In the world of compact SUVs, the 2023 GMC Terrain and Buick Envision stand as two commendable choices. Both vehicles hail from the esteemed General Motors family, renowned for their reliable performance, innovative features, and distinct design philosophies. But as similar as they may seem at first glance, these siblings embody unique personalities that cater to different kinds of drivers.
This in-depth comparison delves into the nuances of each, shedding light on their respective strengths and idiosyncrasies to help prospective buyers make an informed decision.
Exterior Design
The GMC Terrain sports a bold and rugged exterior design. It features a refreshed front end, complete with LED headlights and a larger, more aggressive grille. The sculpted lines running down the sides give the Terrain an aerodynamic edge, while the high ground clearance and large wheel arches underline its off-road readiness.
On the other hand, the Buick Envision boasts a more sophisticated and elegant look. Its sleek and fluid lines exude a sense of luxury, complemented by the signature waterfall grille and LED-accented taillights. Its lower stance and wider proportions create a balanced and dynamic profile.
Interior Design
The GMC Terrain’s interior design reflects its exterior ruggedness, with robust materials and an intuitive layout. The center console is driver-focused, with easily accessible controls. The Terrain’s infotainment system is displayed on a large touchscreen, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities.
The Buick Envision, in line with its luxurious exterior, offers a more premium interior experience. It features high-quality materials, including available leather upholstery and wood accents, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The Envision’s infotainment system also supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Wi-Fi hotspot, but it comes with a slightly larger touchscreen and an available premium sound system.
Seating
The GMC Terrain comfortably seats up to five passengers, offering generous headroom and legroom in both rows. The front seats are power-adjustable, and heated seats are available in higher trims.
The Buick Envision also seats five but offers slightly more legroom in the rear, making it a better choice for families with tall teenagers or adults. Heated and ventilated seats are standard in higher trims, and a massage function is available, adding an extra touch of luxury.
Storage
The Terrain has a versatile cargo area that can be expanded by folding down the 60/40 split rear seats, providing plenty of room for luggage, shopping bags, or outdoor gear.
The Envision’s cargo space is slightly larger, and it also comes with a hands-free power liftgate in higher trims, making loading and unloading easier.
Performance
The GMC Terrain comes with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that provides sufficient power for most driving situations. It’s paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission that ensures smooth gear shifts. An all-wheel-drive (AWD) option is available for those who require extra traction.
The Buick Envision is equipped with a slightly more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission. This setup offers more lively acceleration and a more dynamic driving experience. AWD is also available for the Envision, improving its performance in tricky weather or road conditions.
Fuel Efficiency
The GMC Terrain is quite efficient, offering competitive fuel economy figures for the compact SUV class. The Terrain’s turbocharged engine and efficient transmission contribute to its impressive mileage, making it a good choice for daily commutes or long road trips.
The Buick Envision, despite its larger engine, also boasts commendable fuel efficiency. Its advanced engine technologies and aerodynamic design help keep fuel consumption in check. However, it slightly trails behind the Terrain in terms of overall fuel economy.
Safety
The GMC Terrain includes a host of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and forward-collision warning. Additional safety tech, like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, are available in higher trims.
The Buick Envision also comes standard with a suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. It goes a step further by offering standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, even in base models.
Trim Levels
The GMC Terrain comes in four trim levels: SL, SLE, SLT, and Denali. Each trim offers an increasing level of comfort, convenience, and tech features. The top-of-the-line Denali trim includes high-end touches like leather upholstery, premium sound system, and advanced safety features.
The Buick Envision is available in three trims: Preferred, Essence, and Avenir. The Essence trim adds luxury features like leather seating and an upgraded infotainment system, while the Avenir trim is the most luxurious, with ventilated seats, a head-up display, and a premium audio system.
Pricing
The GMC Terrain, being the more budget-oriented model, starts at a lower price. However, as you move up the trim levels, especially to the Denali, the price increases significantly.
The Buick Envision, on the other hand, starts at a higher price, reflecting its more luxurious positioning. However, its top Avenir trim is comparably priced to the Terrain’s Denali trim, making it a compelling choice for luxury buyers.
Key Differences
Interior Comfort and Luxury
The interior also reflects these distinct design philosophies. While the Terrain has a functional and sturdy interior, the Envision elevates the experience with its high-quality materials, optional leather upholstery, and available wood accents. Moreover, the Envision offers features like heated and ventilated seats and a massage function in higher trims, emphasizing comfort and luxury.
Performance
In terms of performance, the Buick Envision comes with a larger, more powerful engine than the GMC Terrain, offering a more spirited driving experience. However, this doesn’t mean that the Terrain is lacking in performance. Its engine is more than capable of handling everyday driving situations, and the availability of an all-wheel-drive option bolsters its off-road readiness.
Safety Features
Safety is another area where the Envision seems to have an edge. While both vehicles come standard with several safety features, the Envision offers blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert as standard features from the base model, which are only available in higher trims of the Terrain.
Price and Value Proposition
Price and value proposition are other important differentiators. The Terrain, with its lower starting price, offers a more budget-friendly option, especially for those who prefer a rugged and practical vehicle. The Envision, while starting at a higher price, provides a more luxurious experience, making it worth considering for those who value comfort and luxury.
Final Thoughts
Selecting between the 2023 GMC Terrain and the Buick Envision is akin to choosing between two flavors of a well-loved dish. Both bring to the table the reliability and quality inherent in General Motors’ offerings, yet they appeal to distinct tastes. If you’re drawn to rugged styling, practicality, and value for money, the Terrain stands as a solid choice. Conversely, if you find yourself leaning towards sophistication, luxury, and a suite of standard safety features, the Envision might just be the SUV for you.
In the end, your decision will come down to which flavor suits your palate best. Regardless of your choice, you’ll be driving away in a vehicle that represents the best of American automotive engineering.
Features Breakdown
2023 GMC Terrain
- Exterior Design: Bold, rugged design with a refreshed front end, large grille, and LED headlights.
- Interior Design: Robust materials with a driver-focused console, large touchscreen infotainment system.
- Seating: Comfortable seating for five with generous headroom and legroom. Power-adjustable front seats.
- Storage: Versatile cargo area expandable by folding down the 60/40 split rear seats.
- Performance: Turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Available all-wheel-drive.
- Fuel Efficiency: Competitive fuel economy figures for the compact SUV class.
- Safety: Standard features include automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and forward-collision warning. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert available in higher trims.
- Trim Levels: Four trim levels – SL, SLE, SLT, and Denali.
- Pricing: More budget-oriented, starting price is lower than the Envision.
2023 Buick Envision
- Exterior Design: Elegant, sophisticated look with sleek lines, waterfall grille, and LED-accented taillights.
- Interior Design: Premium interior with high-quality materials, optional leather upholstery, wood accents, and a larger touchscreen infotainment system.
- Seating: Comfortable seating for five with extra legroom in the rear. Heated and ventilated seats available, as well as a massage function.
- Storage: Slightly larger cargo space than the Terrain, with hands-free power liftgate in higher trims.
- Performance: 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Available all-wheel-drive.
- Fuel Efficiency: Commendable fuel efficiency, though slightly less than the Terrain.
- Safety: Standard features include forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
- Trim Levels: Three trim levels – Preferred, Essence, and Avenir.
- Pricing: Higher starting price than the Terrain, reflecting its luxury positioning. Top trim comparably priced to the Terrain’s Denali trim.
