2025 GMC Terrain vs 2026 Chevrolet Traverse

$30,000 · Crossover

$40,800 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 GMC Terrain bursts onto the scene bringing rugged, refined capability for less, starting at just $30,000 with a solid 27 MPG combined efficiency. Contrast this with the absolutely dominant 2026 Chevrolet Traverse, a much larger machine boasting a thrilling 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque for drivers who crave straight-line excitement. While the Terrain focuses on accessible daily driving with 175 horsepower and a compact 181.0-inch length, the Traverse sacrifices some economy—delivering 23 MPG combined—for outright muscle and sheer presence. The substantial $10,800 gap in MSRP, where the Terrain undercuts the larger Chevy, defines the core decision: do you prioritize efficiency and budget with the Terrain’s FWD setup, or do you pay a premium for the Traverse's superior power delivery and larger footprint?

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 GMC Terrain

The 2025 GMC Terrain wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy rating of 27 MPG versus the Traverse's 23 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Chevrolet Traverse

The significantly larger 2026 Chevrolet Traverse, with its greater overall dimensions, is better suited for family hauling despite having slightly less listed cargo capacity (22.9 cu ft versus 29.8 cu ft, although the Traverse is substantially larger overall).

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse provides nearly double the performance with 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque compared to the Terrain's 175 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 GMC Terrain

The 2025 GMC Terrain offers compelling utility at a much lower entry point, costing $10,800 less than the Traverse.

Choose the GMC Terrain if...

Your budget is strictly capped near the $30,000 mark, as its MSRP is significantly lower.
Maximizing fuel stops is critical, given its 27 MPG combined rating versus the Traverse’s 23 MPG.
You prefer a more maneuverable, smaller vehicle, evidenced by its 181.0-inch length.

Choose the Chevrolet Traverse if...

You need serious power on demand, utilizing the Traverse’s substantial 328 horsepower.
Hauling capacity is a priority, as the larger vehicle promises more overall space for passengers and cargo.
You want a traditional shifting experience provided by the 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	GMC Terrain	Chevrolet Traverse
Length	181.0"	204.5"
Width	74.5"	79.6"
Height	66.2"	69.6"
Wheelbase	107.5"	121.0"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	GMC	Chevrolet
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Front Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear 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 Solid Disc Brakes	✓	—
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	3	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

Engine

Feature	GMC	Chevrolet
Base Engine Displacement	1.5 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	175 hp @ 5800 rpm	328 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	203 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm	326 lb-ft @ 3500 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	GMC	Chevrolet
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	GMC	Chevrolet
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	26/28 MPG	20/27 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	27 MPG	23 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	384.8/414.4 mi.	388.0/523.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.8 gal.	19.4 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	GMC	Chevrolet
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	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Tilt Steering Wheel	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓
Sun Sensor	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	GMC	Chevrolet
Infotainment Display	15.0 in	17.7 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	✓

Power Feature

Feature	GMC	Chevrolet
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	GMC	Chevrolet
Front Head Room	40.0 in.	42.6 in.
Front Leg Room	40.6 in.	44.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.7 in.	62.3 in.
Front Hip Room	55.3 in.	58.7 in.
Seat Material: Premium Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	4-way
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	GMC	Chevrolet
Rear Head Room	39.2 in.	40.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.2 in.	41.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.7 in.	62.2 in.
Rear Hip Room	51.0 in.	58.6 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	GMC	Chevrolet
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/65R17	255/65R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Underbody Mounted
Wheel Diameter	—	18 in

Suspension

Feature	GMC	Chevrolet
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Front Stabilizer Bar	—	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	GMC	Chevrolet
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	6 yr./ 100000 mi.	6 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ unlimited mi.	1 yr./ unlimited mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 GMC Terrain and 2026 Chevrolet Traverse.

What is the primary reason the 2026 Traverse costs over $10,000 more than the 2025 Terrain?

The primary factor driving the $40,800 MSRP for the Traverse versus the Terrain's $30,000 starting price is power; the Traverse produces a massive 328 horsepower, while the Terrain is rated at 175 horsepower.

Which vehicle will save me more money at the pump annually?

The 2025 GMC Terrain is the clear efficiency winner, achieving 27 MPG combined compared to the 2026 Traverse's 23 MPG combined. This 4 MPG advantage translates to fewer trips to the gas station.

Is the 2026 Traverse significantly larger than the 2025 Terrain?

Yes, the Traverse is considerably larger in all dimensions; it measures 204.5 inches long and 79.6 inches wide, compared to the Terrain’s 181.0 inches length and 74.5 inches width.

Do both crossovers use the same type of fuel?

Both the 2025 GMC Terrain and the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, meaning neither requires premium gasoline.

How do the transmissions compare between these two models?

The Terrain utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT) geared towards smooth efficiency, whereas the powerhouse Traverse features an 8-speed shiftable automatic, better suited for managing its higher 326 lb-ft of torque.

Despite its smaller price tag, does the Terrain offer competitive torque?

The Terrain offers 203 lb-ft of torque, which is respectable for its class, but it is substantially less than the 326 lb-ft produced by the higher-output Traverse engine.