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| 252 | Max Horsepower (HP) | 250 |
| 3,500 | Max Towing Capacity (LBS) | 2,000 |
| 63.3 | Max Cargo Room (cu.ft) | 59.6 |
As the SUV market continues to stay red hot, consumers that aren’t interested in bigger vehicles or that would typically be looking into sedans are starting to see compact SUVs and crossovers as a viable option. It’s an exciting category of vehicle because, for most compact SUVs out there, the starting price will be very similar to that of 5-passenger sedans. One significant advantage of getting a compact SUV over a sedan, though, is that they tend to offer a lot more versatility, which more and more people are starting to realize. With increased cargo space, higher ground clearance, and superior off-road capabilities, compact SUVs can be ideal vehicles for just about anyone out there that would typically drive a car. But with so many to choose from in a competitive market space, it’s become difficult to narrow down the options. Let’s keep it simple and compare two of the more popular ones, the 2020 GMC Terrain vs 2020 Mazda CX-5.
When comparing these two vehicles, we’ll make sure we take an honest look at some of the most important factors you’d be looking for in a compact SUV, such as starting price, the types of engines involved, towing capacities, off-road capabilities, and more.
Hopefully, you’ll be able to get a better picture of the kind of SUV you’re looking for after having gone through this comparison. Keep in mind that there might not be a clear, overall winner in this head-to-head, but that each vehicle should have its own strengths and weaknesses compared to the other. You can see that both the 2020 GMC Terrain and 2020 Mazda CX-5 have similar starting prices that fall into the mid-$20,000s range, which is quite reasonable as far as compact SUVs go. The 2020 Terrain, though, will come out on top across multiple categories, including maximum towing capacity and different drive modes. Come check out a new Terrain today at Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth!
One of the first things people usually want to see when looking into a new vehicle, other than price, is what kinds of performance factors are included. This typically equates to finding out what type of engine comes standard and if there are any other engine options. Normally, there will be multiple engine options, but they can sometimes be spread out among the available different trim levels.
For the 2020 GMC Terrain, you’ll find two different engines available across all of the trim levels. And just so you know, the different trim levels and their starting prices found on the 2020 Terrain are the SL ($26,195), SLE ($29,595), SLT ($32,395), and Denali ($39,495). Your first engine is a 1.5L Turbo 4-cylinder engine paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. This engine has an output of up to 170 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque and is found standard on the SL, SLE, and SLT trims. Optional on the SLT and standard on the Terrain Denali is a 2.0L Turbo 4-cylinder engine paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. This engine has an output of up to 252 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque.
The 2020 Mazda CX-5 offers five different trims, including the Sport ($25,190), Touring ($26,830), Grand Touring ($30,310), Grand Touring Reserve ($35,135), and Signature ($37,155). The standard engine found on the Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring models is a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine that offers up to 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. The standard engine found on the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature models is a 2.5T 4-cylinder engine that offers up to 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Overall, the performance levels are very similar between these two SUVs and their engine options. The 2020 Mazda CX-5 has a higher torque rating on its upgraded engine compared to that of the 2020 GMC Terrain. Still, the Terrain’s two engines come paired with transmissions that have more gears, which allows for much more efficient operation within the engine itself.
With the 2.0L Turbo 4-cylinder engine equipped, the Terrain has a maximum trailering capacity of 3,500 lbs. In comparison, the 2020 Mazda CX-5 maxes out on its trailering capacity at 2,000 lbs, regardless of which engine is equipped. With almost double the trailering capacity, you’re sure to be a lot better prepared with gear and equipment for your next adventure in the Terrain.
While it’s always important to make sure your vehicle comes equipped with a great engine, it can be equally important to make sure it has all of the features and capabilities you’re looking for. The world of technology has taken huge strides as of late, and vehicles are following suit in both entertainment and safety features. Let’s see how the Terrain and the CX-5 have utilized the latest advancements.
The 2020 GMC Terrain comes with exactly what a modern consumer would want. With a fantastic infotainment system that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you will never get bored on your drive. Plus, there are tons of safety features to ensure you get from one point to the next. The exceptional safety features include automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, lane-keep assist with lane departure warning, front pedestrian braking, and the available adaptive cruise control and rear park assist. All of these features will combine to make an entertaining and safe trip every time you get into your GMC Terrain.
The 2020 CX-5 has some similar features, including both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. There are also a few safety features like brake assist, lane departure warning with lane-keep assist, smart brake support, and advanced smart city brake support with pedestrian detection. The CX-5 has seemingly integrated lots of modern technology to keep you safe and enjoying your drive.
An essential factor for anyone considering the purchase of an SUV is whether or not it’s ready to leave the pavement and hit the trail. SUVs have become synonymous with the term “adventure vehicles,” and it’s relatively easy to see why because they’re usually a lot better outfitted for driving on all types of terrain in adverse weather conditions than your average sedan would be. With added cargo space and additional features, SUVs are meant to have adventures.
It’s no different with the 2020 GMC Terrain. With a name like “Terrain,” you better believe this is an SUV that can handle more than the commute into work or dropping the kids off at school. If you want it to, the Terrain can handle a variety of different conditions, from driving in the dirt to snow to sand. All-wheel drive is available across all trim levels, which automatically includes the Traction Select System. This system presents itself as an easily-adjustable knob where you can select between different drive modes, like FWD, AWD, Off-Road, and Available Tow/Haul. You can drive in FWD mode to have better fuel economy while on normal roads and in normal driving conditions. Then you have the option to switch to AWD for more traction across all of your wheels in adverse weather conditions and toggle the Off-Road option when you’re driving over dirt, gravel, or sand. With the Tow/Haul mode, you’ll enable Trailer Sway Control and AWD for improved traction. If you opt for a model with FWD instead of an AWD version, you’ll still have different driving modes to select, like Normal mode, available Tow/Haul mode, and Snow mode.
On the 2020 Mazda CX-5, you can also opt for either FWD or AWD. The AWD on the CX-5 is called Predictive i-ACTIVE AWD, which is a system that is meant to help automatically predict the times when AWD should be used. As the system automatically reacts to changing conditions, power is optimized to the wheels for increased traction. The new CX-5 doesn’t come with any separate driving modes like the Terrain, except for one mode called Sport mode. Sport mode is meant to be switched on to make acceleration more responsive, most likely for situations on the highway, so it’s not an off-road feature. Without any driver-controlled off-road features to speak of, the 2020 Mazda CX-5 seems to pale in comparison to the 2020 GMC Terrain. Even the FWD Terrains have different modes to choose from for specific driving conditions, so it’s a little surprising that the CX-5 is lacking some of these commonly-found SUV features.
While there may be many compact SUVs out there, it’s clear to see that they all aren’t created equally, especially when you pit them against each other in a straight comparison. It’s common knowledge that SUVs are great vehicles for off-roading and weekend adventures, or at least they should be. With a properly equipped 2020 GMC Terrain, you can drive at peace, knowing you have plenty of capabilities and features to keep your next adventure fun and on schedule. Plus, you’ll get all of the advanced safety features that are automatically included.
At Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth in Duluth, GA, not far from Atlanta, we back vehicles like the 2020 GMC Terrain because we know they come from a brand that’s both trustworthy and reliable. They’re built with people like you in mind that have concerns over safety, performance, and capabilities. And they’re here to relieve you of all of those concerns. Feel free to give us a call today to schedule an appointment for a test drive of a new Terrain or any other vehicle we carry in stock. You can see our wide variety of vehicles easily from our website. If you have any questions, you can always speak with one of our friendly representatives or come on down to the dealership where we’ll happily assist you.
*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.