2025 Acadia vs 2025 Pilot: Which Three-Row SUV Delivers the More Enjoyable Ride?

As far as sitting back and getting comfortable is concerned, few vehicles can do this better than those from GMC. These models just know how to wrap you in refinement, whether you’re commuting along the Minnesota River or taking the kids to the park after school, and if you’re in the market for a three-row midsize SUV, the Acadia will surely wow you. What about the other offerings in this segment, though? Surely, there’s another model that gives you more of what you want behind the wheel.

The Acadia is often compared to models like the Pilot, which is known for its confident driving demeanor, well-laid-out interior, and exceptional engineering. So, when it comes to the 2025 GMC Acadia vs the 2025 Honda Pilot, which is the better choice for you? Here at Snell Buick GMC, we’re a great place to find the GMC Acadia for sale in Mankato, and if you’re wondering how it compares to popular models like the Pilot, listen up, especially when the quality of your daily drive is on the line.

Interior Comfort

Every Mankato driver wants to feel at ease as they’re making their way down Route 169, and if you’re riding in the 2025 Acadia, this will be a guarantee. GMC is known to offer mesmerizing models that are loaded with upscale features that set them apart from rivals without the sky-high price tag of luxury models. Unlike the Pilot, which is known to be a bit more practical in nature, the Acadia stands out, especially when you take your place behind the wheel, with leather-appointed first and second-row seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and more cozy elements in the top-of-the-line Denali trim.

The Pilot offers a top-level trim as well, but it doesn’t come close to the level of lavishness that you’ll find inside the Acadia. You’ll also find that the Acadia is incredibly accommodating, which makes it the perfect pick for families in Mankato and beyond. With third-row power-folding seats and second-row one-touch folding seats in the Denali model, you’ll easily be able to configure your cabin to suit your cargo hauling needs as well—something that the Pilot tends to struggle with a bit. The Acadia is able to offer up to 97.5 cu.ft. with its rear seats folded, while the Pilot only offers a maximum of 87 cu.ft., which means that your occupants may feel a bit cramped when you’re fully loaded up in the Pilot.

Speaking of how you and your passengers feel, you can expect to enjoy ample legroom throughout the Acadia, with even its third row offering plenty of space for adult passengers, which can’t be said for many others in its class. If you want to be able to enjoy a more upscale look and feel in your vehicle, more overall space for both people and gear, and enhanced comfort throughout, the Acadia is an absolute winner in every respect. Unfortunately, when it comes to comfort, the Pilot lacks the pizzazz that’s found in the Acadia, showcasing a more practical appeal, with less overall space to handle your fellow travel companions and all their must-have gear.

Convenient Tech Features

Another element that plays a big part in enjoying your time driving in and around town is tech, and rest assured that today’s vehicles have their fair share of tech features inside; however, there are some that just go above and beyond for drivers. The 2025 Acadia not only offers access to a large 15-inch touchscreen display, but also a menu of innovative features to impact the ride. Unfortunately, the Pilot can only be had with either a seven-inch display or a nine-inch display found in upper-level models.

You’ll find that the 15-inch touchscreen in the GMC Acadia provides access to Google-based tech, designed to enhance convenience during all of your Mankato journeys. Smartphone capabilities, standard wireless charging, and a personalized software interface can also be enjoyed to maximize your driving experience. You won’t find nearly as much tech inside the Pilot, which only offers access to wireless smartphone integration and wireless charging in only a selection of its trims, with entry-level options being out of luck when it comes to harnessing top-level innovation during the ride.

To set the Acadia even further apart from the Pilot, you’ll find that Super Cruise hands-free driving tech can be enjoyed on every trim. This ground-breaking tech allows you to operate your vehicle hands-free on hundreds of thousands of miles of compatible roadways across the continent. Being able to trust in your vehicle to steer, brake, change lanes, and navigate traffic for you is a game-changer in how we travel, and it’s something that you won’t find on the Pilot’s menu of available features.

Ride Quality

Finally, when you want to be sure that you’re taking advantage of the best possible ride quality, no matter where you’re traveling through Mankato, you’ll want to be sitting inside the 2025 GMC Acadia. On the road, it offers excellent acceleration, with 328 horses driving it forward to make even the most mundane ride to school more exciting. The Pilot can’t quite offer this level of excitement to the drive, known to be a bit lackluster when it comes to acceleration, with only 285 horses propelling it forward. If you want to enjoy a bit more pep in your step on the highway, you’ll want the Acadia in charge of your ride.

What about when the ground gets gritty? There are plenty of area drivers who seek to get off the beaten path, and when you want to ensure an enjoyable ride, even on tough terrain, you’ll want the right vehicle by your side. The good news is that the Acadia can be equipped with a Traction Select System, which allows you to toggle between seven different drive modes to ensure maximum control on any surface.

Opting for the Acadia’s off-road-ready AT4 trim allows you to take advantage of extra adventure-ready features, including a specialized AWD system, an off-road-tuned suspension, higher ground clearance, and more durable features to withstand the elements. The Pilot can be enjoyed in the TrailSport trim, which is its rugged option, offering access to a seven-mode drive system, skid plates, and more off-road-ready elements. Although both vehicles can hold their own on difficult terrain, the total package is what’s important, and when you want a refined and comfortable ride quality on the pavement, the 2025 Acadia delivers.

2025 GMC Acadia vs 2025 Honda Pilot: Which Is the Best Pick for Mankato Drivers?

When it comes to how you feel as you venture around Mankato and beyond, a combination of things must be in order. You need to have ample space for passengers and cargo, as well as access to comfortable features to enhance your time behind the wheel. You also have to have all of your convenient tech gadgets right at your fingertips to maximize your time on the road. Let’s not forget that the quality of the ride matters, as you want to be able to enjoy a smooth, confident, and capable ride, regardless of what resides beneath your tires.

All of this can be found in the 2025 GMC Acadia, which offers access to a luxury-level interior cabin ambiance, top-of-the-line tech features, and a ride quality that’s utterly impressive, no matter what surface it’s sailing over. The Pilot lags behind in many of these areas, with a more practical, simplistic design, less overall space, and fewer innovative features on its roster. All in all, if you want to enjoy your time on the Mankato streets in every possible way, you’ll want the 2025 Acadia taking the reins of your ride.

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