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Starting at
Starting at
| 203 | Torque (lb-ft) | 184 |
| Yes | Available Head-Up Display | No |
| Yes | Teen Driver Technology | No |
There’s a compact SUV for every type of driver, from rebellious adventurers to small families and traffic warriors to road trip wanderers. No matter what type of journey you happen to find yourself on, compact SUVs are there to improve your experience, and two favorites on the market are the GMC Terrain and the Toyota RAV4. These two compact commuter companions couldn’t be more different from one another, with the Terrain exhibiting high-end elegance and the RAV4 showcasing a more rugged and practical appeal. When it comes to the 2023 GMC Terrain vs 2023 Toyota RAV4, however, you’ll find that there’s quite a competition between these two popular models with many devoted followers on each side. Although the RAV4 has been roaming the streets since 1996, other newer options are beginning to outperform this Toyota bestseller, including the Terrain, which got its start for the 2010 model year.
GMC adds some extra horsepower to the Terrain’s engine for 2023, as well as new special editions available on a host of its trims. On the other hand, Toyota chose to focus more on the innovation inside the 2023 RAV4, adding new touchscreen options and a more up-to-date infotainment system, helping the RAV4 keep up with others in its class. When shopping for a compact SUV, you have many options, and at Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth, we want to help you choose the vehicle that will work best for your unique travel demands. When it comes to the style, ride quality, and technology within each of these compact options, you’ll quickly realize that they’re not on a level playing field. Let's take a closer look.
The 2023 GMC Terrain and the 2023 Toyota RAV4 offer their own unique take when it comes to interior design, and if you’re looking for luxury, you’ll find it inside the sophisticated Terrain. What makes the Terrain especially alluring is the Denali trim, which adds opulent features to enhance the drive's feeling in new ways. From French-stitched leather-appointed seating and dazzling aluminum accents to a heated steering wheel, available ventilated front seats, and more appealing features, the comfort and refinement you’ll feel inside the Terrain is simply unmatched. Opting for its off-road-oriented AT4 model will add an available SkyScape sunroof and distinctive badging to deliver a sportier appeal. Make no mistake; no matter what tone you want to set inside your vehicle, there’s a Terrain ready to fulfill your every wish on the road.
Few vehicles exhibit the upscale vibes that you’re sure to find in a GMC model, and unfortunately for the RAV4, unless you spend more for a top-tier trim, you’ll be in for quite a basic ride. Style in its base models is lacking, with simple cloth upholstery, plastic pieces galore, and an overall inexpensive atmosphere throughout. As you move up the trim levels, however, you can expect more quality appointments and an overall better design, with available SofTex-trimmed seats, heated seats, LED lighting, and more high-end features to make the drive more inspiring.
Outside, it’ll be quickly apparent that these vehicles are very different from each other, with the Terrain exhibiting a luxury look from front to back. Of course, when you want the best, you’ll want to pay careful attention to the Denali model, which showcases specialized chrome details, a multidimensional grille, and brilliant LED lighting elements. Your choice of impeccable wheel designs awaits on any trim you choose, while special editions are available to add serious style and functionality to your travels. A hands-free programmable power liftgate, complete with logo projection, adds a stylish flair to this practical feature, making the Terrain a perfect blend of luxury and versatility that can’t be rivaled.
The RAV4 emits more rugged, athletic vibes with prominent fenders, an available two-tone paint scheme, an available rear spoiler, and sharp LED lighting features. You definitely get a more adventurous feeling when looking at the RAV4, so if this isn’t what you’re searching for in a vehicle, you may want to look at the versatile inventory of Terrain models. We like the fact that there’s a Terrain designed for any type of driver, and its styling isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Plus, with the Denali trim in the lineup, you can’t compete with the level of refinement and utter luxury found inside and out. For this reason, the Terrain is an absolute winner when it comes to style.
It’ll be quickly apparent that both the 2023 GMC Terrain and the 2023 Toyota RAV4 can hold their own on the streets, but which compact SUV offers an all-around better ride? Equipped with a 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the 2023 Terrain can show you what it can do in the city, the highway, and beyond. Choosing its top-tier Denali model will enhance its performance to new heights, with a premium suspension system to add a smooth, refined aura to your ride that you won’t find elsewhere. Not only will you enjoy a controlled ride, no matter what type of terrain you’re traveling on, but it’ll also be quiet, with a reduced road noise that will make your cabin space feel like an absolute oasis.
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 is armed with a 2.5L four-cylinder that gets the job done; however, it can sometimes be quite loud on the road. The RAV4 is built on the TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform, which features a longer, wider stance to add better handling and control to this crowd favorite, helping it navigate any roadway smoothly and effectively. It’s just a shame that it has to be so noisy, especially when traveling on busy highways.
Another area where both the Terrain and RAV4 shine is off-road, and when it comes to trail-hopping fun, you can’t go wrong with the Terrain AT4. GMC’s AT4 models are designed to travel where others can’t, with a sophisticated traction control system, durable design elements, and an overall powerful ride. Choose between several modes to get the ride you need, with FWD to enhance efficiency, AWD for increased traction, and Off-Road to help you traverse some of the most difficult environments with expert agility. Hill Descent Control helps you maneuver through steep environments while all-terrain tires expertly roll over obstacles, allowing you to explore with ultimate confidence.
Opting for the RAV4 TRD model will add excitement to any ride, with an off-road-tuned suspension system, reinforced design details, and multi-terrain modes to help you propel over the elements with precision. We like both vehicles when it comes to off-roading capabilities; however, when the overall ride is concerned, the RAV4 disappoints with its lackluster engine performance and noisy behavior. The Terrain is quiet, refined, and controlled in any environment, which makes it our pick when ride quality matters.
When shopping for a travel companion, chances are tech plays a major role in your decision. Fortunately, you’ll find quite an arsenal of tech in both the 2023 GMC Terrain and the 2023 Toyota RAV4. The Terrain is loaded with some of the most advanced tech on the market, including available wireless smartphone connectivity, wireless charging capabilities, a Head-Up Display, state-of-the-art navigation, and more available features to add value to your daily drive.
High Definition Surround Vision helps you see more clearly around your vehicle, while Alexa Built-In is also available to add superior convenience to your time on the road. Perhaps one of the most unique tools the Terrain offers is Teen Driver technology, which allows parents of newly-licensed teens to manage certain controls in the vehicle, such as speed limit and volume control, in order to practice safe driving habits. A digital report card is also available to inform parents of how their child is doing behind the wheel.
The RAV4 offers an ultra-large 10.5-inch touchscreen, which really excites drivers. That is, until they realize it’s only available on the top-level Limited and TRD Off-Road trims. Fortunately, the RAV4 has finally gotten with the times and added a more modern and refined infotainment system to its lineup. It’s about time, too, because drivers were growing frustrated with the outdated system in previous models. Like the Terrain, the RAV4 also offers a host of wireless options, as well as navigation, premium audio systems, and more desirable features to enhance the ride.
The Terrain impresses with its helpful safety and assistance features designed to add optimal peace of mind to any journey. From Automatic Emergency Braking to Lane Keep Assist, the Terrain has you covered from virtually every angle. The RAV4 also comes with a host of standard and available safety and assistance features, including parking help, multiple camera angles, and more to add security to any drive, which makes both vehicles safe and ready to handle any journey.
Ultimately, more options are available in the Terrain, especially when you choose the alluring Denali trim, where many other features become standard, like Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Park Assist. That’s why the Terrain is our top pick when technology is a priority.
Stop by and visit us at Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth, where we offer a spectacular inventory of new and used models to help you travel anywhere with maximum confidence. Our team is well-versed and knowledgeable about the legendary GMC brand, and we can’t wait to help you pick out the perfect model for your time on the road. If you’re interested in the 2023 GMC Terrain, we invite you to explore our inventory of Terrain models to find the right trim for you, whether you’re yearning for the top-tier luxury of the Denali or unparalleled excitement in the AT4.
We want to help you find exactly what you’re looking for with a payment plan that matches your budget. When it’s time to service your vehicle, rest assured that we have that covered, too, with our exceptional service professionals ready to help you with whatever you need, from a simple oil change to more complex repairs. If you’re ready to reinvent the way you travel, get started with us and find the GMC Terrain that will add exactly what you need to your travels to make your time behind the wheel absolutely exquisite.
*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.