It’s not a huge deal, but it is a little bit of bean-counting.
Automakers are required to release a new generation or a facelift every three to four year because of current trends in the automotive industry. This is now the standard, and marketers try to capitalize on it by using the terms “new” or “all-new” whenever describing the vehicle. Although it can be difficult to distinguish between the terms, the general rule is that “new” refers to mid-cycle refreshes and “all-new”, which usually refers to a new generation. This explanation can sometimes be misleading and vague.
GMC first announced the 2020 Acadia. Many people mistakenly believe that it’s a totally overhauled SUV. However, as the automaker states, “only from the Apillars forward,” the 2020 Acadia has all-new sheetmetal. Simply put, all body parts from the Apillar backward have been carried over from the previous facelift model. For example, the new taillights might make you believe that the tailgate and body panels beneath the D-pillars are new.
Matthew A. Longtin posted Twitter a comparison of the rear ends of the 2020 Acadia with what appears to be the 2017 Acadia. The new taillight design makes the vehicle look bolder and moderner, but the shape of its tailgate and side panels is the same. It’s not a bad practice, and it’s something we all accept. However, in this instance, a slight modification to the panels would have been nice. This would have required extensive retooling of the assembly lines, which can be costly.