GMC Terrain vs Chevy Equinox

Whether you’re heading out into the wilderness for a long weekend away from it all or just swinging by your local café on the way to work, you’ll need a solid engine to get you there. Both the 2024 GMC Terrain and the Chevy Equinox come equipped with 1.5L Turbo 4-cylinder engines that offer 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque.

But it isn’t just power that gets you where you need to go—it’s how you?use?that power. The Chevy Equinox pairs its engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The GMC Terrain, on the other hand, offers a 9-speed automatic transmission.

With this, you may notice a smoother and more fuel-efficient ride as there are more levels of power to adjust to your driving conditions—great for winding mountain roads.

As someone who needs a versatile SUV, you’ll love the GMC Terrain adapts to your constantly changing needs. For example, the Terrain comes standard with front-wheel drive (FWD) capabilities. For drivers who frequent low-friction surface paths, consider upgrading to the optional all-wheel drive (AWD) system. When included, you can press a button to enable AWD and travel with FWD at other times.

The Chevy Equinox comes standard with AWD capabilities. While that may sound like a perk initially, consider how often you need AWD with your SUV. Since AWD can adjust how your vehicle performs—such as fuel efficiency and the lifespan of tires—you may prefer to drive the Terrain and only enable AWD capabilities when necessary.

Plus, you’ll find an optional Off-Road drive mode with the Terrain that can give your SUV an extra boost when embarking on remote-location adventures. Without this drive mode with the Equinox, you may not feel as prepared to tackle severe off-roading trails.

When it comes to day-to-day driving comfort, you’ll love the innovative driver-assist features that come equipped with the 2024 GMC Terrain and the Chevy Equinox. Cameras and sensors constantly scan your surroundings to find potential hazards you may have missed.

Some of the standard driver-assist features found with both SUVs include:

Both compact SUVs also offer extra available safety features as you increase trim levels—the Safety Alert Seat, for example. This feature causes a physical sensation in the driver’s seat to alert you to possible hazards. Having this extra warning can be helpful.

Safety Alert Seating is available on every trim—and standard on the two highest trims—of the GMC Terrain. However, this is only an available option on the highest trim level of the Chevy Equinox.

If you ask us, there’s nothing better than queueing up your favorite playlist, turning up the volume, and singing along to your favorite songs as you travel from Point A to Point B, even if the trip is just a short commute across town.

The 2024 Terrain and the Equinox come offered with three infotainment options: a standard 7-inch color display, an optional 8-inch display, or an available 8-inch display with built-in navigation.

You’ll find many similarities between these systems, including wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ where wires aren’t needed to make synchronization possible.

Get the most out of your entertainment experience by upgrading to the optional Bose® Premium Sound System with seven speakers, found available on every Terrain trim above the base level. While a similar sound system is offered with the Equinox, only those who drive the highest two trims can access this optional feature.

You’ll find an impressive selection of convenience features with the 2024 Terrain and the Equinox. From climate-controlled amenities to features like optional Alexa built-in, which lets you stay connected to your home while on the go, these SUVs have everything you need and more.

Another convenience feature you’ll love is the available Head-Up Display. When equipped, important driving information is projected onto a portion of the windshield. This way, you never have to take your eyes off the road to view driving data.

While Head-Up Display is found optionally with the Terrain, it’s not offered with the Equinox.

When comparing the 2024 GMC Terrain and the Chevy Equinox sizes, you’ll notice nearly identical dimensions across the board. This helps you feel confident that either SUV will give you and your passengers the space needed to stretch out and feel comfortable.

You’ll find that loading and unloading your SUV is a breeze thanks to the optional Hands-Free power programmable liftgate. When it’s equipped, simply wave your foot under the rear bumper and watch the liftgate open. With this feature, gone are the days of putting down grocery bags to access the cargo area.

GMC Terrain drivers will love that the hands-free power liftgate is optional on all trim levels above the base configuration. Unfortunately for Equinox drivers, this feature is only available on the highest trim level.