Chevy Equinox vs. GMC Terrain: Model Comparison

Fun fact: both Chevy and GMC are under the same parent company, General Motors. However, each brand has its strengths and caters to different markets. That’s why it’s interesting to compare two GM vehicles to see how they stack up against each other. In this Chevy Equinox vs. GMC Terrain roundup, we’ll put the two compact SUVs head-to-head to explore their specs, features, and more. Read on to find out which is better, the GMC Terrain or the Chevy Equinox. 

Chevy Equinox vs. GMC Terrain: Performance Specs 

To start things off, let’s look at the 2025 GMC Terrain’s powertrain and drivetrain. All trims of the GMC Terrain come with a turbocharged 1.5L, 4-cylinder engine that can make 175 horsepower. You’ll also have a choice between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, which determines your transmission type—FWD gets a continuously variable auto transmission, while AWD nets you an eight-speed automatic transmission. Overall, solid for daily driving, but we may recommend a more rugged SUV for off-road adventures, such as the Chevy Tahoe. 

Looking at the Chevy Equinox, things will seem eerily familiar. That’s because all Chevy Equinox models have the same turbocharged 1.5L, 4-cylinder engine worth 175 horsepower, the same as the GMC Terrain. You once again have your choice of FWD or AWD, and you’ll have the same transmission options as the terrain, depending on which drivetrain you choose.  

Since they share the same powertrain, both the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain have a fuel economy rating of 26 MPG city and 28 MPG highway for FWD models. 

Chevy Equinox vs. GMC Terrain: Interior Features 

The Chevy Equinox interior and the GMC Terrain interior are where things start to split a bit, but you’ll find plenty of similarities too. The Equinox favors what we’d call a sportier style, while the Terrain opts for a more reserved, comforting interior design. Heated steering wheels and heated front seats are standard across all trims of both vehicles, while heated rear seats are available. Both the Equinox and Terrain can fit five passengers.  

The max cargo space for both vehicles is 63.5 cubic feet, but only when the rear seats are folded down. Overall, the two feel quite similar, but the Terrain opts for a more luxurious appearance and experience, while the Equinox caters to people who want a little more fun and spice out of their drives. 

Chevy Equinox vs. GMC Terrain: Tech 

The GMC Terrain gets a vertically mounted 15” infotainment screen, while the Chevy Equinox gets an 11.3” horizontally oriented screen. Both infotainment systems come standard with Google built-in. Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ also come standard, which is a nice feature to reduce cable clutter and be able to listen to your favorite music or podcasts during commutes. In reality, they share many of the same tech features, such as a Wi-Fi hotspot and available wireless charging, so you’re going to have plenty of toys to play with on your drives. 

Chevy Equinox vs. GMC Terrain: Safety 

Once again, we see a lot of similarities between the Chevy Equinox and the GMC Terrain. Both vehicles received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA in safety, with both vehicles sharing many of the same driver assistance features. Standard HD rear-vision camera, forward collision alert, and parking assist are in every trim of the vehicles, meaning you’ll have plenty of situational awareness on the road. You’ll find most of the additional standard driver assist features as well, including lane assist, blind-spot warnings, and more. 

Chevy Equinox vs. GMC Terrain: Final Thoughts 

The similarities are clearly present in the Chevy Equinox vs. GMC Terrain debate, with the Terrain having a larger infotainment system to give it an edge. At the time of writing this, there is only one GMC Terrain trim available from the manufacturer, the Terrain elevation FWD, though some dealers may have old stock of other trims. Regardless, with the Terrain, what you see is what you get. 

With the Equinox, there are multiple trim levels and packages available to enhance your drive and personalize your ride. The Equinox also has a far more affordable price tag—so, with the power of choice and a lower MSRP, we’d give the edge to the Equinox in this Equinox vs. Terrain comparison guide.  

However, seeing is believing, and getting behind the wheel of a Chevy Equinox will help you determine if it’s the right vehicle for you and your family. With a 5-star safety rating and more than solid fuel economy, we’d venture to say yes. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a test drive, or head down to Molle Chevy to see the Chevy Equinox in person!