2020 GMC Acadia AT4 Is More Show Than Actual Off-Road Capability (2024)

Three years into its second generation, the GMC Acadia gets a few notable changes for the 2020 model year to help maintain its relevance among an ever-growing pool of mid-size SUV competition. Among the many revisions are new front and rear fascias, an updated infotainment system, a new nine-speed automatic transmission, and a push-button gear shift setup that allows for a revised center console with additional storage space. Perhaps more significant, at least to GMC's marketers, is the expansion of the rugged AT4 moniker to the Acadia's model lineup.

GMC has hinted that the AT4 designation will eventually spread to all of its models. While certain existing versions, such as the Sierra 1500 AT4 full-size pickup, come with legitimate off-road upgrades such as a two-inch suspension lift, the Acadia AT4 essentially replaces the previous All-Terrain model, which largely was a subdued cosmetic package intended to convey a tougher demeanor. It also comes with 17-inch all-terrain tires and a twin-clutch rear axle; every AT4 powers all four wheels. But without any additional ground clearance or suspension fortification, the AT4's ability to explore the back country is limited.

Solidly Capable

On the road, the AT4 feels nicely refined. Its ride is comfortable and controlled over most surfaces, and despite the tires' blocky tread pattern, road noise is moderate. The handling is responsive and secure, the brakes feel firm and linear, and even the steering feel is decent for an SUV. We've driven BMW sedans of late that didn't steer this well. This isn't to say that the Acadia is sporty, but it holds up well when driven harder than we expect 99 percent of its owners to do.

Sitting just below the top-rung Denali in the Acadia's model range, the $43,395 AT4 comes with a 310-hp 3.6-liter V-6 as standard, although lesser Acadias can be had with a new-for-2020 turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four good for 230 horsepower, as well as the entry-level 193-hp 2.5-liter four. All variants feature the new nine-speed automatic, which replaces the previous and unimpressive six-speed unit that we chided the Acadia for during a comparison test back in 2017. The AT4 is the only Acadia variant with standard all-wheel drive (it's optional on all other trim levels except for the front-drive–only SL base model), but a drive-mode selector dial on the console allows you to switch between front- and all-wheel-drive setups, as well as a Sport mode and settings for slippery conditions. We found it best to leave it in the latter configuration, as the AT4 in its front-drive configuration is prone to torque steer and some wheelspin at lower speeds, as well as diminished steering precision.

The combination of the AT4's V-6 and the nine-speed transmission makes for a lovely match. There's plenty of thrust on tap—we expect a respectable zero-to-60-mph time in the low six-second range—the engine sounds smooth and purposeful as it approaches its 6600-rpm redline, and the transmission shuffles through its ratios intelligently and effortlessly, although it's a bit slow to downshift multiple gears. Despite the nine-speed's three additional gears, the AT4's EPA city and combined fuel economy estimates increase only by a single mile per gallon over the previous All-Terrain model, and its highway figure is unchanged.

Shifter Woes

If only the Acadia's new Electronic Precision Shift arrangement were as satisfying as the transmission it controls. Similar to the clumsy setup found in the compact GMC Terrain, this shifting scheme consists of a series of buttons and switches located on the center stack below the climate controls. There are buttons for Park, Neutral, and Low, while Drive and Reverse are activated by what look like power window toggles. This all works fine in everyday driving when you just select Drive and go, and it is convenient to simply turn the car off at your destination, knowing that the system automatically shifts the transmission into Park.

But the ability to manually control the transmission is essentially lost with this setup. There are "+" and "-" shift controls above and below the Low button, but these are hard to reach as they're on the passenger's side of the center stack, and they only set an upper limit for the gear selection. The transmission freely downshifts and upshifts below that limit. The saving grace is that when you select Sport mode, the transmission does an impressive job of picking the right gear for the conditions. But for a machine with at least some off-road pretensions, the inability to select a gear and hold it is unfortunate.

Pleasantly Packaged

From a purely practical standpoint, the Acadia remains a quite useful machine considering that it is several inches shorter than the Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave that share its platform. Interior space in the first and second row of seats still is voluminous for those who don't play in the NBA or NFL. Although the GMC is available with a third row of seats, our test car had but two rows, which leaves 42 cubic feet of luggage room even if all five seats are occupied. (Stowage shrinks to 13 cubic feet with the three-row setup.) And the second-row bench folds perfectly flat, producing one large, even load floor. A six-passenger setup with second-row captain's chairs also is available.

Our AT4 had a $1000 two-tone black-and-brown leather interior upgrade, which displayed attractive contrasting stitching and made for a handsome environment. Other than the electronic shifter, which does free up room for a useful cup holder and additional general storage space, the Acadia's overall control layout and driving position work well. GMC's revised 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system is a big improvement, with an intuitive layout and good responses to both touch and voice commands. All Acadias come standard with rear park assist, lane-change alert, and rear cross-traffic alert, although automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, and front park assist are optional.

Finished in Carbon Black Metallic paint, our test vehicle was attractive in a refreshingly sleek and understated way that is lost on some of its more aggressively styled rivals. While the AT4's ruggedness largely is for show, and GMC's new shifter setup strikes as an unfortunate step backward, the updated Acadia's balance of utility, comfort, and tasteful style make for a solid combination.