Starting at
Starting at
203 | Torque (lb-ft) | 179 |
9-Speed Automatic | Transmission | CVT |
Standard | Wireless Apple CarPlay | Available |
For years, sedans ruled the industry because the alternative meant driving a gas-guzzling full-size SUV that was hard to maneuver and sluggish at high speeds. Fortunately, the tides turned with the introduction of compact crossover SUVs that combine everything drivers love about sedans with the spaciousness and comforts of larger SUVs. It's a combination that automakers like GMC and Honda have perfected, with competing models like the 2023 GMC Terrain vs 2023 Honda CR-V.
Honda's reputation for reliability often makes it a top choice in the segment. Still, there's a lot you'll miss if you ignore rivals like GMC and its reputation as an American automotive pioneer. GMC helped build the automotive landscape in America and has firmly planted itself in the industry, where it's renowned for building high-performance models that are luxurious and affordable. It's a combination that's nearly impossible to achieve, with rivals like Honda taking a different route by focusing solely on practicality.
This focus is apparent when comparing the 2023 Terrain with the 2023 CR-V. The Terrain exudes luxury across its lineup, but the starting price of $29,900 reflects its value-oriented packaging.[a] In contrast, the 2023 CR-V comes at a premium, starting at $31,610 for the base model and requiring an even higher investment for you to enjoy the luxuries you deserve in a compact SUV. With GMC, you don't have to sacrifice your budget or settle for less, giving the Terrain an unexpected advantage and putting it in the lead in your search for the perfect SUV.
The 2023 Honda CR-V is already at a disadvantage because it forces you to spend more, affecting your budget and requiring you to compromise on your must-have list. For example, the CR-V's 2023 lineup starts at $31,610 for the EX trim. The entry-level trim comes with Honda's turbocharged engine mated to a continuously variable transmission, cloth seats, heated front seats, and a one-touch power moonroof. The trim also features dual-zone automatic climate control and the Honda Sensing suite.
Climbing the CR-V lineup means spending significantly more on the EX-L, but is it worth it, and will you truly get what you want in the SUV? The EX-L adds wireless smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on a nine-inch center touchscreen display. Wireless phone charging is also included in this tech-savvy trim, with a power tailgate and leather seating completing the package.
GMC takes an entirely different approach with the 2023 Terrain and offers four distinct trims that deliver exceptional value and unique appeal. The entry-level SLE starts the lineup at $29,900 and includes GMC's turbocharged powertrain and the expansive GMC Pro Safety suite.[a] Special edition packages are available, such as the Elevation Edition, which adds blacked-out accents for a sportier and stealthier aesthetic. The SLT builds on these elements, adding a hands-free programmable power liftgate for convenience and available upgrades like GMC's expansive head-up display.
The most notable difference in the Terrain's lineup is the inclusion of the adventurous AT4 and the luxurious Denali. Comparable models are noticeably absent in the CR-V family. The AT4 readies the Terrain for adventure by adding a front steel skid plate, Goodyear Sport Terrain Tires, and a Traction Select System with Off-Road Mode that lets you harness the Terrain's power according to the conditions. Where the AT4 exudes ruggedness, the Denali is opulent and tech-savvy with its premium leather upholstery, all-wheel drive capability, and expansive digital displays that keep you connected, informed, and entertained every mile ahead.
As compact SUVs, the 2023 GMC Terrain and 2023 Honda CR-V offer comparable performance and handling, at least by the numbers. The 2023 CR-V is equipped with Honda's 1.5L turbocharged inline-four that delivers 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. The engine's computer-controlled direct injection technology and the continuously variable transmission optimize its output for efficiency, giving the 2023 CR-V a rated fuel economy of up to 28 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway in front-wheel drive models.
Like the CR-V, the 2023 GMC Terrain runs on a 1.5L turbocharged inline-four engine, although it delivers 175 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque. With the increased low-end torque, the Terrain offers exceptional off-the-line acceleration and consistent handling across its broad power band. Additionally, the Terrain gains another advantage over the CR-V because it doesn't rely on a continuously variable transmission.
GMC pairs the Terrain's turbocharged 1.5L engine with a Hydra-Matic nine-speed automatic transmission with Electronic Precision Shift. While continuously variable transmissions are often praised for their efficiency, they can be incredibly problematic and costly to repair, adding to the CR-V's cost of ownership. For example, continuously variable transmissions are notorious for overheating, shuddering, and slipping. These issues can cause a dramatic loss in acceleration, which threatens your safety on the road.
The Terrain's automatic transmission is advantageous because it heightens your experience in the driver's seat. Continuously variable transmissions are gearless, meaning you can't always feel the vehicle shifting gears as you engage the accelerator. However, the Terrain's automatic transmission gives you a physical connection to the SUV and a better sense of control, a critical component in your confidence as a driver.
One of the most exciting aspects of buying a new vehicle is knowing you'll soon enjoy the latest connectivity, safety, and driver-assist features. The 2023 Terrain and 2023 CR-V are no exception, with GMC and Honda equipping their SUVs with a healthy suite of features that keep you informed and connected as you navigate the road. But how do the models differ?
Staying connected in the 2023 CR-V and 2023 Terrain is easy because the SUVs offer expansive digital displays and smartphone integration. The CR-V and Terrain come standard with seven-inch displays and smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. However, the Terrain makes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto a standard feature, while the CR-V only offers it on the higher trim. GMC gives the Terrain another advantage by providing Amazon Alexa Built In for seamless connectivity, equipping the SUV with a virtual assistant that can make calls, send messages, schedule appointments, and more with simple voice commands.
Beyond staying connected, Honda and GMC prioritize your safety by equipping the CR-V and Terrain with the latest safety, security, and driver-assist technologies. While both models come with their brand's safety suite, the breadth of those suites is quite different. For example, the 2023 CR-V's Honda Sensing Suite includes a Collision Mitigation Braking System, a Road Departure Mitigation System, a Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Monitor, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow, a Traffic Sign Recognition System, and a Lane Keeping Assist System. These tools and the available parking sensors heighten your awareness of your surroundings to minimize the potential for a collision.
The 2023 Terrain GMC Pro Safety suite offers comparable features, but the SUV gains another advantage by extending the suite with the GMC Pro Safety Plus Package. By combining these packages, the Terrain delivers GMC's entire collection of driver-assist technologies. Those tools include Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, a Following Distance Indicator, Front Pedestrian Braking, IntelliBeam automatic high beams, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Park Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control, and a Safety Alert Seat. With the available head-up display to complement these tools and put vital information on the windshield, the 2023 Terrain is far beyond the CR-V in keeping you informed, connected, and aware.