Compare the2026 Jeep CherokeeVS 2026 GMC Terrain

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Jeep Cherokee are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The GMC Terrain doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Jeep Cherokee has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Terrain doesn’t offer knee airbags.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Cherokee. But it costs extra on the Terrain.

The Jeep Cherokee Overland’s optional360-degree camera is equipped with washers for its front and rear cameras, ensuring crystal-clear visibility in any weather condition. Conversely, the GMC Terrain only offers a rear camera washer, which may not provide the same level of all-weather performance.

The Cherokee’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Terrain doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Cherokee and the Terrain have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 Jeep Cherokee weighs 567 to 849 pounds more than the GMC Terrain. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Cherokee’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Terrain’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance on the Cherokee for 2 years and unlimited miles. Jeep will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance (up to 2 visits). GMC only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Terrain.

There are over 43 percent more Jeep dealers than there are GMC dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Cherokee’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Jeep vehicles are better in initial quality than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Jeep above average in initial quality. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Jeep vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Jeep 1 place higher in reliability than GMC.

The Cherokee’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 35 more horsepower (210 vs. 175) and 46 lbs.-ft. more torque (230 vs. 184) than the Terrain FWD’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Cherokee’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 35 more horsepower (210 vs. 175) and 27 lbs.-ft. more torque (230 vs. 203) than the Terrain AWD’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

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

Regenerative brakes improve the Cherokee’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Terrain doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

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

The Cherokee has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Terrain doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Cherokee’s wheelbase is 5.5 inches longer than on the Terrain (113 inches vs. 107.5 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Cherokee has a 2.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Terrain (8 vs. 5.8 inches), allowing the Cherokee to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Cherokee’s minimum ground clearance is 1.6 inches higher than on the Terrain AT4 (8 vs. 6.4 inches).

The Cherokee has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Terrain with its rear seat up (33.6 vs. 29.8 cubic feet). The Cherokee has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Terrain with its rear seat folded (68.3 vs. 63.5 cubic feet).

The Cherokee’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Terrain’s (3500 vs. 800 pounds).

The Cherokee’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Terrain’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

The Cherokee’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Terrain’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Cherokee Limited/Overland’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Terrain offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Cherokee has a standard 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. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Terrain.

The Cherokee Overland has a 115-volt a/c outlet, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Terrain doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Cherokee Overland’s Automated Parking System can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Terrain doesn’t offer an automated parking system.