Are you shopping for a new GMC SUV, but not sure whether the 2023 GMC Terrain or 2023 GMC Acadia is a better fit for your needs? The team at Gregg Young Buick GMC Indianola is here to help you make an informed decision with the following 2023 Terrain vs. 2023 Acadia comparison guide. Overall, the key differences between the Terrain and Acadia are that the 2023 Acadia is larger, more powerful, and includes more seating and standard safety tech than the Terrain, while the 2023 Terrain offers better fuel efficiency and a uniquely adaptable cargo space.
Ready to compare these GMC SUV models from the driver’s seat? Browse the new Acadia inventory or new Terrain inventory at our dealership in Indianola, IA, and schedule a test drive with your favorite models.
Have a question? Contact a member of our team online or by calling (515) 442-4866.
The first interior difference you’ll notice between the Terrain and Acadia is that the Acadia has a third-row seat and can seat up to seven people, while the Terrain is a two-row SUV that can seat up to five. In the Acadia second row, you get either a bench seat or second-row captain’s chairs.
Interior comfort features like a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats come with select trims on both SUVs. To accommodate its extra seating, the Acadia features tri-zone climate control, compared with single- or dual-zone climate controls in the Terrain.
For more information about the interior features for each model, see our Acadia trims or Terrain trims research pages.
2023 GMC Acadia
2023 GMC Terrain
Because the Acadia is larger than the Terrain — measuring in at 193.4 inches long versus 182.3 inches for the Terrain — you get a larger cargo space. With the second- and third-row seats folded down, the 2023 Acadia offers up to 79 cubic feet of cargo space. With its rear seat folded down, the Terrain offers up to 63.3 cubic feet of cargo space.
A unique feature of the Terrain is its fold-flat front passenger’s seat, which allows you to accommodate cargo up to 8 feet long.
Under the hood, there’s a significant difference between the 2023 Terrain and 2023 Acadia. Every Terrain comes with a 1.5L turbo engine, while the Acadia offers the choice between a 2.0L turbo and 3.6L V6 engine. Put up to 310 horsepower to work and tow up to 4,000 pounds with the Acadia, or tow up to 1,500 pounds with the 175-horsepower engine in the Terrain. In their most efficient forms, the Terrain offers 24 city MPG, while the Acadia tops out at 22 city MPG.
Both GMC SUVs pair their engines with a nine-speed automatic transmission and either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) plus a traction select system. Optional active torque control AWD on the Acadia AT4 delivers added off-road capabilities.
2023 GMC Acadia
2023 GMC Terrain
An excellent slate of technology and safety features await whether you choose the 2023 Acadia or Terrain. GMC Pro Safety is standard on the Terrain, including:
GMC Pro Safety Plus, standard on the Acadia, has those features plus:
Only the Acadia is available with a rear camera mirror, while optional automatic parking assist, which can help navigate your SUV into either parallel or perpendicular parking spaces, is exclusive to the Terrain.
Stay in touch with ease using standard wireless Apple CarPlay® or Android Auto™ in both SUVs. The GMC Infotainment System on the Acadia comes with a standard 8-inch touchscreen while it comes with a standard 7-inch touchscreen or available 8-inch touchscreen in the Terrain, along with available Amazon Alexa Built-in capability. Play your music through an available Bose® sound system — with seven speakers in the Terrain or eight speakers in the Acadia.
With its three rows of seating, powerful engines, and advanced tech, there’s a lot to like in the family-friendly 2023 GMC Acadia. See our Acadia model review for more in-depth information.
Some of our favorite available Acadia features include:
Just-right size, a versatile interior, and plenty of easy-to-use tech make the 2023 GMC Terrain an SUV to remember for daily driving or weekend adventures. Ready to learn more? See our GMC Terrain review.
Popular features available for the 2023 Terrain include:
As you’re scrolling through our available inventory, you may wonder “what’s the difference between the GMC Acadia and Terrain?” Take one look at either model and you’ll notice the Acadia is larger and longer, then inside you’ll notice the Acadia has three rows of seats and the Terrain has two. Learn more about the key features, specs, and differences by reading this 2022 GMC Terrain vs. 2022 GMC Acadia comparison written by the staff at Gregg Young Buick GMC Indianola.
Search our GMC Acadia inventory or our GMC Terrain inventory in Indianola, IA, to find your preferred model, then schedule a test drive. Does leasing your next SUV appeal to you? Check out our Acadia lease offer and Terrain lease offer.
Contact our team with any questions. We’re available online or by phone at (515) 808-2919.
Featuring three rows of seats and two powerful engine options, the 2022 GMC Acadia is one versatile SUV. Preview some of our favorite available features below, then learn more about the key features of the 2022 GMC Acadia by reading our model review.
The two-row 2022 GMC Terrain has a lot to commend it, including a highly versatile interior with seating for five and plenty of tech. See some of the available features below and get more insights into the details of the GMC Terrain with our model review.
How much space do you need? The Acadia has three rows of seats with seating for up to seven people and more cargo space than the Terrain. Even if you only need seating for five, the Acadia can accommodate significantly more cargo with its third-row seats folded down. However, the front passenger’s seat in the Terrain can fold down to help you accommodate items up to 8 feet long.
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Model |
Acadia |
Terrain |
|
Max. Cargo Space |
79 cu.-ft. |
63.3 cu.-ft. |
|
Cargo Space Behind Second Row |
41.7 cu.-ft. |
29.6 cu.-ft. |
|
Cargo Space Behind Third Row |
12.8 cu.-ft. |
N/A |
Get strong engine performance in either the Terrain or Acadia. Matching their size, the Terrain is equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and the Acadia with a standard turbo four-cylinder and an available V6. Both models pair their engines with nine-speed automatic transmissions. The maximum towing capacity of the Acadia is 4,000 pounds, compared with 1,500 pounds with the Terrain.
Active torque control all-wheel drive (AWD) with robust off-road handling capability is uniquely available on the Acadia AT4. The premium Denali suspension on the Terrain includes enhanced shock control and the Acadia Denali offers adaptive ride control for a smooth drive.
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Model |
Engines & Performance Specs |
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Acadia |
|
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Terrain |
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Whether you choose the Terrain or Acadia, you’ll be supported by a strong selection of entertainment and driver assistance technology. Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ and a Wi-Fi® hotspot are standard in both GMC SUVs. There’s a standard 8-inch touchscreen in the Acadia and a standard 7-inch touchscreen in the Terrain. Advanced Terrain trims include the 8-inch screen. Built-in navigation is included with the Terrain Denali and the Acadia SLT trim and up. Both SUVs are available with high-definition surround vision and feature a head-up display in the Denali trim, but the Acadia also offers a rear camera mirror.
Overall, you get more standard features in the Acadia with its GMC Pro Safety Plus collection of safety tech. However, the Terrain also includes most of these features with standard GMC Pro Safety. See the details below.
Once you’ve compared the specs and features of the Terrain and Acadia, the best way to decide which one is right for you is to take them both for a test drive. Schedule a test drive with your preferred SUV from our available inventory and be sure to contact our team with any questions.
The 2020 GMC Acadia and 2020 GMC Terrain are both stylish, versatile, roomy SUVs ― ideal if you’re looking for a great family vehicle or a comfortable ride that delivers dependability and performance. The team at Gregg Young Buick GMC in Indianola, IA, put together this Acadia vs. Terrain review to help you determine which SUV is right for you.
Search our inventory and lease offers and stop by our dealership, give us a call at (515) 961-7461, or contact us online if you’re ready to check out and test drive an Acadia or Terrain.
The 2020 Acadia offers a new turbocharged engine option and has replaced its standard six-speed transmission with a nine-speed transmission. The 2020 Terrain also offers a new turbocharged engine option that it pairs with a nine-speed transmission. Both the Acadia and Terrain offer front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
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Model |
Performance Specs & Towing Capacity |
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2020 GMC Acadia |
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2020 GMC Terrain |
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Whether you’re loading groceries, taking the dog to the groomer, or heading out on a family camping trip, you’ll find both the 2020 GMC Acadia and 2020 GMC Terrain spacious, comfortable, and versatile. The main difference between the seven-passenger Acadia and five-passenger Terrain is cargo volume.
The Acadia is approximately eleven inches longer, three inches wider, and two inches higher than the Terrain:
Cargo capacity on the GMC Acadia midsize SUV is 79 cu.-ft. when both the second and third row seats are folded down. You’ll find 12.8 cu.-ft. of cargo space behind the third row, and 41.7 cu.-ft. behind the second row.
The GMC Terrain small SUV provides 63.3 cu.-ft. of cargo space with the rear seats folded down, with 29.6 cu.-ft. of space behind the second row seats. Fold down the front passenger seat to extend cargo capacity to 81 cu.-ft.
Interior comfort and upscale design are yours in the 2020 Acadia, with soft-to-the-touch surfaces throughout the cabin and a newly redesigned center console featuring smart storage solutions. Passenger boarding and cargo space configuring are a snap, with Smart Slide functionality for easy access to the third row, a 50/50 split third-row seat for flat loading, and levers in the cargo area for one-step release. Captain’s chairs are available in the second row, too.
Sophisticated design elements and flexible seating can also be found inside the 2020 Terrain. In addition to soft-touch materials, the Terrain features aluminum trim for an upscale look. Both models also feature the following:
Both the 2020 Acadia and 2020 Terrain offer a wide range of infotainment and safety features, such as a 4G LTE Wi-Fi® hotspot, keyless open and start, StabiliTrak®, automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, front pedestrian braking, and front and rear park assist. Both also offer OnStar® and GMC Connected Services, high-definition surround vision, and adaptive cruise control.
Ready to take a look at the GMC Acadia or GMC Terrain in person? Stop by Gregg Young Buick GMC in Indianola, IA, or give us a call at (515) 961-7461 or reach out to us online. Let’s get you behind the wheel for a test drive today.
2023 GMC Terrain
Browse the new inventory at Gregg Young Buick GMC Indianola to find the models that you like, then set up a test drive appointment at our GMC dealership in Indianola, IA. If you have a question about a particular SUV, ask one of our friendly team members either via our online contact form or by calling (515) 442-4866.
