Compare the2025 Toyota 4RunnerVS 2025 GMC Terrain

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Toyota 4Runner are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The GMC Terrain doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Toyota 4Runner has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Terrain doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The 4Runner has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Terrain doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The 4Runner’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Terrain doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 4Runner and the Terrain have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available four-wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Toyota 4Runner weighs 857 to 2054 pounds more than the GMC Terrain. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The 4Runner’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Terrain’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4Runner for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. GMC only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Terrain.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 59 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is ranked 18th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. GMC is ranked 24th.

The 4Runner’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 103 more horsepower (278 vs. 175) and 133 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 184) than the Terrain FWD’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The 4Runner’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 103 more horsepower (278 vs. 175) and 114 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 203) than the Terrain AWD’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The 4Runner’s optional 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 151 more horsepower (326 vs. 175) and 262 lbs.-ft. more torque (465 vs. 203) than the Terrain AWD’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

Regenerative brakes improve the 4Runner i-FORCE MAX’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Terrain doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The 4Runner has 4.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Terrain FWD’s standard fuel tank (19 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The 4Runner has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Terrain AWD’s standard fuel tank (19 vs. 15.6 gallons).

For better stopping power the 4Runner’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Terrain:

The 4Runner’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Terrain are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the 4Runner has larger tires than the Terrain (265/70R17 vs. 235/65R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 4Runner TRD Sport/Limited/Platinum has standard 20-inch wheels. The Terrain’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Toyota 4Runner’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The GMC Terrain only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The 4Runner has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Terrain; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The 4Runner has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the 4Runner flat and controlled during cornering. The Terrain’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The 4Runner Trailhunter/TRD Pro has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Terrain doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The 4Runner offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Terrain’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The 4Runner offers optional vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Terrain doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 4Runner’s wheelbase is 4.7 inches longer than on the Terrain (112.2 inches vs. 107.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 4Runner is 2.7 inches wider in the front and 2.7 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Terrain.

For greater off-road capability the 4Runner SR5 has a 2.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Terrain (8.1 vs. 5.8 inches), allowing the 4Runner to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The 4Runner Trailhunter/TRD Pro’s minimum ground clearance is 4.3 inches higher than on the Terrain (10.1 vs. 5.8 inches).

The 4Runner offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Terrain can only carry 5.

The 4Runner has 1.2 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more front shoulder room, 5.1 inches more rear hip room and 2.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Terrain.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the 4Runner’s middle row seats recline. The Terrain’s rear seats don’t recline.

The 4Runner’s cargo area provides more volume than the Terrain.

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the 4Runner. The Terrain doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The 4Runner’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Terrain’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The 4Runner’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Terrain’s (6000 vs. 800 pounds).

Standard Trailer Sway Control (TSC) on the 4Runner uses the Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Terrain doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The engine in the 4Runner is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Terrain. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The 4Runner Platinum has a standard heads-up display that projects speed in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Terrain doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The 4Runner’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Terrain’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the 4Runner the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Terrain can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Both the Toyota 4Runner and GMC Terrain offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The 4Runner offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Terrain’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The 4Runner TRD/Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Terrain doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Toyota 4Runner outsold the GMC Terrain by 66% during 2023.