Compare the2024 GMC TerrainVS 2024 Dodge Hornet

Both the Terrain and the Hornet 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.

The Terrain’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Hornet’s (6 vs. 5 years).

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 14 points higher than the Hornet.

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

On the EPA test cycle the Terrain gets better mileage than the Hornet running its gasoline engine:

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

The Terrain FWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Hornet R/T’s standard fuel tank (14.9 vs. 11.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Terrain AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Hornet GT’s standard fuel tank (15.6 vs. 13.5 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the GMC Terrain higher (7 out of 10) than the Dodge Hornet (6 to 7). This means the Terrain produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Hornet every 15,000 miles.

For better traction, the Terrain has larger standard tires than the Hornet (225/65R17 vs. 215/60R17).

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 Hornet doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Terrain’s wheelbase is 3.5 inches longer than on the Hornet (107.3 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

The Terrain Denali AWD handles at .79 G’s, while the Hornet GT pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Terrain SLE has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Hornet R/T (6.9 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the Terrain to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The GMC Terrain may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 450 pounds less than the Dodge Hornet.

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 Hornet 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 Hornet doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Terrain has 5.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Hornet (103.2 vs. 98).

The Terrain has 1.2 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front hip room, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 1.7 inches more rear legroom and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Hornet.

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

The Terrain has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Hornet with its rear seat up (29.6 vs. 27 cubic feet). The Terrain has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Hornet with its rear seat folded (63.3 vs. 54.7 cubic feet).

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

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

The Terrain’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Hornet does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Terrain (except SLE) offers an available heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Hornet doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Terrain’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Enter-N-Go standard on the Hornet doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

When the Terrain SLT/AT4/Denali is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Hornet’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Terrain and the Hornet offer optional heated front seats. The Terrain Denali also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Hornet.

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 Hornet doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Terrain is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Hornet doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the Terrain owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Terrain will cost $420 less than the Hornet over a five-year period.

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 53.97% to 56.81% of its original price after five years, while the Hornet only retains 51.34% to 51.35%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the GMC Terrain will be $773 to $3068 less than for the Dodge Hornet.

The GMC Terrain outsold the Dodge Hornet by almost 8 to one during 2023.