[bigmaestro]

I'm interested in hearing about "real competition" for the Terrain and Equinox from actual shoppers. Most of the reviews compare these to RAV4, Escape and CR-V and quite frankly, other than nominal seating for 5, I just don't see it as the Terrain and 'Nox seem substantially larger (and nicer) than those vehicles.

I'll probably be buying a new vehicle later this year and two vehicles that are high on my list next to the Terrain are the Toyota Venza and the Subaru Outback.

What were some of your other options when shopping?

 

[NoobNox]

I test drove nearly all the competiton except for the Outback, (I'm not a Subaru kind of guy ) any of the Kia's, and the Venza looked too much like a station wagon to me. My personal top 5 was the Equinox, Honda CRV, Hyundai Tucson, Ford Edge and Nissan Murano. So so gas mileage and high base prices eliminated the Edge and Murano, the overly stiff ride and the "Korean factor" (personal mental block) eliminated the Tucson, and the CRV was a bit too noisy and the exterior/interior styling was bland. I still think I made the right choice going with the Nox. There will eventually be a better small SUV on the market...but it is still the best currently.

 

[bigmaestro]

Appreciate the feedback. I have seen the Terrain compared to the Edge and the Murano. Not a big fan of the styling/prices of either of those vehicles, but they're definitely natural competitors to the Terrain if only for the polarizing styling. 8)

 

[bballr4567]

The Venza is a pretty good vehicle. Its definitely more car like than the Terrain but its a little more boring to drive which is strange. My father in law leased one about 5 months after we got our Terrain for an insane deal so I really cant blame him.

Personally, we looked at pretty much everything NoobNox did. The CRV and Rav4 were just pitiful. The Rogue was too small for me and the CVT really turned off the wife. The Murano would of been a good choice but IIRC, it was more expensive than our Terrain. The Escape was another choice but it too was just too old to buy as a new car.

 

[georgi55]

This is what I noticed as well - when comparing the Equinox, everything within price range seems like cheap crap so people end up comparing to one model up like Edge and Murano instead of Escape and Rouge. That alone is proof that this is rock solid and best mid-size SUV out there. I also considered Highlander as there was no way I was going to get Rav4 but lower mileage and truck like driving turned me off. Also Hyundai Tuscon didn't look bad but they got greedy with 2011 model and you had to pay 28K just to get the **** Sunroof. I ended up spending 30K on loaded LTZ but it was so worth it.

 

[NoobNox]

This is what I noticed as well - when comparing the Equinox, everything within price range seems like cheap crap so people end up comparing to one model up like Edge and Murano instead of Escape and Rouge. That alone is proof that this is rock solid and best mid-size SUV out there. I also considered Highlander as there was no way I was going to get Rav4 but lower mileage and truck like driving turned me off. Also Hyundai Tuscon didn't look bad but they got greedy with 2011 model and you had to pay 28K just to get the **** Sunroof. I ended up spending 30K on loaded LTZ but it was so worth it.

That's it exactly....The Edge and Murano are a step up from the Escape and Rogue (which are normally said to be Equinox competitors) yet compare better with the Equinox/Terrain. For the base price of the Edge/Murano, you can get a nicely equipped Equinox LT2...and I didn't feel that either of them were worth the price premium.

 

[bigmaestro]

Heh. Took a trip to the store this evening and saw not one, but TWO SLT Terrains next to each other in the parking lot (a carbon black, and a mocha steel).

Coincidentally, a magnetic gray Venza parked next to me. A sign that I've settled on the right vehicles for my next ride?

The upper trims of the Equinox and the Terrain in particular, really do look like they should go up against more expensive vehicles like Edge and Murano. Not trying to give GM any ideas. I'm about 70%/30% on the Terrain and the Venza. I'm moving across state in a few days. After I move, I plan to schedule some test drives.

 

[georgi55]

Heh. Took a trip to the store this evening and saw not one, but TWO SLT Terrains next to each other in the parking lot (a carbon black, and a mocha steel).

Coincidentally, a magnetic gray Venza parked next to me. A sign that I've settled on the right vehicles for my next ride?

The upper trims of the Equinox and the Terrain in particular, really do look like they should go up against more expensive vehicles like Edge and Murano. Not trying to give GM any ideas. I'm about 70%/30% on the Terrain and the Venza. I'm moving across state in a few days. After I move, I plan to schedule some test drives.

This is what put me off the Venza, not sure how much has improved since then but they made lot of little mistakes that Equinox/Terrain got right from the get go.

Toyota Venza Review from Consumer Reports

 

[Another Kevin]

I looked at almost all AWD/4WD small SUVs on the web and test drove several. I currently have an 05 Escape and like it for its size, functionality, and AWD, but it is a loud as a truck even with the quietest tires available. Based on reviews, lots of online forums and the bang for the buck factor, I narrowed it down to the Nox, Outback, and CRv. After test drives and again looking at the price line, I opted for a 6 cylinder Nox. I don't have it yet, but so far I have no regrets eliminating my other options.

 

[RNOX]

I would have bought the Kia Sorrento if GM didn't buy back my CVT VUE for $5,000. My mechanics wifr bought a Rouge. He didn't care for the CVT at all. I give the nod to the Equinox over the Sorrento but the Sorrento is close IMO.

 

[GMCdriver]

I was decideing between this Terrain and a 2010 CrewCab 4x4 Canyon Z71 with a 5.3L V8.
I also test drove a Sierra CrewCab 4x4, an Acadia SLE and looked at the CTS waggon.

I was all over the map because I had decided back in the end of 2008 that my next vehicle after that current lease was done was going to be a basic trimmed G8 GT(there were 4 trim levels on the GT model). Then with the demise of Pontiac and all the G8s getting bought up before I was ready to switch vehicles... that caused me to just start looking at all different kinds of vehicles.

 

[GMJay]

I was downsizing out of a Suburban and I am only interested in GM. I was pretty hot for the HHR SS. I loved the gearhead technology, like where you can dial in the different gauges like turbo boost and cam phase angle, and the funky styling, but it was not as practical for my needs, and my spouse talked me out of it. I wasn't sure I was going to like shifting gears for 5+ years, anyway. The Terrain is too "trucky" looking, and the Traverse doesn't have the fuel economy I wanted. I was pretty wowed by the new generation Equinox and the cool technology it has.

 

[SiVIC76]

We looked at the 'Nox first but lliked the Terrain styling better, so we went with that.
Other than that the only other vehicle we checked out and test drove was the Kia Sorento.

 

[chevy22]

I've tested Kia's, Ford Escape, and Mitsubishi Outlander before testing the Equinox.

The Outlander is the nicest of them all in my opinion, but the requirement for Premium brand and confidence in that brand made me stay away.

 

[DavidPJ]

We already have a 2011 Terrain and I'm looking for something to replace my problematic '09 Escape. I thought the 2011 Kia Sorento would be great until I read about all the transmission problems (NHTSA just opened an investigation). Hyundai Santa Fe seems dated. Not even considering Toyota, Honda, etc.

I keep coming back to 'Nox and Terrain. I might order a '12 Nox when possible. My GMC dealer said '12 Terrains should be orderable in May-June so maybe 'Nox will be the same. I like the Terrain but doubt I would want 2 of them for styling reasons.

 

[Bobby J]

I looked at the CRV and it was too small for me and the seat was too narrow. I looked at the Santa Fe and there was no leg room and it just looked cheap. The salesman said the Tucson was the lesser of the two so I didn't even look at it. I didn't even consider a Toyota as I've never liked them, and I've never liked Fords or Nissans. I would have loved the Terrain but my GMC dealer sucks and after buying 3 new trucks in three years from them, I'm done with them. I saved the Equinox for last as I was pretty sure that would be the one I would get. When I sat in the Equinox and slid the seat back I couldn't reach the pedals. I really liked the looks of the inside. When I drove the Equinox I really liked the drive and I've always liked the looks of the exterior. I never looked any further.

 

[Macbane]

I considered the Ford Escape XLT AWD, but every time I stopped at a stop light I would see half a dozen of them and I wanted something a little different. I know there will come a day when I see Terrains every where I go but at least there aren't 10 years worth of them around. I went out to dinner the other day and there were two more Terrains in the parking lot and saw two others on my way there.

 

[terrainasaurus]

I was seriously considering a Honda Element SC as I have A 2005 CR-V that has beeen a great vehicle. I was talked out of buying foreign by friends and family. But now with the problem of gas in the oil due to the HPFP., I am now second guessing my choice and wished I had not folded to Peer Pressure.