Compare the2026 Kia SeltosVS 2025 GMC Terrain

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Kia Seltos 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.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Kia Seltos achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The GMC Terrain has not been tested.

The Seltos’ 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 Seltos and the Terrain have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The Seltos comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Terrain’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Seltos 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than GMC covers the Terrain. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Terrain ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Seltos has a standard 150-amp alternator. The Terrain’s 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 11 places higher in reliability than GMC.

The Seltos SX’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder produces 15 more horsepower (190 vs. 175) and 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (195 vs. 184) than the Terrain FWD’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

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

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

The Seltos stops shorter than the Terrain:

The Seltos’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Terrain’s standard 65 series tires. The Seltos SX’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Terrain’s optional 55 series tires.

The Seltos AWD has front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Seltos AWD flat and controlled during cornering. The Terrain’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Seltos has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Terrain doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Seltos SX handles at .84 G’s, while the Terrain Elevation AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Seltos’ turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the Terrain’s (34.8 feet vs. 37.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Seltos has a 1.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Terrain (7.3 vs. 5.8 inches), allowing the Seltos to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Kia Seltos may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 500 pounds less than the GMC Terrain.

The Seltos is 8.4 inches shorter than the Terrain, making the Seltos easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Seltos’ rear seats recline. The Terrain’s rear seats don’t recline.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Kia Seltos retains 55.6% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 50.74% resale value of the 2025 GMC Terrain after five years, which can save the Kia’s owner up to $3765.79401 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia Seltos, based on reliability, safety and performance.