Compare the2026 GMC TerrainVS 2026 Nissan Kicks

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Terrain AWD’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Kicks 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 Nissan Kicks doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

Both the Terrain and Kicks 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 Kicks’ Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Terrain and the Kicks 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.

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

There are over 56 percent more GMC dealers than there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Terrain’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Terrain has a standard 760-amp battery. The Kicks’ 510-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

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 Nissan 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, Nissan is rated below average.

The Terrain FWD’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 34 more horsepower (175 vs. 141) and 44 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 140) than the Kicks’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Terrain AWD’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 34 more horsepower (175 vs. 141) and 63 lbs.-ft. more torque (203 vs. 140) than the Kicks’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Terrain AWD is faster than the Nissan Kicks:

	Terrain	Kicks
Zero to 60 MPH	9.4 sec	10.4 sec
Quarter Mile	17.1 sec	17.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	80.2 MPH	79.7 MPH

The Terrain FWD’s standard fuel tank has 3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks’ standard fuel tank (14.8 vs. 11.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Terrain AWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks AWD’s standard fuel tank (15.6 vs. 12.4 gallons).

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

	Terrain	Kicks
Front Rotors	11.8 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	11.3 inches	11 inches

The Terrain stops shorter than the Kicks:

	Terrain	Kicks
70 to 0 MPH	167 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	127 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the Terrain has larger tires than the Kicks (235/65R17 vs. 215/65R16). The Terrain’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Kicks (235/65R17 vs. 225/45R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Terrain has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Kicks S. The Terrain Denali’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the Kicks SR.

The Terrain has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Kicks; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

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 Kicks 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 2.9 inches longer than on the Kicks (107.5 inches vs. 104.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Terrain is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 2.5 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Kicks.

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 Kicks 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 Kicks doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Terrain has .9 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front legroom, 2.9 inches more front hip room, 3 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 5.2 inches more rear legroom, .9 inches more rear hip room and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the Kicks.

The Terrain has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kicks with its rear seat folded (63.5 vs. 60 cubic feet).

The Terrain’s cargo area is larger than the Kicks’ in every dimension:

	Terrain	Kicks
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	36.1”/72.2”	32.4”/63.9”
Max Width	54.7”	49.5”
Min Width	41”	40.3”
Height	32.6”	31.8”

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Terrain’s power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Terrain’s power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The Kicks doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

The Terrain has a 800 lbs. towing capacity. The Kicks 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 Kicks 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 Kicks 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 Kicks does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Terrain’s standard Keyless Open and Start allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push Button Start standard on the Kicks only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Push Button Start is not available on the Kicks SV/SR.

The Terrain’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Kicks’ intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Terrain’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan offers heated mirrors for extra charge, but only on the Kicks SV/SR.

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 Kicks’ mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Terrain has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Kicks, and are only available on the Kicks SV/SR. 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 Kicks.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Terrain keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Kicks doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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 costs extra on the Kicks.

The Terrain’s optional dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Kicks doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Terrain and the Kicks 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 Kicks SV/SR doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

With standard Natural Voice Recognition, the Terrain offers the driver hands free control of the radio, climate controls and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Kicks doesn’t offer a voice control system.