An acrylic composition includes the reaction product of an acrylic polymer and carbon dioxide. The acrylic polymer includes the reaction product of a functionalized monomer, a first compound reactive with the functionalized monomer to form a functionalized intermediate, and a highly branched, polyfunctional core molecule reactive with the functionalized intermediate. The first compound includes vinyl functionality reactive with the functionalized monomer. The first compound also includes epoxy functionality. The carbon dioxide is reactive with the acrylic polymer to form a carbonate-functional acrylic polymer. The acrylic composition is highly-branched and, when used in coating compositions in combination with a suitable cross-linking agent, enhances recoat adhesion and produces cured films that have optimum scratch, mar, and chip performance, and acid etch resistance.