Choosing the right midsize SUV can be overwhelming. With a plethora of options vying for your attention, the 2024 GMC Acadia and Hyundai Santa Fe stand out as strong contenders. But which one is the perfect fit for you? Before diving headfirst, understanding their key specs and features is crucial for making an informed decision.
2024 GMC Acadia vs Hyundai Santa Fe Horsepower and Torque
The Acadia comes standard with a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine churning out 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking more grunt, a 3.6L V6 offers 310 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. The Santa Fe counters with a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine delivering 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. It also boasts a 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder hybrid option generating 226 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.
2024 GMC Acadia vs Hyundai Santa Fe Fuel Efficiency
The Acadia earns an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway with the base engine, while the V6 drops to 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. The Santa Fe’s 2.5L engine returns an impressive 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, while the hybrid shines with 34 mpg city and 52 mpg highway.
2024 GMC Acadia vs Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid/Electric Options
The Santa Fe’s hybrid option delivers significant fuel savings, especially for city driving. While the Acadia lacks a hybrid choice, its V6 engine is equipped with cylinder deactivation technology for improved efficiency under light loads.
2024 GMC Acadia vs Hyundai Santa Fe Driving Experience
2024 GMC Acadia
The Acadia prioritizes a comfortable ride with a softer suspension that absorbs bumps well. Steering is responsive, though not particularly sporty. The base engine provides adequate power for daily commutes, while the V6 delivers a more spirited response. Towing becomes easier with the V6, but fuel efficiency suffers.
Hyundai Santa Fe
The Santa Fe leans towards a slightly more engaging driving experience. Its suspension offers a balance between comfort and handling, providing a more connected feel to the road. The 2.5L engine delivers ample power, while the hybrid delivers a smooth and quiet ride with exceptional fuel economy.
2024 GMC Acadia vs Hyundai Santa Fe Acceleration
The Acadia with the V6 offers quicker sprints, reaching 0-60 mph in around 7 seconds. The Santa Fe’s 2.5L engine takes about 8 seconds, while the hybrid prioritizes fuel economy over rapid acceleration.
Tech Showdown: Infotainment and Features Face-Off
When it comes to tech, both the Acadia and Santa Fe bring their A-game, but cater to slightly different tastes. Let’s delve into the infotainment systems, connectivity, and unique features of each:
2024 GMC Acadia vs Hyundai Santa Fe Infotainment Systems
- Acadia: Boasts a standard 15-inch touchscreen with a customizable user interface. The system is responsive and integrates seamlessly with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims offer a 16-speaker Bose audio system and a head-up display.
- Santa Fe: Features a standard 8-inch touchscreen with a modern and intuitive interface. It also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Navigation, a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, and a digital instrument cluster are available on higher trims.
2024 GMC Acadia vs Hyundai Santa Fe Connectivity
Both SUVs offer Wi-Fi hotspot capability, Bluetooth connectivity, and multiple USB ports for charging and data transfer. However, the Santa Fe goes a step further with standard wireless charging on higher trims, a feature absent on the Acadia.
2024 GMC Acadia vs Hyundai Santa Fe Interiors
Both the 2024 GMC Acadia and Hyundai Santa Fe offer comfortable and spacious interiors, but cater to different tastes in terms of design and practicality. Let’s dissect their strengths:
2024 GMC Acadia vs Hyundai Santa Fe Seating Comfort
- Acadia: The standard 8-passenger seating configuration (optional 7-passenger with captain’s chairs) provides ample legroom and headroom for all passengers, even in the third row. Higher trims offer heated and ventilated seats for added comfort. Material quality varies between trims, with higher options featuring leather and soft-touch surfaces.
- Santa Fe: The standard 5-passenger seating (optional 7-passenger with captain’s chairs) prioritizes comfort with spacious seats and well-padded cushions. While the third row is a bit tighter than the Acadia’s, it’s still suitable for occasional use. Material quality leans towards a modern, premium feel with available leather and soft-touch accents.
2024 GMC Acadia vs Hyundai Santa Fe Cargo Space
- Acadia: With the third row upright, the Acadia offers 12.8 cubic feet of cargo space, which expands to 41.7 cubic feet with the third row folded and 79 cubic feet with all seats folded. This makes it ideal for large families or those who frequently transport bulky items.
- Santa Fe: The Santa Fe offers a slightly smaller 14.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 36.1 cubic feet with the third row folded and 72.3 cubic feet with all seats folded. While smaller than the Acadia, it still provides ample space for most everyday needs.
2024 GMC Acadia vs Hyundai Santa Fe Interior Design
- Acadia: The Acadia’s interior adopts a bold, traditional SUV design with a focus on luxury and comfort. Materials are generally high-quality, and the layout is intuitive and user-friendly. However, some might find it less modern compared to the Santa Fe.
- Santa Fe: The Santa Fe embraces a more modern and minimalist design approach. The cabin feels clean and uncluttered, with a focus on technology integration. While materials are generally good, they might not feel as luxurious as some higher-end Acadia trims.
2024 GMC Acadia vs Hyundai Santa Fe Practicality
- Acadia: The Acadia’s available second-row captain’s chairs offer individual comfort and easy access to the third row. Additionally, its larger cargo space makes it ideal for bulky cargo or frequent road trips with lots of gear.
- Santa Fe: The Santa Fe’s standard wireless charging pad and available Digital Key offer added convenience. The panoramic sunroof on higher trims adds an airy feel to the cabin. However, its smaller size and cargo space might limit its practicality for larger families or frequent haulers.
Safety Showdown: Acadia vs. Santa Fe
Both the 2024 GMC Acadia and Hyundai Santa Fe prioritize safety, offering a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features and technologies. But let’s delve deeper to see where they stand:
Standard Safety Features
- Acadia: Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, rearview camera, and Teen Driver system.
- Santa Fe: Forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning with lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, rearview camera, and driver attention warning.
Available Advanced Safety Features (May vary by trim level):
- Acadia: Rear pedestrian alert, adaptive cruise control, head-up display, surround-view camera system, night vision, and automatic parking assist.
- Santa Fe: Highway Driving Assist (semi-autonomous driving on highways), highway driving assist 2 (adds lane change assist), rear cross-traffic assist, safe exit assist, and blind-spot collision avoidance.
Value Showdown: 2024 GMC Acadia vs Hyundai Santa Fe – Balancing Price, Features, and Warranty
The final frontier in our comparison – pricing, trim levels, and value. Let’s see how the 2024 Acadia and Santa Fe stack up:
Starting MSRP
- Acadia: $38,801 (SLE trim)
- Santa Fe: $33,490 (SE trim)
Trim Levels
- Acadia: SLE, SLT, Denali, AT4 (off-road focused)
- Santa Fe: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, Calligraphy (luxury focused)
Features by Trim
2024 GMC Acadia
- SLE: Standard features include 2.0L turbo engine, 18-inch wheels, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, driver-assistance features like automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning.
- SLT: Adds leather seats, sunroof, heated seats, larger touchscreen, and more driver-assistance features.
- Denali: Top-of-the-line trim with V6 engine, head-up display, surround-view camera, and premium audio system.
- AT4: Unique features for off-road enthusiasts, including all-wheel drive, skid plates, and tow hooks.
Hyundai Santa Fe
- SE: Standard features include 2.5L 4-cylinder engine, 18-inch wheels, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, driver-assistance features like forward collision avoidance and lane departure warning.
- SEL: Adds heated seats, sunroof, wireless charging, and a larger touchscreen.
- XRT: Sporty features like blacked-out accents, 19-inch wheels, and a more aggressive suspension.
- Limited: Upscale features like leather seats, ventilated seats, panoramic sunroof, and premium audio system.
- Calligraphy: Top-of-the-line trim with hybrid engine option, head-up display, surround-view camera, and premium interior materials.
2024 GMC Acadia vs Hyundai Santa Fe Value Proposition
- Acadia: Offers more standard features at the base level but has a higher starting price. Premium features come at a significant cost increase in higher trims. Warranty is 3 years/36,000 miles.
- Santa Fe: Slightly lower starting price and offers a hybrid option for fuel-conscious buyers. Features are spread across trims, requiring careful selection for specific needs. Warranty is 5 years/60,000 miles.
Conclusion: 2024 GMC Acadia vs Hyundai Santa Fe Which SUV Wins
Declaring a definitive winner between the 2024 GMC Acadia and Hyundai Santa Fe is challenging as it depends heavily on your individual priorities and needs. Both SUVs offer distinct strengths and cater to different preferences:
2024 GMC Acadia
- Strengths: Spacious interior, comfortable seating, powerful V6 engine option, standard driver-assistance features, available off-road capabilities (AT4 trim).
- Weaknesses: Higher starting price, limited fuel efficiency, costlier options in higher trims.
Hyundai Santa Fe
- Strengths: Lower starting price, available hybrid option for improved fuel efficiency, longer warranty, modern tech features, wireless charging (available on higher trims).
- Weaknesses: Slightly smaller interior, cargo space might be limiting for large families, some features require higher trim levels.
the “winning” SUV depends on your personal preferences
- Choose the Acadia if: You prioritize space, comfort, power, and standard features, even at a slightly higher price point.
- Choose the Santa Fe if: Fuel efficiency, affordability, a longer warranty, and modern tech features are your top priorities, and you’re comfortable selecting specific features through higher trims.
