GMC Acadia vs. Honda Pilot: Which Midsize SUV Is Right for You?
When Kansas City families shop for a three-row midsize SUV, two names come up more than any others: the GMC Acadia and the Honda Pilot. Both are well-built, family-friendly, and packed with technology – but they take meaningfully different approaches to the segment. Here’s a complete, honest comparison from Oakes GMC to help you decide which one is the right fit for your family.
The Quick Answer
The GMC Acadia wins on power, technology, cargo space, and premium feature content at every trim level. The Honda Pilot wins on long-term reliability reputation and resale value. For Kansas City families who want the most capable, best-equipped three-row SUV in the segment today, the Acadia is the stronger choice. For buyers who prioritize proven long-term reliability and resale value above all else, the Pilot has a case to make.
The redesigned GMC Acadia is a genuinely different vehicle from the previous generation – bigger, more powerful, and significantly more feature-loaded across every trim level. If you haven’t looked at the current Acadia recently, it’s worth a fresh look before assuming the Pilot is the safer choice.
Engine and Performance
This is one of the clearest wins for the Acadia. The GMC Acadia is powered by a 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque across all trim levels. That’s significantly more power than the competition in this segment.
The Honda Pilot uses a 3.5L V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. While the Pilot’s V6 is a smooth, proven engine, it produces noticeably less power and torque than the Acadia’s turbocharged four-cylinder – an unusual situation where a smaller displacement engine outperforms a larger one thanks to forced induction.
Both vehicles pair with an 8-speed automatic transmission and offer all-wheel drive. The Acadia’s Traction Select System gives drivers up to seven drive modes for different road conditions, which is particularly useful for Kansas City’s mix of highway driving, winter weather, and occasional off-road excursions.
| Performance | GMC Acadia | Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.5L Turbocharged 4-Cylinder | 3.5L V6 |
| Horsepower | 328 hp | 285 hp |
| Torque | 326 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| AWD Available | Yes | Yes |
| Drive Modes | Up to 7 | Standard |
| Towing Capacity | Up to 4,000 lbs | Up to 3,500 lbs (V6 gas) |
Winner: GMC Acadia. More horsepower, more torque, more towing capacity, and more drive modes. For Kansas City families who tow a boat to the Lake of the Ozarks or need confident highway merging power, the Acadia’s advantage here is real and meaningful.
Interior Space and Seating
Both the Acadia and Pilot seat up to seven or eight passengers across three rows. But the dimensions tell a more nuanced story.
The redesigned Acadia is significantly larger than the previous generation, with front-row legroom of over 44 inches – more than three inches ahead of the Honda Pilot. Second-row legroom in the Acadia reaches 42 inches, topping the Pilot’s second-row space as well. Both vehicles have functional third rows, though like most three-row SUVs, the third row is most comfortable for children and shorter adults on longer trips.
| Interior Space | GMC Acadia | Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| Max Seating | Up to 8 | Up to 8 |
| Front Row Legroom | 44+ inches | 40.9 inches |
| Second Row Legroom | 42 inches | 40.0 inches |
| Cargo Behind 3rd Row | 20 cu ft | 16.5 cu ft |
| Cargo Behind 2nd Row | 63 cu ft | 50.9 cu ft |
| Max Cargo Space | 98 cu ft | 87 cu ft |
Winner: GMC Acadia. More legroom in the first two rows and significantly more cargo space at every configuration. The Acadia’s 98 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity versus the Pilot’s 87 cubic feet is a meaningful gap for Kansas City families who load up for road trips, sports gear, and family travel.
Technology and Infotainment
The technology gap between the Acadia and Pilot is one of the most significant differences in this comparison – and it’s largely in the Acadia’s favor at every trim level.
Every GMC Acadia comes standard with a 15-inch diagonal touchscreen infotainment system with Google built-in, voice activation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system. The Honda Pilot’s base trims offer only a 9-inch touchscreen – a significant step down in screen real estate and visual clarity.
The Acadia also offers Super Cruise – GM’s hands-free highway driving technology – on available upper trim levels. There is no comparable hands-free driving system available on the Honda Pilot at any trim level. For Kansas City families making long highway drives on I-70 or I-35, this is a meaningful real-world advantage.
| Technology | GMC Acadia | Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Touchscreen | 15 inches | 9 inches (base trims) |
| Gauge Cluster | 11-inch digital | Standard |
| Wireless CarPlay / Android Auto | Standard | Available (wired standard) |
| Premium Audio | 12-speaker Bose (standard) | Available on upper trims |
| Wireless Charging | Standard | Available |
| Hands-Free Driving | Super Cruise (available) | Not available |
| Google Built-In | Yes – standard | No |
| 4G LTE Hotspot | Available | Available |
Winner: GMC Acadia – by a significant margin. The 15-inch touchscreen, standard Bose audio, standard wireless CarPlay, and available Super Cruise represent a meaningful technology advantage over the Pilot at comparable price points.
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Safety Features
Both the Acadia and Pilot come well-equipped with standard safety technology. Here’s how they compare:
| Safety Feature | GMC Acadia | Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic Emergency Braking | Standard | Standard |
| Lane Keep Assist | Standard | Standard |
| Blind Spot Monitoring | Standard | Standard |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | Standard | Standard |
| Surround Vision Camera | Available | Not available |
| Rear Seat Reminder | Standard | Not available |
| Teen Driver Technology | Standard | Not available |
Winner: GMC Acadia. Both vehicles cover the core safety suite well, but the Acadia adds Surround Vision, Rear Seat Reminder, and Teen Driver technology that the Pilot doesn’t offer. For Kansas City families with new drivers, Teen Driver technology alone is a meaningful differentiator.
Fuel Economy
Fuel economy is one area where the comparison is closer. The GMC Acadia’s turbocharged engine delivers an EPA-estimated 23 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 21 mpg combined with AWD. The Honda Pilot returns approximately 22 mpg combined with AWD in its standard gas configuration.
The Honda Pilot has a significant fuel economy advantage in its hybrid configuration – the Pilot Hybrid delivers an estimated 36 mpg combined, which the Acadia cannot match. If fuel efficiency is your top priority, the Pilot Hybrid is worth serious consideration. For buyers choosing between the standard gas versions of both vehicles, the fuel economy difference is minimal.
Winner: Push on standard gas versions. Honda Pilot Hybrid wins on fuel economy if that’s the priority.
Trim Levels and Feature Value
One of the most important parts of any SUV comparison is understanding what you actually get for your money at each trim level. The Acadia’s standard feature content at its base Elevation trim includes premium technology – 15-inch touchscreen, Bose audio, wireless CarPlay – that the Pilot reserves for significantly higher trim levels.
The GMC Acadia is available in four trim levels:
- ✓Elevation – The entry-level Acadia that comes with a feature set that rivals many competitors’ mid-tier trims. Standard 15-inch screen, Bose audio, wireless CarPlay, and the full safety suite
- ✓AT4 – The off-road focused trim with standard AWD, all-terrain tires, skid plates, and enhanced approach and departure angles for buyers who venture off pavement around Kansas City
- ✓Denali – The luxury tier with perforated leather seating, head-up display, available Super Cruise, and the signature Denali chrome exterior package
- ✓Denali Ultimate – Everything GMC offers in a single fully-loaded package including massaging front seats, Super Cruise as standard, and exclusive interior materials
The Honda Pilot’s lineup – Sport, EX-L, Touring, Elite, and TrailSport – covers similar ground but without the dedicated off-road hardware of the AT4 or the luxury depth of the Denali lineup. The Pilot’s TrailSport is largely a cosmetic off-road package compared to the Acadia AT4’s functional hardware upgrades.
When comparing the two at similar price points, the Acadia consistently delivers more standard technology and premium features than the Pilot. Kansas City buyers who compare out-the-door prices on similarly spec’d vehicles frequently find the Acadia to be the stronger value proposition.
Where the Honda Pilot Has the Edge
Being honest matters more than being one-sided. Here’s where the Honda Pilot legitimately holds an advantage:
- ✓Long-term reliability reputation – Honda’s reliability track record over decades is well-established. The Pilot consistently earns strong long-term reliability scores, and that history gives some buyers real confidence in a used Pilot’s ownership costs
- ✓Resale value – Honda vehicles historically hold their value well. If resale value is a major factor in your purchase decision, the Pilot has a stronger track record in this area
- ✓Hybrid option – The Pilot Hybrid’s 36 mpg combined is significantly better than the Acadia’s fuel economy. For high-mileage Kansas City drivers, the fuel savings over time can be substantial
- ✓10-speed transmission – The Pilot’s 10-speed automatic is smooth and well-refined, and some drivers prefer the V6’s linear power delivery to a turbocharged four-cylinder’s torque curve
GMC Acadia vs Honda Pilot – The Bottom Line
For most Kansas City families shopping in the three-row midsize SUV segment today, the GMC Acadia is the stronger overall package. It delivers more power, more cargo space, significantly more standard technology, better safety feature content, and a more refined interior at comparable price points.
The Honda Pilot makes the most sense for buyers who prioritize proven long-term reliability above all else, want the fuel savings of a hybrid powertrain, or are buying used and value Pilot’s historically strong resale values.
If you’re buying new and want the most capable, best-equipped three-row SUV for your money in 2025, the Acadia is difficult to beat in this segment.
The best way to settle the debate for your family is to drive both. Come see the Acadia at Oakes GMC in Kansas City and experience the difference in person – the 15-inch screen, the Bose audio, and the extra legroom are things you need to feel firsthand.
Shop the GMC Acadia at Oakes GMC in Kansas City
Oakes GMC is located at 3200 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111 – convenient to Liberty, Gladstone, Riverside, Independence, Olathe, Overland Park, and across the greater Kansas City metro. We carry the full GMC Acadia lineup from the base Elevation to the Denali Ultimate and can help you find the right trim for your family’s needs and budget.
Browse our current Acadia inventory online, stop by for a test drive, or contact our team with questions. We’ll give you a straight answer and make sure you find the right vehicle – no pressure, no runaround.
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