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Starting at
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| 310 | Horsepower (hp) | 280 |
| 22/29 | Fuel Economy (city/hwy mpg) | 20/27 |
| 8 | Infotainment Display (in.) | 5 |
Midsize SUVs cover a wide range of models and designs – and even though it might seem like they should all be pretty uniform, there are some important distinctions between them. For example, while some models have only two rows of seats, others like the GMC Acadia offer three rows for more passenger seating and comfort. Choosing the right midsize SUV is not always easy and really comes down to finding just what you need. Looking at the 2021 GMC Acadia vs 2021 Honda Pilot, we can see that they are both great vehicles, but the Acadia has a few things that give it the edge.
For starters, the Acadia has three different engines for you to choose from, while the Honda Pilot has only one. That alone might not seem like much, but it is worth noting that the Acadia also has a more powerful engine available, so if you want improved performance, then the Acadia is the way to go. Since there are three options to choose from, you can also go with the turbocharged engine from GMC, which gives you better fuel economy than the single Honda engine can deliver. While "more options" does not always mean something is better, in this case, it lets you choose between affordability, fuel efficiency, and performance – a choice the Honda Pilot does not offer.
Inside both of these SUVs, you will find great comfort and technology options, but again the GMC Acadia simply gives you more. It offers a better standard infotainment system, stunning available Bose speakers, and refined comfort and luxury throughout. It is worth noting that the highest trims for these two SUVs have different amounts of seating available, so your passengers can remain more comfortable within the GMC Acadia. Come visit Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth today to find out more and see the Acadia for yourself.
No matter what kind of vehicle you are interested in, looking at the engine and the kind of performance it has to offer is always a great place to start. Even with a midsize SUV, the engine is the heart of everything else, so if it is lacking, then the driving experience will be underwhelming. With the 2021 GMC Acadia, you have three different engines to choose from, compared to only one engine with the 2021 Honda Pilot.
The starting engine for the Acadia is a 2.5L four-cylinder producing 193 hp and 188 lb-ft of torque. For greater power and efficiency, you can opt for the 2.0L Turbo that offers 230 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. If you want even higher performance, then there is an available 3.6L V6 engine that delivers 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. All of these engines come with a 9-speed automatic transmission for a smooth and responsive driving experience, and while front-wheel drive is standard, all-wheel drive is available.
On the 2021 Honda Pilot, there is a single engine available: a 3.5L V6 that offers 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. You can see that this is more powerful than the Acadia's two four-cylinder options, though it offers only a bit more torque than the 2.0L Turbo. However, when you compare this to the available V6 engine from GMC, the Pilot definitely falls short. So if you want the best performance possible, then the Acadia is going to be a much better option with more to offer.
With three different engines available, the 2021 GMC Acadia not only offers better performance than the Honda Pilot, it also beats it in terms of fuel economy. This is a major advantage for the Acadia since it allows you to choose the engine that best meets your needs. If you want the best performance and power available, then choose the 3.6L V6 engine; if you are looking for efficiency, the 2.0L Turbo is your best bet.
The 2.0L Turbo engine for the Acadia gets an estimated 22 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined. If you go with the available V6 engine, then you get an estimated 19 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined fuel economy. The standard 2.5L engine sits in between those two options. You can see that the difference here is not huge, but it is still significant, especially if you tend to do a lot of city driving. These numbers are for models with front-wheel drive; if you choose all-wheel drive, then you lose a bit of fuel efficiency.
By comparison, the 2021 Honda Pilot offers similar fuel economy to the Acadia's V6 engine but falls short of the Acadia's other two engines. With its one available engine, the Pilot gets an estimated 20 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined fuel efficiency – again, this is with front-wheel drive. These numbers are almost identical to the more powerful engine of the Acadia, so you can get about the same fuel economy and better performance from GMC.
In terms of interior features, the 2021 Honda Pilot certainly has a lot to offer, especially when you look at its higher trims. The reality, however, is that the GMC Acadia simply gives you more – both in terms of what comes standard and what is available at higher trims. This is not much of a surprise when you consider the reputation that GMC has for luxury, comfort, and impressive technology found inside their vehicles.
For example, the starting features on the 2021 GMC Acadia include an 8-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Acadia comes with six-passenger premium cloth seating standard, so all of your passengers are incredibly comfortable. You get a 4.2-inch driver display on the starting trim of the Acadia, along with keyless open and start, tri-zone automatic climate control, and interior lighting.
On the highest trim of the Acadia, the legendary Denali, you will find a number of impressive upgrades, including a navigation system and an 8-speaker Bose premium audio system. The Denali also features perforated leather-appointed seating, with an 8-way power driver's seat and 8-way power front-passenger seat, both of which are heated and ventilated. There is a wireless charging pad in the Acadia Denali, along with a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel, an 8-inch driver display, and a head-up display projected onto the windshield.
The 2021 Honda Pilot has some good features across its various trims, but they fall short in some key ways. For example, the starting trim only has a 5-inch infotainment display, significantly smaller than the standard display in the GMC Acadia. Similarly, it lacks Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as SiriusXM satellite radio and a wireless hotspot - all features the Acadia offers standard. The Elite features heated, ventilated front seats, but the front-passenger seat is just 4-way power-adjustable – much less comfortable than in the Acadia Denali.
Any time you are looking at vehicles, you should have safety in mind. Fortunately, both the 2021 GMC Acadia and the Honda Pilot are very safe models with a lot of great safety features. While Honda is well known for its standard safety features, the Acadia keeps up with everything it has to offer. For example, the Honda Pilot has a collision mitigation braking system, a lane keeping assist system, and auto high-beam headlights - all standard. Other standard safety features on the Pilot include a forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and brake assist – but a blind spot information system and cross traffic monitor are only standard on higher trims.
Standard safety features on the GMC Acadia actually surpass what comes on the Pilot. For example, a forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking and lane keep assist with lane departure warning are all standard. Similarly, you get front pedestrian braking, a following distance indicator, and a Teen Driver safety system also standard.
A lane change alert with side blind zone alert and a rear cross traffic alert system are both standard on the Acadia, while similar features are only standard on high trims of the Pilot. The highest trim for the Acadia, the Denali, has even more impressive available features, such as a rear camera mirror, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and an HD Surround System. This provides you with enhanced visibility at low speeds, giving you an incredibly safe driving experience.
There is no denying that the 2021 Honda Pilot has plenty to offer, but it simply cannot keep up with everything available with the 2021 GMC Acadia. The three engines on the Acadia let you choose either superior fuel economy to the Pilot or more power, so you are covered no matter what you are looking for. Inside the Acadia, you will find a number of standard and available features that surpass what the Pilot has to offer, including a larger standard infotainment display, better support for media systems like Apple CarPlay, and a more comfortable available front-passenger seat. The Pilot is nice, but once you see what the GMC Acadia Denali gives you, then there really is no comparison.
Here at Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth, we are incredibly pleased to offer the 2021 Acadia and the rest of the GMC lineup. Whether you are looking for a luxurious SUV, a powerful and hard-working pickup, or anything in between, we have you covered. One of our friendly and knowledgeable salespeople will be happy to work with you to answer any questions you have and ensure you find exactly the right vehicle with everything you need. Call or come visit us at Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth today to learn more and let us show you how easy it can be to find the perfect vehicle.
*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.