Compare the2025 GMC TerrainVS 2025 BMW X1

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Terrain are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The X1 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the Terrain and the X1 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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.

GMC’s powertrain warranty covers the Terrain 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X1. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the X1 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 5 times as many GMC dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Terrain’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that GMC vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. With 5 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks GMC higher than BMW.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the GMC Terrain uses regular unleaded gasoline. The X1 M35i xDrive requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Terrain AWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the X1 (15.6 vs. 14.3 gallons).

The Terrain has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The X1 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the GMC Terrain AWD, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the X1.

The Terrain FWD has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The X1 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better traction, the Terrain has larger tires than the X1 (235/65R17 vs. 225/55R18).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Terrain’s wheelbase is 1.5 inches longer than on the X1 (107.5 inches vs. 106 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Terrain is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the X1.

For better maneuverability, the Terrain’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the X1’s (37.1 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The GMC Terrain may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 300 pounds less than the BMW X1.

The Terrain uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The X1 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Terrain has .2 inches more front legroom, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, 2.2 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the X1.

The Terrain has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the X1 with its rear seat up (29.8 vs. 25.7 cubic feet). The Terrain has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X1 with its rear seat folded (63.5 vs. 57.2 cubic feet).

The Terrain has a higher standard payload capacity than the X1 (1184 vs. 994 lbs.).

The Terrain has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the X1 (1252 vs. 994 lbs.).

The Terrain’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The X1 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Terrain’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The X1 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Terrain’s front and rear power windows all lower 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 X1’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

The Terrain’s standard Keyless Open and Start allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Comfort Go standard on the X1 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Terrain has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X1 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Terrain’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The X1 doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

Both the Terrain and the X1 have standard heated front seats. The Terrain also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the X1.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Terrain keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The X1 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Terrain has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the X1.

The Terrain is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The X1 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The GMC Terrain outsold the BMW X1 by over three to one during 2023.