Toyota RAV4 vs GMC Terrain

The 2022 GMC Terrain received a facelift with updates to its front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level featured a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels with sport-terrain tires, and AT4 badges. GMC equipped the AT4 with a steel skid plate to protect vital components, anticipating some off-road use. Our test vehicle came with Ebony Twilight metallic paint, black leather interior, and several packages, bringing the MSRP to $41,810. Despite the high price, the Terrain's interior materials and execution did not fully meet expectations, with some design choices like the pushbutton transmission controls and narrow storage tray falling short.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 offered six trim levels, ranging from the budget-friendly LE to the luxurious Limited. The Adventure trim, which we tested, featured a more aggressive grille, blacked-out wheels, and orange interior accents. The RAV4's interior, while basic, included thoughtful touches like a frameless rearview mirror and ample storage options. The Adventure trim added a rugged look but lacked the off-road capabilities of the TRD Off-Road trim. Overall, the RAV4's design remained consistent with the 2019 model, offering a blend of practicality and style.

The 2022 GMC Terrain was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. The engine's torque was available between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm, but there was a noticeable delay off the line. The nine-speed automatic transmission helped keep the Terrain in its torque band, but the SUV lacked the rapid acceleration of its discontinued 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. The Terrain AT4 offered FWD and AWD modes, with an Off-Road mode and Hill Descent Control system. However, torque steer was an issue in FWD mode, and the AT4's 7.9 inches of ground clearance limited its off-road capabilities. The Terrain's ride quality was smooth on highways and city streets, but it struggled with more challenging terrain.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the engine provided adequate performance, it was not particularly exciting. The Adventure trim featured 19-inch wheels with all-season tires and the same suspension setup as other RAV4s, limiting its off-road prowess compared to the TRD Off-Road trim. The TRD Off-Road trim included 18-inch wheels with Falken All-Terrain tires and a TRD-tuned suspension, making it better suited for off-road adventures. The RAV4's performance was more about reliability and practicality than excitement.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered a roomy interior with power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The AT4 trim featured perforated leather upholstery with caramel-color contrast stitching and piping, adding a touch of luxury. The back seat provided ample legroom and support, with a rear USB charging port. The Terrain's cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Additional storage solutions included a large storage bin under the trunk floor and various storage slots throughout the cabin.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 also seated five, with 37.7 inches of headroom in the front row and 39.5 inches in the back seats. Legroom measured 41 inches in the front and 37.8 inches in the second row. The RAV4 offered convenient storage options, including a shelf running the length of the glove compartment and generous door pockets. Cargo space was 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The RAV4's interior was practical and well-designed, catering to the needs of both drivers and passengers.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems: a 7-inch touchscreen for the SLE trim and an 8-inch touchscreen for the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims. Both systems included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and GMC Connected Services through OnStar. The larger screen added connected navigation and a Bose premium sound system. Our test vehicle featured the Infotainment Package II, which included improved voice recognition and the Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was highly accurate, but the Bose speakers were less impressive. The Terrain also offered a head-up display, front and rear park assist sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a Tire Fill Alert system.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 introduced a new infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen as standard and a 10.5-inch touchscreen for the Limited and TRD Off-Road trims. The system supported over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and voice command. Our RAV4 Adventure tester featured the upgraded multimedia system with a 10.5-inch screen and an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system. A 7-inch driver-information display was standard, with a 12.3-inch version available for the Limited and TRD Off-Road trims. The new infotainment system brought the RAV4 up to date with modern tech expectations.

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, available on SLE, SLT, and AT4 trims, 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, with a "Marginal" rating in the new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain at the time of this review.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. Adaptive cruise control was also standard, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert available on the base LE model and standard on higher trims. The RAV4 earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, thanks to its top scores in crash-testing and the updated side and moderate overlap front crash tests.