The competition between small SUVs can be tight. There are pros and cons to every make and model, but the two models coming in hot and widely debated are the 2019 GMC Terrain vs 2019 Nissan Rogue. Overall, most would agree that the Terrain is better than the Rogue, but it’s important to give it a fair chance, and see if those opinions can be validated.
2019 Nissan Rogue
With a starting price of $25,920, you’d expect to get more in this five-seater. The estimated MPG for the city is at 26, and 33 while on the highway, which are fair numbers in retrospect.
For those without AAA, the best amenity is complimentary roadside assistance for up to 36 months or 36,000 miles. They can’t keep up with everything that AAA offers, but their roadside assistance does cover flat tire changes, jump starts, and vehicle lockouts along with delivering fuel in you run out while in the process of traveling.
Nissan offers a safety feature called ProPilot Assist. ProPilot Assist is similar to cruise control, where it accelerates and maintains speed, but it will also apply the brakes in the case of oncoming traffic or objects in the road. If the Rogue senses that the vehicle is crossing into another lane, it will gently steer back into the intended lane.
The Safety Shield 360 is one of the most important qualities of the Nissan Rogue because it makes up for the lack of outward visibility, however, it is only available on the SV trim and higher. This shield includes rear automatic braking, rear cross traffic alert, emergency braking, and can detect pedestrians. Intelligent lane intervention, high beam assist, and most importantly, blind spot warning are also available with the Safety Shield. Another notable feature is the hands free text assistant. The vehicle is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant.
S
The cheapest trim is the S, with a starting price of $24,920. It has some of the previously mentioned qualities, but also includes LED daytime running lights and has a mere 170 horsepower.
SV
The starting price climbs to $26,340. The Rogue SV’s extra features include 17” x 7.0” aluminum-alloy wheels, a remote engine start system, intelligent climate control, and a motion activated liftgate. The motion activated liftgate makes loading cargo, whether it be groceries, moving boxes, or tools for a big job, a lot easier.
SV Hybrid
This Rogue might be worth the starting price, which is $27,600. The 2.0-liter DOHC 16-Valve 4 cylinder engine comes with an idle start and stop feature as well as the electric motor which uses a lithium-ion battery and an intelligent dual clutch system. An energy flow screen, extra cargo space under the floor, and second row split folding seats are a few other notable qualities.
SL
The SL starts at $31,390 for 19” x 7.0” aluminum-alloy wheels, door to door navigation, ProPilot assist, cruise control, and leather-appointed seats. Nissan drivers will be impressed with the Bose audio system that is included within this trim.
SL Hybrid
Although close in price, the SL hybrid has a starting price of $31,540. It includes LED headlights and an intelligent around view monitor. It has a 2.0L DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine and electric motor, this vehicle is available in both FWD and AWD. This trim still ranks at 13 out of 18 in compact SUVs according to US news.
2019 GMC Terrain
The 2019 GMC Terrain, like the Rogue, is a five seated SUV. It can tow up to 3,500 lbs and has three different engine options. The SLT and Denali trims have an automatic braking system and lane assist available.
The SLE and the SLT trims have a new Black Edition. The Black Edition has glossy black, 19-inch aluminum wheels with grey accents. The chrome grille has a dark finish and the vehicle black mirror caps.
As for technology, it includes 4G LTE connectivity and a WiFi hotspot and also offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Denali has more than just wireless charging, but a universal home remote, and an eight-inch infotainment system with navigation.
Driver Alert Packages are available on the Denali model, which includes adaptive cruise control and front pedestrian braking. The Rogue Denali not only includes the safety features of all lower trims but rear cross traffic alert and rear park assist.
SL
The engine in the SL is a 1.5-liter I-4 with 170 horsepower. You can expect up to 28 MPG while driving this model. The SL has a nine-speed automatic transmission with overdrive and auto-manual.
SLE
The Rogue SLE has a front wheel drive option as well as an all-wheel drive option, but the front wheel drive starts at $28,100, and the all-wheel drive starts at $29,800. As for MPG, the front wheel drive has a combined mileage of 28, and the all-wheel drive has a combined mileage of 26. Both have the same 170-hp, 1.5-liter I-4 engine and nine-speed automatic transmission with overdrive and auto-manual. You have the option to upgrade to remote start on this model.
SLT
There are two options for the SLT as well, front wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Both options have the same engine and transmission as the SL and SLE listed above. Front wheel drive has a combined mileage of 28 and starts at $30,900 compared to the all-wheel drive which has a combined mileage of 26 and starting price of $32,600. Remote start is standard on this model.
SLE Diesel
The front wheel drive and all-wheel drive have the 137 horsepower 1.6-liter I-4 engine, six-speed automatic transmission with overdrive and auto-manual, and combined gas mileage of 32. Front wheel drive starts at $31,800, which is just a bit higher than the all-wheel drive, that starts at $33,600.
SLT Diesel
Front wheel drive for the SLT Diesel starts at $33,700, and the all-wheel drive starts at $35,500. Otherwise, they have the same engine, transmission, and combined MPG. The engine is the same as the SLE Diesel, a137 horsepower 1.6-liter I-4 engine. Transmission is a six-speed automatic with overdrive and auto-manual, and they get a combined gas mileage of 32.
Denali
The Denali trim is the highest costing Terrain, the front wheel drive having a starting price of $37,800, and the all-wheel drive having a starting price of $39,500. They have the same engine, a 252 horsepower, 2.0-liter I-4, and the same nine-speed transmission. The combined MPG only differs slightly, the front wheel drive having 24 miles, and all-wheel having 23 miles. The Denali comes standard with an 8-inch infotainment system with navigation, heated front seats, rear park assist, remote start, and even a heated steering wheel. If you live somewhere with harsh/cold winters, this trim is perfect for you.
A few educated opinions
According to U.S. News & World Report, the GMC Terrain ranks at 11 with a score of 8 out of 10 for best compact SUVs. The Nissan Rogue and the Rogue Hybrid ranks close behind at 13 and 14, both with a score of 7.8 out of 10.
Car and Driver created a 2019 list for small SUVs as well. The Terrain is up from the last source and is listed at nine for best small SUV, praising it’s engine. They do, however, mention that there isn’t anything particularly awesome about the Rogue, and ranked it at 15.
In my opinion, the 2019 GMC Terrain offers more than the 2019 Nissan Rogue. That being said, small or compact SUVs have a variety of options and trim levels that can be made to fit the needs of almost every driver, between the GMC Terrain and the Nissan Rogue, you might find either fits your needs as either option is not necessarily a bad one.
