2025 Honda Pilot vs 2026 GMC Terrain
Comparison Overview
The most significant numerical divergence between the 2025 Honda Pilot and the 2026 GMC Terrain is the $10,100 difference in starting MSRP, with the Pilot at $40,200 versus the Terrain’s $30,100. This price disparity accompanies substantial performance gaps: the Pilot boasts 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, dwarfing the Terrain's 175 hp and 184 lb-ft. However, the smaller Terrain counters with superior efficiency, achieving a 27 MPG combined rating compared to the Pilot's 22 MPG combined. Size is another major factor; the Pilot measures 199.9 inches long and offers 18.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity, while the more compact Terrain is 181.0 inches long and maximizes utility with 29.8 cubic feet of storage. The Pilot utilizes a 10-speed automatic transmission, whereas the Terrain employs a continuously variable-speed automatic, reflecting distinct engineering philosophies despite both offering front-wheel drive as standard.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 GMC Terrain
The 2026 GMC Terrain wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, achieving 27 MPG combined versus the Pilot's 22 MPG combined.
2025 Honda Pilot
The 2025 Honda Pilot is the family choice because its larger 199.9-inch length and 71.0-inch height suggest greater interior volume, despite a slightly smaller stated cargo capacity figure of 18.6 cu ft compared to the Terrain's 29.8 cu ft.
2025 Honda Pilot
The 2025 Honda Pilot appeals more to enthusiasts with significantly higher output, producing 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque compared to the Terrain's 175 hp.
2026 GMC Terrain
The 2026 GMC Terrain offers superior immediate value, costing $10,100 less than the Pilot while providing better combined fuel economy at 27 MPG.
Choose the Honda Pilot if...
- You prioritize raw power, needing the 285 hp output provided by the 2025 Honda Pilot.
- You prefer the gear shifts provided by a traditional 10-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a CVT.
- Maximum vehicle size and presence are necessary, evidenced by the Pilot's 199.9-inch length.
Choose the GMC Terrain if...
- Budget is paramount, as the 2026 GMC Terrain has a starting MSRP that is $10,100 lower.
- Fuel stops must be minimized, given the Terrain's 27 MPG combined rating (5 MPG better than the Pilot).
- Maximum accessible cargo volume is required, as the Terrain offers 29.8 cu ft versus the Pilot's 18.6 cu ft.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Honda Pilot | GMC Terrain |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 199.9" | 181.0" |
| Width | 78.5" | 74.5" |
| Height | 71.0" | 65.8" |
| Wheelbase | 113.8" | 107.5" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Honda | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Honda | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 3.5 L | 1.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | V6 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 285 hp @ 6100 rpm | 175 hp @ 5600 rpm |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 24 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cylinder Deactivation | ✓ | — |
Drive Train
| Feature | Honda | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 10-speed shiftable automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Honda | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 19/27 MPG | 26/28 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 22 MPG | 27 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 351.5/499.5 mi. | 384.8/414.4 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 14.8 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Honda | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | — |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Rear Seat Easy Entry | ✓ | — |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Vanity Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Honda | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 7.0 in | 15.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stereo Power | 240W | — |
| Speaker System | 7 | 6 |
| Subwoofer Count | 1 | — |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | — | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Honda | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Honda | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.5 in. | 40.6 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.0 in. | 44.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 61.9 in. | 57.7 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 58.4 in. | 55.3 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | 4-way | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 4-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Honda | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.2 in. | 39.2 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 40.8 in. | 39.7 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.7 in. | 55.7 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 57.4 in. | 51.0 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Honda | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 20 x 8.0 in | 17 x 7.0 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 255/50R | 235/65R17 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Inside Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Honda | GMC |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Honda | 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 | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 24000 mi. | 1 yr./ unlimited mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda Pilot and 2026 GMC Terrain.
What is the exact horsepower difference between the 2025 Pilot and the 2026 Terrain?
The 2025 Honda Pilot produces 285 horsepower, which is exactly 110 hp more than the 2026 GMC Terrain's 175 horsepower. This substantial power difference affects acceleration and towing capability, though specific towing specs are not provided here.
How much more does the Honda Pilot cost than the GMC Terrain?
Based on the provided MSRPs, the 2025 Honda Pilot starts at $40,200, making it $10,100 more expensive than the 2026 GMC Terrain, which starts at $30,100. This cost difference should be weighed against the Pilot's performance advantages.
Which vehicle is more fuel-efficient for highway driving?
The 2026 GMC Terrain is slightly better on the highway, rated at 28 MPG highway compared to the 2025 Honda Pilot's 27 MPG highway. However, the Terrain maintains a better overall edge with a 27 MPG combined rating versus the Pilot's 22 MPG combined.
What is the difference in physical footprint between the two crossovers?
The Honda Pilot is significantly larger, measuring 199.9 inches in length and 71.0 inches in height. In contrast, the GMC Terrain is shorter at 181.0 inches long and lower at 65.8 inches high.
Are both models standard with Front Wheel Drive?
Yes, based on the specifications provided, both the 2025 Honda Pilot and the 2026 GMC Terrain come standard with a front wheel drive (FWD) configuration. The Pilot uses a 10-speed automatic, while the Terrain uses a CVT.
Which vehicle offers more standard cargo capacity?
The 2026 GMC Terrain offers substantially more standard cargo volume at 29.8 cubic feet. The 2025 Honda Pilot provides 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats.
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