Compare the2027 GMC Terrain VS 2025 Mazda CX-5

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the GMC Terrain achieved an “Acceptable” rating for its forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Mazda CX-5, which scored “Poor” - the lowest rating - in these critical safety features.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Terrain AWD’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The CX-5 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The GMC Terrain offers an optional HD Surround Vision and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Mazda CX-5 doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

Both the Terrain and CX-5 have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Terrain has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The CX-5’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Compared to metal, the Terrain’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Mazda CX-5 has a metal gas tank.

Both the Terrain and the CX-5 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all-wheel drive and around view monitors.

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

There are over 3 times as many GMC dealers as there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Terrain’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Terrain has a 130-amp alternator. The CX-5’s standard 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that GMC vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. With 26 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks GMC higher than Mazda.

The Terrain’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 18 lbs.-ft. more torque (203 vs. 185) than the CX-5’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Terrain gets better mileage than the CX-5:

			MPG
Terrain
	FWD	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/28 hwy
	AWD	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/28 hwy
		AT4/Denali 1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/26 hwy
CX-5
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/27 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the GMC Terrain uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-5 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

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 CX-5 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the GMC Terrain higher (6 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-5 (4 to 6). This means the Terrain produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-5 every 15,000 miles.

An eight-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 CX-5.

The Terrain stops much shorter than the CX-5:

	Terrain	CX-5
70 to 0 MPH	167 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	127 feet	136 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the Terrain has larger tires than the CX-5 (235/65R17 vs. 225/65R17).

The Terrain Denali’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 CX-5 Carbon/Premium/Turbo’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Terrain Denali offers optional 20-inch wheels. The CX-5’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Terrain’s wheelbase is 1.3 inches longer than on the CX-5 (107.5 inches vs. 106.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Terrain is 1 inch wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than on the CX-5.

The Terrain Elevation AWD handles at .80 G’s, while the CX-5 Turbo Signature pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GMC Terrain may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 250 pounds less than the Mazda CX-5.

The front grille of the Terrain uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-5 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 CX-5 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Terrain has .9 inches more front headroom, 3 inches more front legroom, .1 inches more front hip room, .6 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, .1 inches more rear legroom and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-5.

The Terrain has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-5 with its rear seat up (29.8 vs. 29.1 cubic feet). The Terrain has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-5 with its rear seat folded (63.5 vs. 59.3 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Terrain’s liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Terrain’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CX-5 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 CX-5 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the Terrain and the CX-5 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Terrain is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-5 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

On a hot day the Terrain’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the CX-5 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Terrain’s standard Keyless Open and Start allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the CX-5 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

The Terrain’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the CX-5 Premium/Turbo.

When the Terrain with available tilt-down mirrors 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 CX-5’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Terrain has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo.

Both the Terrain and the CX-5 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Terrain has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The CX-5 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Compared to traditional radio, the GMC Terrain’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the CX-5 Carbon/Premium/Turbo.

The Terrain is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.