Compare the2023 GMC TerrainVS 2023 Cadillac XT4

The Terrain’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the XT4.

Both the Terrain and the XT4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the GMC Terrain is safer than the Cadillac XT4:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the GMC Terrain is safer than the Cadillac XT4:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Terrain the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 221 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XT4 has not been fully tested, yet.

There are almost 3 times as many GMC dealers as there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Terrain’s warranty.

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 Terrain’s reliability 41 points higher than the XT4.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Terrain third among compact suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The XT4 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that GMC vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC above average in initial quality. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that GMC vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks GMC 5 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

On the EPA test cycle the Terrain AWD gets better fuel mileage than the XT4 AWD (24 city/28 hwy vs. 22 city/29 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the GMC Terrain uses regular unleaded gasoline. The XT4 requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

For better maneuverability, the Terrain w/17” wheels’ turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the XT4’s (37.4 feet vs. 38 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Terrain SLE has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XT4 (6.9 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Terrain to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Terrain SLT/AT4/Denali’s minimum ground clearance is 1.2 inches higher than on the XT4 (7.9 vs. 6.7 inches).

The GMC Terrain may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 250 pounds less than the Cadillac XT4.

The Terrain has .6 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, .2 inches more rear legroom, 2 inches more rear hip room and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the XT4.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Terrain’s rear seats recline. The XT4’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Terrain has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XT4 with its rear seat up (29.6 vs. 22.5 cubic feet). The Terrain has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XT4 with its rear seat folded (63.3 vs. 48.9 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Terrain’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The XT4 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Terrain offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The XT4 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Terrain will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Terrain will retain 48.41% to 52.67% of its original price after five years, while the XT4 only retains 45.4% to 45.5%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Terrain is less expensive to operate than the XT4 because typical repairs cost much less on the Terrain than the XT4, including $49 less for a water pump, $7 less for front struts, $239 less for a timing belt/chain and $55 less for a power steering pump.

The GMC Terrain outsold the Cadillac XT4 by over four to one during the 2021 model year.