Comparing GMC SUVs: Terrain vs. Acadia

What will you find when you compare the GMC Acadia and the GMC Terrain for sale at your local dealer? These two SUVs don’t typically compete with each other.
If you’re shopping for an SUV to drive and you know you want a GMC, you’ll want to know the differences. While both models are rugged, premium-level SUVs, one is a compact model while the other occupies the midsize class for this brand. Each one stands out in a crowded with a different look and qualities you don’t find in other vehicles they compete with in the automotive market.

What Does the GMC Terrain Offer?

You won’t think of the Terrain as a luxury SUV unless you look at the Denali trim. Even so, this is an SUV that gives you the GMC brand DNA at a great size and price, making it easy for you to enjoy the drive. You’ll find a rugged and refined feeling to this compact crossover SUV when you sit behind the wheel. If you’re looking for a version that handles the off-road challenges, the AT4 trim is packed with the stuff you need for the trails, making this an SUV you can drive wherever you want to go.

How Much Does the Terrain Cost?

The GMC Terrain for sale at your local GMC dealer comes in a variety of flavors. The base SLE FWD model starts at $27,900, which is relatively affordable. Next, you’ll find the SLT model in FWD that’s priced at $31,900. If you want to add AWD to either version, you’ll spend an additional $1,600. The AT4 trim starts at $34,000, and the Denali begins at a price of $36,600. This is a pretty good price range for a premium SUV that’s rugged and filled with features you want on the road.

Is the Terrain Roomy Enough?

There’s room for five people to sit comfortably inside the GMC Terrain. With the rear seat up, you’ll have 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space to use. If you fold this seat down, the area expands to 63.3 cubic feet, giving you plenty of room for the items you need to take with you.

What Features Are Included in this Premium SUV?

SLE Trim

• Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
• GMC Pro Safety Suite
  • Automatic emergency braking
  • Lane-keep assist
• Premium cloth interior
• Traction Select system
• LED headlights and taillights

SLT Trim

• Leather upholstery
• Heated steering wheel
• Hands-free power liftgate

AT4 Trim

• Goodyear Sport Terrain tires
• Traction Select system with off-road mode
• Hill descent control
• AT4 embroidered headrests
• Special appearance package
• Front steel skid plate

Denali Trim

• GMC Pro Safety Plus
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Rear park assist
• Special appearance package
• Premium suspension with enhanced shock control
• Wireless device charging
• Head-up display
• Ventilated front seats
• Heated rear seats

Every model of the GMC Terrain for sale at your local dealer uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 170 horsepower and 203 lb.-ft. of torque for the drive. You’ll reach 25 city/30 hwy mpg in FWD models and 25 city/28 hwy mpg in AWD versions.

What Does the GMC Acadia Offer?

Sitting in the midsize crossover SUV class, the GMC Acadia brings you three rows of seats for versatility in passenger capabilities. You’ll love the premium feeling of this SUV, especially if you take things to the Denali trim level. If it’s time to have an SUV with the option of either more cargo room or seating for your passengers, you can’t go wrong with the Acadia, which gives you both.

How Much Does a GMC Acadia Cost?

The base SLE FWD trim of the Acadia brings a price of $34,800. Move to the SLT trim, and you start the pricing at $39,100, while the AT4 off-road trim starts at $41,400. The Denali sits at the top of the lineup with a price tag that reads $46,600. If you want the Elevation appearance package, you’ll add $1,495 to either the SLE or SLT models. The Denali Ultimate package costs $5,045, which pushes the price of this SUV over the $50,000 mark. You can also add AWD to the lower trims and pay $2,300 to have this feature.

Is the Acadia Roomy?

Everyone will be comfortable in the first two rows of seats, but the third row of the GMC Acadia is meant for small children and adults you don’t like very much. You’ll find 12.8 cubic feet of cargo room in the rear when all of the seats are up. Most likely, you’ll spend a lot of time with the rearmost seats down, opening up a space that measures 41.7 cubic feet. If you need more room, the second row can fold, allowing you to enjoy 79 cubic feet of cargo room behind the front seats of the Acadia.

What Features Will You See in this Premium SUV?

SLE Trim

• GMC Pro Safety Plus
  • Automatic emergency braking
  • Front pedestrian braking
  • Automatic high beams
  • Parking sensors
  • Lane keeping assist
  • Lane departure warning
  • follow distance indicator
  • Forward-collision alert
  • Lane change alert
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Rear cross-traffic alert
• 8-inch infotainment screen
• Wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay

SLT Trim

• • Navigation system
  • Advanced voice recognition
  • Bose premium audio system
  • Driver Convenience Package
    • Power driver’s seat
    • Heated front seats
    • Remote engine starting
    • Hands-free power liftgate

AT4 Trim

• • • Unique appearance package
    • Off-road upgrades
    • Standard AWD
    • Active torque control
    • Hill start assist
    • Hill descent control
    • Unique 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires

Denali Trim

• • • Luxury appearance package
    • Chrome trim
    • LED headlights and taillights
    • Heated and ventilated front seats
    • Heated second-row seats
    • 8-inch digital driver information center
    • Head-up display
    • Wireless charging pad

There are two powertrains available for the GMC Acadia. The base version gives you a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated that makes 230 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. If that’s not enough power for you, the 3.6-liter V6 makes 310 horsepower and 271 lb.-ft. of torque. You can tow up to 4,000 pounds when you have the V6 engine under the hood.