Equinox vs Terrain: Comprehensive Comparison for SUV Lovers
Struggling to decide which way to go? Picture this: You’re in the market for a small SUV and two standout contenders catch your eye – the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain. Which of these two small SUVs should you choose?
This blog post will help answer that question. We’ll dissect their exterior designs, dive into passenger space and comfort levels, explore trim levels alongside pricing details. And we won’t stop there.
We’ll also put both vehicles through their paces by analyzing performance capabilities and fuel efficiency. Safety features? Check! Infotainment systems? Double-check!
The aim isn’t simply to contrast these models, but rather to furnish you with data so as to settle on a shrewd choice.
Secure your seatbelts as we jump straight in!
Table Of Contents:
- Exterior Design and Styling Cues
- Interior Space and Comfort
- Trim Levels and Pricing
- Performance and Fuel Efficiency
- Safety Features
- Infotainment and Technology
- Driving Experience and Handling
- Resale Value and Ownership Costs
- FAQs in Relation to Equinox vs Terrain
- Conclusion
Exterior Design and Styling Cues
If you’re a fan of strong, bold designs, the Chevy Equinox will grab your attention with its redesigned grille. It’s like a statement piece that says “I’m here to take on the world”. But it doesn’t stop there. The LED headlamps have been updated too, adding an aggressive look that enhances road visibility at night.
The new alloy wheel designs further elevate the sporty appeal of this SUV. The Equinox’s performance and distinctiveness make it stand out among other small SUVs. So if you prefer bolder styling cues, the Chevy Equinox should be high on your list.
Boldness of Equinox vs Sophistication of Terrain
On the flip side is GMC’s offering – The Terrain. If sophistication had four wheels and an engine room – well hello. Here’s where our terrain starts. Unlike its cousin (yes they share DNA), Terrain has decided to go down the elegance route rather than flashiness.
This sleek beauty sports signature GMC grille flanked by distinctive C-shaped LED headlamps and tail lamps which are quite alluring when lit up in low light conditions. And for those who love their ride adorned with chrome details? Get ready to drool because Denali trim comes loaded with them.
Much like people’s preference for either vanilla or chocolate ice cream flavors; some might gravitate towards GMC Terrain’s sophisticated aesthetic while others may fall hard for Chevrolet Equinox’s more audacious exterior design elements.
It’s important to note that both of these standout contenders in the small SUV category offer more than just good looks. Their exterior design isn’t merely about aesthetic appeal, but also functionality.
The LED headlamps amp up your night vision, while the alloy wheels add a touch of performance and handling. Basically, you’re not just getting a driveway showstopper – it’s got some real oomph too.
Key Takeaway:
If you’re after a punchy, eye-catching design, the Chevy Equinox’s revamped grille and LED headlamps won’t disappoint. But if refined elegance is more your thing, the GMC Terrain’s standout grille and captivating C-shaped LEDs will catch your eye. And it’s not all about style – these SUVs also pack a practical punch with features like better night vision and handling.
Interior Space and Comfort
When it comes to choosing between the Chevy Equinox and the GMC Terrain, interior space plays a significant role. Let’s get down to brass tacks: both vehicles offer ample room for five passengers, ensuring everyone can ride in comfort.
The Equinox has a generous 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back row of seats, giving you plenty of storage room. Need more room? No problem. The back seats fold down, expanding this area up to an impressive 63.9 cubic feet – perfect for those family road trips or hauling larger items.
In comparison, the GMC Terrain offers slightly less but still substantial storage with its 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, which expands up to 63.3 cubic feet when needed – quite generous for the small SUVs category.
Beyond mere measurements though is how these spaces feel while you’re using them every day because that’s where real-life experiences matter.
Terrain Interior Space & Passenger Comfort
Sit inside a GMC Terrain and you’ll immediately notice how cleverly designed it is to make use of every inch available. Its well-thought-out design ensures practicality meets comfort. The cabin feels airy thanks to its high roofline offering plenty of headroom even for taller passengers.
The passenger side impresses too with decent legroom making long journeys comfortable for all occupants regardless of their size. Additionally, smart storage compartments are sprinkled throughout, providing convenient spots to stash your belongings during travel – another feature adding convenience on top of the utility aspect we love about the Terrain’s interior layout.
Chevrolet Equinox Interior Roominess & Ease
Don’t underestimate the Chevy Equinox. It’s got a roomy, comfortable interior built with passenger comfort in mind. The generous space and cozy seats make it a welcoming ride.
Key Takeaway:
Choosing between the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain? Both provide ample passenger room and comfort. The Equinox slightly edges out with 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space, but both vehicles are smartly designed for daily use. You’ll find clever storage in the Terrain, while the Equinox offers a welcoming interior.
Trim Levels and Pricing
The Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain are exemplary choices for those seeking a new SUV; let’s review the pricing. But what’s the price tag? Let’s get down to brass tacks.
Equinox Trim Levels and Pricing
The Chevrolet Equinox has four trim levels: L, LS, LT, and Premier. The Chevy Equinox L FWD trim has a host of modern safety features, such as an auto transmission and cruise control to make your journey easier.
The base price for the Chevy Equinox L FWD trim is $24,525 MSRP. It comes packed with an impressive value proposition from its cockpit quality materials to ample storage compartments, ensuring comfort during those long trips.
Moving up a notch is where we find our sweet spot – the LT model offers advanced safety tech such as adaptive cruise control along with an upgraded infotainment system seating. It gets even better when you reach the Premier AWD level, which boasts high-end features, including a surround-view parking camera system. This top-shelf gem can be yours at a starting price of $35,380 MSRP.
Terrain Trim Levels and Pricing
The GMC Terrain, on the other hand, steps into play with five trims – SL, SLE-1/2 (differentiated by engine), SLT-1/2 (also differentiated by engine), plus Denali featuring wood grain accents enhancing its appeal.
Your journey starts at the GMC Terrain SL base trim available for $24,995 MSRP, which offers a competitive highway range thanks to its efficient four-cylinder engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission, making it an ideal travel companion on road trips or daily commutes alike.
As we ascend the trim ladder, things get more interesting. The Terrain SLT, with its upgraded infotainment system and premium materials, gives a feeling of luxury without burning a hole in your pocket.
At last, you’ve hit the peak – the AWD Denali trim. Priced at $39,270 MSRP, it’s not just style and cutting-edge safety features this model offers. It also throws in bonuses like LED headlights to exceed your expectations.
Key Takeaway:
Looking for an SUV? The Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain are great picks, each with a range of trim levels. Starting at $24,525 MSRP, the base model of the Equinox is well-equipped. If you’re after more luxury, their top-tier Premier AWD comes in at $35,380 MSRP. Meanwhile, the Terrain offers solid competition starting from just $24,995 MSRP.
Performance and Fuel Efficiency
If you’re searching for a combination of potency, execution, and productivity in your next SUV, both the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain won’t let you down. They share common engine options that balance robust power with notable fuel economy.
The 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder base engine of the Equinox and Terrain delivers an impressive 170 horsepower while being highly efficient, offering up to 26 mpg in city driving conditions and 31 mpg on highways. It’s efficient too – it can deliver around 26 mpg in city driving conditions, which ramps up to about 31 mpg on highway drives. This means less time spent at gas stations during long road trips or daily commutes.
But if more zip under the hood is what you crave, there’s an optional upgrade available: a potent 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder unit offering an impressive output of 252 horsepower. Now that’s some serious muscle. With this larger heart pumping life into your ride – be it the Terrain or Equinox, expect acceleration times to tumble down noticeably.
Fuel Economy Comparison
Moving beyond raw figures reveals just how close these two vehicles are when compared head-to-head on their respective fuel economies—specifically considering they offer identical engines. Both provide excellent value from each gallon of gasoline used thanks largely due to their shared nine-speed automatic transmission system efficiently managing engine revs across different driving scenarios.
Chevy Equinox:
- City MPG: Around 26 miles per gallon (estimated)
- Highway MPG: Around 31 miles per gallon (estimated)
GMC Terrain:
- City MPG: Approximately 26 miles per gallon (estimated)
- Highway MPG: Approximately 30 miles per gallon (estimated)
Safety Features
When it comes to selecting an SUV, safety is a priority for many buyers and the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain both provide exceptional levels of security with their cutting-edge safety features. The Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain are no exceptions in this department. Both these standout contenders come equipped with an impressive selection of cutting-edge safety features to ensure your peace of mind on every drive.
The Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain, right from their base trims, offer automatic emergency braking – a feature designed to reduce the severity or even prevent frontal collisions by automatically applying brakes when necessary.
Aiding this crucial system is forward collision alert which warns drivers if they’re approaching another vehicle too quickly, potentially preventing many common road accidents. To complement these features, both models also incorporate lane-keep assist which helps maintain your vehicle within its intended path by providing gentle steering corrections if unintentional lane departure is detected.
Advanced Safety Options in Higher Trims
Moving up the trim levels unlocks more advanced protective technologies. Notably, adaptive cruise control becomes available as part of premium packages in both vehicles’ higher-end versions like Premier AWD for Equinox and Denali for Terrain respectively.
This innovative system not only maintains a set speed but also adjusts it according to traffic conditions ahead – slowing down when following distance decreases and speeding back up once there’s sufficient room again – offering convenience while enhancing safety during long drives or heavy commutes.
The Surround View Parking Camera System: See All Around You.
Another remarkable feature that higher trims offer is the surround-view parking camera system. This cutting-edge technology provides a bird’s eye view of your vehicle and its surroundings, significantly simplifying parallel parking or navigating through tight spaces.
The system stitches together images from multiple cameras to create a composite overhead view which can be invaluable when maneuvering in complex environments or simply ensuring you’re perfectly within those white lines at the mall.
Key Takeaway:
When safety is a priority, both the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain deliver with top-notch features. Starting from base trims, you get automatic emergency braking and forward collision alert to help avoid accidents. Higher trims add adaptive cruise control for comfort in heavy traffic and a surround-view parking camera system that makes navigating tight spaces a breeze.
Infotainment and Technology
The Chevy Equinox and the GMC Terrain are not just about comfort, space, or fuel economy. The Equinox and Terrain offer the latest in entertainment tech to make every journey more enjoyable.
Chevrolet Infotainment System: Keeping You Connected on the Go
The Chevy Equinox’s advanced telematics keep you connected even when you’re miles away from civilization. Its user-friendly touchscreen infotainment system is easy to navigate and loaded with features like OnStar concierge services for roadside help, mobile Wi-Fi hotspot for seamless internet connectivity, hands-free calling to ensure your eyes stay on the road, performance audio for quality sound experience while driving. Plus its integrated navigation system guides you smoothly through unknown terrains.
You’ll appreciate how this tech-savvy SUV has put so much thought into ensuring a fun-filled travel companion without compromising safety or convenience. Learn More Here.
GMC Terrain’s Infotainment System: A Tech-Lover’s Delight
In comparison with Chevy Equinox’s commendable offerings, GMC Terrain matches stride-for-stride in technology features as well. The terrain offers an equally intuitive touchscreen infotainment system seating at driver’s seat feels like commanding a high-tech cockpit filled with premium materials.
Terrain comes equipped with modern telematics that let drivers enjoy various entertainment options along their journey including streaming music or podcasts via Bluetooth-connected devices; getting live traffic updates; making phone calls using voice commands; browsing Internet thanks to mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot feature etc., all while keeping their attention firmly rooted on road ahead. Discover More.
The GMC Terrain also includes an optional Bose premium audio system that turns the cabin into a concert hall, giving music lovers something to cheer about.
Infotainment System Comparison: Equinox vs. Terrain
When we put the infotainment systems of both SUVs side by side, it’s clear they come packed with features.
Key Takeaway:
Both the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain raise the bar with top-notch infotainment systems. The Equinox shines with its easy-to-use touchscreen navigation, mobile Wi-Fi hotspot, hands-free calling, and OnStar help services. Meanwhile, the Terrain doesn’t lag behind; it offers a state-of-the-art cockpit experience that includes live traffic updates, voice-command phone calls, and Bluetooth music streaming.
Driving Experience and Handling
They offer impressive handling capabilities that cater to a variety of driving styles.
Chevy Equinox Driving Experience
When you slide into the driver’s seat of a Chevy Equinox, expect an engaging drive. The vehicle’s well-tuned suspension system lets it navigate through corners with ease, providing responsive steering without sacrificing comfort.
The available all-wheel-drive enhances stability on slippery roads, making this car an ideal travel companion for long highway range drives or urban commutes alike. Despite its compact size, there’s no denying that this model is designed to provide smooth rides regardless of road conditions.
GMC Terrain Driving Experience
Meanwhile, taking command in the GMC Terrain offers a slightly different flavor but equally enjoyable experience. Its nine-speed automatic transmission delivers quick shifts ensuring power availability whenever needed while contributing to fuel economy figures – which are important considerations for any potential buyer considering these models as their next purchase.
Terrain’s ride quality leans more towards luxury rather than sportiness compared to its Chevrolet counterpart. This makes it less bouncy over rough surfaces thereby improving passenger comfort especially during longer trips – another reason why many drivers appreciate what GMC has achieved here with their entry-level offering in this segment.
| Chevrolet Equinox | GMC Terrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Ride Comfort Level: | Sporty yet comfortable, | Luxurious and refined, |
| All-Wheel Drive Available?: | Yes, | Yes. |
| Nine-Speed Automatic Transmission?: | No, | Yes. |
Check out the table above. It’s a quick snapshot comparing these two SUVs.
Resale Value and Ownership Costs
When it comes to buying a new SUV, the price tag is just one part of the equation. It’s essential also to consider factors like resale value and overall ownership costs. These can significantly affect your vehicle’s total cost over time.
The Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain are standout contenders in this regard, but there are some differences worth noting.
Chevy Equinox: A Practical Pick
The Chevy Equinox boasts a good second-hand value that rivals other small sport utility vehicles in the market. The base model starts at an affordable price point which makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers. This helps boost its resale value as used car shoppers often seek out vehicles known for their affordability when new.
Beyond that, Chevrolet offers competitive warranty coverage and various perks such as complimentary scheduled maintenance visits during the first year of ownership. If you’re looking for an economical vehicle that offers a range of features and warranty coverage, then the Chevy Equinox should be on your radar.
GMC Terrain: Luxury at Higher Cost
Moving upmarket from Chevrolet to GMC brings more luxury features into play – leather upholstery, wood grain accents around cockpit quality materials among others – all available depending upon trim levels selected (SL through Denali).
This upscale vibe isn’t without its costs though; both upfront pricing and longer-term expenditures will generally run higher than what you’ll find with equivalent trims on an Equinox. In return however these premium touches could help bolster demand come trade-in time resulting in better returns down line despite having higher initial sticker prices relative versus competitor models like aforementioned Chevrolet offering.
If driving experience matters most alongside maintaining lifestyle standards irrespective monetary constraints then opting towards terrain might suit better your needs despite its higher price tag.
Costs Beyond the Purchase Price
Besides thinking about resale value, don’t forget to weigh in things like gas mileage, insurance charges, and upkeep costs when figuring out the total cost of owning a car. Both the Equinox and Terrain shine with similar fuel efficiency scores – a real perk for your wallet. They’re powered by a 4-cylinder engine that can generate up to maximum power.
Key Takeaway:
When shopping for an SUV, it’s crucial to weigh both initial and ongoing costs. The Chevy Equinox shines with its budget-friendly price tag, solid resale value, and added bonuses like free maintenance in the first year. But if high-end features top your list over cost considerations, then you might find your perfect match in GMC’s Terrain – just be ready for a heftier investment.
FAQs in Relation to Equinox vs Terrain
What’s the difference between terrain and equinox?
The Terrain and Equinox share many similarities, but they differ in style. The Equinox has a bolder look while the Terrain offers more sophistication.
Is the equinox or terrain bigger?
The interior dimensions are similar for both SUVs, with only minor differences in cargo space. They comfortably seat five passengers.
What is GMC Terrain comparable to?
The GMC Terrain competes closely with SUVs like Chevy Equinox, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Ford Escape due to its features and price range.
What SUVS are comparable to the Equinox?
Apart from its sibling – GMC Terrain; other competitors of Chevy Equinox include Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue, and Subaru Forester.
Conclusion
When it comes to the equinox vs terrain debate, there’s no easy answer. Both SUVs have their strengths and unique selling points.
The Equinox stands out with its bold design cues, impressive cargo space, affordable starting price and safety features like automatic emergency braking. It offers a balance of performance and fuel efficiency that makes for an enjoyable driving experience.
The Terrain on the other hand impresses with sophisticated exterior design details, advanced infotainment system and premium trim levels including the plush Denali variant. With equally good fuel economy figures as Equinox plus comfort-driven interiors make it worth considering despite its higher price tag.
Which one should you go for? That depends on your personal preferences in terms of style, budget constraints or specific feature requirements!
In conclusion: Do your research. Weigh these pros and cons carefully before making your decision!