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2021 Ford Explorer versus 2021 GMC Acadia

Comparing the 2021 Ford Explorer and 2021 GMC Acadia is comparing two of the most popular SUVs on the road today. Both offer plenty of power and features, but which one is best for you?

First up, you should consider the MSRP (manufacturer's standard retail price) of each SUV. The base model of the 2021 Explorer has a starting price of $32,925 while the base model of the 2021 Acadia costs $29,800.

Of course, there are various trims options for both SUVs, each of which start at different prices as more features are included. You can check our amazing 2021 Ford Explorer offers 7 trim options including: XLT, Platinum, Limited, King Ranch, Base, Timberline, and ST. On the other hand, the 2021 GMC Acadia offers 5 trim options including: Denali, SLE, SLT, AT4, and SL. Be sure to call us here at Pacifico Ford so we can help you more fully compare different trim options between the 2021 Ford Explorer and 2021 GMC Acadia.

Another key consideration when doing a side-by-side of these SUVs are the engine options. Ford offers 5 different engines for its Explorer line, including the Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4, Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6, and Regular Unleaded V-6. GMC offers 3 different engines for its 2021 Acadia lineup, including the Gas V6, Turbocharged Gas I4, and Gas I4.

Next up you will want to look at the drivetrain options and MPG ratings for these SUVs. The 2021 Explorer offers up Four Wheel Drive and Rear Wheel Drive and gets 28 miles per gallon. The 2021 Acadia has All Wheel Drive and Front Wheel Drive drivetrains and gets 29 miles per gallon.

Finally, when it comes to available colors, the 2021 Explorer comes in 10 colors including colors like: Stone Gray Metallic, Star White Metallic Tri-Coat, Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, and Oxford White. In comparison, the 2021 Acadia comes in 8 colors including White Frost Tricoat, Summit White, Satin Steel Metallic, and Red Mahogany Metallic to name a few.

If you're excited about buying a Ford, you can check our amazing lease deals on 2021 Ford Explorers here. If you're looking for a GMC, check out our great deals on used certified pre-owned GMC SUVs here.

Base

Limited

ST

Platinum

XLT

King Ranch

Timberline

ST-Line

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Sport

no image available

XLT Sport

no image available

XLS Sport

no image available

XLS

no image available

XL

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Eddie Bauer

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NBX

no image available

SLE1

no image available

SL

no image available

SLE

no image available

SLT

no image available

SLT1

no image available

SLT2

no image available

Denali

no image available

AT4

no image available

SLT

Denali

SL

SLE

AT4

ST

no image available

Timberline

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ST-Line

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Sport

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Platinum

no image available

XLT

no image available

XLT Sport

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XLS Sport

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XLS

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XL

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Eddie Bauer

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King Ranch

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Base

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Limited

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NBX

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SLE1

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SLT1

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SLT2

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Overview

Engine

Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic w/OD

Mileage (City/Highway)

21/28 MPG

Engine

Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic w/OD

Mileage (City/Highway)

18/24 MPG

Engine

Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4, Gas/Electric, Regular Unleaded V-6, Gas/Electric V-6

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic w/OD

Mileage (City/Highway)

27/28 MPG

Engine

Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6, Gas/Electric V-6

Drivetrain

Four Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic w/OD

Mileage (City/Highway)

23/26 MPG

Engine

Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6

Drivetrain

Four Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic w/OD

Mileage (City/Highway)

18/24 MPG

Engine

Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4

Drivetrain

Four Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic w/OD

Mileage (City/Highway)

19/23 MPG

Engine

Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic w/OD

Mileage (City/Highway)

21/28 MPG

Engine

Gas V6

Drivetrain

All Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic

Mileage (City/Highway)

19/26 MPG

Engine

Gas V6, Turbocharged Gas I4

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic

Mileage (City/Highway)

22/29 MPG

Engine

Gas I4

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic

Mileage (City/Highway)

21/27 MPG

Engine

Gas V6, Gas I4

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic

Mileage (City/Highway)

21/27 MPG

Engine

Gas V6, Turbocharged Gas I4

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic

Mileage (City/Highway)

22/29 MPG

Compare 2021 Ford Explorer & 2021 GMC Acadia Features & Specs

Compare Photos of the 2021 Ford Explorer & 2021 GMC Acadia Side-by-Side

front

King Ranch

Limited

Platinum

ST

Timberline

XLT

Base

XLT Sport

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NBX

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XLS Sport

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XLS

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XL

no image available

Sport

no image available

Eddie Bauer

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ST-Line

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SLT2

no image available

SLT1

no image available

SLE1

no image available

AT4

no image available

SLT

no image available

SLE

no image available

Denali

no image available

SL

no image available

AT4

SLT

SLE

Denali

SL

XLT Sport

no image available

NBX

no image available

XLS Sport

no image available

XLS

no image available

XL

no image available

Sport

no image available

Eddie Bauer

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ST-Line

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King Ranch

no image available

Limited

no image available

Platinum

no image available

ST

no image available

Timberline

no image available

XLT

no image available

Base

no image available

SLT2

no image available

SLT1

no image available

SLE1

no image available

rear

ST

Base

Timberline

Platinum

XLT

Limited

King Ranch

XLT Sport

no image available

NBX

no image available

XLS Sport

no image available

XLS

no image available

XL

no image available

Sport

no image available

Eddie Bauer

no image available

ST-Line

no image available

SLT2

no image available

SLT1

no image available

SLE1

no image available

AT4

no image available

SLT

no image available

SLE

no image available

Denali

no image available

SL

no image available

AT4

SLT

SLE

SL

Denali

XLT Sport

no image available

NBX

no image available

XLS Sport

no image available

XLS

no image available

XL

no image available

Sport

no image available

Eddie Bauer

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ST-Line

no image available

King Ranch

no image available

Limited

no image available

Platinum

no image available

ST

no image available

Timberline

no image available

XLT

no image available

Base

no image available

SLT2

no image available

SLT1

no image available

SLE1

no image available

profile

Limited

Base

XLT

Timberline

King Ranch

ST

Platinum

XLT Sport

no image available

NBX

no image available

XLS Sport

no image available

XLS

no image available

XL

no image available

Sport

no image available

Eddie Bauer

no image available

ST-Line

no image available

SLT2

no image available

SLT1

no image available

SLE1

no image available

AT4

no image available

SLT

no image available

SLE

no image available

Denali

no image available

SL

no image available

AT4

SLT

Denali

SL

SLE

XLT Sport

no image available

NBX

no image available

XLS Sport

no image available

XLS

no image available

XL

no image available

Sport

no image available

Eddie Bauer

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ST-Line

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King Ranch

no image available

Limited

no image available

Platinum

no image available

ST

no image available

Timberline

no image available

XLT

no image available

Base

no image available

SLT2

no image available

SLT1

no image available

SLE1

no image available

front (full)

Limited

Timberline

Platinum

Base

ST

XLT

King Ranch

XLT Sport

no image available

NBX

no image available

XLS Sport

no image available

XLS

no image available

XL

no image available

Sport

no image available

Eddie Bauer

no image available

ST-Line

no image available

SLT2

no image available

SLT1

no image available

SLE1

no image available

AT4

no image available

SLT

no image available

SLE

no image available

Denali

no image available

SL

no image available

SLE

AT4

SLT

Denali

SL

XLT Sport

no image available

NBX

no image available

XLS Sport

no image available

XLS

no image available

XL

no image available

Sport

no image available

Eddie Bauer

no image available

ST-Line

no image available

King Ranch

no image available

Limited

no image available

Platinum

no image available

ST

no image available

Timberline

no image available

XLT

no image available

Base

no image available

SLT2

no image available

SLT1

no image available

SLE1

no image available

rear (full)

Timberline

Base

ST

Limited

King Ranch

XLT

Platinum

XLT Sport

no image available

NBX

no image available

XLS Sport

no image available

XLS

no image available

XL

no image available

Sport

no image available

Eddie Bauer

no image available

ST-Line

no image available

SLT2

no image available

SLT1

no image available

SLE1

no image available

AT4

no image available

SLT

no image available

SLE

no image available

Denali

no image available

SL

no image available

SL

Denali

SLT

AT4

SLE

XLT Sport

no image available

NBX

no image available

XLS Sport

no image available

XLS

no image available

XL

no image available

Sport

no image available

Eddie Bauer

no image available

ST-Line

no image available

King Ranch

no image available

Limited

no image available

Platinum

no image available

ST

no image available

Timberline

no image available

XLT

no image available

Base

no image available

SLT2

no image available

SLT1

no image available

SLE1

no image available

dashboard

King Ranch

XLT

ST

Platinum

Base

Timberline

Limited

XLT Sport

no image available

NBX

no image available

XLS Sport

no image available

XLS

no image available

XL

no image available

Sport

no image available

Eddie Bauer

no image available

ST-Line

no image available

SLT2

no image available

SLT1

no image available

SLE1

no image available

AT4

no image available

SLT

no image available

SLE

no image available

Denali

no image available

SL

no image available

SL

Denali

SLT

AT4

SLE

XLT Sport

no image available

NBX

no image available

XLS Sport

no image available

XLS

no image available

XL

no image available

Sport

no image available

Eddie Bauer

no image available

ST-Line

no image available

King Ranch

no image available

Limited

no image available

Platinum

no image available

ST

no image available

Timberline

no image available

XLT

no image available

Base

no image available

SLT2

no image available

SLT1

no image available

SLE1

no image available

trunk

Base

Timberline

XLT

King Ranch

Limited

Platinum

ST

XLT Sport

no image available

NBX

no image available

XLS Sport

no image available

XLS

no image available

XL

no image available

Sport

no image available

Eddie Bauer

no image available

ST-Line

no image available

SLT2

no image available

SLT1

no image available

SLE1

no image available

AT4

no image available

SLT

no image available

SLE

no image available

Denali

no image available

SL

no image available

SLE

AT4

Denali

SLT

SL

XLT Sport

no image available

NBX

no image available

XLS Sport

no image available

XLS

no image available

XL

no image available

Sport

no image available

Eddie Bauer

no image available

ST-Line

no image available

King Ranch

no image available

Limited

no image available

Platinum

no image available

ST

no image available

Timberline

no image available

XLT

no image available

Base

no image available

SLT2

no image available

SLT1

no image available

SLE1

no image available

engine

Base

Limited

ST

Timberline

Platinum

XLT

King Ranch

XLT Sport

no image available

NBX

no image available

XLS Sport

no image available

XLS

no image available

XL

no image available

Sport

no image available

Eddie Bauer

no image available

ST-Line

no image available

SLT2

no image available

SLT1

no image available

SLE1

no image available

AT4

no image available

SLT

no image available

SLE

no image available

Denali

no image available

SL

no image available

SLE

AT4

Denali

SLT

SL

XLT Sport

no image available

NBX

no image available

XLS Sport

no image available

XLS

no image available

XL

no image available

Sport

no image available

Eddie Bauer

no image available

ST-Line

no image available

King Ranch

no image available

Limited

no image available

Platinum

no image available

ST

no image available

Timberline

no image available

XLT

no image available

Base

no image available

SLT2

no image available

SLT1

no image available

SLE1

no image available

rear seats

Timberline

ST

Limited

Platinum

Base

King Ranch

XLT

XLT Sport

no image available

NBX

no image available

XLS Sport

no image available

XLS

no image available

XL

no image available

Sport

no image available

Eddie Bauer

no image available

ST-Line

no image available

SLT2

no image available

SLT1

no image available

SLE1

no image available

AT4

no image available

SLT

no image available

SLE

no image available

Denali

no image available

SL

no image available

SLE

Denali

AT4

SL

SLT

XLT Sport

no image available

NBX

no image available

XLS Sport

no image available

XLS

no image available

XL

no image available

Sport

no image available

Eddie Bauer

no image available

ST-Line

no image available

King Ranch

no image available

Limited

no image available

Platinum

no image available

ST

no image available

Timberline

no image available

XLT

no image available

Base

no image available

SLT2

no image available

SLT1

no image available

SLE1

no image available

FAQs About 2021 Ford Explorer SUV vs. 2021 GMC Acadia SUV

What are the differences between the 2021 Ford Explorer and the 2021 GMC Acadia?

The 2021 Ford Explorer has been updated to be more fuel efficient and offers an improved SUV driving experience. The new model also comes with a variety of performance, safety and entertainment features. Overall you are going to find a better value for your money with the 2021 Ford Explorer over the 2021 GMC Acadia. Give Pacifico Ford at 215-240-6806 a call to find out more about how these vehicles measure up.

Which SUV is cheaper: The 2021 Ford Explorer or the 2021 GMC Acadia?

The final price of either of these SUVs will depend on your trim selection and the options you select. The 2021 Ford Explorer base model has an MSRP of $32,925, and the base model MSRP of the 2021 Acadia starts at $29,800.

What are the drivetrains of the 2021 Ford Explorer compared to the 2021 GMC Acadia?

2021 Ford Explorer Drivetrain Options:

  • Four Wheel Drive
  • Rear Wheel Drive

2021 GMC Acadia Drivetrain Options:

  • All Wheel Drive
  • Front Wheel Drive

What MPG rating does the 2021 Ford Explorer have versus the 2021 GMC Acadia?

The base model 2021 Ford Explorer gets 28 MPG and the 2021 GMC Acadia base model gets 29 miles per gallon.

How do the SUV engine options of the 2021 Ford Explorer compare to the 2021 GMC Acadia?

The 2021 Explorer comes with 5 engine options:

  • Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4
  • Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6
  • Regular Unleaded V-6
  • Gas/Electric V-6

The 2021 Acadia comes with these drivetrain options:

  • Gas V6
  • Turbocharged Gas I4
  • Gas I4

How do the colors of the 2021 Ford Explorer compare with the 2021 GMC Acadia?

The 2021 Ford Explorer comes in these colors and more:

  • Stone Gray Metallic
  • Star White Metallic Tri-Coat
  • Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat
  • Oxford White

The 2021 GMC Acadia comes in these colors and more:

  • White Frost Tricoat
  • Summit White
  • Satin Steel Metallic
  • Red Mahogany Metallic
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (also referred to as “MSRP”, “Base MSRP”, “Base Price” or the “Starting At” price), excludes destination/delivery charge, taxes, title, license, and registration and/or electronic filing fees, dealer fees, and total of options. For authenticated AXZ Plan customers, the price displayed may represent Plan pricing. Not all AXZ Plan customers will qualify for the Plan pricing shown and not all offers or incentives are available to AXZ Plan customers.
To qualify for discount, customer must pay cash, arrange own finance or have Pacifico financing through one of these preferred lenders: HMFC, FMCC, Chase Prime, Wells Fargo, TD Bank, 5th 3rd bank, SunTrust Bank, M&T Bank, Huntington National Bank, or a local Credit Union. Not all customers will qualify.

While every reasonable effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this information, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions contained on these pages. Please verify any information in question with Pacifico.

EPA mileage estimates are for newly manufactured vehicles only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

Before purchasing this vehicle, it is your responsibility to address any and all differences between information on this website and the actual vehicle specifications and/or any warranties offered prior to the sale of this vehicle. Vehicle data on this website is compiled from publicly available sources and believed by the publisher to be reliable. Vehicle date is subject to change without notice. The publisher assumes no responsibility for errors and/or omissions on this data and makes no representations express or implied to any actual or prospective purchaser of the vehicle as to the condition of the vehicle, vehicle specifications, ownership, vehicle history, equipment/accessories, price or warranties.
EPA-estimated city/hwy mpg for the model indicated. See fueleconomy.gov for fuel economy of other engine/transmission combinations. Actual mileage will vary. On plug-in hybrid models and electric models, fuel economy is stated in MPGe. MPGe is the EPA equivalent measure of gasoline fuel efficiency for electric mode operation.