2022 GMC Terrain vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Honda CR-V had a design that blended into the crowded compact crossover market. Its styling was nearly identical to its competitors, with only minor details like the grille and some chromed plastic features setting it apart. The color options were limited, especially for the base LX trim, which only offered black, silver, and white. The interior was available in black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather, depending on the trim level. Higher trims featured wood panels and more chrome for a more upscale appearance. However, the CR-V's design was not its main selling point, as other crossovers like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson offered more distinctive styling.

In contrast, 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 design, black 17-inch alloy wheels, and AT4 badges, giving it a more rugged appearance. The test vehicle came with Ebony Twilight metallic paint and a black leather interior, which looked sleek but was difficult to keep clean. The Terrain's interior materials and execution reflected its entry-level status, with some features like the head-up display and pushbutton transmission controls feeling less intuitive. Despite these shortcomings, the Terrain's design updates made it stand out more than the CR-V.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was not known for its thrilling performance but rather for its smooth and steady acceleration. All trims were equipped with a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which took about 7.8 seconds to reach 60 mph. The CR-V's continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided a predictable driving experience, though it lacked the engagement of competitors with conventional automatic transmissions. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The CR-V's suspension setup offered decent handling and ride quality, making it a reliable choice for everyday driving.

The 2022 GMC Terrain, on the other hand, came with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. The nine-speed automatic transmission helped keep the Terrain in the optimal torque band, but the engine's performance was less impressive than the previously available 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. The Terrain AT4 offered multiple driving modes, including FWD, AWD, Off-Road, and Hill Descent Control. However, the AT4's ground clearance and off-road capabilities were limited, making it less suitable for serious off-roading. The Terrain's ride quality was smooth on highways and city streets, but it lacked the power and handling to make it an enjoyable drive.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized functionality, offering 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The cargo area could be accessed via a manual tailgate on lower trims, a power tailgate on the EX-L, and a hands-free power tailgate on the Touring trim. Roof rails were only standard on the top-tier Touring trim. The CR-V's interior was designed to comfortably fit five passengers and their gear, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 GMC Terrain provided a roomy interior 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 foot room, with a rear USB charging port for added convenience. Cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The front passenger seat could also be folded down for longer items. The Terrain's interior was designed to simplify life, with various storage slots and spots throughout the cabin.

The 2021 Honda CR-V offered a basic 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity on the base LX trim. All other trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The Special Edition and EX trims had a 180-watt audio system with six speakers, while the EX-L added two more speakers. The Touring trim boasted a 300-watt system with a subwoofer and a satellite navigation system. Charging ports were plentiful, with USB ports in the front console and second row, and a wireless phone charger on the Touring trim.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came with two infotainment system options: a 7-inch touchscreen on the SLE trim and an 8-inch high-definition touchscreen on the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims. Both systems included Bluetooth smartphone connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and GMC Connected Services through OnStar. The larger screen offered connected navigation and a Bose premium sound system. The voice recognition system was highly effective, accurately responding to various prompts. The Terrain also featured a head-up display, front and rear park assist sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a Tire Fill Alert system.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star overall crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick award. However, it did not receive the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating due to lower scores in the headlight evaluation and updated side crash test. The CR-V's Honda Sensing system included a suite of advanced safety features as standard on all trims, such as a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard on the EX trim and above.

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 IIHS awarded the Terrain mostly "Good" crash-test scores, with a "Marginal" rating in the new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not yet evaluated the 2022 Terrain's crashworthiness.