If you want a “true” made-in the USA SUV, the GMC Acadia is worth a look. The 2020 Acadia stands out for its calm nature and its well-made cabin. And because of its sharp sense of style, critics often recommend it as an alternative to a minivan. 

What makes the 2020 Acadia a worthy alternative to a minivan?

While it’s challenging to rival a minivan’s comforts, the Acadia acts very similarly to one, and that’s not a bad thing. The Acadia presents a cozy cabin that can accommodate up to eight people. In fact, this midsize SUV is one of U.S. News’ best three-row SUVs picks for around $30K. 

U.S. News appreciates the Acadia for its gentle performance and its available amenities. However, reviewers aren’t as big fans of the Acadia’s third-row seat. It’s not exactly adult-friendly, and when it’s occupied, it reduces the SUV’s cargo space. This doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker, though. 

What is it like to drive the 2020 Acadia?

As U.S. News highlighted, the Acadia is best described as a gentle ride. Base models come with a 193-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder. The standard engine provides enough power for your everyday rides, and it’s pretty quick off the line. You’ll also want to stick the base option to stay within the $30K threshold. 

If you’d like more oomph, there are two available engine choices to choose from. GMC added a brand-new 230-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder to the lineup for 2020. And for the most utility, you’ll want to consider the optional 3.6-liter V6 that produces 310-hp. With the V6, the Acadia can haul up to 4,000 pounds. No matter which engine you pick, a nine-speed automatic transmission comes standard. 

On the inside 

The Acadia pleases with an attractive, quiet car cabin. If you stick to the standard configuration, the Acadia seats eight. If you prefer the second-row captain’s chair layout, seating drops to six. And if you opt for the AT4 variant, there’s only seating for five. 

Cloth upholstery is standard, and leather is available as an option. For the most amenities on the Acadia, you’ll want to check out the Denali trim. The Denali has heated seats and memory settings.

You don’t have to upgrade the Acadia to get lots of in-car gadgets, though. Standard infotainment features on the Acadia include an 8-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. It also comes with a six-speaker stereo and a wifi hotspot. The Acadia comes with many desirable active safety features too. These features include a rear-seat reminder, rear parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. 

Wrapping it up 

The 2020 Acadia starts at $29,800. This SUV earned decent reliability ratings from U.S. News and from Consumer Reports. According to CR, Acadia owners are most satisfied with their vehicle’s driving performance, comfort, and styling.