Compare the2025 Buick EnvistaVS 2024 GMC Terrain

Both the Envista 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 and rear cross-path warning.

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

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are better in initial quality than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick above average in initial quality. With 37 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick third in reliability, above the industry average. With 57 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is ranked 18th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Buick vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Buick 12 places higher in reliability than GMC.

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

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

The Envista Preferred’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 Envista’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Terrain’s optional 50 series tires.

The Envista Sport Touring handles at .80 G’s, while the Terrain Denali AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Buick Envista may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 550 pounds less than the GMC Terrain.

The Envista 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 Envista can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Terrain can’t be towed flat on the ground.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than GMC. J.D. Power ranks Buick third in service department satisfaction. With a 35% lower rating, GMC is ranked 20th.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Envista’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 Envista’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Terrain’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Envista Avenir’s standard rear view mirror and optional side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Terrain has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Envista third among small suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Terrain isn’t in the top three in its category.