The 2018 GMC Terrain is a crowd favorite. You can tell that easily by its sales numbers to date. GMC sold almost 90,000 units this past year and that number is still going strong. This is due to the engineers and designer at GMC understanding what customers want and being sure to provide exactly that. They did their best to appeal to buyers by continuously adjusting the exterior, interior, and engine capabilities. The most appealing qualities that critics cite are the following: interior comfort and space, as well as its fuel-efficient but speedy diesel engine option. The only drawback might be the pricey Denali trim, that is increasingly popular despite its hike in costs. In this comparison of the 2018 GMC Terrain vs 2018 Chevy Equinox, it’s safe to say that GMC gives consumers exactly what they’re looking for in an SUV with the Terrain.
The 2018 Chevy Equinox is also popular in its own right. Critics and buyers find it easy to drive, its handling is sedan-like, as well as is its seating, making the drive very comfortable for drivers and passengers. It can also boast plenty of infotainment features and active safety technology. It’s even fuel-efficient too, thanks to its turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. But since that engine is so small, it doesn’t have a ton of acceleration, and in order to upgrade to another engine you’re looking at a costly increase.
While both these capable and versatile SUVs are excellent vehicles and truly favorites among consumers, a choice must be made if you’re in the market for your next SUV. While one is powerful and luxurious, the other is smart and sleek. However only one can meet your individual preferences, needs, and budget. Below we’ll take a close look at the 2018 GMC Terrain vs 2018 Chevy Equinox to help you determine which vehicle is the best fit for you!
2018 GMC Terrain
Interior Redesign
For 2018 the GMC saw plenty of interior resizing, which led to even more space in the cabin. This roomy, cavernous feel is what keeps bringing drivers back. Another very impressive addition is the increase of the backseat, which critics insist is enough comfortable room for two adults. Once that seating is folded flat, there is an ample amount of cargo room, up to 63.3 ft3, which is more space than previous models provided.
Denali Trim
If buyers invest in the popular Denali trim, they won’t regret it. With the trim comes the turbocharged 2-liter, inline-4 engine paired with a 9-speed automatic transaxle. Not only is this engine fuel-efficient and yet still powerfull, it’s also miraculously quiet. When test-driven, critics found the drive to be smooth and quick even when switching gears. The word critics used to describe the ride is “tranquil”, the quiet engine is even quieter when silenced by sound-deadening material in the interior. Even at 75 mph, there are no tremors, or vibrations, just a completely smooth ride on its 19-inch aluminum wheels. Not to mention the incredibly luxurious interior, making this ride even more enjoyable for its driver and passengers.
Engine Options
The 2018 GMC Terrain, of course, has more than one engine to choose from, the less expensive standard 170-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 and the 1.6-liter turbo-diesel, which gets up to 137 hp. The SLE trim has a 1.5-liter which feels very similar to the 2.0. The turbo-diesel engine is very fuel-efficient, with very high EPA highway estimates: 39 mpg FWD, 38 mpg AWD. With the Driver Convenience package, you can invest in a trim that will include these diesel engines and will be worth the price when you think on what you save on gas. Acceleration is also improved with these engine upgrades, as is towing capacity which is up to 3500 lbs.
Which Trim Should I Choose?
All of the trims available, the SL, SLE, SLT, and Denali trims, are remarkable in their own right but investing the Denali trim will get you unprecedented technology and safety features, as well as luxury touches throughout the vehicle.
One final reason to invest in the 2018 GMC Terrain’s Denali trim is the excellent infotainment available. The 2018 GMC Terrain Denali trim comes with a seven-speaker Bose unit, to accompany its large touchscreen, climate control, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And let’s face it, if you’re interested in a GMC vehicle you’ve certainly had your eye on this coveted and iconic trim.
2018 CHEVY EQUINOX
Total Redesign
Rated only 3.5 stars by critics, the 2018 Chevy Equinox still has some positives that put it in the running with other vehicles in its class. One of the reasons is all of the changes made for 2018 that were huge upgrades from the 2017 model. So, what is new on the Equinox for 2018? Almost all of it! The 2018 GMC Equinox is all new from front to end, which critics consider a long-time coming.
One of the things the new Equinox can boast is a fuel-efficient engine lineup, comparable to the 2018 GMC Terrain lineup. It also saw an overhaul of its all-wheel-drive system. Best of all, it finally has a more modern look in its interior, and all of those new high-tech devices and infotainment features that car buyers are looking for and have come to expect. Again, critics think the inclusion of these are a welcome change to what can now be considered a more outdated model.
Trims? Features?
So, the real question is, what trims, upgrades and options are required to have all the best features available? The critic favorite is the midrange LT, which comes standard with FWD, but the AWD option costs almost $1800 extra. These are the other features included in the LT trim that critics think buyers can’t do without: power driver’s seat with lumbar, heated mirrors, and high-intensity-discharge headlamps.
Unfortunately, critics think that many of Chevrolet’s packaging of its trims are not as luxurious as other models. In fact, the Chevy models have been known to lack in active safety features, and other convenience features that other competing models have standard. Additionally, car buyers need to invest in the Equinox’s Confidence and Convenience package which costs upwards of $2K. As does the Sun and Infotainment package. All of these trims added on quickly hikes up the price to more than $31K.
Comfort and Drive
Critics did seem to prefer the drive of the 2018 Chevy Equinox to the 2018 GMC Terrain. And after having tested both, the seating and interior of the Equinox was much more memorable.
It is noted by critics that the Terrain also has more comfortable seat frames, as well as doubly comfortable firm front bucket seats. The padding of the interior of the 2018 GMC Terrain is considered pillowy, with its multi-density padding, and the side bolsters complete the comfort, that the 2018 Chevy Equinox seems to lack.
So, The 2018 GMC Terrain or 2018 Chevy Equinox?
When it comes to the 2018 GMC Terrain vs 2018 Chevy Equinox, the Terrain is powerful, advanced, and sleek from the start, while the Equinox is both safe and intuitive but for a jump in price. The 2018 Chevy Equinox also lacks a comparable luxury trim like GMC’s Denali trim. All-in-all, if power and luxury are what you’re looking for, the 2018 GMC Terrain is the SUV for you.
