A red 2019 GMC Terrain Denali is parked in front of shops.

How to Choose Between The 2019 GMC Terrain vs 2019 Honda CR-V

 
Choosing the perfect vehicle can seem tricky, especially if you’re choosing between vehicles in a crowded class like the compact SUV class. Two SUVs that commonly compared from this class are the 2019 GMC Terrain vs 2019 Honda CR-V. Both vehicles offer their own unique set of strengths, as well as a few shortcomings. While the 2019 GMC Terrain is powerful and efficient, the 2019 Honda CR-V is incredibly spacious. But, which vehicle is the better overall value? In order to determine the winner, let’s take a closer look at these vehicles in terms of performance, safety, and their interiors.

Performance

Power

When equipped with its turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder engine, the 2019 GMC Terrain is capable of producing up to 252 hp. Meanwhile, the standard engine of the Terrain is a 1.5L 4-cylinder, while a turbo-diesel engine is also available. Both the 1.5L 4-cylinder engine and 2.0L 4-cylinder engine are paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission, while the turbo-diesel engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The 2019 GMC Terrain comes standard in front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is available for upgrade.

The 2019 Honda CR-V offers, at best, up to 190 hp when equipped with its turbocharged 1.5L 4-cylinder engine. However, the CR-V comes standard with a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine that produces even less horsepower at 184 hp. Both engines are paired with CVT, and the vehicle is available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive.

Efficiency

With its turbo-diesel engine, the 2019 GMC Terrain has an incredible edge over nearly every vehicle in its class in terms of fuel economy. Equipped with the engine, the Terrain earns up to 28 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. However, even its base model earns fair fuel economy ratings with up to 26 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. But, when it comes to fuel efficiency, the Terrain and its turbo-diesel engine are nearly impossible to beat.

The 2019 Honda CR-V does not offer a diesel engine option, but its turbocharged 1.5L 4-cylinder engine earns above-average fuel economy ratings at 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. These numbers drop 2 mpg in the city and on the highway with the CR-V’s standard 2.4L 4-cylinder engine, but these are still above average ratings. However, without a diesel engine, the 2019 Honda CR-V just can’t match the fuel economy of the 2019 GMC Terrain.

Interior

Entertainment

The 2019 GMC Terrain offers one of the most generous entertainment suites in the compact SUV class. This includes a 7-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, and a 6-speaker sound system, all on its base model at no additional cost. Unlike other vehicles in the compact SUV class, the 2019 GMC Terrain also offers more than enough USB ports with four USB ports offered on its base model.

Meanwhile, the 2019 Honda CR-V offers very few standard entertainment features, offering only a 5-inch audio display with no touchscreen capabilities, Bluetooth, one USB port, and a 4-speaker sound system. The CR-V’s available features allow the SUV to catch up to its competitors base models, however upgrading to these features is quite costly.

The black interior of the 2019 GMC Terrain is shown. It offers more features when comparing the 2019 GMC Terrain vs 2019 Honda CR-V.

Comfort

Both the 2019 GMC Terrain and 2019 Honda CR-V offer an incredibly upscale interior appointed with high-quality and soft to the touch materials. For both vehicles, drivers and critics note that seating is comfortable and spacious. The CR-V has a slight edge in terms of cargo volume, however the Terrain earns the win for modern styling and a more advanced cabin.

Safety

Safety Scores

The 2019 GMC Terrain and 2019 Honda CR-V faired exceptionally well in their crash test and safety ratings. The 2019 Honda CR-V earned the highest rating of ‘Good’ from the IIHS in all safety categories, while the 2019 GMC Terrain earned an overall 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA. The 2019 GMC Terrain and 2019 Honda CR-V both offer a standard rearview camera on their base model, however the Terrain also offers Teen Driver technology which sets limitations for new vehicles.

Reliability Scores

Both the Terrain and Honda CR-V earned a 3.5 out of 5 for their reliability rating from J.D. Power, which is above average for the compact SUV class. These SUVs also offer identical warranty coverage with a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty, as well as a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Overall, both the 2019 GMC Terrain and 2019 Honda CR-V are safe and reliable choices for their class so you can’t go wrong with either.

The Stats: 2019 GMC Terrain vs 2019 Honda CR-V

In order to compare these vehicles more easily, let’s take a look at how the above information translates in terms of stats. Here are the 2019 GMC Terrain vs 2019 Honda CR-V specs:

2019 GMC Terrain

  • MSRP: $25,000
  • Fuel Economy: 28 City/39 Highway
  • Horsepower: Up to 252 hp
  • Cargo Space: Up to 63.3 Cubic Feet
  • Standard Touchscreen?: Yes
  • Seating: 5 Passengers

2019 Honda CR-V

  • MSRP: $24,350
  • Fuel Economy: 28 City/34 Highway
  • Horsepower: Up to 190 hp
  • Cargo Space: 75.8 Cubic Feet
  • Standard Touchscreen?: No
  • Seating: 5 Passengers

So, The Terrain or The CR-V?

Both the 2019 GMC Terrain and 2019 Honda CR-V offer a strong selection of qualities and features. The 2019 Honda CR-V offers more cargo space than the Terrain and is slightly less expensive. However, the CR-V’s incredibly bare entertainment suite is hard to look over. Meanwhile, the 2019 GMC Terrain offers higher fuel economy ratings, more power, and a much more advanced and premium set of standard features. However, both vehicles are incredibly safe and have earned high reliability ratings. In choosing a winner between these two compact SUVs, the 2019 GMC Terrain clearly has the edge in the most categories, as well as many of the most comforting categories. For this reason, the 2019 GMC Terrain is the better overall value compared to the 2019 Honda CR-V.

However, your ideal vehicle may vary based on your personal preferences, budget, and needs. If you’re looking for a versatile SUV with high efficiency and plenty of standard technology, the 2019 GMC Terrain is the better option. But, if you’re prioritizing cargo space and want only the most basic features, the 2019 Honda CR-V may be a suitable option.

Interested in Checking Out The Winner? Visit Your Local GMC Dealer, Today!

The 2019 GMC Terrain is the winner of this comparison and a truly incredible vehicle in the compact SUV class. It is the perfect vehicle for daily commuters, carpooling, and long road trips. It is also impressively affordable given its standard features, performance, and efficiency. If you’re interested in purchasing the 2019 GMC Terrain, you’ll want to head over to your local GMC dealer and see this vehicle in person. Be sure to inquire about various models and configurations and check out a variety of package options and accessories. No matter what model of the 2019 GMC Terrain you’re interested in, you’ll want to take it for a test drive and ensure that you love everything about its available cabin. A reputable dealership should be able to answer any and all questions that you may have about the Terrain. So, when you’re ready to purchase the 2019 GMC Terrain, visit your local GMC dealer!