2025 GMC Acadia vs 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid

$42,900 · Crossover

$40,075 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between the rugged, sizable 2025 GMC Acadia and the tech-forward 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid often comes down to size versus savings. The Acadia, starting at $42,900, offers substantial presence, measuring 204.0 inches long, and delivers a punchy 328 hp. However, that power comes at a cost; its combined MPG is 23. In contrast, the Tucson PHEV, priced slightly lower at $40,075, excels in efficiency. It achieves a remarkable 35 combined MPG thanks to its hybrid system, which also offers a 32-mile electric range for shorter trips. While the Acadia boasts greater horsepower, the Tucson counters with standard All-Wheel Drive and a slightly larger 31.9 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Acadia's 23 cu ft, despite being significantly shorter overall (182.7 inches vs. 204.0 inches). This comparison pits sheer muscle and passenger space against daily fuel cost reduction.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid wins for commuters due to its superior 35 combined MPG rating and ability to run 32 miles purely on electricity.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 GMC Acadia

The Acadia is better suited for larger families, offering a significantly longer body at 204.0 inches, which usually translates to more third-row space and cargo volume.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 GMC Acadia

Enthusiasts will prefer the Acadia for its substantial performance advantage, producing 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid

The Tucson PHEV offers better long-term value by blending a lower MSRP of $40,075 with vastly superior fuel economy.

Choose the GMC Acadia if...

You frequently haul passengers and prioritize maximum horsepower at 328 hp.
You need the extra length provided by the 204.0-inch body for potential third-row access or substantial road trips.
You prefer the slightly higher torque output of 326 lb-ft available with regular unleaded fuel.

Choose the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid if...

Your daily routine involves less than 32 miles of driving, allowing significant electric-only commutes.
Maximizing fuel efficiency is paramount, given the 12 MPG advantage (35 combined MPG vs. 23).
You value standard All-Wheel Drive stability and need more usable space with 31.9 cu ft of cargo capacity.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	GMC Acadia	Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
Length	204.0"	182.7"
Width	79.6"	73.4"
Height	70.1"	66.3"
Wheelbase	120.9"	108.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	✓	—
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	2	3
Rear Fixed Headrests	✓	—
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	1.6 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	plug-in hybrid
Horsepower	328 hp @ 5500 rpm	268 hp
Torque	326 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm	271 lb-ft
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/27 MPG	35/35 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	23 MPG	35 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	0/0 mi.	388.5/388.5 mi.
EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe)	—	80/73 MPGe
EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe)	—	77 MPGe
EPA Electric Driving Range	—	32 mi.
EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi)	—	44
Charging Time (240V)	—	2.0 hr.
Fuel Tank Capacity	—	11.1 gal.
DC Fast Charging Port Type	—	SAE J1772

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	—
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Sun Sensor	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	—
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	—
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Rear Door Pockets	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Extended Cabin Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Infotainment Display	15.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Premium Speaker Brand	Bose	—
Speaker System	12	6
Subwoofer Count	1	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—

Power Feature

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
One-Touch Power Windows	4	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Front Head Room	42.6 in.	40.1 in.
Front Leg Room	44.3 in.	41.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room	62.0 in.	57.6 in.
Front Hip Room	59.2 in.	54.5 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	6-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way

Rearseats

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Rear Head Room	40.0 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	41.5 in.	41.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	62.0 in.	56.0 in.
Rear Hip Room	58.4 in.	53.9 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	255/65R18	235/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	—

Suspension

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	6 yr./ 100000 mi.	7 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ unlimited mi.	—
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	10 yr./ 100000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 GMC Acadia and 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid.

How much more fuel-efficient is the Tucson PHEV than the Acadia?

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid is significantly more efficient, achieving a combined 35 MPG compared to the Acadia's 23 combined MPG, a difference of 12 MPG. Additionally, the Tucson offers a 32-mile electric-only range before the gas engine fully kicks in.

Is the 2025 GMC Acadia too big for city parking compared to the Tucson?

Yes, the Acadia is considerably larger; it measures 204.0 inches in length and 79.6 inches wide, while the Tucson is 182.7 inches long and 73.4 inches wide. This nearly 21-inch difference in length makes the Tucson much nimbler in tight city environments.

Which vehicle is better for drivers who enjoy spirited driving?

The 2025 GMC Acadia is the clear choice for enthusiasts, packing 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque, eclipsing the Tucson PHEV's 268 hp rating. The Acadia also uses a standard 8-speed automatic transmission versus the Tucson's 6-speed.

Does the higher cargo capacity of the Tucson outweigh its smaller footprint?

The 2026 Tucson PHEV actually offers more overall storage at 31.9 cu ft compared to the Acadia’s 23 cu ft. This means the Tucson manages to fit more gear despite being 21.3 inches shorter than the Acadia.

Are the fuel type requirements different for these two vehicles?

Fortunately, both vehicles recommend regular unleaded gasoline, making refueling straightforward for both the powerful Acadia and the efficient Tucson PHEV.