2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 GMC Terrain
Comparison Overview
Deciding between the commanding presence of the 2025 Ford Explorer and the smart efficiency of the 2025 GMC Terrain often comes down to budget versus power. If sheer capability matters, the Explorer starts at a significantly higher MSRP of $40,050 compared to the Terrain's $30,000 entry point. However, you get a substantial power advantage: the Explorer delivers 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, easily outgunning the Terrain's 175 hp. This performance difference is clear, yet the smaller Terrain nets better fuel economy at 27 MPG combined versus the Explorer's 24 MPG combined. While the Explorer is longer at 198.8 inches, offering ample space, the shorter Terrain boasts superior cargo volume at 29.8 cubic feet against the Explorer's 18.2 cubic feet. This comparison boils down to paying $10,050 more for substantially more horsepower or prioritizing a lower upfront cost and better utility packaging.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 GMC Terrain
The 2025 GMC Terrain wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 27 MPG and a lower starting price of $30,000.
2025 GMC Terrain
Families benefit more from the Terrain's larger cargo capacity of 29.8 cu ft compared to the Explorer's 18.2 cu ft.
2025 Ford Explorer
The 2025 Ford Explorer is the clear enthusiast choice, boasting 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.
2025 GMC Terrain
The Terrain offers a better overall value proposition by saving $10,050 while providing superior cargo and efficiency.
Choose the Ford Explorer if...
- You need immediate acceleration thanks to its 300 hp engine.
- You prefer the stability and traction characteristics of Rear Wheel Drive (RWD).
- You need the vehicle's longer footprint, measuring 198.8 inches in length.
Choose the GMC Terrain if...
- Keeping the initial purchase price low is critical, as it starts at just $30,000.
- Maximizing storage space is a priority, with 29.8 cu ft of cargo room available.
- Your driving favors efficiency, achieving 27 MPG combined on regular unleaded fuel.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Ford Explorer | GMC Terrain |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 198.8" | 181.0" |
| Width | 78.9" | 74.5" |
| Height | 69.9" | 66.2" |
| Wheelbase | 119.1" | 107.5" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Ford | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | — |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags (with Head Protection Chamber) | ✓ | — |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | ✓ | — |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Brake Preparation System | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 2 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Ford | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.3 L | 1.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 300 hp @ 5500 rpm | 175 hp @ 5800 rpm |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm | 203 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Ford | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 10-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | rear wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Ford | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 20/29 MPG | 26/28 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 24 MPG | 27 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 358.0/519.1 mi. | 384.8/414.4 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.9 gal. | 14.8 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Ford | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | — |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | ✓ | — |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Ford | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Infotainment Display | — | 15.0 in |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Ford | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Ford | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.7 in. | 40.0 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 43.0 in. | 40.6 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 61.8 in. | 57.7 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 59.2 in. | 55.3 in. |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 4-way |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
Rearseats
| Feature | Ford | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.5 in. | 39.2 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.0 in. | 39.2 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.9 in. | 55.7 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 59.1 in. | 51.0 in. |
| Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Ford | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P255/65R18 | 235/65R17 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Size | — | 17 x 7.0 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Ford | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Ford | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 6 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 1 yr./ unlimited mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Ford Explorer and 2025 GMC Terrain.
Is the power difference between the Explorer and Terrain noticeable in daily driving?
Yes, absolutely. The 2025 Ford Explorer has 300 hp, while the 2025 GMC Terrain offers 175 hp, meaning the Explorer will feel significantly quicker when merging or passing, benefiting drivers who want that extra power.
Which crossover is better for hauling luggage for a long family trip?
The 2025 GMC Terrain is surprisingly better equipped for cargo despite its smaller size, offering 29.8 cubic feet versus the Explorer's 18.2 cubic feet. This means the Terrain can swallow more suitcases easily.
Does the higher price of the Explorer reflect better fuel economy?
No, quite the opposite; the $40,050 Explorer achieves only 24 MPG combined, while the $30,000 Terrain is rated higher at 27 MPG combined, making the cheaper Terrain more efficient.
How does the drivetrain affect handling and purchase price?
The Explorer comes standard with Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) and a 10-speed automatic, contributing to its $40,050 price, whereas the Terrain uses Front Wheel Drive (FWD) with a CVT, aligning with its lower $30,000 starting MSRP.
Are both SUVs compatible with cheaper regular unleaded gasoline?
Yes, both the 2025 Ford Explorer and the 2025 GMC Terrain are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, which helps keep running costs manageable for both vehicles.
Which car is larger overall?
The 2025 Ford Explorer is the larger vehicle in physical dimensions, measuring 198.8 inches long and 69.9 inches tall, compared to the Terrain’s length of 181.0 inches and height of 66.2 inches.
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