Compare the2025 Chevrolet TraxVS 2024 GMC Terrain

Both the Trax and the Terrain 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, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

There are over 73 percent more Chevrolet dealers than there are GMC dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Trax’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Trax has a standard 760-amp battery. The Terrain’s 700-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in initial quality. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, GMC is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Chevrolet 4 places higher in reliability than GMC.

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

For better traction, the Trax RS’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Terrain (245/45R19 vs. 235/50R19).

The Trax LS/LT’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Terrain SLE/AT4’s standard 65 series tires. The Trax RS’ optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Terrain’s optional 50 series tires.

The Trax ACTIV handles at .81 G’s, while the Terrain Denali AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Chevrolet Trax may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 650 pounds less than the GMC Terrain.

The Trax is 3.7 inches shorter than the Terrain, making the Trax easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Trax can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Trax can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Terrain can’t be towed flat on the ground.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Trax’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Terrain doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its OnStar® can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Trax was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024. The Terrain has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Chevrolet Trax outsold the GMC Terrain by 52% during 2023.