Both the Terrain and the Sportage PHEV 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.
Compare the2024 GMC TerrainVS 2024 Kia Sportage PHEV
Safety
Warranty
The Terrain’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Sportage PHEV’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.
Reliability
J.D. Power and Associates rated the Terrain second among compact suvs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The Sportage PHEV 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.
Fuel Economy and Range
Both the Terrain and Sportage PHEV 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 Sportage PHEV (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 Sportage PHEV (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 Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.
Transmission
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 Sportage PHEV.
Tires and Wheels
The Terrain’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sportage PHEV’s 55 series tires.
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 Sportage PHEV 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 Sportage PHEV; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.
Suspension and Handling
For better maneuverability, the Terrain w/17” wheels’ turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the Sportage PHEV’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.6 feet).
Chassis
The GMC Terrain may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 to 800 pounds less than the Kia Sportage PHEV.
The Terrain uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.
Passenger Space
The Terrain has 2.2 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more rear headroom and .2 inches more rear legroom than the Sportage PHEV.
Ergonomics
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 Sportage PHEV 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 Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer a heads-up display.
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 Sportage PHEV’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open 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 standard on the Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.
Both the Terrain and the Sportage PHEV 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 Sportage PHEV.
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 Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.
Model Availability
The Terrain is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.
Economic Advantages
Insurance will cost less for the Terrain owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Terrain will cost $690 to $2090 less than the Sportage PHEV over a five-year period.
IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the GMC Terrain will be $5241 to $7767 less than for the Kia Sportage PHEV.