2024 Chevrolet Equinox vs. 2024 GMC Terrain: Which Is Better?
The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox and the 2024 GMC Terrain are popular compact SUVs. Each offers a good mix of style, performance, and practicality. However, when it comes to choosing the better vehicle, the Chevrolet Equinox stands out in several areas. We’ll compare the two models across various aspects, including engine performance, interior, exterior, safety, fuel efficiency, and pricing, to help you make an informed decision.
Engine and Performance
The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox offers a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that delivers 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. This engine ensures a smooth and responsive driving experience, perfect for navigating Woodlawn’s streets. The six-speed automatic transmission complements the engine’s performance, providing seamless gear shifts and enhancing overall driving comfort.
The 2024 GMC Terrain also features a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with similar power output. However, the Equinox provides superior handling and ride quality, offering a more refined suspension system that results in a smoother and quieter ride than the Terrain. Equinox’s engine is also tuned to prioritize fuel efficiency without compromising on power, making it a more balanced choice for daily commutes and long drives alike.
Interior

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox and 2024 GMC Terrain both focus on interior comfort and convenience, but the Equinox offers a slight edge in terms of features and overall value.
The Equinox comes standard with premium cloth upholstery, keyless start, and an optional cargo shade. While the Terrain also offers these features, the Chevy SUV has slightly larger interior dimensions, offering 63.9 cubic feet of maximum cargo space compared to the GMC’s 63.3 cubic feet. The Equinox also has a slight advantage in rear legroom, with 39.9 inches compared to the Terrain’s 39.7 inches.
In terms of technology, the Equinox’s infotainment system features a standard 7-inch diagonal color touch screen that’s easy to navigate and responsive to inputs. The system includes Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and a six-speaker audio system. The Terrain also comes standard with a 7-inch diagonal color touch screen, but its interface may feel less intuitive compared to the Equinox. Both vehicles offer available navigation and a premium audio system as optional upgrades.
Exterior
The Equinox’s exterior design emphasizes a bold and modern aesthetic. Measuring 183.1 inches in length and 72.6 inches in width, the vehicle offers a slightly more substantial presence on the road than the Terrain, which measures 182.3 inches in length and 72.4 inches in width. This extra length contributes to a more spacious feel, enhancing its appeal for families and those needing additional cargo space. The Equinox’s sleek lines and aggressive front grille are complemented by a range of vibrant color options, including Riptide Metallic and Iridescent Pearl Tricoat, which add to its visual allure.
In contrast, the 2024 GMC Terrain, while also stylish, has adopted a more conservative design approach. Although it shares similar dimensions in terms of height and wheelbase, its overall length and width make it feel slightly less commanding than the Equinox. The Terrain’s exterior features, including its more angular design and less aggressive front fascia, lack the Equinox’s dynamic flair.
Safety
Both compact SUVs prioritize safety and offer advanced safety features. This includes a lane change alert system with side blind zone alert, which is optional or standard depending on the trim level. However, the Equinox edges out the Terrain by providing standard child safety locks, which the Terrain lacks entirely.
Both vehicles have also received a five-star overall crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, indicating strong performance in safety assessments. However, the Equinox boasts superior ratings in specific categories, including a five-star frontal crash rating and a four-star rollover rating, compared to the Terrain’s slightly lower scores.
Fuel Efficiency
If you’re one of the many buyers who consider fuel efficiency a crucial factor, the Chevrolet Equinox excels in this area. It achieves an impressive 26 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway for front-wheel-drive (FWD) models, while all-wheel-drive (AWD) versions offer slightly lower figures of 24 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.
In contrast, the Terrain’s fuel economy falls short, with ratings of 24 mpg city and 29 mpg highway for FWD and 23 mpg city and 28 mpg highway for AWD models.
This difference in fuel efficiency translates to fewer stops at the gas station and contributes to lower overall operating costs for Equinox owners.
Pricing and Value

Affordability is another area where the Equinox shines. The Equinox has a starting MSRP of $26,600, making it excellent value for money with all the features and performance it offers. The Equinox’s competitive pricing, combined with its impressive array of standard features, ensures that you get the most bang for your buck.
In contrast, the 2024 GMC Terrain has a higher starting MSRP of $29,195. While the Terrain offers a range of features, its higher price point may not justify the added cost, especially when compared to the Equinox’s superior value proposition. For budget-conscious buyers looking for the best deal, the Equinox is the smarter choice.
Choosing between the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox and the 2024 GMC Terrain may seem challenging, but the Equinox emerges as the clear winner in several key areas. From its superior engine performance and handling to its spacious and comfortable interior, the Equinox offers a more well-rounded and satisfying driving experience. Its stylish exterior, advanced safety features, impressive fuel efficiency, and competitive pricing further solidify its position as the better choice.
Get Behind the Wheel of the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox at Johnson Family Chevrolet
At Johnson Family Chevrolet, we’re proud to offer the new Equinox to our valued customers. Our team is here to assist you with any questions and help you find the perfect vehicle to meet your needs. Come to our dealership today to test-drive the Equinox and experience its excellence firsthand. Contact us now to schedule your visit and take the first step toward owning your dream SUV.
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