2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs 2020 GMC Acadia

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid distinguished itself from its gas-powered counterparts with unique visual elements. It featured bright gray inserts along the sides and front lower bumper, and blue frames around the upgraded headlight clusters. The exclusive “Lagoon Blue” color added to its eye-catching appeal. Inside, the Crosstrek Hybrid boasted blue inserts and two-tone leather seats with blue contrast stitching, all standard. Despite its well-equipped nature, the hybrid's design had to accommodate the battery, resulting in reduced rear cargo space compared to the conventional Crosstrek.

In contrast, the 2020 GMC Acadia presented a more premium aesthetic, especially in the Denali trim. The SUV's design updates included a boxier grille and squared-off headlights, enhancing its upscale look. Inside, the Acadia Denali featured real open-pore wood trim and leather upholstery, though it lacked distinctive elements to set it apart as a premium choice. The cabin layout remained logical, with a mix of soft surfaces and hard plastic panels, ensuring ease of use for drivers and passengers alike.

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid combined a 2.0-liter Boxer four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing 137 horsepower and 134 pound-feet of torque. Its AWD system was integrated before the drivetrain split, offering traditional AWD composure. The plug-in hybrid system allowed for a 17-mile electric-only range, with a full charge taking five hours on a 120-volt outlet or two hours on a 240-volt station. Despite its 90 MPGe rating, the Crosstrek Hybrid's acceleration was underwhelming, with a 0-60 mph time of around 8 seconds. The hybrid components added 500 pounds, affecting handling, but the vehicle excelled in off-road conditions with 8.7 inches of ground clearance and X-Mode with hill-descent control.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered three engine options: a 193-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a 230-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, and a 310-hp 3.6-liter V6. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the V6 provided smooth and refined power, with a towing capacity of up to 4,000 pounds. The Acadia's ride and handling were finely tuned, though its driving character was unremarkable. The test vehicle's powertrain included features like automatic engine stop/start and cylinder deactivation, achieving an EPA rating of 21 mpg in combined driving.

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid's interior featured an electronic emergency brake, allowing for a more spacious center console layout. The upright seating position provided a commanding view, and rear seat space was adequate even for taller passengers. However, the cargo area was limited to 41 cubic feet due to the battery pack, compared to 55 cubic feet in the gas-powered version.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered flexible seating configurations for five, six, or seven passengers. The Denali trim included 10-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, ensuring comfort on long trips. The second-row captain’s chairs were heated, and rear passengers had access to air conditioning vents, USB ports, and a power outlet. Cargo space was 12.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 41.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 79 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with Subaru’s Starlink infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with a color multi-information display atop the dash for monitoring various vehicle metrics. However, the USB port placement could have been more convenient.

The 2020 GMC Acadia included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The 8-inch touchscreen offered a higher resolution and improved voice recognition. Additional tech features included USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror, enhancing the overall user experience.

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid was equipped with Subaru’s EyeSight suite, offering features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also included adaptive high beams, blind-spot detection, and reverse automatic braking, providing semi-autonomous highway driving capabilities.

The 2020 GMC Acadia's safety features included a rear-seat reminder and Teen Driver technology. While blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warnings were standard, advanced features like forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking required higher trims and additional packages. The Acadia received high marks from NHTSA but had incomplete IIHS data.