2022 GMC Terrain vs 2022 Nissan Pathfinder

The fifth-generation 2022 Nissan Pathfinder took design cues from the new era of Nissan’s SUV lineup. It featured a fresh take on the V-motion grille, similar to the Rogue and Armada, with the new Nissan logo on a three-slot grille paying homage to the original Pathfinder. LED headlights and slim LED daytime running lights complemented the robust C-pillar design. The Pathfinder was available in 14 paint jobs and color combinations, including a black roof option. The side panels and hood gave it a beefier look, more akin to the Kia Telluride than the Toyota Highlander. The vehicle was slightly wider and higher, with a shorter length, offering more legroom than its predecessor. The design changes aimed to position the Pathfinder as more capable and rugged, and it succeeded.

The Pathfinder came in four trim levels: S, SV, SL, and Platinum. All trims featured body-color door handles, chrome badging, and a chrome grille. Privacy glass was standard on rear windows, and speed-sensitive wipers were standard on all but the Platinum grade. The Pathfinder offered standard eight-passenger seating, with the Platinum trim featuring second-row captain’s chairs. Cloth upholstery was standard on S and SV grades, while semi-aniline leather-appointed seats were available on SL and Platinum grades. The interior was upscale, especially in higher trims, rivaling competitors like the Highlander, Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer, Hyundai Palisade, and Telluride.

GMC updated the Terrain’s front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim for 2022. The new AT4 trim level featured a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels with sport-terrain tires, and AT4 badges. The AT4 was marketed as a “small off-road SUV” with a steel skid plate under the front end for protection. The test vehicle came with Ebony Twilight metallic paint, blacked-out AT4 treatment, and a black leather interior. It was equipped with the Tech Package, Infotainment Package II, GMC Pro Safety Plus Package, a Skyscape panoramic sunroof, and a three-year OnStar subscription, bringing the MSRP to $41,810.

The Terrain was available in more affordable SLE and SLT trims with standard front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive was optional. The Denali trim added a layer of luxury. The Terrain’s entry-level status was evident in the quality of materials and execution of details. The optional head-up display projected data onto a clear plastic panel rather than the windshield. The pushbutton transmission controls were not intuitive, and the storage tray on the center console was too narrow for a smartphone. Despite these shortcomings, the Terrain offered a good ride and decent handling on pavement, with a smooth highway experience and a quiet cabin.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque. The engine was paired with a new nine-speed automatic transmission, replacing the old CVT. The transmission provided smooth gear shifts and was paired with an electronic shift-by-wire drive selector and paddle shifters. The Pathfinder was available in front-wheel-drive (FWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations. FWD models had a five-position drive mode selector, while AWD models offered seven drive and terrain modes. Hill-start assist was standard, and hill descent control was exclusive to AWD models.

The Pathfinder’s fuel economy for FWD models was 21 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined. AWD models had similar figures, with the fully-equipped Pathfinder Platinum achieving 20 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined. The Pathfinder had a 6,000-pound maximum towing capacity, with a Class II tow hitch and trailer harness available. The suspension setup provided a stable ride, absorbing most road imperfections. The steering was reasonably connected, and the tight turning radius made it easy to park and maneuver. The Pathfinder’s towing stability was comparable to the Subaru Ascent.

The 2022 GMC Terrain featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. The previously available turbocharged 2.0-liter engine was discontinued. The 1.5-liter engine could tow up to 1,500 pounds. The engine’s torque was available between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm, but there was a delay off the line. The nine-speed automatic transmission kept the Terrain in the torque band once rolling. The Terrain’s competitors were not significantly more powerful, and the turbocharging helped at higher elevations. The Terrain AT4 offered FWD mode for fuel conservation, AWD mode, Off-Road mode, and Hill Descent Control.

The Terrain’s four-wheel independent suspension and 17-inch wheels with 225/65 tires provided a good ride and decent handling on pavement. The AT4 model had 7.9 inches of ground clearance, less than some competitors. The Terrain AT4 was smooth on highways and city streets, with minimal road noise. Off-road, the Terrain AT4 struggled with ground clearance, scraping the front end on rough terrain. The sport-terrain tires lacked grip on curves, and the steering was numb and heavy. The brakes had a subtle dead spot, and the overall power was lacking. The Terrain AT4’s fuel economy was 26 mpg, matching the EPA rating.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder’s interior was designed for comfort and flexibility. Improved insulation, acoustic laminated glass, and thicker second-row glass reduced road and engine noise. The Pathfinder offered features like wide-opening doors, optional second-row captain’s chairs, and the ability to fit three car seats across the second-row bench. The EZ Flex Latch and Glide second-row seat technology allowed easy third-row access with a one-touch operation. The second-row center console was removable and could be stored in the rear under-floor cargo space. The front center console offered 13.4 liters of storage space.

The Pathfinder provided 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 45.0 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 80.5 cubic feet with both rows folded. The flush rear cargo space sides made it easy to load large items. The under-floor cargo space offered 54 liters of storage. The Pathfinder’s seats were comfortable, with heated seats standard on all models above base and ventilated seats on the Platinum trim. The driver’s seat was available with eight-way power adjustment and lumbar support. Tri-zone automatic climate control was standard, and there were 16 cup and bottle holders. The liftgate options included manual, power, and motion-activated.

The 2022 GMC Terrain’s interior was roomy for a compact crossover, with numerous comfort-enhancing features and storage solutions. The Terrain AT4 included 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 provided a comfortable driving position. The AT4 trim featured perforated leather upholstery with caramel-color contrast stitching and piping. The back seat offered proper support, legroom, and foot room, with a rear USB charging port.

The Terrain’s interior had various storage slots and spots, including a small shelf in the dashboard, narrow shelves in the door panels, and on the sides of the center console. 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’s seat could be folded down for longer items.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder was equipped with user-friendly technology. Standard features included a six-speaker audio system, 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, Siri Eyes Free, Google Assistant Voice Recognition, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, voice recognition, Bluetooth, satellite radio, hands-free text messaging, a 7-inch digital driver-information display, two 12-volt DC power outlets, and four USB ports. The Pathfinder Platinum featured a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument panel and head-up display. A 13-speaker Bose Premium Audio system was available on the SL and standard on the Platinum. Upper trims also offered a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless charging pad, wireless Apple CarPlay, additional USB ports, HomeLink, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and NissanConnect Services.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems. The SLE trim had a 7-inch touchscreen, while the SLT, AT4, and Denali featured 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. The Infotainment Package II upgrade added connected navigation, improved voice recognition, and the Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was highly responsive and accurate. The Tech Package option included a head-up display, front and rear park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The Terrain also featured a Tire Fill Alert system and remote engine starting.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, high-beam assist, and rear automatic braking. Additional standard features were a driver alertness monitor, rear door alert, and forward-collision warning. A rearview camera was standard, with a surround-view monitor available on upper trims. The Pathfinder had ten airbags, with the Platinum trim featuring eleven. Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had crash-tested the Pathfinder.

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 evaluated the Terrain’s crashworthiness.