Compare the2026 Kia SportageVS 2026 GMC Terrain

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Kia Sportage are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The GMC Terrain doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Sportage’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Terrain doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Sportage and the Terrain have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The Kia Sportage has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Terrain has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

The Sportage comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Terrain’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Sportage 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than GMC covers the Terrain. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Terrain ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Sportage has a standard 150-amp alternator. The Terrain’s 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Sportage’s reliability 14 points higher than the Terrain.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 11 places higher in reliability than GMC.

The Sportage’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 12 more horsepower (187 vs. 175) than the Terrain FWD’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Sportage’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 12 more horsepower (187 vs. 175) than the Terrain AWD’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Kia Sportage is faster than the Terrain AWD:

On the EPA test cycle the Sportage gets better mileage than the Terrain:

For better stopping power the Sportage’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Terrain:

The Sportage has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Sportage flat and controlled during cornering. The Terrain’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Sportage has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Terrain doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Sportage X-Pro Prestige handles at .84 G’s, while the Terrain Elevation AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Sportage AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Terrain AT4 (27.9 seconds @ .58 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Sportage has a 2.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Terrain (8.3 vs. 5.8 inches), allowing the Sportage to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Sportage’s minimum ground clearance is 1.9 inches higher than on the Terrain AT4 (8.3 vs. 6.4 inches).

The Sportage has .2 inches more rear headroom, 1.6 inches more rear legroom and 2.4 inches more rear hip room than the Terrain.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Sportage’s rear seats recline. The Terrain’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Sportage has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Terrain with its rear seat up (39.6 vs. 29.8 cubic feet). The Sportage has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Terrain with its rear seat folded (74.1 vs. 63.5 cubic feet).

The Sportage’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Terrain’s (2500 vs. 800 pounds).

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Sportage uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Terrain doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Sportage EX/SX/Prestige/X-Line/X-Pro’s front power windows both open or close with one touch of the switches. The Terrain’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Sportage X-Pro to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Terrain doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Both the Kia Sportage and GMC Terrain offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Sportage offers optional power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Terrain’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Kia Sportage retains 52.85% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 50.74% resale value of the 2025 GMC Terrain after five years, which can save the Kia’s owner up to $1200.56944 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Kia Sportage and the GMC Terrain, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Kia Sportage outsold the GMC Terrain by 81% during 2024.