Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs GMC Terrain

When looking at the exterior updates for the 2022 GMC Terrain, GMC had enhanced its front styling, wheel designs, and taillights, alongside refreshing its interior trim. A bold AT4 trim also joined the lineup, featuring a bolder grille, black 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in sport-terrain tires, and unique AT4 badges. This trim was designed as a "small off-road SUV," equipped with a steel skid plate under the front end to protect mechanical components.

Our test vehicle arrived in Ebony Twilight metallic paint with the blacked-out AT4 treatment and black leather interior. It was loaded with premium packages such as the Tech Package, Infotainment Package II, and GMC Pro Safety Plus Package, capped off with a Skyscape panoramic sunroof and a three-year subscription to OnStar services. This configuration brought the MSRP to $41,810. For more budget-friendly options, customers could look to the SLE and SLT trim levels with standard front-wheel drive, or the luxurious Terrain Denali.

Despite these offerings, the Terrain remained GMC’s entry-level model, noticeable in the quality of materials and execution of details. For example, the head-up display projected information onto a clear plastic panel rather than directly onto the windshield. The pushbutton transmission controls, although designed to free up space, proved less intuitive and did not provide adequate storage for a smartphone.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, redesigned in 2019, boasted a more substantial and blocky appearance with a trapezoidal grille adapted from Toyota's truck line, framed by angular bodywork and headlights. The interior continued this angular theme with a multi-tiered dashboard featuring beveled cutouts, providing visual interest. The layout was typical of vehicles with a top-mounted infotainment touchscreen and a mix of physical buttons and knobs.

Materials in the RAV4 Hybrid were average for its class, with plenty of hard plastics but lightly padded touchpoints. Lower trims, including the new Woodland trim, lacked a leather-wrapped steering wheel, opting for a cheaper urethane wheel and center armrest, which felt unsatisfactory in hand. This contrast was notably absent in higher trims, which offered better materials and build quality.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. Notably, the previously available turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, which offered better acceleration and a higher towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, was discontinued. The 1.5-liter managed a trailer weight of 1,500 pounds and required operating within its torque band (2,000-4,000 rpm) for optimal performance. The nine-speed automatic transmission aided in maintaining this torque range, though there were some initial delays off the line.

The Terrain featured a four-wheel independent suspension with the AT4 model riding on 17-inch wheels and offering 7.9 inches of ground clearance, slightly less than some of its off-road competitors. Its handling on pavement was comfortable with a smooth highway ride and satisfactory quietness, though more body motion was observed on undulating surfaces. However, the AT4 fell short off-road, often scraping its front end due to insufficient ground clearance. Fuel economy for the AT4 version was commendable, achieving 26.2 mpg during testing.

On the other hand, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor/generator, producing a combined 219 horsepower. The CVT and an additional electric motor on the rear axle provided AWD. This hybrid accelerates to 60 mph in a respectable 7.5 seconds, outperforming the standard RAV4 by half a second, but slightly lagging behind the plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime at 5.5 seconds.

The Hybrid's regenerative braking was seamless, with smooth transitions between regenerative and physical braking. Its suspension effectively smoothed out ride quality over rough surfaces, offering confident cornering. Overall, it performed well without being sporty, maintaining a balance that appealed to most drivers.

Inside the 2022 GMC Terrain, comfort and practicality were key highlights. The roomy interior offered power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control with rear vents. The perforated leather upholstery in the AT4 trim, coupled with caramel-colored contrast stitching, provided an upscale feel, while the rear seat offered ample room and comfort, complemented by a rear USB charging port.

The Terrain’s storage solutions were plentiful, though not always optimally designed. The cargo area provided 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Additionally, the front passenger seat could fold down to accommodate longer items.

In comparison, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered spacious front seats and adequate rear seats, though rear legroom was slightly less than some competitors. Rear seat cushions were low, affecting thigh support for taller passengers. The cargo area accommodated 37.5 cubic feet, just slightly less than the non-hybrid version and comparable to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage. A wide dashboard shelf, sizeable phone tray, large cupholders, and a center armrest bin provided good storage options for personal items.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems: a standard 7-inch touchscreen in the SLE trim and an 8-inch touchscreen for SLT, AT4, and Denali trims. These systems included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and GMC Connected Services through OnStar, with options for connected navigation and a Bose premium sound system. The voice recognition system was particularly impressive in testing scenarios, proving accurate and responsive.

However, the Bose audio system left room for improvement. The terrain’s Tech Package included useful features like front and rear park assist sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a head-up display, although the latter used a clear plastic panel rather than projecting directly onto the windshield.

For the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, the updated infotainment system was a significant upgrade, featuring modern graphics and logical menus. Base models had an 8.0-inch display, while higher trims offered a 10.5-inch screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with optional wireless charging. Over-the-air software updates, a Wi-Fi hotspot, remote monitoring, and control added convenience. Higher trims also featured a fully digital instrument panel, with the top Limited trim offering an 11-speaker JBL audio system.

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 beams, and a following distance indicator. Options included 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 with mostly “Good” scores but “Marginal” in a side-impact test. The NHTSA had not rated the Terrain as of the review date.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid earned high safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS. Equipped with Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.5 suite, the RAV4 Hybrid included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and a traffic sign reader as standard. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, surround-view camera system, and a digital rearview mirror. These features consistently performed well during testing.