Compare the2024 GMC TerrainVS 2024 Kia Niro

The Terrain offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Niro doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Terrain SLT/AT4/Denali offers an optional Surround Vision to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Niro only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Terrain and the Niro have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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 blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The Terrain’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Niro’s (6/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

There are over 2 times as many GMC dealers as there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Terrain’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Terrain second among compact suvs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The Niro 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 Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC above average in initial quality. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is rated lower.

The Terrain’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 36 more horsepower (175 vs. 139) and 8 lbs.-ft. more torque (203 vs. 195) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

Both the Terrain and Niro have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Terrain has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Terrain FWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Niro (14.9 vs. 11.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Terrain AWD’s standard fuel tank has 4.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Niro (15.6 vs. 11.1 gallons).

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 Niro 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 a six-speed automatic is available for the Niro.

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

For better traction, the Terrain has larger standard tires than the Niro (225/65R17 vs. 205/60R16). The Terrain’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Niro (235/50R19 vs. 225/45R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Terrain SLE/AT4 has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Niro. The Terrain’s optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Niro Touring.

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 Niro doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Terrain has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Niro; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Terrain Denali AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Niro SX (27.5 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Terrain SLE has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Niro (6.9 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the Terrain to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Terrain SLT/AT4/Denali’s minimum ground clearance is 1.6 inches higher than on the Niro (7.9 vs. 6.3 inches).

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

The Terrain has 1.1 inches more front hip room, .9 inches more front shoulder room and .2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Niro.

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

The Terrain has a much larger cargo volume than the Niro with its rear seat up (29.6 vs. 22.8 cubic feet).

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

The Terrain has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Niro has no towing capacity.

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 Niro 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 Niro does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Terrain’s front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Niro’s standard power windows’ passenger windows don’t open automatically. The Niro SX’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to lower them fully.

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. Smart Key is only offered on the Niro EX/SX, and doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Terrain’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Niro’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

Both the Terrain and the Niro offer available 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 Niro.

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

The GMC Terrain outsold the Kia Niro by almost two to one during 2023.