Compact SUV Clash: 2025 GMC Terrain vs 2025 Honda CR-V

The Terrain is all new for 2025 as GMC welcomes the third generation of this compact crossover, which gains fresh sheet metal, a new headlamp design inspired by the full-size Yukon, not to mention a thorough interior refresh complete with some intriguing new tech. As a GMC dealer near Farmington Hills, we know GMC’s smallest SUV packs a big punch, but how does it hold up against the rest of the compact segment? Honda’s best-selling CR-V provides plenty of cargo room, customization potential, and a useful benchmark for a little crossover comparison. 

The Terrain and CR-V are built around almost identical turbocharged four-cylinder engines and are hard to separate in terms of towing capacity, but that’s where the similarities end. GMC and Honda have simply taken contrasting approaches to the compact segment, but the most notable difference between the 2025 Terrain and CR-V might just come down to the trims. At first glance, it might seem like the CR-V holds an obvious edge with three available trims (or six if you include the hybrid model) compared to just one for the Terrain, but that doesn’t mean Honda’s crossover has any inherent advantages. Let’s take a moment to see how the GMC Terrain and Honda CR-V stack up and learn which is the more compelling compact.      

Performance

The third-generation GMC Terrain might be welcoming a host of new upgrades, but some things simply can’t be improved upon. The Terrain’s 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is a paragon of performance and efficiency, providing the compact SUV with plenty of power while keeping visits to the gas station few and far between. The 1.5-liter engine can produce 175 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque without breaking a sweat, but it’s the turbocharger that really sweetens the deal for drivers who put a premium on fuel economy. A little forced induction goes a long way, with the turbocharger allowing the Terrain to return an EPA-estimated 26 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway in its standard front-wheel drive. 

Adding optional all-wheel drive has a modest effect, at 24 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway, but the Terrain’s towing ability is another story altogether. Opting for AWD gives the compact crossover nearly double the available towing capacity with 1,500 lbs on offer, which should come in use when you’re trying to tote some kayaks for a little paddle on the Clinton River. The AWD option also sees the FWD’s continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) swapped for a normal eight-speed automatic. The CVT is no slouch—and offers a smooth, seamless ride with a focus on efficiency—but the eight-speed automatic is sure to satisfy those traditionalists who prefer predictable gear changes, lower repair costs, and enhanced driver engagement.   

Under the hood, the CR-V doesn’t stray too far from the Terrain, but Honda’s compact is lacking in a few important areas. The standard turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine mirrors the Terrain’s setup pretty closely, and while it offers slightly more in the way of horsepower, it falls a little short in torque, with 179 lb-ft on offer. The gap between the two SUVs is pretty narrow, but the CR-V’s lower torque makes for something of a sleepy ride, taking up to 8.1 seconds to accelerate from zero to 60 mph. The CR-V is largely hampered by its CVT, which, unlike the Terrain, is the only transmission on offer for the 2025 model year. The CVT does offer some benefits as far as efficiency is concerned, with the FWD CR-V delivering 28 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway, but these numbers come at the cost of acceleration, as well as an underwhelming and often noisy response when you hit the gas.  

Technology

GMC has clearly prioritized interior tech when designing the 2025 Terrain, and the results speak for themselves. The most obvious upgrade is the new 15-inch infotainment touchscreen, which replaces the 7- and 8-inch screens found in the previous model. With more than twice the real estate to work with, drivers should have no problem navigating menus, following GPS directions, selecting their favorite playlist, or tracking vital vehicle metrics. Best of all, the new touchscreen display has a vertical design that should prove to be a familiar, intuitive interface for anyone who’s mastered their tablet computer. The infotainment system is built on the latest Google-based operating system, giving Terrain drivers the opportunity to leverage the expertise of one of the world’s foremost tech companies every time they get behind the wheel. 

From navigating your way through unfamiliar territory with Google Maps to streaming your go-to playlist or enjoying your favorite podcasts through the Google Play app as you commute down Grand River Avenue, the responsive system is a one-stop shop for all your infotainment needs. The Terrain even comes standard with Google Assistant, a hands-free system that allows you to send and receive texts and phone calls, manage your calendar, access important updates, and even control compatible smart home devices like smart speakers, thermostats, and security systems. In addition to its expansive dashboard infotainment display, the Terrain also boasts a new 11-inch digital instrument cluster that can be easily customized to track a wide range of data.    

The CR-V simply can’t compete with the Terrain in terms of interior tech, even on some of the higher trims. This crossover has a standard 7.0-inch touchscreen display on the LX and EX trim, and while it does grow to 8.0 inches for the EX-L, it still falls well short of the current industry average. The CR-V’s infotainment system is also a little less sophisticated from a software perspective. The lower trims do feature popular connectivity features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but users will be forced to jack into the system manually in contrast to the Terrain’s wireless functionality. Like the Terrain, the CR-V has wireless smartphone charging and plenty of USB ports spread throughout the cabin, but the relatively small 7.0-inch display that’s nestled in the gauge cluster is bound to be a little disappointing for some tech-focused drivers. 

The GMC SUV‘s dominance in the tech department shouldn’t come as that much of a surprise. Innovation is rapidly transforming the auto sector with new advancements, features, and technologies revolutionizing the market. The CR-V has done an admirable job of keeping up with the times, but in the fast-paced world of modern in-vehicle technology, a few years can make all the difference. The sixth-gen CR-V might have only made its debut in 2023, but it’s already started to look a little dated when compared to newer models like the latest Terrain. 

Trim Levels

GMC might have axed the SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali trims for the new year, but the remaining Elevation trim comes out on top with a comprehensive array of contemporary comfort, convenience, and safety features. While advanced tech like adaptive cruise control or IntelliBeam automatic high beams would probably be treated as optional add-ons or limited to higher trims on your average SUV, the Elevation gains all that and more to become one of the best values in the crossover class. 

The Terrain also embraces a few high-end touches that should go a long way to improve the daily driving experience, from a remote starter to a heated steering wheel and heated front seats. The Terrain also punches well above its weight and price when it comes to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and other safety tech, with the SUV offering blind-spot monitoring, a rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and automated emergency braking with new-and-improved pedestrian and cyclist detection that are sure to come in handy when you head into Detroit to catch a game or a show or just want to enjoy a night out in the Motor City. 

The CR-V does offer an extensive suite of ADAS tech, including a driver attention monitor and backseat reminder, but drivers might start to feel a bit nickel-and-dimed when it comes to some of the more premium features. Take the blind spot system, remote engine start, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors, for example. While these features are available on the CR-V, they’re treated as options rather than standard fare. The same goes for comfort features like the heated front seats, steering wheel, and exterior mirrors, but the biggest difference comes down to interior tech. The Terrain Elevation comes standard with satellite radio, built-in navigation, and in-car Wi-Fi—three features that are limited to upper trims on optional equipment packages on the CR-V. 

Some of these shortfalls might not be a dealbreaker, but the lack of standard navigation is a bit hard to justify in today’s market. All in all, it’s hard to argue with the sort of value that the Elevation trim can provide. This lone trim folds in some of the best aspects of the Terrain’s departed SLT and Denali trims despite costing up to $8,000 less, and it rivals the CR-V’s $35,000 EX-L trim while keeping thousands in your pocket. If building a bespoke SUV is worth the cost, the CR-V might be worth the investment, but it’s a little hard to justify when you consider the Terrain’s long list of standard features.

Find Your Own GMC Terrain Today!

The GMC Terrain was already one of the leading options in the compact crossover segment, but the new third-generation model cements the SUV’s status in this competitive category. From its long list of standard features, including some high-end details that are noticeably lacking in the CR-V’s lower trims, to its expansive touchscreen infotainment display, impressive performance, and full arsenal of standard ADAS features, the Terrain is about as versatile as they come in today’s crossover market. 

The CR-V holds its own with a generous assortment of trims, and its efficiency can’t be discounted, but at the end of the day, it’s a little hard to justify the Honda’s higher price when the Terrain packs so much value. If you’re in the market for a well-rounded compact SUV that packs all the modern amenities, LaFontaine Buick GMC Highland is at your service. We offer a wide range of new and pre-owned vehicles from GMC’s award-winning pickups like the midsize Canyon and full-size Sierra 1500 to the new-and-improved compact contender that is the 2025 GMC Terrain. Contact us today to schedule a test drive.

Posted in GMC Dealer Near Farmington Hills | No Comments »