Compare the2026 GMC TerrainVS 2026 Hyundai Kona

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 Hyundai Kona doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

Both the Terrain and the Kona have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

There are almost 2 times as many GMC dealers as there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Terrain’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that GMC vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Hyundai is rated below average.

The Terrain FWD’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 28 more horsepower (175 vs. 147) and 52 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 132) than the Kona SE/SEL Sport’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Terrain AWD’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 8 lbs.-ft. more torque (203 vs. 195) than the Kona SEL Premium/Limited’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Terrain AWD is faster than the Kona SE/SEL Sport 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder:

	Terrain	Kona
Zero to 30 MPH	3.3 sec	3.8 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	9.1 sec	9.8 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	5.7 sec	6.2 sec
Quarter Mile	17.1 sec	17.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	84 MPH	82 MPH

Regardless of its engine, the Terrain’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Hyundai only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the Kona SE.

The Terrain FWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kona’s standard fuel tank (14.8 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Terrain AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kona 1.6T’s standard fuel tank (15.6 vs. 13.2 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 Kona doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system or a tether to prevent losing the cap.

For better stopping power the Terrain’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Kona:

	Terrain	Kona
Front Rotors	11.8 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	11.3 inches	11.2 inches

The Terrain stops shorter than the Kona:

	Terrain	Kona
70 to 0 MPH	167 feet	172 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	127 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the Terrain has larger tires than the Kona (235/65R17 vs. 215/60R17).

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

For superior ride and handling, the GMC Terrain has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Kona 4x2 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Terrain’s wheelbase is 2.8 inches longer than on the Kona (107.5 inches vs. 104.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Terrain is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 1 inch wider in the rear than the average track on the Kona.

The Terrain uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Kona doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Terrain has .7 inches more front headroom, 2.3 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more front hip room, .9 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 1.5 inches more rear legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kona.

The Terrain has a much larger cargo volume than the Kona with its rear seat up (29.8 vs. 25.5 cubic feet).

The Terrain has a 800 lbs. towing capacity. The Kona has no towing capacity.

When two different drivers share the Terrain, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Kona doesn’t offer a memory system.

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 Kona 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 Kona does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Terrain’s front and rear power windows all open fully with one touch of the switches and its driver’s window also automatically closes, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Kona’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically. The Kona SEL/Limited’s rear windows don’t open automatically.

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

The Terrain’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Kona’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Terrain’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Hyundai only offers heated mirrors on the Kona SEL/Limited.

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 Kona’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Terrain has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the Kona SEL/Limited. The Terrain also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Kona.

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 Kona Limited.

Both the Terrain and the Kona 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 Kona doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The GMC Terrain outsold the Hyundai Kona by 161 units during 2025.