The 2020 GMC Acadia comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 9-speed shiftable automatic.New turbocharged four-cylinder engine option.Nine-speed transmission replaces former six-speed unit.Upgraded navigation and entertainment system.New outdoor-oriented AT4 trim level.
Pros Refined ride quality makes it comfortable in any driving situation Quick acceleration from the optional V6 engine Simple cabin layout means everything is usable at a glance Modern onboard technology keeps you connected
Cons Cabin isn't particularly luxurious, even in the priciest trim levels Some rival crossovers have more cargo and third-row space Lackluster base engine
The Acadia receives a facelift for 2020, with a new grille, newly standard LED headlights, and revisions to the rear end. There's also a new turbocharged 2.0-liter engine—standard on the SLT and Denali trims—which GMC estimates will have 230 horsepower when it goes on sale late in the model year. The trim lineup has expanded to include an AT4 model, which brings off-road-inspired design (including 17-inch wheels fitted with all-terrain tires) to the Acadia lineup.
Pros Attractive design, improved infotainment, plenty of in-cabin storage space.
Cons Quality doesn't match price, cramped third row, unimpressive fuel economy.
The 2020 GMC Acadia’s expanded lineup and new styling look worth the wait.
Pros Good looks Infotainment upgrades worthwhile Intriguing new turbo-4
Cons Active safety tech should be standard A little narrow inside Push-button shifters not our favorite
There are plenty of seven-seat SUVs to choose from if you've got a large budget, but what if you're looking for something that's got all the space but is more reasonably priced? Well, then the Skoda Kodiaq should be on your shortlist, because its attractive entry-level price certainly makes it appealing to big families looking for value for money. It's actually Skoda's first ever seven-seater car, and its first large SUV. It shares some of its underpinnings with other VW Group SUVs including the Audi Q2, Seat Ateca and Volkswagen Tiguan, but the larger Kodiaq is more of a rival for the Nissan X-Trail, while the higher-end and pricier versions compete with the Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe and even Land Rover's Discovery Sport. The entry-level versions of the Kodiaq come with five seats as standard, but it’s the seven-seat versions that have by far the most appeal. Engine options range from a 121bhp 1.4 petrol all the way up to a punchy 188bhp 2.0-litre diesel, and there’s also a choice between front and four-wheel drive and manual and automatic (DSG) gearboxes.
The Kodiaq is the first seven-seater for the Czech manufacturer, and the start of a rollout of SUV models due to hit showrooms over the next four years. Kodiaq is named after the Kodiak bear which inhabit the Kodiak islands in Alaska. For some handy dinner table trivia, the car is spelt with a ‘q’ not a ‘k’ as a tribute to Alaska’s native Alutiiq people who identify an animal by ending its name with a ‘q’. That and there’s already a Chevrolet Kodiak and, you know, lawyers.
Pros Practical, spacious and clever - like a Skoda should be Comfortable seats, and comfortable ride Upmarket interior, especially the touchscreen
Cons Front design perhaps a little awkward Lacklustre midrange response from both engines Third row quite tight
The Skoda Kodiaq is the Czech company’s first seven-seater SUV and a real reason to worry for rival models such as the Nissan X-Trail, Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento. The Kodiaq strikes a good balance when it comes to offering comfort and agility. Well, ‘aglie’ might be too strong a word, but for a car of this size, the big Skoda suffers from little body roll even if you power through corners quickly. More important is the cosseting ride, which you get in all but 19-inch wheeled models. It shields passengers from big bumps and broken road surfaces, with only smaller high-frequency jolts catching the chassis out. We drove a model with 19-inch wheels and although the ride wasn’t uncomfortable, you did feel most bumps in the cabin.
Pros Superb build quality Hugely practical interior Seven-seat option
Cons Stiff ride with big wheels Some wind noise at motorway speed Top-spec diesel noisy
