Compare the2026 Volvo XC90VS 2025 GMC Acadia

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The XC90’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Acadia doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the XC90 and Acadia have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The XC90 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Acadia’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Volvo XC90 offers an optional built in child booster seat. It’s more crash worthy than an added child seat because of its direct attachment to the seat. GMC doesn’t offer the convenience and security of a built-in child booster seat in the Acadia. Their owners must carry a heavy booster seat in and out of the vehicle; XC90 owners can just fold their built-in child seat up or down.

The Volvo XC90 has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps 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.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the XC90 deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The XC90’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Acadia’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The XC90 has a standard Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WHIPS allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. At the same time the pretensioning seatbelts fire, removing slack from the belts. The Acadia doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The XC90 has standard Post-impact braking, which automatically apply 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the XC90. But it costs extra on the Acadia.

Both the XC90 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 and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volvo XC90 is safer than the GMC Acadia:

	XC90	Acadia
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	217	234
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	31%	35.9%
Neck Compression	25 lbs.	48 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the XC90 is safer than the Acadia:

	XC90	Acadia
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	MARGINAL

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volvo XC90 is safer than the GMC Acadia:

	XC90	Acadia
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	51	64
Hip Force	255 lbs.	372 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	94	113
Spine Acceleration	40 G’s	48 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	14 inches
HIC	209	346
Spine Acceleration	29 G’s	48 G’s
Hip Force	383 lbs.	721 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Volvo XC90 is safer than the Acadia:

	XC90	Acadia
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	759 lbs.	915 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head Injury Criterion	124	260
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	290 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Volvo XC90 (built before December 2024) has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Acadia is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

The XC90 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Acadia’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The XC90’s corrosion warranty is 6 years and unlimited miles longer than the Acadia’s (12/unlimited vs. 6/100,000).

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the XC90 for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volvo 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.

Reliability

The battery on the XC90 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the XC90’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Acadia’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Volvo vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Volvo 5 places higher in reliability than GMC.

Engine

The XC90 T8’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid produces 127 more horsepower (455 vs. 328) and 197 lbs.-ft. more torque (523 vs. 326) than the Acadia’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the XC90 B6 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the GMC Acadia:

	XC90	Acadia
Zero to 60 MPH	6.5 sec	7.8 sec
Quarter Mile	15 sec	15.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93.8 MPH	90.6 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the XC90 running on electricity gets better mileage than the Acadia:

			MPGe
XC90
	AWD	T8 Electric Motor	59 city/57 hwy
Acadia
			MPG
	FWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/27 hwy
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/24 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the XC90 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Acadia:

			MPG
XC90
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/30 hwy
		2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cyl. Hybrid	26 city/27 hwy
		2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cyl.	20 city/26 hwy
Acadia
	FWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/27 hwy
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/24 hwy

The XC90 T8 Extended Range can travel with zero emissions for 32 miles. The Acadia can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the XC90’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Acadia doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volvo XC90 higher (6 out of 10) than the GMC Acadia (5). This means the XC90 produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Acadia every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the XC90’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Acadia:

	XC90 B5/B6	XC90 T8	Acadia
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	14.4 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	12.6 inches	13.4 inches	12.4 inches

The XC90’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.

The XC90 stops shorter than the Acadia:

	XC90	Acadia
60 to 0 MPH	126 feet	132 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	137 feet	148 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the XC90 has larger tires than the Acadia (275/45R20 vs. 255/55R20).

The XC90’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Acadia AT4’s standard 65 series tires. The XC90’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Acadia Denali’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XC90 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Acadia AT4.

Suspension and Handling

The XC90 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.

The XC90 Ultra has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The XC90’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Acadia doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The XC90 B6 Core handles at .85 G’s, while the Acadia Denali AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The XC90 B6 Core executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Acadia Denali AWD (26.8 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.5 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the XC90 has a 2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Acadia Elevation (8.8 vs. 6.8 inches), allowing the XC90 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The XC90 w/Air Suspension’s minimum ground clearance is 2.1 inches higher than on the Acadia AT4 (9.9 vs. 7.8 inches).

Chassis

The XC90 is 9 inches shorter than the Acadia, making the XC90 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Acadia Denali, the XC90 Ultra has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The XC90’s front power windows 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 front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

The XC90’s standard Keyless Entry allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Access standard on the Acadia doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The XC90’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Acadia’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the XC90 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Acadia doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The XC90 offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Acadia doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the XC90 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Acadia doesn’t offer cornering lights. The XC90 also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the XC90 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Acadia doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the XC90 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 Volvo XC90 has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Acadia Denali.

The XC90 Ultra offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Acadia.

The Volvo XC90 has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. GMC charges extra for Homelink® on the Acadia.

Recommendations

The Volvo XC90 has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

	XC90	Acadia
Consumer Reports® Recommends	TRUE	TRUE

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