors in the midsize SUV class for years. Both vehicles offer a high level of performance and technology, with excellent safety ratings and a comfortable interior. While they share a long list of similarities, they also offer a few very different qualities.
The 2019 GMC Acadia is the more affordable vehicle with a more generous suite of standard entertainment features. The Acadia offers a larger touchscreen display than the Highlander, and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto among its standard features. The Acadia is also incredibly safe and earned high safety and crash test scores from both the NHTSA and IIHS. In terms of performance, the Acadia is both powerful and efficient with a comfortable ride quality and excellent handling.
The 2019 Toyota Highlander is more expensive than the Acadia, yet offers less entertainment features on its base model. However, the Highlander does offer a longer list of standard driver assist features with the included Toyota Safety Sense package. In the category of performance, the 2019 Toyota Highlander offers similar fuel economy and horsepower ratings than the 2019 GMC Acadia, however, falls short when it comes to handling and interior quality.
Overall, both the 2019 GMC Acadia and 2019 Toyota Highlander represent versatile options for the midsize SUV class; however, the Acadia is the more affordable and tech-savvy option. To learn more about these impressive SUVs, check out how they compare in the categories of performance, entertainment, and safety!
The 2019 GMC Acadia and 2019 Toyota Highlander offer similar levels of efficiency and performance; however, the Acadia is slightly more powerful and offers superior handling and ride quality.
The 2019 GMC Acadia offers a standard 4-cylinder engine and an available V6 engine. The 4-cylinder engine is capable of achieving up to 193 hp and offers fuel economy ratings of up to 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. The available V6 engine is much more powerful with horsepower ratings of up to 310 hp, and fuel economy ratings drop only slightly to 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. These ratings are still considered competitive in the midsize SUV class, which is packed with several less fuel efficient contenders. In terms of ride quality, the Acadia is comfortable and smooth, which is further enhanced by its upscale interior and premium upholstery and cushioning. The Acadia also handles surprisingly well for a midsize SUV, giving responsive steering through windy roads and confined spaces. Overall, the performance of the 2019 GMC Acadia is versatile and well-rounded.
The 2019 Toyota Highlander also offers a standard 4-cylinder engine and available V6 engine. The Highlander’s base engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and offers up to 185 hp with fuel economy ratings of up to 20 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. The available engine on the Highlander is the more powerful option with horsepower ratings of up to 308 hp, and it is also the more fuel efficient engine with fuel economy ratings of up to 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The Highlander also offers a smooth and comfortable ride but could improve on its handling. Like the Acadia, the Highlander is exceptionally versatile, but for less money, you could enjoy more power and nearly identical fuel economy ratings with the 2019 GMC Acadia.
In the category of entertainment, the Highlander is much improved from many of its previous models but still can’t quite compete with what the 2019 GMC Acadia has to offer. With a much lower starting MSRP, the Acadia offers a longer list of standard entertainment features and more affordable available features. Drivers looking for plenty of technology at a great price will want to choose the Acadia over the Highlander.
The 2019 GMC Acadia has a low starting MSRP of $32,800, which is accompanied by numerous standard entertainment features including a 7-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, five USB ports, Bluetooth, and a WiFi hotspot. Meanwhile, the available entertainment features of the new Acadia include navigation, an 8-speaker Bose surround-sound system, a rear entertainment suite, and an 8-inch touchscreen display. Through various trim levels and packages, upgrades on the Acadia are simple and affordable. However, with such a premium list of standard features, you may not feel the need to upgrade to optional technology. The infotainment system onboard the 2019 GMC Acadia is also incredibly user-friendly and responsive, making it one of the platforms held in high regard by drivers and critics. The system is easily controlled by the touchscreen interface or through various physical knobs that are placed throughout the cabin. For drivers and passengers, the infotainment system will be easy and fun to use, making it more convenient than ever before to stay connected and entertained on the road.
The 2019 Toyota Highlander offers a few nice entertainment features onboard its base model, including a 6.1-inch touchscreen display, five USB ports, and voice recognition technology. However, for more features you’ll have to upgrade to at least the second trim level which has a starting MSRP of around $5K more than the base model. Upgrading to this trim level adds satellite radio, HD radio, navigation, and an 8-inch touchscreen display. Among higher trim levels, the 2019 Toyota Highlander also includes Driver Easy Speak, which is essentially an intercom system that lets drivers speak to the back row with greater ease. This is a nice feature if you’re planning on having passengers in the back row and typically experience problems with them hearing you, but may also be a bit unnecessary for many drivers. With seating for up to 8 passengers, the Highlander offers a decent number of entertainment features but could improve upon its affordability and standard features. Drivers looking for a midsize SUV with plenty of entertainment technology can opt for the base model of the 2019 GMC Acadia at $32,800 and enjoy more than enough features.
Both the 2019 GMC Acadia and 2019 Toyota Highlander will keep everyone onboard as safe as possible. The Acadia and Highlander achieved high safety scores from the NHTSA and IIHS, and offer an excellent selection of standard and available features. However, the Acadia is offered for thousands less and will keep you just as safe.
The 2019 GMC Acadia comes standard with a rearview camera, rear seat alert, and Teen Driver technology on its base model. Meanwhile, a variety of driver assist features are offered across higher trim levels and packages including front pedestrian braking, blind spot monitoring, lane change alert, lane keep assist, rear cross traffic alert, a safety alert seat, a surround-view parking camera, forward collision warning, forward automatic braking, and front and rear parking sensors. The effectiveness of the Acadia’s safety suite is proven by its high safety scores from the NHTSA and IIHS, which include a 5 out of 5-star overall safety rating on its all-wheel drive models, as well as the highest rating of ‘Good’ in six crash test categories with the IIHS and a ‘Superior’ for its front crash prevention technology. In the category of safety, drivers will find that the 2019 GMC Acadia is advanced, affordable, and effective, making it an excellent option for drivers looking for a family-friendly SUV.
The 2019 Toyota Highlander also has a lot to offer in terms of safety, including a long list of standard features as part of the Toyota Safety Sense package. This standard suite includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and pedestrian detection. However, drivers can also choose to upgrade to front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. While plenty of standard safety features are offered on the base model of the Highlander, it is important to remember that the Highlander has a high starting MSRP for its lack of offerings at $31,680, which is much higher than that of the Acadia. Drivers looking for plenty of safety tech could easily save money by opting for the Acadia and taking advantage of its affordable upgrades.
At Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth, we strive to provide our customers with an excellent car-buying experience. For this reason, we work hard to ensure that our prices are low and competitive and that each and every vehicle on our lot is of the highest quality. We are also proud to offer regular specials and incentives, as well as exclusive Rick Hendrick benefits. Our customers can also enjoy the use of our on-site service center and expert finance department so that all of their automotive needs can be taken care of in one place. So, when you’re ready to begin the search for your next car, look no further than Rick Hendrick Buick GMC in Duluth, GA!
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.