Compare the2026 GMC TerrainVS 2025 Toyota Rav4

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 Toyota Rav4 doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

The Terrain has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Rav4’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Terrain has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Braking automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Toyota charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Rav4.

Both the Terrain and the Rav4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

The Terrain’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Rav4’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 34 percent more GMC dealers than there are Toyota dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Terrain’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Terrain has a 130-amp alternator. The Rav4’s standard 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that GMC vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. With 1 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks GMC higher than Toyota.

The Terrain AWD’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 19 lbs.-ft. more torque (203 vs. 184) than the Rav4’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

Regardless of its engine, the Terrain’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Toyota only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the Rav4 LE AWD/XLE/XLE Premium.

The Terrain AWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Rav4 (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 Rav4 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 Toyota Rav4 (5 to 6). This means the Terrain produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Rav4 every 15,000 miles.

The Terrain FWD has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Rav4 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Terrain stops shorter than the Rav4:

For better traction, the Terrain has larger tires than the Rav4 (235/65R17 vs. 225/65R17).

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 Rav4 XLE Premium/Limited’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Terrain Denali offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Rav4’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Terrain’s wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the Rav4 (107.5 inches vs. 105.9 inches).

The Terrain Elevation AWD handles at .80 G’s, while the Rav4 4WD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Terrain uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Rav4 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Terrain has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 3 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more front hip room, 1.9 inches more rear legroom and 3.3 inches more rear hip room than the Rav4.

The Terrain has a higher standard payload capacity than the Rav4 (1184 vs. 1120 lbs.).

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 Rav4 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 Rav4 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Terrain has standard Keyless Open and Start that allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Rav4 XLE/Limited offers a Smart Key System.

The Terrain’s standard variable intermittent wipers have an adjustable delay to allow the driver to choose a setting that best clears the windshield during light rain or mist. The Rav4 LE’s standard fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent.

The Terrain’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Toyota charges extra for heated mirrors on the Rav4.

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 Rav4’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

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 Rav4.