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Acadia Denali vs Ford Explorer Limited

36K views 48 replies 13 participants last post by  Nvr2loud  
#1 ·
Hi everyone,

I am new to this site and found it as I am trying to decide between the Denali Acadia or the Ford Explorer Limited. Have any of you considered the Ford before making an Acadia purchase?

The Ford has way more techy features than the Denali and feels like a more luxurious interior + has power 3rd row seats; however, I found the Acadia's ride to be slightly smoother and although it's a bigger car, I felt more comfortable in the Acadia overall...it has larger windows (front dash and back).

Both are coming out to basically the same price per month leased so I would appreciate any input.

Thanks
 
#2 ·
We looked at the Ford as well. I'm sure you won't go wrong with either. I think there is a lot of personal preference involved. Reasons why we chose the Acadia include:

1. Size- Acadia third row and cargo capacity seemed better. If you don't need it, less important.
2 Ride - I felt the Acadia rode more than "slightly" better. I also felt much better about the handling. I'm not sure if it actually handles better, but it feels a lot better.
3. Interior - I agree that the Ford is more techy, and perhaps more modern. That said, we find the classic interior and gauges more appealing and luxurious than the Ford.

Finally, I did like the extra features the Ford had, but the Sync system had gotten such bad reviews from everyone, that I was worried about its usability outside of the showroom. I know the 2013 system is updated (believe they did a software update to the older systems as well), and it seems to be getting less bad reviews, so this may have gone away.

Finally, I have to admit, that GM is an old reliable for us. All else being equal, I'll probably be in a GM vehicle, and the Ford wasn't better, so we went that way. (I've owned plenty of non-GM vehicles by the way, but if vehicles were equal....) A Ford person could probably make the case either way.

Good luck with whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll be happy. I think the ride and extra size of the Acadia is worth it.
 
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#3 ·
My wife and I really liked the Explorer. As you mention, the tech features are outstanding and the styling is great too. What put us off is how much smaller the interior of the Ford felt even though they're fairly similar. And, we both found the Acadia to be more comfortable for all passengers.

I will say that if you're not tech-savvy I don't think the high-end sync system is for you. From playing with it I'm impressed but its still developing tech that isn't idiot proof (imho). Then again, I have zero experience with the new dash system in the Acadia. We avoided the nav in our 2012 since it was antiquated and expensive. The new color touch or whatever its called in the 2013 looks to be quite impressive.
 
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#4 ·
I leased an Explorer for 4 months last summer, and I didn't care for it too much...
It did not ride as good as the Acadia, but the biggest issue for me was the Sync system. Seemed like for any given control, there was at least two and sometimes three different places to control it. The drivers temperature setting (for instance) could be set on the main screen (if that display was up) via touch screen, OR it could be controlled from the hardware buttons below the display, OR from the "mini" display in the speedometer cluster. When I wanted to adjust my temperature setting, I was never sure where to look, as it made a difference what was being displayed on either screen. In most cases, I couldn't see what the setting was at all, since something else was in both displays at the time. It was very distracting to have to look at what was in which display all the time. I wondered how many Explorers were in accidents due to driver distractions caused by this system. I certainly hope they've revised it.

I did like the ability to stream music from my iPhone to the car via Bluetooth, which my Acadia will not do. The third row seating was quite a bit more cramped that the Acadia's also.
However, I was very impressed with the front end strength of the Ford when I hit a deer, but that's another story :)
 
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#5 ·
JamesMyBoy said:
I did like the ability to stream music from my iPhone to the car via Bluetooth, which my Acadia will not do. The third row seating was quite a bit more cramped that the Acadia's also.
The 2013's do this. That won't help you at all, sorry, but for the original poster or anyone else looking, the 2013 has a new infotainment system that is fairly strong.
 
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#6 ·
Drive an Explorer from time to time at the j o b. Here's my break down:

The room behind the rear seat in the Acadia was a major selling point. Putting anything other than a couple bags of grocerys behind the Explorer seat is impossible without lowering the seat.
Sync was updated with the majority of the glitches worked out.
Acadia rides a tad better but is much more quieter.
I like the Explorer head light coverage at night better.
Ford's seats are not as plush and have the side bolsters. The Acadia's has the topography of the state of Kansas.
Cleaning the front of the Explorer is easier accomplished with a tooth brush....way too many little holes and slats. Chock the rims into that category too.
I constantly hit my hand on the Ford's gear selector trying to grab a drink out of the console.
Might be stupid to some but I don't recall the Explorer having a Tach (I like having one).
 
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#7 ·
I forgot about the headlights...
In my opinion, the Acadia's headlights can't be beat. The first time I drove the Explorer at night, I thought something was wrong, as the light output looked like the fog lights were on instead of the headlights. The light output seemed to be very broad (side to side), but very lacking in distance lighting. I noticed this even before I hit the deer!
There is a tach display, to the left of the speedo, if you can figure out the logic of the displays. I pretty much had to fish around before I got to what I wanted to see. Some of the display option flow paths made no sense to me at all.
I didn't like being so critical, as I'm sure somebody thought there was some logic to the controls, but I just couldn't see it. I didn't understand why everything needed to be so complicated - why 3 different places to view or control things?
Just my opinion...
 
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#8 ·
For those so inclined, the Explorer also has an engine option with serious low end torque available in their twin turbo six, for which the Acadia has no comparison. For me, as a six year owner of my current Acadia, I will not even be looking at an Acadia the next time around, (probably this summer) for that drivetrain option reason and also the overall poor GM service that I have seen in past years. I don't know that Ford service is any better, but considering what I have experienced at 4 different GM dealers in the area (2 since closed) , its not likely to be worse and certainly more stable. GM has nipped and tweaked a bit at the drivetrain development over the 6 years in my opinion, but from my take with recent test drives of newer Acadia models, it is still second tier engineering for a vehicle of this weight. It suffers all the compromises of the economy programming needed for a low torque engine in a heavy vehicle, without gaining the fuel efficiency that should be had for that price. My next 3 row SUV will have either a V8 or an Ecotec 6 and will not likely have any fuel penalty compared with the average 13 or 14 mpg I get from my Acadia in the real world. But as they say....your mileage may vary.... :)
 
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#9 ·
JamesMyBoy said:
I leased an Explorer for 4 months last summer, and I didn't care for it too much...
It did not ride as good as the Acadia, but the biggest issue for me was the Sync system. Seemed like for any given control, there was at least two and sometimes three different places to control it. The drivers temperature setting (for instance) could be set on the main screen (if that display was up) via touch screen, OR it could be controlled from the hardware buttons below the display, OR from the "mini" display in the speedometer cluster. When I wanted to adjust my temperature setting, I was never sure where to look, as it made a difference what was being displayed on either screen. In most cases, I couldn't see what the setting was at all, since something else was in both displays at the time. It was very distracting to have to look at what was in which display all the time. I wondered how many Explorers were in accidents due to driver distractions caused by this system. I certainly hope they've revised it.
Or you could just use a voice command ;)
 
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#10 ·
Agree Gerry. Was just talking to the wife today about the mileage. Think we're both wishing we would've went the Tahoe/Yukon route. They had a 2010 Yukon Denali on the lot when we ordered it and wanted in gone (as this was Jan 2011). He tried to sell it for under our Acadia price. My oh my hind sight is 20/20.
 
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#11 ·
NutBucket said:
I will say that if you're not tech-savvy I don't think the high-end sync system is for you. From playing with it I'm impressed but its still developing tech that isn't idiot proof (imho). Then again, I have zero experience with the new dash system in the Acadia. We avoided the nav in our 2012 since it was antiquated and expensive. The new color touch or whatever its called in the 2013 looks to be quite impressive.
I avoided the NAV because it seemed too techy and advanced for me... I can barely operate an iPad :facepalm:
 
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#12 ·
Itchy said:
Drive an Explorer from time to time at the j o b. Here's my break down:

The room behind the rear seat in the Acadia was a major selling point. Putting anything other than a couple bags of grocerys behind the Explorer seat is impossible without lowering the seat.
Sync was updated with the majority of the glitches worked out.
Acadia rides a tad better but is much more quieter.
I like the Explorer head light coverage at night better.
Ford's seats are not as plush and have the side bolsters. The Acadia's has the topography of the state of Kansas.
Cleaning the front of the Explorer is easier accomplished with a tooth brush....way too many little holes and slats. Chock the rims into that category too.
I constantly hit my hand on the Ford's gear selector trying to grab a drink out of the console.
Might be stupid to some but I don't recall the Explorer having a Tach (I like having one).
I really want to drive an Explorer at night now... I only have the regular headlights in my Acadia and have found them to be fantastic, best I have ever driven with and if the Ford is even better.... Wow
 
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#13 ·
GerryL said:
For those so inclined, the Explorer also has an engine option with serious low end torque available in their twin turbo six, for which the Acadia has no comparison. For me, as a six year owner of my current Acadia, I will not even be looking at an Acadia the next time around, (probably this summer) for that drivetrain option reason and also the overall poor GM service that I have seen in past years. I don't know that Ford service is any better, but considering what I have experienced at 4 different GM dealers in the area (2 since closed) , its not likely to be worse and certainly more stable. GM has nipped and tweaked a bit at the drivetrain development over the 6 years in my opinion, but from my take with recent test drives of newer Acadia models, it is still second tier engineering for a vehicle of this weight. It suffers all the compromises of the economy programming needed for a low torque engine in a heavy vehicle, without gaining the fuel efficiency that should be had for that price. My next 3 row SUV will have either a V8 or an Ecotec 6 and will not likely have any fuel penalty compared with the average 13 or 14 mpg I get from my Acadia in the real world. But as they say....your mileage may vary.... :)
I don't find the Acadia lacks torque at all, of course the only other larger engine vehicles I've had are way heavier then the Acadia and don't feel so nimble and powerful as the Acadia feels.
 
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#14 ·
NutBucket said:
Or you could just use a voice command ;)
Seriously, vehicles have voice command now... I had a cell phone once that did that but it was so terrible that I never used it, I thought the technology had disappeared.
 
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#16 ·
Had mine adjusted twice. I have the standard lights....factory pointed to close to the front. Driving 45 down an unlit road...yikes. The Explorer (which I drive mostly at night) seems to focus much better ahead of the car. I usually get flashed by oncoming traffic thinking they're the brights. My all time favorite headlights are on a 2006 Lancer Evo. It's hard to describe but they don't shine above the hood line at all.

Ready for my all time nit pick about the Acadia (and Audi, Ford and Mitsubishi). You can't turn off the interior dash lights. Yes they dim but dang it...I want all them off....center console/radio stack too. It's a huge difference with the cruise set and the interior lights off.
 
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#19 ·
Itchy said:
Ready for my all time nit pick about the Acadia (and Audi, Ford and Mitsubishi). You can't turn off the interior dash lights. Yes they dim but dang it...I want all them off....center console/radio stack too. It's a huge difference with the cruise set and the interior lights off.
They don't dim right down to off.... I thought they did :shrug:

Although I don't want mine all the way off, I would appreciate the ability to do that. Since a dimmer is already installed, I'm not sure why it wasn't designed to completely dim down to 'off'

You could take my 2001 Sierra, most of the dash lights and radio lights are burnt out anyway :facepalm:
 
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#20 ·
Itchy said:
Ready for my all time nit pick about the Acadia (and Audi, Ford and Mitsubishi). You can't turn off the interior dash lights. Yes they dim but dang it...I want all them off....center console/radio stack too. It's a huge difference with the cruise set and the interior lights off.
You could close your eyes and drive...or do like Corey Hart....and wear your "sunglasses at night"....
 
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#21 ·
Hi Michelle,

2013 Explorer Limited loaded out vs the 2013 Denali Limited, loaded out

I do agree the GMC seems to drive a bit smoother. I know there were issues with the 2012 Explorer's Sync system but they seem to have fixed the glitches in 2013 from my own playing with it and reading reviews.

I guess what is holding me back from the GMC really is the lack of tech features. I've heard complaints about how the controls are hard to press and I honestly did not get to play with the Nav for very long so if anyone has comments on how it works, I would love to hear.

The Explorer also has a power 3rd row seat that goes up and down automatically which for a woman, is definitely one less thing to have to lift and tug.

Will there be any major changes to the Acadia in 2014? I assume they come out in August/Sept?
 
#22 ·
#23 ·
The 2013 Acadia Nav and technology updates are pretty good. The Nav and Radio buttons are capacitive, so you do need to touch them, and they probably don't work well with gloves on. I believe the Ford's are similar, and might even be worse. The Acaida's climate control are nice an easy though, big knobs and real buttons, I think better than the Ford's We don't really have issues with the buttons at all (other than the Hazard lights being too sensitive), but have seen that as a complaint on the reviews.

The Ford technology list is very impressive. From what I remember, what you won't get on the Acadia that you would get on the Ford are:

Curve Control
Lane Assist
Park Assist
Adaptive Cruise Control
Automatic High beams
Voice reading of text messages
Push Button Start
Digital Dash

For me, the only one I really would use is Push Button Start (obviously) and do wish the Acadia had it, but it's not a show stopper. I opted to not pay for Adaptive Cruise Control on one of our other cars. If I had it, I might use it, but wasn't important enough for me to pay for. The others I don't care about, but some people definitely would. Obviously only you can decided if those features (and any that I've missed) are worth the ride and size trade-off.

As far as the power 3rd row, I wouldn''t let that stop you either. It's a cool feature, but the fold down 3rd row on the Acadia is so easy, it doesn't matter. Pull a latch to fold down (no different than the button) and pull the strap to pull up (slightly more effort and reach required than the button). Maybe I'm jaded by the pain in the neck our Tahoe was, that the Acadia seems so easy-breezy, but I couldn't ask for much more. Also, remember the Acadia 3rd row has an extra seating position, you'll fit one less person in the Explorer.

No info has been released on the 2014's, not sure if Michelle would dive any out even if she had it (I'm sure she'll respond). That said, with the 2013s only out a few months, and a mid-cycle refresh just done on the Acadia, the actual changes should be pretty small. The entertainment system is obviously updatable, so it would be an easy change for them to add features.
 
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#24 ·
z28lt1 - awesome info, thank you.

You are right the Ford parralel parks itself but thats not anything I really use anyway. As long as the lane change blind spot thing is on the Denali (the one I test drove did have it) I'm good! Does it just blink or does it also notify you with a sound in the Acadia?

Did anyone else find an issue with the steering wheel in the Acadia covering up some of the dashboard things? Forgot to mention that. When my husband and I drove it neither of us could find a good spot for the steering wheel that gave us clear access to the odomoter.

Michelle - you are correct the Acadia has a better powertrain. I lease though so it's not a big advantage to me.
 
#25 ·
The Acadia Blind Spot warning is light only (thankfully, a noise every time a car is in the blind spot would be annoying, and almost constant in high traffic areas).

There have been complaints in this forum from some taller people who can't get the steering wheel adjusted to see the whole gauge cluster. I'm 5'10, and with the seat lower and the steering wheel raised, I don't have that issue, but could see that taller people would. That leads to one of the features that the Acaida has that the Ford doesn't have...Heads Up Display. Really neat feature and will help you see speed and such, but won't help with the odometer.
 
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#26 ·
I would like to have the adaptive cruise control but I do not care about the blind spot warning, I drive with a trailer very often and that won't help when towing.
 
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