Compare the2024 GMC TerrainVS 2023 Lexus RX

Both the Terrain and the RX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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.

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 231 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The RX has not been fully tested, yet.

There are almost 7 times as many GMC dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Terrain’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Terrain has a standard 700-amp battery. The RX’s 603-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Terrain second among compact suvs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The RX isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that GMC vehicles are better in initial quality than Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC above average in initial quality. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is rated lower.

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

Both the Terrain and the RX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Terrains have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The RX 350h/500h doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the GMC Terrain uses regular unleaded gasoline. The RX 350 requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Terrain has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The RX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the GMC Terrain, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the RX.

The Terrain has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The RX doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The GMC Terrain may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 750 to 1050 pounds less than the Lexus RX.

The Terrain is 10.2 inches shorter than the RX, making the Terrain easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Terrain offers available electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The RX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Terrain uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The RX doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Terrain has .5 inches more front headroom and 2.3 inches more rear legroom than the RX.

The Terrain has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (63.3 vs. 46.2 cubic feet).

The Terrain’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RX’s (1500 vs. 0 pounds).

Consumer Reports rated the Terrain’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the RX’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”