2025 GMC Terrain vs. Chevrolet Equinox — Best SUV for You?

If you’re looking for a compact SUV for commuting to work or transporting your family, the 2025 GMC Terrain and the Chevrolet Equinox are excellent options. While both share the same GM platform, the Terrain is a more upscale model, while the Equinox is more affordable. In this comprehensive GMC Terrain vs. Chevrolet Equinox comparison, we’ll assess the two SUVs in terms of design, passenger space, comfort, technology, practicality, performance, and safety to help you choose the one that fits your needs.

Design and Exterior Features Comparison

The Terrain features an aggressive exterior with a prominent grille and refreshed LED lighting elements. Despite being a compact SUV, its muscular exterior gives it a bold presence on the road. In contrast, the Equinox sports a more traditional but still rugged design, with clean lines and a modern front end featuring Chevy’s signature grille. The Equinox also comes with updated LED lighting, and its stylish alloy wheels and sleek silhouette give it a sporty aesthetic.

While both vehicles share the same platform, they have slightly different dimensions. The Terrain is 181 inches long, while the Equinox is 183.2 inches long. At 66.2 inches high, the Terrain is slightly taller than the Equinox, which has a 65.5-inch height. While the Terrain comes with six exterior color choices, the Equinox offers 11. However, the Terrain has four customization packages, while the Equinox includes only three.

Interior Space, Comfort, and Technology

While the Terrain and Equinox are both two-row SUVs, the Terrain has a more upscale cabin, with soft touch materials all over the dashboard, center console, armrest, and doors. Cloth upholstery is standard, and all models get comfortable heated bucket front seats, a large dashboard, and plenty of storage space.

In the front, headroom is 40 inches and legroom is 40.6 inches. Rear passengers get 39.2 inches of headroom and legroom. A vertically oriented 15-inch touch screen runs the Google-based infotainment software, and the driver gets an 11-inch digital gauge display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and users can also access Google Maps and the Google Play Store via a 5G data connection.

The Equinox comes with a similarly beautiful interior with attractive materials. Like the Terrain, the Equinox comes with cloth upholstery and optional faux leather, but the range-topping Activ trim features a vinyl plus microfiber trim for a more luxurious interior. The new generation Equinox now has a column-mounted shift lever to provide more storage space in the center console.

The front bucket seats have 40 inches of headroom and 40.9 inches of legroom, while the rear seats get 39.2 inches of headroom and 39.9 inches of legroom. Every Equinox trim features two large digital displays on the dashboard, including a reconfigurable 11-inch digital gauge cluster and an 11.3-inch infotainment display that runs a Google-based system. The infotainment system also provides access to Google Maps and a Wi-Fi hot spot. The center console now has a rotary knob controller for the infotainment system, cupholders, and an optional wireless charger.

Besides the numerous smaller storage spaces throughout the cabins, both the Terrain and Equinox have 29.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity with all seats in place and a maximum of 63.5 cubic feet when you fold the rear seats. 60/40-split folding rear seats provide more flexibility for storing larger items in both SUVs.

Performance, Driving Experience, and Efficiency

Both the Terrain and the Equinox share the same turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 175 horsepower. Front-wheel-drive models get a continuously variable transmission, while all-wheel-drive (AWD) versions use a traditional eight-speed automatic transmission.

The EPA estimates that both vehicles will get 26 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. For both vehicles, the maximum towing capacity is 800 pounds. While they aren’t optimized for off-roading, AWD Terrain trims offer hill-descent control to give you more confidence when driving on challenging roads and steep grades.

The Equinox and the Terrain share a long list of safety and driver-assistance technologies. Standard features include blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warnings, accident avoidance systems, lane-keep assist, front and rear cross-traffic alert, and postcollision safety systems.

Pricing, Trims, and Warranty Coverage

The 2025 GMC Terrain has only one trim, the Elevation. It starts at $30,000 and can cost over $32,000 when you add options. You can add up to four packages, including the Technology Package II, the Convenience Package III, the Elevation Premium Package, and the Black Edition.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox starts at $28,600 for the base LT trim. The sporty RS starts at $33,000 and offers 19-inch and available 20-inch machined wheels, black accents, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and an optional two-tone black roof. The top-spec Activ trim also starts at $33,000 and offers all-terrain tires, premium seating surfaces, and an optional two-tone white roof. The Equinox also has an all-electric version, which starts at $33,600.

The Equinox and the Terrain provide the same warranty and maintenance coverage. Both SUVs offer a limited warranty that covers three years or 36,000 miles and a powertrain warranty valid for five years or 60,000 miles. You also get complimentary maintenance on your first visit to the dealership.

Making Your Decision: Which SUV Fits Your Lifestyle

The 2025 GMC Terrain and the Chevrolet Equinox share the same powertrains, cabin sizes, cargo capacity, exterior dimensions, and safety and driver-assistance features. However, the Terrain provides a plush interior, a more commanding appearance, and is more tech-savvy. The Equinox is more traditional, balances physical and digital controls, and has a lower starting price. If you want to trade in your old car, visit Steve Austin’s Auto Group for a test-drive, and our team will help you apply for financing and choose the model that’s perfect for your lifestyle.