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| 137-252 HP | Horsepower | 168-245 HP |
| 28/39 MPG | Max Fuel Economy | 23/30 MPG |
| Yes | Diesel Engine | No |
Many buyers find themselves trying to decide between two popular vehicles like the 2019 GMC Terrain vs 2019 Ford Escape. Both vehicles offer a high level of performance and versatility and have risen to become consumer-favorites as the popularity of compact SUVs continues to increase. However, only one of these vehicles can be the right choice for you.
The 2019 GMC Terrain is one of the most affordable, yet generous, vehicles in the compact class. Standard features among the Terrain’s base model are abundant and include advanced entertainment and convenience features paired with an upscale interior. The Terrain also offers an incredibly high level of power, capability, and efficiency, outperforming nearly all of its competitors, including the 2019 Ford Escape. Drivers will also appreciate the Terrain’s strong focus on safety features, which helped the SUV earn a perfect overall safety rating from the NHTSA.
The 2019 Ford Escape is also an affordable selection from the compact SUV class. However, it comes standard with only the most basic features. Features like a touchscreen display and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are missing from the Escape’s model, forcing drivers to upgrade to a higher trim level to experience them. The Escape is close to the Terrain when it comes to performance specs, but cannot exceed its competitor in terms of power, capability, or efficiency. However, the Escape is incredibly safe and features advanced safety technology.
Overall, both vehicles are popular choices in the compact SUV class. However, the Terrain has the edge when it comes to performance and interior features. Before you determine which of these vehicles is right for you, it’s important to take a closer look at how they compare.
In the category of performance, the 2019 GMC Terrain offers a versatile set of qualities. It is powerful and capable, while also remaining incredibly fuel-efficient. Meanwhile, the 2019 Ford Escape falls short to the Terrain in power and efficiency, making it the less versatile choice. Drivers looking for a well-rounded compact SUV will want to opt for the 2019 GMC Terrain over the 2019 Ford Escape.
The 2019 GMC Terrain offers three varying engine options, including a 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, and a 1.6L turbocharged diesel engine. The 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder is the most powerful choice, which is capable of producing up to 252 hp and 260 lb-ft torque. The 1.6L turbocharged diesel engine is the most fuel-efficient choice, earning fuel economy ratings of up to 28 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. However, the standard engine is powerful and efficient as well, offering up to 170 hp and 203 lb-ft torque with fuel economy ratings of up to 26 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The gas engines are paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission, and the diesel engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. No matter which engine option you select, FWD or AWD is available, however, fuel economy ratings will drop slightly when equipped in AWD.
The 2019 Ford Escape also offers three engine options, but does not include a diesel engine. Instead, the Escape offers a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine, a 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, and a 2.0L turbocharged engine. The base engine offers a fair amount of power at 168 hp and 170 lb-ft torque, while the most powerful engine is the 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with up to 245 hp and 275 lb-ft torque. Neither engine can compete with the power offered by the Terrain, and without a diesel option, the Escape fails to compete with the Terrain's fuel efficiency. At most, the 2019 Ford Escape is capable of earning up to 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The Escape is available in FWD and AWD, with the exception of its base engine which can only be configured with FWD. The Escape does offer excellent capability with a maximum towing capacity of up to 3,500 LBS, though the Terrain matches this capacity when properly equipped.
While GMC is known to be a generous manufacturer in terms of standard interior features, Ford is known for skimping on such features in an effort to maintain a lower starting MSRP. For this reason, drivers will find numerous standard entertainment and convenience features onboard the base model of the 2019 GMC Terrain, while the 2019 Ford Escape is nearly bare in comparison.
Tech-savvy drivers will be more than pleased with the standard features offered on the base model of the 2019 GMC Terrain, which includes a 7-inch touchscreen display, four USB ports, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and streaming for music. Meanwhile, entertainment upgrades are also available at a reasonable cost and include a larger touchscreen display, a Bose sound system, navigation, wireless device charging, and satellite radio. Apart from its advanced entertainment features, the Terrain also offers an upscale interior with comfortable seating, high-quality materials, and luxurious upgrades. Drivers can look forward to premium features like heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control onboard the Terrain’s higher trim levels. Drivers looking for an advanced and luxurious interior will undoubtedly want to check out the 2019 GMC Terrain.
The 2019 Ford Escape offers one of the most basic SUVs in its class. Its base model lacks many common, modern features including a touchscreen display and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Instead, standard features on the Escape include a simple 4.2-inch touchscreen display, one USB port, and Bluetooth. Aside from a 6-speaker sound system and AM/FM radio, that’s about all of the entertainment features you’ll find onboard the base model of the Escape. Upgrading to higher trim levels brings more advanced features to the interior, but you’ll enjoy the same features, if not more, on the base model of the Terrain for less. The Escape’s basic entertainment suite is more noticeable against the SUV’s cheap plastics and low-quality materials and upholsteries. While these are present in an effort to lower the starting MSRP, they give the interior of the Escape an underwhelming and outdated appearance. Drivers looking for a vehicle that requires little to no upgrades and offers an upscale and comfortable interior will want to look elsewhere.
Like most modern vehicles, both the 2019 GMC Terrain and 2019 Ford Escape are safe vehicles that offer advanced technology and features. Driver assist features are abundant on both models, and drivers can feel confident in the safety scores earned in either vehicle. If you’re looking for a safe family vehicle, either option will be a suitable choice. However, overall, the Terrain is the more versatile vehicle.
Plenty of standard and available safety features are available on the 2019 GMC Terrain, including a rearview camera, traction and stability control, and a long list of driver assist features. When it came to safety testing, the 2019 GMC Terrain earned a 5-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA. It included perfect scores in the frontal crash, side barrier, and side crash categories. These are some of the best scores in the compact SUV class, and help make the Terrain an excellent choice for small families. Like other GMC vehicles, the new Terrain also comes standard with an exceptional warranty program, which includes a basic warranty, powertrain warranty, corrosion coverage, and roadside assistance.
The 2019 Ford Escape also performed well during crash test ratings with the NHTSA earning nearly identical scores to the 2019 GMC Terrain. Optional packages on the Escape offer driver assist features, including the Safe and Smart package which offers lane keep assist, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Escape also offers a similar warranty program to the Terrain, with a basic warranty, powertrain warranty, and corrosion coverage. Overall, both the 2019 GMC Terrain and 2019 Ford Escape offer excellent safety features and have proven their strengths in testing with the NHTSA. Both vehicles will keep you and your passengers safe, however, the Terrain is the better performer in all other categories.
At Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth, we look forward to helping you find the perfect vehicle on our lot. As your local Buick and GMC dealer, we offer a wide selection of new, used, and CPO vehicles. From luxury sedans and SUVs to family-friendly vehicles and powerful trucks, the inventory at Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth will have what you’re looking for. You can also feel confident that every vehicle on our lot will be priced as low as possible, without having to haggle for the right price. We are also happy to provide regular specials and incentives to bring the cost of your vehicle down even further and can offer flexible financing solutions right on-site at our dealership. When it’s time to purchase your next vehicle in the Atlanta, GA area, visit the dealership with the best prices and customer service, Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth!
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.