2026–27 Buick Envision vs GMC Terrain: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Envision — it leads our weighted scorecard 1–0 across 5 categories, winning on more available power (228 hp vs 175 hp). The Terrain doesn't win a category on our scorecard; it makes sense mainly if you find a meaningfully better deal on one locally.
Scorecard: Envision 1 pts · Terrain 0 pts across 5 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 Envision | 2027 Terrain | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $41,300 | — | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 43.3% | 42.1% | Tie |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 25 mpg | 26 mpg | Tie |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 228 hp | 175 hp | Envision |
| Max towing (1) | 1,500 lb | 1,500 lb | Tie |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | — | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 2 | 3 | Tie |
| Weighted points | 1 | 0 | Envision |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: it's a wash — Envision 25 mpg vs Terrain 26 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: it's a wash — Envision 43.3% vs Terrain 42.1% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: it's a wash — Envision 1,500 lb vs Terrain 1,500 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Envision: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Terrain: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Envision 2, Terrain 3.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Envision 2021 (solid), 2022 (caution), 2023 (caution) · Terrain 2016 (solid), 2017 (solid).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2026 Envision | 2027 Terrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $41,300 | — |
| Top-trim MSRP | $50,700 | — |
| Horsepower | 228 hp | 175 hp |
| Max torque | 258 lb-ft | — |
| EPA combined | 25 mpg | 25–26 mpg |
| Max towing | 1,500 lb | 1,500 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | — / 5 |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Envision lists for a median $21,214 — 43.3% of today's median new price of $48,943. A 5-year-old (2021) Terrain lists for a median $17,999 — 42.1% of today's median new price of $42,735.
Shop both
- See new 2026 Buick Envisions for sale →
- See 10,515 new 2027 GMC Terrains for sale →Median listed price $41,817 · updated Nov 7, 2026
Negotiating either one?
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More on the Buick Envision
More on the GMC Terrain
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Envision better than the Terrain?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the Envision — it leads our weighted scorecard 1–0 across 5 categories, winning on more available power (228 hp vs 175 hp). The Terrain doesn't win a category on our scorecard; it makes sense mainly if you find a meaningfully better deal on one locally.
Which is more reliable, the Envision or the Terrain?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Envision and 3 for the Terrain.
Which holds its value better, the Envision or the Terrain?
About the same — 43.3% vs 42.1% retained after five years (within 2 points).
Which is cheaper, the Envision or the Terrain?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the Envision or the Terrain?
It's a wash: 25 mpg vs 26 mpg best EPA combined.
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Buick Envision vs GMC Terrain: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/buick-envision-vs-gmc-terrain, updated November 8, 2026.