Three-row SUVs usually make big promises. Room, technology, comfort, and ability. Then you drive them and see that they don’t all deliver it the same way. The GMC Acadia and the Toyota Highlander are both in the same class, but they do things in different ways. One feels more up-to-date and focused on the driver. The other one sticks to a tried-and-true method. That difference is easy to see in everyday use for drivers around Budd Lake.
Tech That Feels New
The 2026 GMC Acadia’s cabin is built around a 15-inch Premium GMC Infotainment System. It has Google built in, so navigation, voice commands, and media all feel like they are part of the system rather than something extra. The size of the screen is helpful, but the real benefit is how quickly the system responds.
Multiple user profiles let different drivers keep their own settings. That detail is important in homes where one car does everything.
Higher trims of the Toyota Highlander come with a 12.3-inch screen. It works well, but the interface isn’t as direct. It has all the basics, but it doesn’t have as much integration as the Acadia.
Connectivity That Works for Daily Use
All GMC Acadia models come with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. No cables, no extra work. You get in, your phone connects, and everything is just where you thought it would be.
The Highlander also works with smartphones, but the experience is more like what you’d expect. It works, but it doesn’t feel as smooth.
Most drivers want things to be simple, and the Acadia does that.
Performance That Feels Better
The GMC Acadia has a 2.5L Turbocharged engine that makes 328 hp and 326 lbs. ft. of torque. It works with an 8-speed automatic transmission and a Traction Select System that lets you choose from several drive modes. That setup makes it feel stable when driving every day and gives it enough power to merge on the highway or carry a heavy load.
The Highlander has a 2.4L Turbocharged engine that makes 265 hp and 310 lbs. ft. of torque. It works well most of the time, but it doesn’t seem as eager when you push it.
The Acadia has more presence on the road if you care about how it feels to drive.
More Safety That Covers More Ground
There are more than 19 standard safety and driver assistance features in the GMC Acadia. Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Zone Steering Assist, and HD Surround Vision are all included, not just for higher trims.
The Highlander comes with Toyota Safety Sense™, which has a lot of great features. Some things depend on the trim level, which changes what you get without having to pay more.
The Acadia has a more complete safety package from the start.
Visit Johnson GMC to see the GMC Acadia
Reading the specs is helpful, but the real difference becomes clear when you sit in the driver’s seat and drive it for a few minutes. You can quickly see how the layout, the engine’s response, and the way the technology works together all come together.
Visit Johnson GMC in Budd Lake, NJ, and take the 2026 GMC Acadia for a spin. Take your phone with you, try out the features, and use it on the roads you drive every day. It doesn’t take long to figure out where it is.
