Compare the2026 GMC TerrainVS 2025 Nissan Kicks Play

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Terrain are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Terrain AWD has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Terrain AWD’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The GMC Terrain has Daytime Running Lights to help keep it more visible under all conditions. Canadian government studies show that driving with lights during the day reduces accidents by 11% by making vehicles more conspicuous. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer Daytime Running Lights.

The Terrain offers an optional HD Surround Vision to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Kicks Play only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The GMC Terrain offers an optional HD Surround Vision and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Nissan Kicks Play doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

The Terrain has standard OnStar®, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions, remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a GPS response system, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

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

The GMC Terrain weighs 695 to 1043 pounds more than the Nissan Kicks Play. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

Warranty

The Terrain’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Kicks Play’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 55 percent more GMC dealers than there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Terrain’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Terrain has a standard 130-amp alternator. The Kicks Play’s 120-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Terrain has a standard 760-amp battery. The Kicks Play’s 510-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that GMC vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

Engine

The Terrain FWD’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 53 more horsepower (175 vs. 122) and 70 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 114) than the Kicks Play’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Terrain AWD’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 53 more horsepower (175 vs. 122) and 89 lbs.-ft. more torque (203 vs. 114) than the Kicks Play’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Terrain AWD is faster than the Nissan Kicks Play:

	Terrain	Kicks Play
Zero to 60 MPH	8.6 sec	9.7 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	28.6 sec	36.6 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	9.4 sec	10.9 sec
Quarter Mile	16.6 sec	17.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	83 MPH	80 MPH
Top Speed	125 MPH	110 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Terrain’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Terrain FWD’s standard fuel tank has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks Play (14.8 vs. 10.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Terrain AWD’s standard fuel tank has 4.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks Play (15.6 vs. 10.8 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 Kicks Play doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Terrain	Kicks Play
Front Rotors	11.8 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	11.3 inches	8” drums
Opt Rear Rotors		11 inches

The GMC Terrain has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Rear drums are standard on the Kicks Play. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

The Terrain stops much shorter than the Kicks Play:

	Terrain	Kicks Play
70 to 0 MPH	167 feet	190 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Terrain has larger tires than the Kicks Play (235/65R17 vs. 205/60R16).

The Terrain Denali’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Kicks Play’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Terrain has standard 17-inch wheels. Only 16-inch wheels are available on the Kicks Play. The Terrain Denali offers optional 20-inch wheels.

The GMC Terrain’s wheels have 5 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Nissan Kicks Play only has 4 wheel lugs per wheel.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the GMC Terrain has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Nissan Kicks Play has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Terrain’s wheelbase is 4.4 inches longer than on the Kicks Play (107.5 inches vs. 103.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Terrain is 4 inches wider in the front and 3.5 inches wider in the rear than on the Kicks Play.

Chassis

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 Kicks Play 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 Kicks Play doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Terrain has .2 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, 4.4 inches more front hip room, 4.7 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 6.2 inches more rear legroom, 1.9 inches more rear hip room and 2.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kicks Play.

Cargo Capacity

The Terrain has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Kicks Play with its rear seat up (29.8 vs. 25.3 cubic feet). The Terrain has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kicks Play with its rear seat folded (63.5 vs. 32.3 cubic feet).

The Terrain’s cargo area is larger than the Kicks Play’s in every dimension:

	Terrain	Kicks Play
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	36.1”/72.2”	35.4”/64”
Max Width	54.7”	49.7”
Min Width	41”	38.3”
Height	32.6”	31.6”

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Terrain’s power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Terrain’s power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Towing

The Terrain has a 800 lbs. towing capacity. The Kicks Play has no towing capacity.

Ergonomics

The Terrain has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When two different drivers share the Terrain, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Terrain’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Terrain’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Kicks Play has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

The Terrain’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Kicks Play has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The power windows standard on both the Terrain and the Kicks Play 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 Kicks Play prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Terrain’s front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Kicks Play’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

On a hot day the Terrain’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Kicks Play can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Terrain’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Kicks Play’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Terrain’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Kicks Play’s halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Terrain has standard extendable sun visors. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Terrain’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer heated side mirrors.

When the Terrain with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Kicks Play’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Terrain has standard heated front and optional heated rear seats extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the Kicks Play.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Terrain keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Terrain’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Terrain has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Terrain’s optional dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

The Terrain’s optional automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the Terrain has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer rear vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Terrain has a standard Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To direct the driver from any location to a given street address, a GPS navigation system is standard on the Terrain. The Terrain’s navigation system also has a real-time traffic update feature that offers alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a navigation system.

With standard Natural Voice Recognition, the Terrain offers the driver hands free control of the radio, climate controls and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a voice control system.

Compared to the Nissan Kicks Play’s traditional radio, the GMC Terrain equipped with standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the GMC Terrain offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Recommendations

The GMC Terrain outsold the Nissan Kicks Play by 14% during 2024.

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