Acadia vs Highlander
This is a classic rivalry: the Acadia against the Highlander, GMC against Toyota, both in three-row suv territory. Of the 4 areas we compared, the Acadia wins 2. If one area explains the result, it’s space & practicality.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Acadia wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Highlander wins
- Space & Practicality Acadia wins
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance7.6
- Fuel Economy & Range4.8
- Space & Practicality7.1
- Off-road & Towing5.3
- Engine & Performance5.1
- Fuel Economy & Range9.3
- Space & Practicality4.0
- Off-road & Towing5.3
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Acadia has 44% more cargo space
On cargo (behind rear seats), the Acadia posts 23 cu ft against 16 cu ft for the Highlander, a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. Cargo figures are measured in different ways by different makers, so small gaps may not show in practice.
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The Acadia has 63 hp more power
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 328 hp for the Acadia versus 265 hp for the Highlander. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
-
The Acadia has 16% more maximum cargo space
The Highlander lists 84.3 cu ft; the Acadia comes in at 97.5 cu ft. That’s not a rounding error. Maximum cargo space with the seats folded matters when you move furniture, bikes or bulky gear.
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The Highlander has better fuel economy
You may not notice this one every day, but the Highlander’s 25 mpg is a step ahead of the Acadia’s 23 mpg. The Highlander uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot.
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The Highlander has room for 8 seats
Slight advantage to the Highlander: 8 seats compared with 7 seats. The Highlander has room for more passengers, useful for growing families and carpools.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | Acadia | Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Length | N/A (not specified) | 194.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 120.9 in | 112.2 in |
Engine & Performance
Acadia leads
The Acadia clearly takes the engine & performance round. In its favor, the Acadia has 63 hp more power. The Acadia’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed. The engine & performance verdict goes to the Acadia.
Total system output
Acadia: 328 hp Highlander: 265 hp Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
Torque
Acadia: 326 lb-ft Highlander: 310 lb-ft The Acadia’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
Fuel Economy & Range
Highlander leads
Look at the fuel economy & range table and one name keeps coming out on top: the Highlander. The Highlander wins here with better fuel economy. Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold. Anyone shopping mainly on fuel economy & range should start with the Highlander.
Fuel economy (combined)
Acadia: 23 mpg Highlander: 25 mpg Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
Fuel economy (city)
Acadia: 20 mpg Highlander: 22 mpg City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
Space & Practicality
Acadia leads
Here the Acadia opens up one of its biggest leads in the comparison. Here the Acadia offers 44% more cargo space. The Acadia’s larger cargo area makes family trips and big shopping runs easier. Choose the Highlander and you get room for 8 seats. Prioritize space & practicality, and the Acadia is where you should land.
Cargo (behind rear seats)
Acadia: 23 cu ft Highlander: 16 cu ft Cargo space behind the rear seats is what you use every day for groceries, strollers and luggage.
Cargo (seats folded)
Acadia: 97.5 cu ft Highlander: 84.3 cu ft The Acadia can swallow more with the seats down, which makes it more versatile for occasional big loads.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
The Acadia and the Highlander match each other closely in this area. The takeaway: off-road & towing is not where these two differ.
Safety & Tech
We don’t score this area directly, because the safety & tech specs are labels rather than measurements. The table shows what each lists.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Acadia | Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.5L turbo I4 | 2.4L turbo I4 |
| Total system output | 328 hp (winner) | 265 hp |
| Torque | 326 lb-ft (winner) | 310 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD (AWD available) | FWD (AWD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Acadia | Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 23 mpg | 25 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 20 mpg | 22 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 27 mpg | 29 mpg (winner) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Acadia | Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 7 seats | 8 seats (winner) |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 23 cu ft (winner) | 16 cu ft |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 97.5 cu ft (winner) | 84.3 cu ft |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Acadia | Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Acadia | Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 15 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Driver-assist suite | GMC Pro Safety | N/A (not specified) |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Acadia | Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Length | N/A (not specified) | 194.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 120.9 in | 112.2 in |
Price
| Spec | Acadia | Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $43,000 | N/A (not specified) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Acadia if…
- you haul strollers, luggage or sports gear every week (23 cu ft vs 16 cu ft)
- you want more power (328 hp vs 265 hp)
- you move bulky items now and then (97.5 cu ft vs 84.3 cu ft maximum cargo)
- you often drive loaded up or with a trailer (326 lb-ft vs 310 lb-ft of torque)
Choose the Highlander if…
- you want better combined fuel economy (25 mpg vs 23 mpg)
- you need more seats (8 seats vs 7 seats)
- you mostly drive in town (22 mpg vs 20 mpg in the city)
- you cover long highway distances (29 mpg vs 27 mpg on the highway)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Acadia or the Highlander?
For most people, the Acadia is the stronger choice, unless you’d trade the rest for better fuel economy.
Executive Summary
I read both spec sheets (the Acadia’s and the Highlander’s) so you don’t have to. For me, the deciding factor is that only the Acadia gives you 44% more cargo space. A second point goes to the Acadia for 63 hp more power. The Highlander isn’t without merit: better fuel economy is a real advantage.
I think of the Acadia as the one for engine & performance and the Highlander as the one for fuel economy & range.
My pick: the Acadia for most people, with the Highlander as the smarter choice if you’d rather have better fuel economy on the Highlander.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.