2020 GMC Acadia MPG

The 2020 GMC Acadia is a three-row SUV that gets 23 combined MPG on the highway, but decent fuel economy means opting for a smaller engine.
Written by Mary Cahill
Reviewed by Brenna Swanston
The 2020 GMC Acadia with a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine gets 21 city/27 highway and 23 combined MPG. Although this is an above-average MPG rating for a midsize SUV, the base engine has been criticized for its lack of power. Upgrading to a 3.6-liter V6 gives you 18 city/25 highway/21 combined MPG.
The GMC Acadia got an update in 2020, which included an all-new, 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine option. This upgraded engine gets one MPG more on the highway than the base four-cylinder, bumping the combined fuel economy up a notch to 24 MPG.
While the redesign has helped the GMC Acadia stay relevant, the three-row midsize SUV class is more crowded than ever, and some brands simply do it better. Let's dig into the details, including what to expect in terms of
car insurance
.
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2020 GMC Acadia fuel economy

Engine size plays a big role in the 2020 GMC Acadia’s MPG ratings, but drivetrain factors in as well. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard on the Acadia and will keep the fuel economy on the lower side. Upgrading to all-wheel drive (AWD) will drop that MPG down a bit—AWD makes vehicles heavier and delivers more power to the wheels, so it uses fuel more quickly.
As part of the 2020 revamp, the GMC Acadia was fitted with a nine-speed shiftable automatic transmission to replace the formerly offered six-speed automatic. This change in powertrain improves both acceleration and fuel economy.
The 2020 GMC Acadia has a gas tank size of 19 gallons, regardless of engine size. According to Edmunds, the cost per month to drive the Acadia
SLE
which is one trim level higher than the base is about $152—which is far better than the average midsize SUV’s projected monthly cost of $191.
While the base four-cylinder engine has some underwhelming characteristics, it redeems itself when it comes to fuel costs. But this estimate can vary greatly depending on how much you drive and where. Drivers who put in most of their miles on the highway tend to go through gas more slowly. 

Is the 2020 GMC Acadia good on gas?

Yes. Plus, if you upgrade to the turbocharged four-cylinder, you’ll get improved engine power and a subtle boost in MPG ratings. Opting for upper-level trims like AT4 and
Denali
put you in V6 territory, where the gas mileage specs become pretty average. 
If you’re on the hunt for a roomy three-row SUV with decent gas mileage, you’ve got options. For one, there’s the 2020
Kia Telluride
2020 was the debut model year for Kia’s largest three-row SUV and the experts were loving it—plus it’s almost two grand cheaper than the 2020 Acadia. The EPA-estimated fuel economy for Telluride’s base model LX is 20 city/26 highway/23 combined MPG.
You may also want to take a look at a three-row hybrid midsize SUV. The
Toyota Highlander
was fully redesigned for the 2020 model year and boats a beautiful interior. But the real stunner is the awesome fuel economy it gets—35 to 36 combined MPG.
Like the 2020 Acadia, the Highlander’s base model LE comes standard with a four-cylinder engine, but AWD is available on all trim levels if you’re looking for a little more oomph in an inline-4 SUV. 

How to improve fuel efficiency for a 2020 GMC Acadia

Whether you’ve got a gas-sipping four-cylinder or a robust V6 engine under the hood of your Acadia, you can improve fuel efficiency by getting some good driver habits, like these:
  • Use cruise control. If you do a fair share of highway driving, utilizing cruise control can help you save on gas because it keeps your feet off the pedals. Frequently hitting the gas or brake can waste fuel. 
  • Clean your car. Most people don’t associate a cluttered car with fuel economy but they’re related. Heavier vehicles use more fuel, so if yours is being weighed down by a bunch of unnecessary items in the cargo area, it can negatively affect your gas mileage.  
  • Keep maintenance regular. Sticking to a
    maintenance schedule
    is important for many reasons, including fuel efficiency. When vehicles have mechanical problems the engine has to work harder, which makes it burn up more gas. Getting routine maintenance like oil changes helps you save money overall. 
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