Compare the2025 Mazda CX-90VS 2025 GMC Acadia

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Mazda CX-90 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Acadia doesn’t offer knee airbags.

With its standard Smart Brake Support, the Mazda CX-90 is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the GMC Acadia, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	CX-90	Acadia
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	-23 MPH	-20 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-17 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-22 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-22 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-16 MPH
37 MPH Brights	-33 MPH	-16 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2.4 sec	1.9 sec
37 MPH Low beams	-26 MPH	-16 MPH
Warning Issued-Low beams	1.5 sec	1.4 sec

The CX-90 Premium has a standard Secondary Collision Reduction System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Acadia doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-90. But it costs extra on the Acadia.

Both the CX-90 and the Acadia have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mazda CX-90 is safer than the GMC Acadia:

	CX-90	Acadia
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.7 inches
Neck Stress	96 lbs.	159 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the CX-90 is safer than the Acadia:

	CX-90	Acadia
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	MARGINAL

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mazda CX-90 is safer than the GMC Acadia:

	CX-90	Acadia
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	14 inches
Spine Acceleration	31 G’s	48 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mazda CX-90 is safer than the Acadia:

	CX-90	Acadia
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	45 lbs.	178 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.28 in	.47 in
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	513 lbs.	915 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	18	260
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	290 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.39 in	.83 in
Torso Max Deflection	.75 in	1.06 in
Torso Deflection Rate	7 MPH	8 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Mazda CX-90 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Acadia is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

The CX-90’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Acadia’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, GMC is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 14 places higher in reliability than GMC.

Engine

The CX-90’s standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 6 lbs.-ft. more torque (332 vs. 326) than the Acadia’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The CX-90 PHEV’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 43 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 326) than the Acadia’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The CX-90 Turbo S’ standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 12 more horsepower (340 vs. 328) and 43 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 326) than the Acadia’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the CX-90 PHEV 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the GMC Acadia:

	CX-90	Acadia
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	7.8 sec
Quarter Mile	14.6 sec	15.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	95.8 MPH	90.6 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the CX-90 running on electricity gets better mileage than the Acadia:

			MPGe
CX-90
	AWD	PHEV Electric Motor	53 city/61 hwy
Acadia
			MPG
	FWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/27 hwy
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/24 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the CX-90 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Acadia:

			MPG
CX-90
	AWD	3.3 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	24 city/28 hwy
		Turbo S 3.3 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/28 hwy
		2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	24 city/27 hwy
Acadia
	FWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/27 hwy
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/24 hwy

The CX-90 PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 26 miles. The Acadia can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the CX-90’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Acadia doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The CX-90 has a standard locking fuel door and a locking charge port which lock and unlock with the power locks. The Acadia doesn’t offer a locking fuel filler door. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the CX-90’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Acadia:

	CX-90	CX-90 Turbo S/PHEV	Acadia
Front Rotors	12.9 inches	13.7 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	13.8 inches	12.4 inches

The CX-90’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Acadia are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the CX-90 has larger standard tires than the Acadia (265/55R19 vs. 255/55R20).

The CX-90’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Acadia AT4’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-90 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Acadia AT4.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-90’s wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the Acadia (122.8 inches vs. 120.9 inches).

The CX-90 Premium Plus handles at .82 G’s, while the Acadia Denali AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CX-90 Premium Plus executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Acadia Denali AWD (26.9 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 27.5 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-90’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Acadia Elevation’s (38.1 feet vs. 38.8 feet). The CX-90’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Acadia Denali Reserve’s (38.1 feet vs. 40.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-90 has a 1.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Acadia Elevation (8 vs. 6.8 inches), allowing the CX-90 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-90 PHEV Premium/Turbo S’ minimum ground clearance is .3 inch higher than on the Acadia AT4 (8.1 vs. 7.8 inches).

Chassis

The CX-90 is 3.2 inches shorter than the Acadia, making the CX-90 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the CX-90 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Acadia. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The CX-90’s front and rear power windows all open or close 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 Acadia’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

The CX-90’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Acadia’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-90 Turbo S has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Acadia doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the CX-90 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Acadia doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the CX-90 Turbo S is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Acadia’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The CX-90 Premium Plus/Turbo S has standard front air conditioned seats and the CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Acadia doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

Recommendations

The Mazda CX-90 outsold the GMC Acadia by 7% during 2024.

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