VS
At a Glance
Power
175hp @ 5800
180hp @ 5800
Torque
203lb-ft @ 2000-4000
178lb-ft @ 3700
Fuel
26 mpg est.
30 mpg est.
Towing
—
1500lbs
Engine
1.5L/90ci
2.5 L/152ci
Choosing between the GMC Terrain and the Subaru Forester is one of the most common decisions car buyers in the United States face. The GMC Terrain delivers 175hp @ 5800 while the Subaru Forester produces 180hp @ 5800. On fuel, the Terrain returns 26 mpg est. while the Forester uses 30 mpg est. — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at $41,800 for the Terrain and $33,385 for the Forester. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Specification
GMC TerrainAWD 4dr Denali 2026 - From $41,800
Subaru ForesterPremium AWD 2026 - From $33,385
Performance
Power Output (hp)
175hp @ 5800
180hp @ 5800
Torque (lb-ft)
203lb-ft @ 2000-4000
178lb-ft @ 3700
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1.5L/90ci
2.5 L/152ci
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
Gasoline
Gasoline
Forced Induction Device
Turbocharged
—
Transmission
Automatic
Automatic
Number of Gears
8
—
Drive Wheels
All Wheel Drive
All Wheel Drive
Fuel Economy
Fuel Economy (Combined, est.)
26 mpg est.
30 mpg est.
Fuel Economy - City (mpg)
24 (2025)mpg
26mpg
Fuel Economy - Highway (mpg)
28 (2025)mpg
33mpg
Fuel Tank Capacity (gal)
15.6gal
16.6gal
Dimensions
Length (in)
181in
183.3in
Width (in)
74.5in
72in
Height (in)
66.16in
68.1in
Wheelbase (in)
107.48in
105.1in
Curb Weight (lbs)
3598lbs
3569lbs
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity (lbs)
—
1500lbs
Safety
ABS
—
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
—
✓ Standard
Traction Control
—
✓ Standard
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Backup Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Rear Parking Aid
✓ Standard
—
Sunroof
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Power Seat Adjustment
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Trailer Hitch
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Subaru Forester
4 / 4 categories
Performance
Forester
Fuel Economy
Forester
Value
Forester
Practicality
Forester
Pros & Cons
GMC Terrain
Well-rounded specification
Higher fuel consumption (26 mpg est.)
Higher starting price
Subaru Forester
Better fuel economy (30 mpg est.)
Lower starting price ($33,385)
Few notable weaknesses
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Terrain or Forester?
The Terrain gets 26 mpg est. and the Forester gets 30 mpg est. on the combined cycle. The Forester is the more fuel-efficient choice. In real-world conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, actual figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Terrain or Forester?
The Terrain produces 175hp @ 5800 and 203lb-ft @ 2000-4000 of torque while the Forester delivers 180hp @ 5800 and 178lb-ft @ 3700 of torque. They produce closely matched power outputs.
What is the price difference between the Terrain and Forester?
The Terrain starts from $41,800 and the Forester from $33,385. The Forester is cheaper by $8,415 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Terrain or Forester?
The Terrain has a braked towing capacity of not specified and the Forester can tow 1500lbs. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Terrain or the Forester?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the mpg figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day driving - commutes, school runs and highway trips - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.