2022 GMC Terrain vs 2022 Land Rover Defender

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive exterior styling, with a boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood that visually tied it to the original version and the classic Series Land Rovers. Despite these retro callbacks, the design was thoroughly modern, featuring rounded corners for better aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave the Defender a unique personality. The modern Defender was also much larger than its predecessor, offering improved interior space and ergonomics.

Inside, the Defender emphasized rugged character without seeming cheesy. Unlike most luxury automakers that cover every surface in leather, wood, and plastic, Land Rover left some bare metal and exposed screws in the door for a different look, complemented by nice metal trim for the steering wheel. Even the high-end Defender 90 V8 test car had a mix of leather upholstery and suede, which seemed more practical for handling mud and dirt. This approach made the Defender's interior feel more suited for off-road adventures without the worry of ruining a luxurious interior.

GMC updated the Terrain’s front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim for the 2022 model year. The new AT4 trim level featured a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels with sport-terrain tires, and AT4 badges. The automaker also added a steel skid plate under the front end to protect vital mechanical components, anticipating that some owners would test its off-road capabilities.

Our test vehicle came with extra-cost Ebony Twilight metallic paint, the blacked-out AT4 treatment, and a black leather interior, which was challenging to keep clean. GMC loaded it with the Tech Package, Infotainment Package II, GMC Pro Safety Plus Package, a Skyscape panoramic sunroof, and a three-year subscription to OnStar services, bringing the MSRP to $41,810, including the $1,395 destination charge. More affordable options were available with the SLE and SLT trim levels, while the Terrain Denali added a layer of luxury. However, the quality of materials and execution of details reflected its entry-level status, with some features like the head-up display and pushbutton transmission controls feeling less intuitive and practical.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered three powertrains. Base models had a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The mid-level option was a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain rated at 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. All models used a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission with standard four-wheel drive (4WD) and a two-speed transfer case.

The new-for-2022 V8 engine produced 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, propelling the Defender 90 from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 149 mph. The V8 added an electronic active rear differential, Dynamic drive mode, and unique transmission and suspension tuning for sportier handling. Despite its off-road focus, the Defender was impressively comfortable on pavement, with a suspension that absorbed bumps well and minimized noise from the massive 22-inch tires. The Defender also excelled off-road, with a 4WD system, good approach, departure, and breakover angles, and up to 11.5 inches of ground clearance with the optional air suspension. It had an 8,201-pound maximum towing capacity.

The 2022 GMC Terrain had a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. The previously available turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, which provided better acceleration and a 3,500-pound towing capacity, was no longer offered. The 1.5-liter engine could tow up to 1,500 pounds.

The 1.5-liter engine's 170 hp arrived at 5,600 rpm, with torque available between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm. The nine-speed automatic transmission kept the Terrain in the torque band once rolling, but there was a delay off the line. The Terrain AT4 could switch between FWD and AWD modes, with an Off-Road mode and Hill Descent Control system available. However, torque steer was an issue in FWD mode. The Terrain AT4 had 7.9 inches of ground clearance, less than some competitors, and its sport-terrain tires didn't offer much grip in curves. The ride was smooth on highways and city streets, but the Terrain struggled off-road, scraping the front end on uneven terrain. The powertrain met fuel economy expectations, with an EPA rating of 26 mpg.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, which were comfortable but challenging to access in the two-door Defender 90. The four-door Defender 110 offered more versatility, with two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Three-row models had 11.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, 35.4 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded, and 70.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. Two-row versions had 18.1 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 51.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The interior design emphasized functionality, with a large caged storage space below the dashboard and a massive center-console storage bin that could be equipped with refrigeration. Optional exterior cargo solutions included a basket-style roof rack and cargo boxes.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered a roomy interior for a compact crossover, with numerous comfort-enhancing features and storage solutions. Our Terrain AT4 had power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control with rear air-conditioning vents. The eight-way power driver’s seat and tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel allowed for a comfortable driving position. The AT4 trim featured perforated leather upholstery with caramel-color contrast stitching and piping, giving it an upscale feel. The back seat was spacious, with plenty of legroom and foot room, and a rear USB charging port.

Cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat, with a large storage bin underneath the trunk floor. Folding the rear seat down created 63.3 cubic feet of cargo space, and the front passenger seat could also be folded down for longer items.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with a standard Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on all trims except the base model, and an 11.4-inch touchscreen was newly available. The interface was user-friendly, with good graphics and menu layouts, though the screen required a strong touch to respond. Optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, head-up display, and a surround-view camera system, which was useful for off-roading.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems. The SLE trim had a 7-inch touchscreen, while the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims came with an 8-inch high-definition touchscreen. Both systems included Bluetooth, 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. Our test vehicle had the Infotainment Package II, which added connected nav, improved voice recognition, and the Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was excellent, accurately responding to various prompts. The Tech Package option included a head-up display, front and rear park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with standard driver-assist tech, including lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition with speed-limit adapter. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were optional. The IIHS and NHTSA had not published safety ratings for the Defender.

The 2022 GMC Terrain had a standard 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 and standard on Denali, 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.