Porsche Cayenne vs GMC Terrain

The 2022 GMC Terrain underwent a series of updates, including refreshed front styling, new wheel designs, and revised taillights and interior trim. The introduction of the AT4 trim level added a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels with sport-terrain tires, and AT4 badges, along with a steel skid plate for off-road protection. Our test vehicle featured Ebony Twilight metallic paint, a black leather interior, and a suite of packages that elevated its MSRP to $41,810. Despite these enhancements, the Terrain's interior materials and design did not fully meet expectations for a vehicle in this price range, with some features like the head-up display and pushbutton transmission controls falling short in terms of user-friendliness and craftsmanship.

In contrast, the 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a more luxurious and customizable experience. Available in both standard SUV and sporty Coupe forms, the Cayenne's GTS trim level featured high gloss black trim, bronze exhaust tips, and a unique front fascia with larger air intakes. Inside, the Cayenne allowed for extensive customization, from color choices to trim materials, with options like a custom paint job costing up to $13,000. The cabin was well-organized, with mechanical controls for essential features and a sliding center console. Despite its high price point, the Cayenne's interior was thoughtfully designed, offering a blend of sportiness and luxury.

The 2022 GMC Terrain was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. While this engine provided adequate performance, it lacked the acceleration and towing capacity of the previously available 2.0-liter engine. The nine-speed automatic transmission helped maintain the Terrain's performance within its torque band, but the vehicle struggled with rapid acceleration, especially on short freeway on-ramps. The Terrain AT4 offered FWD and AWD modes, with an Off-Road mode and Hill Descent Control system, but torque steer was an issue in FWD mode. The Terrain's suspension provided a smooth ride on highways and city streets, but its off-road capabilities were limited by its ground clearance and tire grip.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne, on the other hand, offered a range of powerful engine options. The base 3.0-liter V6 delivered 348 horsepower, while the Cayenne S and Turbo GT offered 468 hp and 650 hp, respectively. The GTS trim, with its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, produced 493 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, allowing for a 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 171 mph. The Cayenne's steering, suspension, and braking systems were finely tuned for performance, with features like Pirelli P Zero tires, stiffer roll bars, and an active suspension system. The GTS trim struck a balance between sporty performance and daily driving comfort, with adaptive drive modes and optional carbon ceramic brakes enhancing the driving experience.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered a spacious interior with numerous comfort features and storage solutions. The AT4 trim included power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The back seat provided ample legroom and support, with a rear USB charging port for convenience. Cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The Terrain's interior was designed for practicality, with various storage compartments throughout the cabin.

In comparison, the 2025 Porsche Cayenne focused on customization and luxury. While the base model offered standard features like eight-way power-adjustable seats and two-zone climate control, the options list was extensive, allowing for personalized interior elements such as carbon fiber or aluminum trim. The Cayenne accommodated five passengers comfortably, with ample headroom in the second row. Cargo space was slightly smaller than competitors, with 27.3 cubic feet behind the second row in the standard model, expanding to over 60 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The Cayenne's towing capacity exceeded 7,700 pounds, showcasing its versatility.

The 2022 GMC Terrain featured two infotainment systems, with the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims offering an 8-inch touchscreen. Both systems included Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Infotainment Package II added connected navigation, improved voice recognition, and a Bose premium sound system. The voice recognition system was highly praised for its accuracy and responsiveness, while the Bose speakers were less impressive. Additional tech features included a head-up display, park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne boasted a suite of advanced technology features, including a standard 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An optional 10.9-inch passenger screen allowed for navigation and media control, with a screen filter to prevent driver distraction. The Cayenne's infotainment system was user-friendly, with quick response times and voice control options. A head-up display provided essential information, though it appeared dim with polarized sunglasses. The Cayenne also included four high-speed USB-C charging ports and a cooled wireless charging area.

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 optional 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 Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from the IIHS, with a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain's crashworthiness at the time of review.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered standard safety features such as parking sensors, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. However, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warning were optional. Porsche's InnoDrive adaptive cruise control system provided advanced traffic incident preparation, but it was not tested during the review. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had rated the 2025 Cayenne for safety.