Compare the2025 GMC AcadiaVS 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the GMC Acadia achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Mitsubishi Outlander which scored “Poor” - the lowest rating - in these critical safety features.

The GMC Acadia’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Mitsubishi Outlander does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Acadia and Outlander have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Acadia has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Outlander’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Acadia and the Outlander have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, front parking sensors and driver alert monitors.

The GMC Acadia weighs 599 to 1015 pounds more than the Mitsubishi Outlander. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The GMC Acadia achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Outlander has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

There are over 5 times as many GMC dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Acadia’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Acadia has a standard 220-amp alternator. The Outlander’s 120-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

The Acadia’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 147 more horsepower (328 vs. 181) and 145 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the GMC Acadia is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander:

	Acadia	Outlander
Zero to 30 MPH	3.1 sec	3.7 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.6 sec	9.9 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.1 sec	5.5 sec
Quarter Mile	15.8 sec	17.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93 MPH	83 MPH

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Acadia’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Outlander doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Acadia FWD’s standard fuel tank has 4.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander (19.4 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Acadia AWD’s standard fuel tank has 7.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander (21.7 vs. 14.5 gallons).

The Acadia stops shorter than the Outlander:

	Acadia	Outlander
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	117 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the Acadia has larger standard tires than the Outlander (255/55R20 vs. 235/60R18). The Acadia Denali’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Outlander (275/45R22 vs. 255/45R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Acadia Denali offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Outlander’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The GMC Acadia’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mitsubishi Outlander only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Acadia has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Outlander; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Acadia’s wheelbase is 14.4 inches longer than on the Outlander (120.9 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Acadia is 5.1 inches wider in the front and 4.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Outlander.

The Acadia uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Outlander doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Acadia offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Outlander can only carry 7.

The Acadia has 2 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front legroom, 5.2 inches more front hip room, 4.1 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 1.6 inches more rear legroom, 5.1 inches more rear hip room, 6.1 inches more rear shoulder room, 3.7 inches more third row headroom, 13.4 inches more third row legroom, 6.5 inches more third row hip room and 6.7 inches more third row shoulder room than the Outlander.

The Acadia’s cargo area provides more volume than the Outlander.

	Acadia	Outlander
Behind Third Seat	23 cubic feet	10.9 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	57.3 cubic feet	30.6 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	97.5 cubic feet	64.3 cubic feet

Both the Acadia and the Outlander offer second row automatic folding seats. The Acadia Denali’s third row seats also fold up or down at the press of a switch. The Outlander doesn’t offer automatic folding third row seats.

The Acadia’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Outlander’s (5000 vs. 2000 pounds).

The Acadia uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Outlander uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The Acadia’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Outlander does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the Acadia and the Outlander have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Acadia is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outlander prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Acadia’s front and rear power windows all lower 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 Outlander’s standard power windows’ passenger windows don’t open automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Acadia the driver can close them all from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the Outlander can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Acadia’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the Outlander only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Pushbutton Start is not available on the Outlander SE/SEL/Platinum.

The Acadia’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mitsubishi only offers heated mirrors on the Outlander SE/SEL/Platinum.

The Acadia’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Outlander has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Acadia has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Outlander SEL/Platinum.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the GMC Acadia has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Outlander SE/SEL/Platinum offers wireless charging.

The Acadia has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Outlander doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Acadia’s optional Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Outlander doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the GMC Acadia and the Mitsubishi Outlander, based on reliability, safety and performance.