2022 GMC Terrain vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2022 GMC Terrain underwent a series of updates, including refreshed front styling, new wheel designs, and enhanced taillights and interior trim. The introduction of the AT4 trim level brought a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels with sport-terrain tires, and AT4 badges, positioning it as a "small off-road SUV." Despite its rugged appearance, the Terrain AT4's interior materials and design did not fully meet expectations for its price point, especially with the MSRP reaching $41,810. The pushbutton transmission controls were not intuitive, and the storage tray was too narrow for a smartphone, highlighting some design oversights. Overall, while the Terrain offered a range of features and packages, its craftsmanship and execution left room for improvement.

In contrast, the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold design that could polarize opinions, particularly with its flat, wide grille. The vehicle's personality varied significantly with color and trim level, with the X-Line and X-Pro models offering distinctive grille designs and amber accent lights. The interior of the Telluride Hybrid was less controversial, featuring a simple horizontal dashboard layout and a modern, buttonless appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim, equipped with the Executive package, offered a luxurious two-tone interior reminiscent of Volvo's design. While the seats were somewhat firm, the surrounding materials were of excellent quality, and the vehicle provided a range of trim surfaces to choose from. Overall, the Telluride Hybrid's design and interior quality were well-received, offering a more luxurious feel compared to the Terrain.

The 2022 GMC Terrain was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. While the engine's power delivery required some adaptation, the nine-speed automatic transmission helped maintain the vehicle within its torque band. The Terrain's performance was adequate for most driving conditions, though it lacked the acceleration and towing capacity of the previously available 2.0-liter engine. The AT4 model offered a good ride and decent handling on pavement, with a four-wheel independent suspension and 17-inch wheels. However, its off-road capabilities were limited, and the vehicle struggled with ground clearance and grip on rough terrain. The Terrain AT4's fuel economy met expectations, achieving an EPA rating of 26 mpg.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 274 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The Hybrid model added electric motors, increasing output to 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. The Telluride Hybrid provided a smooth and quiet ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas power. The vehicle's suspension was tuned for comfort, and the X-Pro Prestige trim offered a surprisingly comfortable ride despite its off-road suspension. The Telluride's handling was composed and controllable, instilling confidence on winding roads. While not particularly sporty, the Telluride Hybrid's performance was well-suited for most driving scenarios, offering a balance of power and efficiency.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered a roomy interior for a compact crossover, with power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The AT4 trim featured perforated leather upholstery with caramel-color contrast stitching, adding an upscale touch. The back seat provided ample legroom and support, with a rear USB charging port for convenience. The Terrain's cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The vehicle also offered a range of storage solutions, though some design choices, like the narrow storage tray, were less practical.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid provided ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rearmost row was better suited for smaller passengers. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim with the Executive package featured power-adjustable second-row seats with heating and ventilation, offering comfort comparable to business-class airline seats. The Telluride's cargo capacity was competitive, with 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 89.3 cubic feet with the second-row seatbacks folded. The vehicle also offered a range of storage solutions, including a large center bin and deployable cupholders, enhancing its practicality for families.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems, with the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims featuring an 8-inch touchscreen. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and GMC Connected Services through OnStar. The Infotainment Package II added connected navigation, improved voice recognition, and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was highly praised for its accuracy and responsiveness, though the Bose speakers were less impressive. The Terrain also featured a head-up display, park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system, enhancing its technological offerings.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch touchscreen for climate controls. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual wireless phone chargers, and a native navigation system. While the infotainment system was easy to use, it occasionally required a hard tap to register inputs. The Telluride also offered a range of customization options for the infotainment screen, thanks to Kia's brand collaborations. The SX trim and above featured a 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system, delivering powerful and clear sound quality.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came standard with the GMC Pro Safety Package, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following distance indicator. The GMC Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, rear parking sensors, and a Safety Alert Seat. The Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from the IIHS, though it earned a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the Terrain's crashworthiness at the time of writing.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid included standard advanced safety features such as frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, parking proximity sensors, highway driving assist, and rear passenger sensors/reminders. Higher trims offered additional features like a surround-view camera system, blind-spot camera system, side parking proximity sensors, and automatic reverse braking. The Telluride's driver attention monitor had some operational issues, but the highway driving assist was particularly helpful on longer trips. At the time of writing, neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had published crash test scores for the 2027 Telluride.