Compare the2026 GMC TerrainVS 2025 Lexus NX

Both the Terrain and the NX 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 almost 7 times as many GMC dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Terrain’s warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the Terrain gets better mileage than the NX running its gasoline engine:

Both the Terrain and the NX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Terrains have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The NX 350h/450h+ doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the GMC Terrain uses regular unleaded gasoline. The NX 350 AWD requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Terrain AWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the NX (15.6 vs. 14.5 gallons).

The Terrain has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The NX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the GMC Terrain higher (6 out of 10) than the Lexus NX (5 to 6). This means the Terrain produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the NX every 15,000 miles.

The Terrain stops shorter than the NX:

The Terrain has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the NX; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Terrain’s wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the NX (107.5 inches vs. 105.9 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Terrain’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the NX’s (37.1 feet vs. 38 feet).

The GMC Terrain may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 750 pounds less than the Lexus NX.

The front grille of the Terrain uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The NX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Terrain uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The NX doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Terrain has 2.3 inches more front headroom, 3 inches more front legroom, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 3.6 inches more rear legroom and 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the NX.

The Terrain has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the NX with its rear seat up (29.8 vs. 22.7 cubic feet). The Terrain has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the NX with its rear seat folded (63.5 vs. 46.9 cubic feet).

The Terrain’s cargo area is larger than the NX’s in almost every dimension:

The Terrain’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the NX’s (800 vs. 0 pounds).

The Terrain has a higher standard payload capacity than the NX (1184 vs. 1125 lbs.).

The Terrain has a higher maximum payload capacity than the NX (1252 vs. 1205 lbs.).

The power windows standard on both the Terrain and the NX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Terrain is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The NX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Terrain has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the NX.

The GMC Terrain outsold the Lexus NX by 19% during 2024.