Re-engineered in 2017 for its second generation, the 2020 GMC Acadia mid-size crossover gets a facelift, a turbo engine option and many tech and infotainment upgrades.

Aiming for a more refined appearance, improved cabin interfaces and augmented power, GMC has upgraded Acadia with design and technology enhancements including a bolder exterior design, new available 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, new nine-speed automatic transmission, an enhanced GMC infotainment system, a new available Head-up Display and Rear Camera Mirror, and the introduction of the first-ever Acadia AT4 with exclusive AT4 grille, wheels, badging and black chrome exterior accents.

The 2020 Acadia comes at you with a new grille, new front and rear fascias and GMC’s signature C-shaped lighting along with standard LED lighting complemented with interior refinements.

Additional design and style enhancements for the 2020 Acadia include: new 18- and 20-inch wheel designs depending on the trim; outside mirrors with integrated LED turn signals (power-folding feature standard on Denali and available on SLT trim); hands-free power liftgate with GMC logo projection standard on SLT, AT4 and Denali; redesigned center console with enhanced storage space and unique Denali interior color scheme with new, open-pore wood decor.

Continuing with its mid-size crossover dimensions of last year, Acadia measures 193.6 inches long, 66 inches high and 75.4 inches wide on a 112.5-inch wheelbase. Ground clearance is 7.2 inches and curbweight comes in at about 3923, though the upscale versions with the 3.6-liter engine exceed 4000 pounds.

Last year, Acadia offered two engine choices: a 2.5-liter Inline-4 engine -- 193hp and 188 lb-ft of torque and an EPA rating of 21/city and 26/highway – and a 3.6-liter V-6 engine -- 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, for an EPA rating of 18/city and 25/highway. This year, Acadia goes with three options: a 2.0-liter turbo I-4 DOHC with direct injection and Active Fuel Management, good for 230 horses and 258 lb-ft; the 2.5-liter direct-injection I-4 that provides last year’s power numbers; and this year’s 3.6-liter V-6 DOHC VVT with Direct Injection is the same as last year’s at 310hp and 271 lb-ft.

Mated to the new nine-speed automatic Electronic Precision Shift that replaced the previous six-speed automatic, my 3.6-powered Denali was attentive, responsive and confident with reduced engine noise in the cabin. My week of mixed-use tests yielded an average of 22.2 mpg, Accelerating powerfully at speed and in passing, track tests showed an energetic zero-to-60 mph sprint in 6.6 seconds, en route to a consistent 15.2-second quarter-mile.

Responsive and accurate on turns and sweeps, Acadia’s electric variable-effort power steering with Active Return Assist was reliable and minimized body roll while delivering acceptable understeer during quick cornering. Providing good road feel, the MacPherson strut front suspension with direct-acting stabilizer bar and the five-link independent rear with coil springs and stabilizer bar were the same as last year, and with the Continuous Damping Control real-time damping on my Denali test ride, the system leveled city roads and highways, and was solid soft-road, though severe off-roading seemed to be a bit beyond its capabilities.

Refined inside, the Acadia cabin provides seating for five, six, or seven passengers depending on model and configuration. My three-row, six-passenger Denali was comfortable with 40.0 inches of front headroom without a sunroof (you lose about 1.2 inches with a sunroof), 39.6 in row two and 37.2 inches in row three. Legroom measures 41 inches in front, 39.7 in row two and a child-worthy 29.7 in row three, while shoulder room is 59.4, 58.7 and 54.3. Cargo volume was 41.7 cu.ft. behind row two if row three is eliminated.

Safety features include standard head curtain side air bags with rollover protection for all seating rows and roof-mounted head curtain air bags, Front and Rear Parking Assist, Lane Change Alert,  Front Pedestrian Braking, Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking, Forward Automatic Braking, Following Distance Indicator, IntelliBeam automatic headlamp high-beam control, Surround Vision camera system, Forward Collision Alert and more.

Available in six trims, Acadia’s base SL trim starts at $30,195 in FWD and runs through six levels to get to the top-of-the-line Denali that I tested – starting at $46,695 in FWD. In the lesser trims, you pay about $1095 for the upgrade to the larger engine – Denali comes with the larger plant as standard. You also pay $2000 to upgrade from FWD to AWD and my Denali was in AWD. Ebony Twilight Metallic exterior paint added $495 and the outside was mated to a Jet Black perforated leather interior. The Technology Package that is recommended for the safety conscious was also included for $1495, consisting of advanced adaptive cruise control with full speed front automatic braking and a surround vision system. A Dual SkyScape 2-Panel Powered sunroof was added for $1400; Front and rear splash guards added $170 and roof rack cross rail added $265. Rear seat infotainment with DVD player would have added $1995, but my ride was without that option, though we did add Wireless charging for $375. With an additional $1195 for Destination charges, my final sticker-as-tested was at $52,895, but cash allowance incentives of $4250 brought the MSRP to $48,645, so check with your local dealer.

<I> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

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