The popularity of small SUVs in today’s market stems from their affordability, functionality, and style. These vehicles meet many of the needs of buyers, including flexibility and efficiency so choosing one is really dependent upon a few factors.
With their disparate exterior styles, the 2025 Hyundai Tucson and 2025 GMC Terrain offer potential buyers the option of something a bit more aggressive in the Tucson or a more classic look with the Terrain.
Let’s take a closer look at these two compact SUVs.
2025 Hyundai Tucson
The Tucson stands out in a crowded field with its bold styling, which received a minor update for 2025, and its class-leading warranty. The 2-row, 5-passenger SUV is also one of the most spacious vehicles in its class, with ample room for riders and cargo. Cargo space behind the second row is near the top of the competition.
Powered by a 187-horsepower 4-cylinder, it offers enough get-up-and-go for the daily commute and better-than-average fuel economy in the segment. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, but an upgrade to all-wheel drive (AWD) is available.
Technology is key in the group, and Tucson provides plenty of safety and convenience tech. The brand offers seat belt reminders for the rear seats, rear side airbags, and steering wheel haptic feedback for maintaining your lane and watching your blind spot. A hybrid and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) are available, but we review them separately.
Hyundai Tucson Highlights
Safety first: The standard safety tech suite in the Tucson bundles driver assistance features like Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist automatic emergency braking, adaptive Smart Cruise Control, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane-Keeping Assist, and more.
Easy parking: The Tucson’s optional Remote Smart Parking Assist allows you to get in and out of tight parking spots using just your key fob, even if you’re not inside the car. This is an exclusive feature you won’t find on Tucson’s rivals.
Super warranty: If you want to keep your vehicle for a while, Hyundai’s class-leading warranty makes that possible. It’s backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Additionally, Hyundai throws in a 3-year/36,000-mile complimentary maintenance plan.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Tucson models for sale near you.
2025 GMC Terrain
GMC’s known for making clean-looking vehicles and upgrading them to an elegant but rugged appearance. For 2025, GMC enhanced the Terrain’s styling, giving it a more masculine, off-road-ready appearance. It’s currently available only in Elevation trim. AT4 and Denali variants will arrive for 2026.
The new exterior is matched by an updated interior anchored by a 15-inch vertical touchscreen and an 11-inch digital instrument cluster. However, it’s not just a tech makeover; niceties like standard heated seats and steering wheel, as well as simple physical controls to handle climate controls and other functions, provide a new experience.
GMC Terrain Highlights
Driver assistance: This safety tech package bundles driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control, Blind-Zone Steering Assist, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Braking, and rear parking sensors.
Fuel economy: The Terrain’s 175-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder lets you drive in comfort for longer. It gets an EPA-rated 27 mpg combined as a front-wheel-drive model and 25 mpg combined with all-wheel drive.
Rough and ready: If you want your SUV to take you away from the hustle and bustle of urban or even suburban living, the Terrain’s all-wheel drive with Hill Descent Control makes it possible to enjoy some off-road fun.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Terrain models for sale near you.
Similarities
The Tucson and Terrain offer good looks, plenty of safety and convenience technologies, and good fuel economy for a reasonable price.
Pricing
New 2025 GMC Terrain Prices
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors.
The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for vehicles and New 2025 GMC Terrain vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership.
These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Hyundai Tucson | 2025 GMC Terrain | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder AWD |
| Horsepower | 187 hp @ 6,100 rpm | 175 hp @ 5,600 rpm |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic/FWD | CVT/FWD |
| Fuel Economy | 25 city/33 highway/28 combined | 26 city/28 highway/27 combined mpg |
| Also Available | AWD/1.6-liter 4-cylinder HEV; PHEV | AWD; 8-speed automatic |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety Rating | 5-Star | Not rated |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 108.5 inches | 107.5 inches |
| Overall Length | 182.7 inches | 181.0 inches |
| Width | 73.4 inches | 74.5 inches |
| Height | 65.6 inches | 66.1 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.6 feet | 37.1 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.1 inches | 40.0 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 39.5 inches | 39.2 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.4 inches | 40.6 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 41.3 inches | 39.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.6 inches | 57.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 56.0 inches | 55.7 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 38.7 cubic feet | 29.8 cubic feet |
Conclusion
The Tucson stands out stylewise, while the Terrain features a more classic look. The two vehicles are similarly priced, feature comparable powertrains, and have much of the same equipment. Drive them both, and the choice will become clear.