Compare the2025 Toyota 4RunnerVS 2025 GMC Acadia

The Toyota 4Runner has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Acadia doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The 4Runner has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Acadia doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the 4Runner and the Acadia have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available four-wheel drive and around view monitors.

The 4Runner’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Acadia’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4Runner for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. GMC only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Acadia.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 4Runner’s reliability 30 points higher than the Acadia.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 59 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is ranked 18th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. GMC is ranked 20th.

The 4Runner Trailhunter’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 139 lbs.-ft. more torque (465 vs. 326) than the Acadia’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The 4Runner’s optional 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 139 lbs.-ft. more torque (465 vs. 326) than the Acadia’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota 4Runner turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the GMC Acadia:

On the EPA test cycle the 4Runner gets better mileage than the Acadia:

Regenerative brakes improve the 4Runner i-FORCE MAX’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Acadia doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The 4Runner has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Acadia. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota 4Runner higher (6 out of 10) than the GMC Acadia (5). This means the 4Runner produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Acadia every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the 4Runner’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Acadia:

The 4Runner’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Acadia are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the 4Runner has larger tires than the Acadia (265/70R17 vs. 255/55R20).

The 4Runner has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Acadia; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The 4Runner Trailhunter/TRD Pro has an active front sway bar, which helps keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnects at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Acadia doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The 4Runner offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Acadia’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For greater off-road capability the 4Runner SR5 has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Acadia Elevation (8.1 vs. 6.8 inches), allowing the 4Runner to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The 4Runner Trailhunter/TRD Pro’s minimum ground clearance is 2.3 inches higher than on the Acadia AT4 (10.1 vs. 7.8 inches).

The 4Runner is 9.1 inches shorter than the Acadia, making the 4Runner easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the 4Runner’s middle and third row seats recline. The Acadia’s third row seats don’t recline.

The 4Runner’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Acadia’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The 4Runner’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Acadia’s (6000 vs. 5000 pounds).

The engine in the 4Runner is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Acadia. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The 4Runner’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Acadia’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

When the 4Runner Limited/Trailhunter/TRD Pro/Platinum is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Acadia’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Toyota 4Runner outsold the GMC Acadia by almost two to one during 2024.