Compare the2026 Chevrolet EquinoxVS 2026 GMC Terrain

Both the Equinox and the Terrain have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

There are over 73 percent more Chevrolet dealers than there are GMC dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Equinox’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in initial quality. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, GMC is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Chevrolet 6 places higher in reliability than GMC.

The Equinox AWD’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 19 lbs.-ft. more torque (203 vs. 184) than the Terrain FWD’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Equinox AWD is faster than the Terrain AWD:

On the EPA test cycle the Equinox gets better mileage than the Terrain:

For better stopping power the Equinox’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Terrain:

The Equinox stops shorter than the Terrain:

The Equinox has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Terrain doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Equinox RS AWD handles at .79 G’s, while the Terrain AT4 pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Equinox LT/ACTIV has a 2.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Terrain (8.1 vs. 5.8 inches), allowing the Equinox to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Equinox RS’ minimum ground clearance is 1.8 inches higher than on the Terrain AT4 (8.2 vs. 6.4 inches).

The Equinox has .2 inches more rear legroom, .7 inches more rear hip room and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Terrain.

The Equinox uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Terrain uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The Equinox’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Open and Start standard on the Terrain doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Chevrolet Equinox outsold the GMC Terrain by over four to one during 2025.