2026 GMC Acadia vs. Toyota Highlander: Which Three-Row SUV Wins?
Quick Answer
The 2026 GMC Acadia out-powers the Toyota Highlander (328 hp vs. 265) and offers more cargo room (97.5 vs. about 84 cu ft) plus available Super Cruise hands-free driving. The Highlander counters with an available hybrid, a lower starting price, and Toyota’s reliability reputation. Both tow 5,000 lbs and seat up to eight.
These two land on a lot of the same shopping lists: a three-row, mid-size SUV that fits a family, tows a boat, and handles a Dakota winter. They get there differently, though — the Acadia leans into power, space, and tech, while the Highlander leans on efficiency and a long reliability track record. Here’s how they stack up.
Published: June 18, 2026 | Author: Lexy Tabbert, Director of Sales and Marketing
2026 GMC Acadia vs. Toyota Highlander: spec-by-spec
Here’s the head-to-head on the numbers most three-row shoppers care about. Both are well-built family SUVs; the differences are about priorities.
| Spec | 2026 GMC Acadia | 2026 Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.5L turbo | 2.4L turbo (hybrid available) |
| Horsepower / torque | 328 hp / 326 lb-ft | 265 hp / 310 lb-ft |
| Max towing | 5,000 lbs | 5,000 lbs (gas) / 3,500 (hybrid) |
| Cargo behind 3rd row | 23.0 cu ft | 16.0 cu ft |
| Max cargo | 97.5 cu ft | about 84 cu ft |
| Seating | Up to 8 | Up to 8 |
| Top touchscreen | 15 inch | 12.3 inch |
| Hands-free driving | Available Super Cruise | Not offered |
| Hybrid option | No | Yes |
| Starting MSRP | $43,800 | Low $40,000s |
Sources
2026 GMC Acadia Order Guide (General Motors); 2026 Toyota Highlander specifications (Toyota.com). Pricing is starting MSRP and excludes destination and fees.
Where the Acadia wins
The Acadia’s biggest edges are power, space, and technology. Its 2.5L turbo makes 328 hp — 63 more than the Highlander — so it feels stronger merging onto the highway and passing on two-lane roads. It carries more in back, too: 23.0 cubic feet behind the third row versus 16.0 in the Highlander, and 97.5 cubic feet maximum versus about 84. And it’s the only one of the two that offers Super Cruise hands-free driving, which is a real difference-maker on the long, straight hauls to Bismarck, Aberdeen, or Pierre. Its 15-inch touchscreen is also larger than the Highlander’s 12.3-inch unit.
Where the Highlander wins
Credit where it’s due: the Highlander has real strengths. The big one is the available hybrid, which posts fuel-economy numbers the gas-only Acadia can’t match — if you commute a lot of miles, that adds up. The Highlander also starts a bit lower on price, and Toyota’s three-row SUVs have a long, well-earned reputation for reliability and strong resale value. If maximum efficiency, the lowest entry price, or a long ownership track record top your list, the Highlander makes a strong case.
Which one is right for you?
| Lean GMC Acadia if… | Lean Toyota Highlander if… |
|---|---|
| • You want the most power and passing punch • You haul lots of gear and want max cargo • You want hands-free Super Cruise for long drives • You want a true luxury trim (Denali / Ultimate) |
• You want a hybrid and the best fuel economy • You want the lowest starting price • Resale and a long reliability record top your list • You rarely use the full power or cargo |
Our Recommendation
For most buyers around Mobridge — folks who tow to the lake, pack the family and gear, and drive long highway miles — we think the 2026 GMC Acadia is the better fit. The extra 63 horsepower, 13+ cubic feet of additional cargo, and available Super Cruise matter on Dakota roads. If a hybrid’s fuel savings or the lowest possible price is your priority, the Highlander is the logical pick — and we’re happy to talk through both honestly.
From the Beadle Chevrolet GMC Lot
When folks cross-shop these two, the test drive usually decides it. The Acadia feels noticeably stronger off the line, and people who do a lot of interstate driving fall hard for Super Cruise. The buyers who go Highlander almost always do it for the hybrid — if that’s you, we get it, and we’ll tell you so.
Key Takeaways
- •The Acadia out-powers the Highlander 328 hp to 265 and offers more cargo (97.5 vs. about 84 cu ft).
- •Only the Acadia offers Super Cruise hands-free driving and a 15-inch screen.
- •The Highlander counters with an available hybrid, a lower starting price, and Toyota’s reliability reputation.
- •Both tow 5,000 lbs (gas) and seat up to eight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GMC Acadia bigger than the Toyota Highlander?
In cargo, yes. The Acadia offers 23.0 cu ft behind the third row and 97.5 cu ft maximum, versus 16.0 and about 84 cu ft for the Highlander. Both seat up to eight passengers.
Does the Acadia or Highlander have more horsepower?
The Acadia. Its 2.5L turbo makes 328 hp and 326 lb-ft, compared with 265 hp and 310 lb-ft from the Highlander’s 2.4L turbo.
Does the Highlander get better gas mileage than the Acadia?
The Highlander hybrid does. The Acadia is gas-only, so if maximum fuel economy matters most, the Highlander hybrid has the advantage. Gas-to-gas, the two are closer.
Does the Toyota Highlander offer hands-free driving like Super Cruise?
No. Hands-free highway driving on a compatible-road network is exclusive to the Acadia in this matchup, via available Super Cruise.
Quick Answers
More horsepower? Acadia (328 vs. 265).
More cargo? Acadia (97.5 vs. ~84 cu ft).
More towing? Tie at 5,000 lbs (gas).
Hands-free driving? Acadia (Super Cruise).
Bigger screen? Acadia (15 vs. 12.3 in).
Hybrid option? Highlander.
Better fuel economy? Highlander hybrid.
Lower starting price? Highlander.
Both seat 8? Yes.
Our pick for the region? Acadia.
Keep Researching
- The complete 2026 GMC Acadia buyer’s guide — trims, towing, tech, and pricing.
- Acadia trim levels explained — Elevation vs. AT4 vs. Denali vs. Denali Ultimate.
- Acadia towing guide — what the standard 5,000-lb package handles.
From Lexy
I’ll never talk anyone out of a Highlander — it’s a good SUV, and the hybrid is genuinely tempting if you drive a lot of miles. But for the way most families around here actually use a three-row — towing a boat, packing for a weekend, eating up highway between towns — the Acadia’s extra power, space, and Super Cruise are hard to give up once you’ve driven it.
The honest way to settle it is to drive the Acadia and see. Stop by Beadle Chevrolet GMC in Mobridge and we’ll set you up — no pressure, just a straight comparison.
— Lexy Tabbert, Director of Sales and Marketing
Beadle Chevrolet GMC, Mobridge, SD
About the Author
Lexy Tabbert — Beadle Chevrolet, Mobridge, SD
Lexy Tabbert is the Director of Sales and Marketing at Beadle Chevrolet in Mobridge, South Dakota. She covers Chevrolet and GMC vehicles, trim comparisons, and buyer guidance — helping families, ranchers, and ag operators across the region find the right truck and configuration for their needs. Learn more about Lexy.
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