Head to Head
2027 GMC Terrain vs Chevy Equinox Hot Springs AR
Same engine, same gearbox, same tow rating, same maximum cargo, same wheelbase. Allen Tillery sells both. Here is the short list of things that actually differ.
The 2027 GMC Terrain and the 2027 Chevrolet Equinox are built on the same bones, and pretending otherwise would waste your time. Both run a 1.5L Turbo four-cylinder rated at 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft through an 8-speed automatic. Both are front-wheel drive with all-wheel drive available. Both tow up to 1,500 lbs properly equipped, both carry 63.5 cubic feet with the second row folded, both ride a 107.5-inch wheelbase, both hold 14.8 gallons and both are rated at 4,850 pounds gross. The differences are real, but there are fewer of them than either brand's advertising suggests.
Allen Tillery Auto sells both nameplates: GMC and Buick here on Central Ave, Chevrolet at our sister store. Either way you buy from us, and the choice comes down to four things: the screen, the entry price, whether you want a factory off-road trim or a factory sport trim, and which cabin you prefer sitting in.
Quick Take
Choose the 2027 Terrain if the cabin technology is what you notice first, or if you want factory off-road hardware. Its standard touchscreen measures 15 inches against the Equinox's 11.3, its front leg room is 44.0 inches against 40.9, and the AT4 gives you a lifted ride height, a steel-shielded skid plate, all-terrain tires and Hill Descent Control from the factory.
Choose the 2027 Equinox if the entry price decides it, or if you want the sport look. It starts at $29,000 against the Terrain's $30,400, its ACTIV and RS models start at $33,900 against the Terrain AT4's $39,100, and it is EPA-rated 27 MPG combined with front-wheel drive against 26. Both are sold by Allen Tillery.
Key Numbers
- The 2027 GMC Terrain starts at $30,400 and the 2027 Chevrolet Equinox at $29,000, both excluding a $1,995 destination charge.
- Both use a 1.5L Turbo four-cylinder rated at 175 hp and 203 lb-ft with an 8-speed automatic.
- The Terrain's standard touchscreen is 15 inches; the Equinox's is 11.3 inches.
- Both tow up to 1,500 lbs properly equipped and both carry 63.5 cu ft with the rear seat folded.
- EPA rates the front-wheel-drive Equinox at 27 MPG combined and the front-wheel-drive Terrain at 26 MPG combined.
2027 GMC Terrain Overview
Three trims: Elevation from $30,400, AT4 from $39,100, Denali from $42,200, each excluding the $1,995 destination charge. Every Terrain carries the 15-inch Premium GMC Infotainment System with Google built-in, an 11-inch Driver Information Center, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and over 16 standard safety and driver assistance features. The AT4 is the factory off-road trim; the Denali is the factory luxury trim. Full detail on the Terrain overview and the Terrain trims page.
2027 Chevrolet Equinox Overview
Three gas models: LT from $29,000, RS from $33,900 and ACTIV from $33,900, on the same $1,995 destination charge. Every Equinox carries an 11.3-inch touchscreen with Google built-in, a standard Drive Mode Selector and over 15 standard safety and driver assistance features including Chevy Safety Assist. The ACTIV is the rugged-look model with all-terrain tires and a uniquely-tuned suspension; the RS is the blacked-out sport model on 19-inch wheels. New for 2027: an available Interior Camera for cabin glance and security recordings. It is a genuinely strong compact SUV and it is the better value at the entry point.
Powertrain Comparison
Identical. Not similar, identical: the same engine, the same output, the same gearbox and the same tow rating. Fuel economy separates by one to two MPG.
| Measure | 2027 GMC Terrain | 2027 Chevrolet Equinox |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L Turbo four-cylinder | 1.5L Turbo four-cylinder |
| Output | 175 hp / 203 lb-ft | 175 hp / 203 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive standard, all-wheel drive available | Front-wheel drive standard, all-wheel drive available |
| EPA front-wheel drive | 25 city / 28 hwy / 26 combined | 25 city / 29 hwy / 27 combined |
| EPA all-wheel drive | 24 / 28 / 25 | 25 / 29 / 26 |
| Max trailering | 1,500 lbs, conventional ball hitch, properly equipped | 1,500 lbs, properly equipped |
| Fuel tank | 14.8 gallons front-wheel drive | 14.8 gallons |
| Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles basic, 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain | 3 years / 36,000 miles basic, 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain |
EPA estimates, published at fueleconomy.gov. Your mileage will vary.
Interior and Technology Comparison
This is where the two separate most. The Terrain's screen is 15 inches diagonal and standard on Elevation, AT4 and Denali; the Equinox's is 11.3 inches and standard across its lineup. Both run Google built-in, so the difference is size and layout rather than capability.
| Measure | 2027 GMC Terrain | 2027 Chevrolet Equinox |
|---|---|---|
| Standard touchscreen | 15.0 inches | 11.3 inches |
| Driver display | 11-inch Driver Information Center | 11-inch digital display |
| Front leg room | 44.0 inches | 40.9 inches |
| Front head room | 40.6 inches | 40.0 inches |
| Front shoulder room | 57.7 inches | 57.7 inches |
| Max cargo volume | 63.5 cu ft | 63.5 cu ft |
| Seating | 5, two rows | 5, two rows |
| Camera views | Up to nine available | HD Surround Vision available |
Both offer a panoramic sunroof, wireless smartphone charging, a hands-free power liftgate and a two-tone roof. Both carry a comprehensive standard driver-assistance suite: over 16 features on the Terrain, over 15 on the Equinox including the six-feature Chevy Safety Assist package.
Pricing and Value
Both carry the same $1,995 destination charge, so these figures compare directly.
| Position | 2027 GMC Terrain | 2027 Chevrolet Equinox |
|---|---|---|
| Entry model | Elevation, $30,400 | LT, $29,000 |
| Second model | AT4, $39,100 | RS, $33,900 |
| Third model | Denali, $42,200 | ACTIV, $33,900 |
| Published range | $30,400 to $42,200 | $29,000 to $35,900 |
| Destination charge | $1,995 | $1,995 |
MSRP excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment. Dealer sets final price.
The Equinox opens $1,400 lower and its range tops out about $6,300 below the Terrain's. The Terrain's range runs higher because the Denali exists; there is no Equinox equivalent with ventilated leather-appointed front seats as standard. Which of those matters depends entirely on where in the range you are shopping.
Where Each One Wins
The Terrain wins on
- Screen size. 15 inches standard against 11.3.
- Front leg room. 44.0 inches against 40.9.
- Factory off-road hardware. The AT4 brings a lifted ride height, a front skid plate with a steel underbody shield, red recovery hooks, all-terrain tires and Hill Descent Control. The Equinox ACTIV has all-terrain tires and a uniquely-tuned suspension, but no skid plate or recovery hooks.
- A luxury ceiling. The Denali's heated and ventilated perforated leather-appointed front seats, heated rear outboard seats and standard HD Surround Vision have no Equinox counterpart.
The Equinox wins on
- Entry price. $29,000 against $30,400, on the same destination charge.
- Fuel economy. 27 MPG combined front-wheel drive against 26, and 26 against 25 with all-wheel drive.
- Price of the character models. RS and ACTIV both start at $33,900, $5,200 below the Terrain AT4.
- A sport model. The RS's blacked-out treatment, flat-bottom steering wheel and 19-inch wheels have no Terrain equivalent.
- New-for-2027 cabin camera. The available Interior Camera records cabin glance and security footage.
Which Should You Choose?
Neither is the default. We stock both and we would rather you drive the one you will still like in three years, so route by what you actually want.
You want the biggest screen in the class at this price
Terrain. Fifteen inches diagonal, standard on Elevation, AT4 and Denali. See Terrain inventory
The entry price is the deciding factor
Equinox LT, at $29,000. Same engine, same gearbox, same tow rating, $1,400 less to get in. Ask our Chevrolet store for stock.
You are tall, or you drive long distances
Terrain. 44.0 inches of front leg room against 40.9 is the kind of difference you feel on the second hour of a drive, not in the showroom. See Terrain inventory
Your road turns to gravel and you want factory hardware
Terrain AT4. The skid plate, recovery hooks and Hill Descent Control are the reason. See AT4 inventory
You want the blacked-out sport look
Equinox RS. There is no Terrain trim that does that; the Terrain Black Edition is an appearance edition on the Elevation rather than a sport model.
You want ventilated leather-appointed seats and a surround camera as standard
Terrain Denali. Nothing in the Equinox gas lineup is positioned there. See Denali inventory
Fuel economy is the number you optimise
Equinox, by 1 MPG combined either drivetrain. On 12,000 miles a year that is a small difference, and worth weighing against the cabin you prefer.
Drive Both at Allen Tillery
Allen Tillery Auto has been family-owned at 4573 Central Ave since 1967, and Chevrolet moved to its own store about four months into 2026, so both nameplates are still one phone call apart. Long humid summers and short ice-storm winters age batteries and wiper blades faster here than the odometer suggests, which is a good argument for buying where you will service. We deliver up Highway 70 and Interstate 30 to Benton, Bryant, Malvern, Arkadelphia, Hope and Little Rock, and out to Hot Springs Village. Call (501) 881-4160 and we will line up whichever two you want to compare back to back, or book a test drive online.
Terrain vs Equinox FAQs
Are the GMC Terrain and Chevy Equinox the same vehicle?
No, but they are close. Both use the 1.5L Turbo four-cylinder rated at 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft with an 8-speed automatic, both ride a 107.5-inch wheelbase, both carry 63.5 cu ft of maximum cargo volume and both tow up to 1,500 lbs properly equipped. They differ in screen size, interior dimensions, trim positioning and price.
Which is cheaper, the Terrain or the Equinox?
The Equinox. It starts at $29,000 against the Terrain's $30,400, and both carry the same $1,995 destination charge. The gap widens further up: the Equinox RS and ACTIV both start at $33,900 while the Terrain AT4 starts at $39,100.
Which has the bigger screen?
The Terrain, and it is not close. Its Premium GMC Infotainment System measures 15 inches diagonal and is standard on every trim. The Equinox's touchscreen measures 11.3 inches. Both run Google built-in.
Which gets better gas mileage?
The Equinox, by 1 MPG combined. EPA rates the front-wheel-drive Equinox at 25 city / 29 highway / 27 combined and the front-wheel-drive Terrain at 25 / 28 / 26. With all-wheel drive it is 26 combined against 25.
Which one tows more?
Neither. Both are rated to tow up to 1,500 lbs when properly equipped.
Which has more room inside?
The Terrain up front, with 44.0 inches of leg room against the Equinox's 40.9 and 40.6 inches of head room against 40.0. Front shoulder room is 57.7 inches in both and maximum cargo volume is 63.5 cu ft in both.
Is the Terrain AT4 the same as the Equinox ACTIV?
No. Both wear all-terrain tires, but the AT4 adds a lifted ride height, a front skid plate with a steel underbody shield, red front recovery hooks, Hill Descent Control and six drive modes. The ACTIV pairs its all-terrain tires with a uniquely-tuned suspension and rugged styling at $5,200 less.
Does Allen Tillery sell both?
Yes. GMC and Buick are at 4573 Central Ave and Chevrolet is at our separate Chevrolet store. Call (501) 881-4160 and we will arrange for you to drive both.
Drive them back to back
Tell us which two you want side by side and we will have both ready. One appointment, one afternoon, one decision.
More on the 2027 Terrain
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Terrain vs Chevy Equinox (you are here)
May not represent actual vehicle. (Options, colors, trim and body style may vary)
The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price excludes tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment. Dealer sets final price.