2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2022 GMC Terrain

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner had not seen a major redesign in 12 years, making it a familiar sight on the road. Despite updates over the years, a used 4Runner was nearly identical to a new one, minus some modern infotainment and safety technologies. Its design, characterized by a two-box body with flared fenders and trapezoidal wheel arches, aged well, offering balanced proportions and timeless styling. The 4Runner's rugged appearance, especially in the Trail Special Edition, was complemented by practical features like a Yakima RoadWarrior rooftop cargo basket and dark gray TRD Off-Road wheels.

Inside, the 4Runner Trail Special Edition featured black cloth upholstery with tan stitching, all-weather floor mats, and a sliding rear cargo tray. The interior was dominated by hard plastic, which was easy to clean and suited the SUV's utilitarian nature. The dashboard was old-school, with large knobs and buttons, and the vehicle required a traditional key to start. These characteristics endeared the 4Runner to its owners, offering a simple, durable vehicle that could last for decades.

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 with sport-terrain tires, and AT4 badges. The AT4 also included a steel skid plate to protect vital mechanical components, catering to its "small off-road SUV" claim. Our test vehicle came with Ebony Twilight metallic paint, a black leather interior, and several packages, bringing the MSRP to $41,810.

The Terrain's interior was roomy and comfortable, with power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The AT4 trim added perforated leather upholstery with caramel-colored contrast stitching and piping. The back seat offered ample legroom and foot room, with rear USB charging ports. The Terrain also provided numerous storage solutions, including a large storage bin under the trunk floor and the ability to fold the front passenger seat for longer items.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner, equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, excelled in off-road conditions. At Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreational Area, the 4Runner's A-Trac off-road traction control system proved invaluable, allowing the vehicle to navigate challenging terrain. The Trail Special Edition handled mud, hills, and ruts with ease, and higher trims offered additional off-road features like a locking rear differential and Crawl Control.

On pavement, the 4Runner felt slow, heavy, and clunky, with steering and brakes that required effort. Its truck-like driving characteristics were part of its charm, but not everyone could live with them daily. Fuel economy was another drawback, with an EPA rating of 17 mpg combined and an average of 16.8 mpg during testing. The 4Runner's 23-gallon fuel tank provided an average range of about 385 miles.

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 keep the Terrain in the optimal torque band. The Terrain AT4 offered FWD, AWD, Off-Road mode, and Hill Descent Control, but torque steer was an issue in FWD mode. The AT4's 7.9 inches of ground clearance was less than some competitors, and the vehicle struggled with off-road obstacles.

On pavement, the Terrain AT4 provided a smooth ride and decent handling, with thick tire sidewalls absorbing road imperfections. However, the sport-terrain tires lacked grip in curves, and the vehicle's steering and brakes felt numb. The Terrain's powertrain met fuel economy expectations, with an EPA rating of 26 mpg and an observed 26.2 mpg during testing.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner's high ground clearance could be challenging for shorter individuals to climb aboard, but once inside, the seats were comfortable and supportive. The back seat offered generous legroom, good visibility, air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports. The 4Runner's cargo space measured up to 47.2 cubic feet behind the back seat and 89.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The Trail Special Edition's sliding cargo deck and roof rack provided additional storage options.

The 2022 GMC Terrain's interior was spacious for a compact crossover, with power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The AT4 trim's perforated leather upholstery and caramel-colored contrast stitching added an upscale feel. The back seat was roomy, with proper support and rear USB charging ports. Cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The Terrain also offered a large storage bin under the trunk floor and the ability to fold the front passenger seat for longer items.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner Trail Special Edition came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and five USB ports. The premium audio upgrade added dynamic navigation, dynamic point-of-interest search, dynamic voice recognition, and a one-year subscription to Destination Assist concierge services. The infotainment system's physical buttons and knobs were easy to use, even with gloves.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems: a 7-inch touchscreen for SLE trim and an 8-inch 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 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 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, it lacked blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The 4Runner received a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and a "Marginal" rating for driver protection in a small overlap frontal-impact collision from the IIHS.

The 2022 GMC Terrain included the GMC Pro Safety Package as standard, featuring 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 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 a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain's crashworthiness at the time of the review.