2027 GMC Acadia vs GMC Terrain: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Acadia — it leads our weighted scorecard 2–1.5 across 5 categories, winning on more available power (328 hp vs 175 hp) and more towing capacity (5,000 lb vs 1,500 lb). Choose the Terrain if fuel economy comes first (26 mpg vs 22 mpg best EPA combined).
Scorecard: Acadia 2 pts · Terrain 1.5 pts across 5 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 Acadia | 2027 Terrain | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $43,700 | — | No data |
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | 0.81 | — | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 40.8% | 42.1% | Tie |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 22 mpg | 26 mpg | Terrain |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 328 hp | 175 hp | Acadia |
| Max towing (1) | 5,000 lb | 1,500 lb | Acadia |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | 6.4% off MSRP | — | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 4 | 3 | Tie |
| Weighted points | 2 | 1.5 | Acadia |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Terrain — 26 mpg vs 22 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: it's a wash — Acadia 40.8% vs Terrain 42.1% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the Acadia — 5,000 lb vs 1,500 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models. Verified Acadia buyers paid a median 6.4% off MSRP across 21 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 8.3% off. Used, the median asking price is $22,099 for the Acadia and $21,179 for the Terrain (all model years, US dealer listings).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Acadia: 0.81 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 29th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Terrain: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Acadia 4, Terrain 3.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Acadia 2016 (solid) · 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
| 2027 Acadia | 2027 Terrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $43,700 | — |
| Top-trim MSRP | $62,900 | — |
| Horsepower | 328 hp | 175 hp |
| Max torque | 326 lb-ft | — |
| EPA combined | 21–22 mpg | 25–26 mpg |
| Max towing | 5,000 lb | 1,500 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | — / 8 | — / 5 |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Acadia lists for a median $21,999 — 40.8% of today's median new price of $53,859. 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 12,488 new 2027 GMC Acadias for sale →Median listed price $55,687 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See 10,515 new 2027 GMC Terrains for sale →Median listed price $41,817 · updated Nov 7, 2026
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the GMC Acadia
More on the GMC Terrain
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Acadia better than the Terrain?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the Acadia — it leads our weighted scorecard 2–1.5 across 5 categories, winning on more available power (328 hp vs 175 hp) and more towing capacity (5,000 lb vs 1,500 lb). Choose the Terrain if fuel economy comes first (26 mpg vs 22 mpg best EPA combined).
Which is more reliable, the Acadia 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 4 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Acadia and 3 for the Terrain.
Which holds its value better, the Acadia or the Terrain?
About the same — 40.8% vs 42.1% retained after five years (within 2 points).
Which is cheaper, the Acadia or the Terrain?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the Acadia or the Terrain?
The Terrain: up to 26 mpg combined vs 22 mpg for the Acadia (best EPA rating across each lineup).
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, "2027 GMC Acadia vs GMC Terrain: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/gmc-acadia-vs-gmc-terrain, updated November 8, 2026.