Compare the2026 GMC TerrainVS 2026 Subaru Outback

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

Both the Terrain and the Outback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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 and available around view monitors.

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

There are almost 3 times as many GMC dealers as there are Subaru 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 Outback’s 620-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 Subaru 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, Subaru is rated below average.

The Terrain FWD’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 6 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 178) than the Outback 2.5i’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the GMC Terrain uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Outback XT/Wilderness 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 Outback 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 Subaru Outback (5 to 6). This means the Terrain produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Outback every 15,000 miles.

For better traction, the Terrain has larger tires than the Outback (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 Outback XT’s 55 series tires.

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

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Terrain is 1.6 inches wider in the front and .7 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Outback.

The GMC Terrain may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 300 pounds less than the Subaru Outback.

The Terrain is 10.7 inches shorter than the Outback, making the Terrain easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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

The Terrain has 1 inch more front legroom, .3 inches more front hip room and .2 inches more rear legroom than the Outback.

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 Outback 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 Outback 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 Outback does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the Terrain and the Outback 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 Outback prevents the driver from operating the rear 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 Outback can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 Outback.

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