2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 GMC Acadia

2021 Ford Explorer

#4 in Large SUVs

2021 GMC Acadia

#10 in Large SUVs

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Select style

Base 4WD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Explorer Base 4WD	20	27	$33,198	$34,225
Explorer Base RWD	21	28	$31,258	$32,225
Explorer Limited 4WD	20	27	$45,125	$47,005
Explorer Limited RWD	21	28	$43,205	$45,005
Explorer Platinum 4WD	18	24	$52,301	$54,480
Explorer ST 4WD	18	24	$50,501	$52,605
Explorer XLT 4WD	20	27	$34,560	$36,000
Explorer XLT RWD	21	28	$32,640	$34,000

Select style

AWD 4-Door AT4

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Acadia AWD 4-Door AT4	19	26	$39,209	$41,100
Acadia AWD 4-Door Denali	19	26	$46,078	$48,300
Acadia AWD 4-Door SLE	22	27	$35,107	$36,800
Acadia AWD 4-Door SLT	22	27	$38,923	$40,800
Acadia FWD 4-Door Denali	19	27	$44,170	$46,300
Acadia FWD 4-Door SL	21	27	$29,770	$29,800
Acadia FWD 4-Door SLE	21	27	$32,054	$33,600
Acadia FWD 4-Door SLT	22	29	$37,015	$38,800

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$33,198

$39,209

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$34,225

$41,100

Monthly Payment Estimate

$570 / month

$685 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.8

Read Our Full Review

6.2

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2021 Ford Explorer is recognizable, but new. It should be on every family SUV shopper’s list.

The 2021 GMC Acadia shines most brightly in turbo-4 spec, but rival three-row crossovers put out more lumens.

TCC Likes

Wide range of powertrains
Good looks
Great active safety tech

Handsome shape
Well-designed infotainment
Turbo-4 or V-6 strength

TCC Dislikes

Hybrid isn’t refined
Not a great value
Cramped third row

Active safety tech should be standard
A little narrow inside
Pushbutton shifter isn’t our favorite

Fuel Economy

City

20 mpg

19 mpg

Highway

27 mpg

26 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Standard SUV 4WD

4WD Sport Utility Vehicle

Interior Dimensions

Third Leg Room (in)

32.2

29.7

Passenger Volume (ft³)

152.7

143.8

Second Head Room (in)

40.5

39.6

Third Hip Room (in)

40.9

42.9

Second Shoulder Room (in)

61.9

58.7

Front Leg Room (in)

Third Head Room (in)

38.9

37.2

Passenger Capacity

Front Hip Room (in)

59.2

55.7

Third Shoulder Room (in)

54.6

54.3

Second Leg Room (in)

39.7

Front Head Room (in)

40.7

Second Hip Room (in)

59.1

53.3

Front Shoulder Room (in)

61.8

59.4

Exterior Dimensions

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

78.9

75.4

Track Width, Front (in)

66.9

64.5

Min Ground Clearance (in)

8.2

7.20

Length, Overall (in)

198.8

193.4

Liftover Height (in)

32.8

- TBD -

Height, Overall (in)

70.2

66.7

Track Width, Rear (in)

66.9

64.5

Wheelbase (in)

119.1

112.5

Rear Door Opening Width (in)

- TBD -

Rear Door Opening Height (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)

32.8

- TBD -

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)

83.9

- TBD -

Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)

87.8

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 3 (in)

20.8

- TBD -

Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)

18.2

12.8

Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)

48.1

- TBD -

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)

49.8

- TBD -

Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)

47.9

41.7

Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)

- TBD -

Brakes

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.6

12.4 x 0.9

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

13.6

12.6 x 1.9

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

18.6

Steering

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Electric Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

N/A

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

38.7

Tires

Rear Tire Size

P255/65HR18

P255/65R17

Rear Tire Order Code

5GV

Front Tire Size

P255/65HR18

P255/65R17

Spare Tire Size

Compact

T135/70R18

Front Tire Order Code

5GV

Spare Tire Order Code

ZCD

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

5000

- TBD -

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

5300

- TBD -

Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs)

5300

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

500

- TBD -

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

530

- TBD -

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

4345

4306

Wheels

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7.5

17 x - TBD -

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

18 x 4.5

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7.5

17 x - TBD -

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

310 @ 3500

271 @ 5000

Engine Order Code

99H

LGX

Displacement

2.3 L/140

3.6L/222

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

300 @ 5500

310 @ 6600

Engine Type

Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4

Gas V6

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Direct Injection

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.58

3.49

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

2.15

3.01

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Four Wheel Drive

All Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.52

1.92

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

4.88

2.96

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.85

0.75

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

3.00

3.31

Trans Order Code

44T

M3W

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.77

2.44

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Automatic

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.27

1.44

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.71

4.69

Ninth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.62

Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), Low

- TBD -

Clutch Size (in)

Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), High

Summary

Vehicle Name

Ford Explorer

GMC Acadia

Body Style

Sport Utility

4 Door

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

MacPherson Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Five-Link

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

7.7

8.4

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

- TBD -

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

155

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

2021 Ford Explorer

2021 Explorer arriving; 2020s sold out
Lease: From $359 for 36 months
Rebate: Up to $1,250 off
Finance: From 0% APR for 36 months

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2021 GMC Acadia

2021 Acadia selection healthy as usual
Lease: From $319 for 36 months
Rebates: Up to $5,000 off
Finance: 0% APR for 72 months + $1,800 bonus

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