2022 GMC Terrain vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance style with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite a 2019 refresh and a 2020 Black Edition, its exterior design was still considered an acquired taste. The Pilot was available in seven trims, ranging from the base LX to the upscale Black Edition, with prices between $32,250 and $49,920. The Black Edition, which we tested, featured exclusive black leather upholstery with red accents and ambient lighting. While the interior boasted quality materials, the design felt more like a minivan, which, along with its exterior, did not enhance its appeal.

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, black 17-inch alloy wheels, and AT4 badges, with a steel skid plate for off-road protection. Our test vehicle, equipped with the AT4 package, included a black leather interior and several tech upgrades, bringing the MSRP to $41,810. While the Terrain's interior materials and design were not as refined as expected for its price, the caramel-colored contrast stitching added a touch of luxury. However, the pushbutton transmission controls and narrow storage tray were seen as design oversights.

The 2021 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided smooth and refined power delivery, with a nine-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels or an optional torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. The Pilot offered a comfortable ride and athletic handling, aided by its suspension and AWD system. However, its off-road capability was limited by its ground clearance and all-season tires. The EPA rated the AWD Pilot at 22 mpg combined, with our test vehicle averaging 21.5 mpg.

The 2022 GMC Terrain featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. While the engine's power was modest, the nine-speed automatic transmission helped maintain performance within the torque band. The Terrain's AWD system offered Off-Road mode and Hill Descent Control, but torque steer was an issue in FWD mode. The AT4 model had 7.9 inches of ground clearance, which limited its off-road capability. The Terrain's ride was smooth on highways, but its handling was less engaging. The EPA rated the Terrain at 26 mpg, and our test vehicle achieved 26.2 mpg.

The 2021 Honda Pilot provided ample space for families, seating up to eight with a second-row bench seat. The front seats were comfortable, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver. Second-row captain’s chairs were optional, offering comfort and sliding forward for third-row access. The Pilot had 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 83.9 cubic feet with seats folded. Storage was abundant, with compartments throughout the cabin.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered a roomy interior for a compact crossover, with power-adjustable front seats, heated features, and dual-zone climate control. The back seat provided ample legroom and support, with a rear USB charging port. The Terrain had 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with seats folded. The front passenger seat could also fold down for longer items. Storage solutions were plentiful, though some were narrow.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and more. Higher trims added navigation, a premium audio system, and a rear-seat entertainment system. The system was adequate but lacked some user-friendly features, such as a tuning knob and intuitive voice recognition.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems, with higher trims featuring an 8-inch touchscreen. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and GMC Connected Services. Our test vehicle had the Infotainment Package II, with connected navigation and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition was excellent, accurately responding to various prompts. The Tech Package added a head-up display, park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and more. The system was functional but not very refined. The Pilot received favorable crash-test ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and mostly "good" ratings from the IIHS.

The 2022 GMC Terrain included the GMC Pro Safety Package, with features like forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assist. The Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. 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 2022 Terrain at the time of review.