2021 Ford Expedition vs 2022 GMC Terrain

The 2021 Ford Expedition Platinum greeted six weary travelers at Los Angeles International Airport with its plush and roomy interior, a welcome sight after a week in a rented Dodge Grand Caravan. However, the Expedition's inability to accommodate all their luggage became apparent, forcing one passenger to carry a suitcase on her lap for the 40-mile ride home. Despite this, the Expedition Platinum's luxurious features, including Magnetic gray paint, 4WD, and a Heavy Duty Trailer Tow Package, made a strong impression.

The Expedition Platinum's bold presence was accentuated by its chrome grille, 22-inch machined-face aluminum wheels, and brightwork. The extended-length MAX version would have resolved the cargo issue, offering ample space for eight people and their luggage. The leather-lined cabin, though featuring some hard plastic, provided comfort for the six-person crew, with the front seats even offering a massage function. The Expedition's independent rear suspension ensured a smooth ride, though the high cargo floor liftover height was a minor inconvenience.

The 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level featured a bolder grille, black 17-inch alloy wheels with sport-terrain tires, and AT4 badges. Our test vehicle, with Ebony Twilight metallic paint and a black leather interior, was loaded with the Tech Package, Infotainment Package II, GMC Pro Safety Plus Package, and a Skyscape panoramic sunroof, bringing the MSRP to $41,810.

The Terrain's interior, though entry-level for GMC, offered numerous comfort-enhancing features and storage solutions. The AT4 trim included power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The back seat provided ample legroom and support, with a rear USB charging port. Cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The Terrain's interior, while functional, did not fully reflect GMC's "craftsmanship at its finest" claim.

The 2021 Ford Expedition featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in RWD or 4WD. The engine produced 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, with the Platinum trim boosting these figures to 400 hp and 480 lb-ft. Towing capacity ranged from 9,000 to 9,300 pounds, and the Pro Trailer Backup Assist technology made maneuvering trailers easier.

The Expedition's acceleration was impressive, even with a full load, and the twin-turbo V6 emitted a pleasant engine note. The adaptive damping suspension on the Platinum trim, combined with 22-inch wheels, resulted in a firm ride, but the four-wheel independent suspension kept the SUV stable. The FX4 Off-Road Package, available on XLT and Limited models, added off-road capabilities, though our Platinum model stuck to pavement, averaging 17.1 mpg on the evaluation loop.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. The previously available turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, which offered better acceleration and towing capacity, was no longer an option. The 1.5-liter engine could tow up to 1,500 pounds and required careful management of its torque band for optimal performance.

The Terrain AT4 offered FWD and AWD modes, with an Off-Road mode and Hill Descent Control system. Torque steer was an issue in FWD mode, but switching to AWD resolved this. The AT4's 17-inch wheels and 7.9 inches of ground clearance provided a smooth ride on pavement, though the SUV struggled off-road. The Terrain's powertrain met fuel economy expectations, achieving 26.2 mpg on the evaluation loop.

The 2021 Ford Expedition's regular-length model struggled to transport more than five people and their luggage simultaneously. The extended-length Expedition MAX offered more cargo space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 121.5 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Expedition's interior provided large, comfortable seats for all passengers, with the front seats offering a massage function. Storage was plentiful, though the high cargo floor liftover height was a minor drawback.

The 2022 GMC Terrain's interior was roomy for a compact crossover, with numerous comfort-enhancing features and storage solutions. The AT4 trim included power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The back seat offered ample legroom and support, with a rear USB charging port. Cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The Terrain's interior, while functional, did not fully reflect GMC's "craftsmanship at its finest" claim.

The 2021 Ford Expedition's Sync 3 infotainment system, though user-friendly, featured an aging 8-inch touchscreen display that sometimes responded slowly. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, FordPass Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a navigation system. The test vehicle had a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging but lacked the available dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems: a 7-inch touchscreen for SLE trim and an 8-inch high-definition touchscreen for SLT, AT4, and Denali trims. Both systems included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and GMC Connected Services through OnStar. The larger screen added connected navigation and a Bose premium sound system. The voice recognition system was excellent, accurately responding to various prompts. The Tech Package included a head-up display, front and rear park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2021 Ford Expedition had a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, though its rollover-resistance rating was three stars for RWD and four stars for 4WD. The Expedition came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control, semi-autonomous parking assistance, and a 360-degree surround-view camera system.

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 higher trims, added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, rear parking sensors, and a Safety Alert Seat. The IIHS awarded the Terrain mostly "Good" crash-test scores, though it received a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain's crashworthiness at the time of the review.