If you are looking for a compact SUV that offers plenty of space, comfort, and performance, you might be wondering which one to choose between the Chevy Equinox and the GMC Terrain.
These two models are very similar in many aspects, but they also have some key differences that could make or break your decision.
In this article, we will compare the Chevy Equinox vs GMC Terrain in terms of design, features, safety, and price, and help you find out which one suits your needs and preferences better.
This is the ultimate showdown between two of the most popular SUVs in the market. Let’s get started!
What are the similarities between the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain?
The similarities between Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain are:
- They are both compact SUVs that offer plenty of space, comfort, and performance.
- They share the same powertrain, a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, capable of producing 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque.
- They have similar fuel economy ratings, with the Equinox slightly more efficient than the Terrain.
- They have nearly identical interior dimensions, providing ample room for passengers and cargo.
- They have similar standard features, such as Bluetooth, navigation, satellite radio, keyless ignition, cruise control, and parking assistance.
- They have similar warranty coverage, with 3 years/36,000 miles for basic and 5 years/60,000 miles for drivetrain and roadside assistance.
How do the Chevy Equinox and the GMC Terrain differ in design and style?
The Chevy Equinox and the GMC Terrain are two compact SUVs that share the same platform, engine, and transmission, but they have different design and style elements that appeal to different buyers.
Here are some of the main differences between them:
- The Equinox has a more rounded and smooth exterior, while the Terrain has a more angular and rugged look.
- The Equinox has a horizontal grille with a bowtie logo, while the Terrain has a larger and more prominent grille with a GMC logo.
- The Equinox has standard halogen headlights, while the Terrain has standard LED headlights.
- The Equinox has a lower and wider stance, while the Terrain has a higher and narrower profile.
- The Equinox has a more conventional dashboard and instrument cluster, while the Terrain has a more modern and digital display.
- The Equinox has a more spacious and airy cabin, while the Terrain has a more cozy and refined interior.
- The Equinox has more cloth and plastic materials, while the Terrain has more leather and chrome accents.
- The Equinox has a more affordable and value-oriented trim lineup, while the Terrain has a more upscale and luxurious trim lineup, including the Denali model.
What features and options are available for the Chevy Equinox and the GMC Terrain?
Both the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain are compact SUVs that share many features and options, as they are platform twins from General Motors.
However, there are also some key differences to consider when choosing between the two.
Similarities
- Engine: Both come standard with a 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine generating 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque.
- Transmission: The Terrain uses a 9-speed automatic transmission, while the Equinox uses a 6-speed automatic.
- Fuel Efficiency: Both offer similar fuel efficiency, with the Equinox slightly edging out the Terrain in combined mpg.
- Safety Features: Both offer a suite of advanced safety features, including:
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Lane Departure Warning
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Infotainment System: Both come with a user-friendly infotainment system with features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Differences
- Styling: The Equinox has a smoother, more rounded exterior design, while the Terrain has a bolder, more squared-off look.
- Interior Materials: The Terrain has a slightly more upscale interior with higher-quality materials, reflecting its position as a more premium brand.
- Available Engine: The Equinox offers an optional 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, which is not available in the Terrain.
- Cargo Space: The Equinox offers slightly more cargo space behind the rear seats (29.9 cu ft) than the Terrain (29.6 cu ft).
- Passenger Space: The Equinox offers slightly more passenger space than the Terrain.
- Price: The Terrain typically starts at a slightly higher price than the Equinox.
Additional Options
Both vehicles offer a variety of additional options, depending on the trim level you choose. These can include:
- Sunroof
- Heated seats
- Leather upholstery
- Bose sound system
- Navigation
- Hitch and towing package
- Driver assistance features like parking sensors and automatic high beams
Which SUV is safer and more reliable: the Chevy Equinox or the GMC Terrain?
The Chevy Equinox and the GMC Terrain are very similar in terms of safety and reliability, as they share the same platform, engine, and transmission. However, there are some minor differences that could affect your decision.
The 2020 Equinox has a predicted reliability rating of 4/5, while the 2020 Terrain has a rating of 3/5. The Equinox also scored slightly better in the IIHS crash tests, earning a Top Safety Pick award, while the Terrain only received a Good rating. However, both SUVs have similar standard and optional safety features, such as blind spot detection, lane departure warning, and front crash prevention.
The Chevy Equinox seems to have a slight edge over the GMC Terrain in terms of safety and reliability, but the difference is not very significant. You may want to consider other factors, such as design, features, and price, when choosing between these two SUVs.
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How much does it cost to own and maintain a Chevy Equinox or a GMC Terrain?
While both the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain share many similarities, their ownership costs can differ slightly due to their brand positioning and potential variations in maintenance requirements.
Initial Purchase Price
- Chevy Equinox: Generally starts at a lower price point than the GMC Terrain, ranging from around $28,000 to $35,000 depending on the trim level and options chosen.
- GMC Terrain: Typically starts at a slightly higher price point than the Equinox, ranging from around $32,000 to $40,000 based on trim and options.
Depreciation
- Chevy Equinox: As a non-luxury brand, the Equinox is expected to depreciate at a slightly faster rate than the Terrain. This means it may lose value more quickly over time.
- GMC Terrain: Being positioned as a more premium brand, the Terrain might hold its value slightly better compared to the Equinox.
Fuel Costs
- Both the Equinox and Terrain offer similar fuel efficiency, with the Equinox potentially having a slight edge in combined miles per gallon (MPG). This can translate to marginally lower fuel costs for the Equinox over time.
Insurance Costs
- Chevy Equinox: Insurance costs can vary depending on various factors like your driving history, location, and chosen coverage. However, due to its lower initial price tag and non-luxury status, the Equinox might have slightly lower average insurance premiums compared to the Terrain.
- GMC Terrain: As a premium brand, the Terrain might incur slightly higher insurance rates on average compared to the Equinox.
Maintenance Costs
- Both vehicles share the same platform and powertrain in most configurations, meaning their routine maintenance schedules and costs should be similar. However, the Terrain’s potentially higher-quality materials could translate to slightly higher costs for specific repairs or replacements in the long run.
Overall Ownership Cost
- While pinpointing an exact cost difference is difficult due to individual variations, the Chevy Equinox is generally expected to have a lower overall ownership cost compared to the GMC Terrain. This is primarily due to its lower initial price, potentially slightly lower fuel and insurance costs, and similar maintenance needs in most cases.
Additional factors to consider
- Financing: Interest rates on loans for the vehicles might differ based on your creditworthiness and chosen lender.
- Your driving habits: Frequent driving, especially in city conditions, can increase fuel costs for both vehicles.
- Local repair costs: Labor and parts costs for repairs can vary depending on your location
Also Read: Are There Any Recalls On 2016 Chevy Equinox? A Complete Guide!
Is a Chevy Equinox bigger than a GMC Terrain?
The Chevy Equinox and the GMC Terrain are very similar in size, as they share the same platform, engine, and transmission. However, there are some minor differences in their exterior dimensions that could affect your preference. The Equinox is slightly longer, wider, and taller than the Terrain, but the Terrain has a slightly longer wheelbase and more ground clearance.
Here is a table that compares their dimensions in inches:
| Dimension | Equinox | Terrain |
| Length | 183.1 | 182.3 |
| Width | 72.6 | 72.4 |
| Height | 65.4 | 65.4 |
| Wheelbase | 107.3 | 107.3 |
| Ground clearance | 7.6-8.0 | 6.9-7.9 |
Why is the Chevrolet Equinox so popular?
The Chevrolet Equinox is a popular compact SUV that offers a lot of value, versatility, and features for its price.
Some of the reasons why the Equinox is so popular are:
- It has a spacious and comfortable interior, with plenty of room for passengers and cargo.
- It has a smooth and efficient engine, with good fuel economy and performance.
- It has a sleek and stylish design, with a variety of trim levels and options to suit different preferences.
- It has a host of modern features, such as a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a suite of standard safety technologies.
- It has a low starting price, with a four-trim lineup that allows for customization and affordability.
GMC Terrain Vs Chevy Equinox Size
The GMC Terrain and Chevy Equinox are practically the same size. They share the same platform, which means their dimensions are very close.
Here’s a comparison:
- Length
- Terrain: 182.3 inches
- Equinox: 183.1 inches (a difference of 0.8 inches)
- Width
- Terrain: 72.4 inches
- Equinox: 72.6 inches (a difference of 0.2 inches)
- Height
- Both: 65.4 inches
While there are slight differences on paper, they are negligible in real-world usage. Both vehicles offer similar passenger and cargo space:
- Passenger space
- Terrain: 103.2 cubic feet
- Equinox: 103.5 cubic feet (a difference of 0.3 cubic feet)
- Cargo space behind the rear seats
- Terrain: 29.6 cubic feet
- Equinox: 29.9 cubic feet (a difference of 0.3 cubic feet)
- Cargo space with the rear seats folded
- Both: 63.3 cubic feet
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Conclusion
The Chevy Equinox and the GMC Terrain are two of the most popular compact SUVs in the market, and for good reasons.
They offer plenty of space, comfort, and performance, as well as modern features and options.
However, they also have some key differences that could make or break your decision.
Depending on your preferences, you might prefer the Equinox’s smoother and more efficient engine, sleeker and more spacious design, or lower and more affordable price.
Or, you might favor the Terrain’s more angular and rugged look, more refined and luxurious interior, or higher and more prominent grille.
Either way, you can’t go wrong with these two SUVs. The Chevy Equinox vs GMC Terrain is the ultimate showdown that you need to see for yourself.
