Starting at
Starting at
| 39.7 | Second Row Legroom (in) | 38.5 |
| 8 | Max Cargo Length (ft) | 6 |
| Std. | Wireless Apple CarPlay | Avl. |
Compact SUVs have quickly replaced sedans as the most popular choice for drivers across America. Why? Because automakers like GMC and Nissan work diligently to give us the best of both worlds by building compact SUVs with a level of versatility and practicality that does not compromise their handling or efficiency. However, GMC manages to do a better job of achieving that balance, and it shows when comparing the 2023 GMC Terrain vs 2023 Nissan Rogue.
First and foremost, the 2023 Terrain gains an immediate advantage over the 2023 Rogue because of the GMC name. GMC is one of America’s most prestigious automotive pioneers, opening its doors in the early 1900s to offer luxury and performance to drivers across the country. When you invest in a GMC, you’re investing in an American-made SUV that embodies GMC’s incredible impact on the industry over the last century.
Born and bred in America, GMC knows what drivers want and need in their SUVs, and it shows in the Terrain’s 2023 lineup. There’s a trim for every driver, whether you’re looking for a budget-savvy model like the SLE, the adventurous AT4, or the luxurious Denali. Nissan attempts a similar feat with the S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims but cuts corners that force drivers to compromise. It’s a compromise that GMC refuses to ask for.
What else can you expect from the 2023 Terrain and the 2023 Rogue? The 2023 Rogue may look like the better choice on paper, but a deeper dive into the two models leads to a significant surprise that reveals the tangible value that GMC offers with the 2023 Terrain. Here’s a closer look at that value and why you’ll find the Terrain is a wiser investment.
GMC’s keen awareness of what drivers expect in their vehicles is apparent when you compare the Terrain’s 2023 lineup with the Rogue. The 2023 Rogue fleet starts with the Rogue S at $27,760, a modest price tag that makes the Rogue more affordable than the 2023 Terrain at $29,900.[a] However, remember that you get what you pay for; in this case, it’s more features. The 2023 Rogue S is a bare-bones model that rolls off the production floor with 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, a 1.5L engine, and the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite. Enjoying modern technology and conveniences requires upgrading to the SV, which includes the ProPILOT Assist suite, remote engine start, and Intelligent Climate Control.
The Rogue’s SL trim builds on these features, adding an Intelligent Around View Monitor and a Dual Panel Panoramic Moonroof that carries over to the Platinum. The top-tier Platinum trim is the most luxurious in the Rogue lineup, adding navigation to the ProPILOT Assist tool, leather seating, and a digital dashboard. So, how does it compare to the Terrain?
Where the Rogue lineup is defined by tech upgrades, GMC recognizes that drivers have vastly distinct preferences. Because of this, the Terrain lineup isn’t full of carbon copy models with incrementally more features but offers distinct personas, from the entry-level SLE and SLT to the adventurous AT4 and the opulent Denali. The SLE and SLT are well-equipped, featuring a 1.5L turbocharged engine and advanced tools like the GMC Pro Safety suite, available Terrain Pro Safety Plus, and an optional head-up display. These trims give budget-savvy shoppers a gateway into the Terrain lineup without compromising on their must-haves.
The most notable advantage the Terrain has over the Rogue is its AT4 and Denali trims. The Terrain AT4 is an adventurer, rolling off the production line with AT4-Exclusive Goodyear Sport Terrain Tires and a front steel skid plate. Its rugged aesthetic is enhanced by tools like the Traction Select System with Off-Road Mode, which gives you the confidence to explore beyond the pavement. On the other end of the spectrum is the Terrain Denali, a luxury SUV that offers every convenience imaginable. Its expansive digital displays offer seamless smartphone integration with navigation, while special packages like the Black Diamond Edition let you put the SUV in stealth mode with blacked-out features that give it a distinct and sophisticated aesthetic.
As compact SUVs, the 2023 Terrain and 2023 Rogue are comparable in size. The Rogue has a 106.5-inch wheelbase and is 183 inches long, while the Terrain measures 107.3 inches and stretches 182.3 inches long. The differences are minimal, but how the automakers make use of that size to improve performance, ride quality, and passenger comfort is critical.
Fortunately, GMC recognizes as much and uses the Terrain’s size strategically to gain a surprising advantage over the Rogue. While the Rogue offers more total cargo room, this forces Nissan to compromise elsewhere. Your passengers suffer the consequences, with cramped seating in the second row eliminating any chance to kick back and relax. It’s a subtle way of Nissan saying that your cargo––luggage, groceries, golf clubs, backpacks, etc.––matters more than the comfort of your family and friends.
In contrast, GMC prioritizes your comfort and that of your passengers by streamlining the Terrain’s design and adding functional features to maximize cargo space and passenger volume. Its 39.7 inches of second-row legroom is over an inch more than the Rogue offers, and GMC provides far more shoulder room as well. The Terrain’s 63.3 cu.ft. of cargo space is plenty, especially considering your passengers in the second row have far more legroom to stretch out and genuinely enjoy the ride.
But GMC doesn’t stop there. Where the Rogue has a 60/40 split-folding second row to add versatility, the GMC offers the same and something far more impressive by equipping the Terrain with a flat-folding front passenger seat and flat-folding rear seat. This gives the Terrain an incredible edge over the Rogue and lets you make use of the entire length of the cabin when you need to haul longer items. Despite being a compact SUV, the Terrain can haul items measuring up to eight feet in length with the rear liftgate closed.
Technology levels the playing field between GMC and Nissan because these automakers are committed to giving you the essential tools you need to heighten your experience in the driver’s seat. These tools run the entire spectrum from connectivity and entertainment features to safety and driver-assist technology. So, how do the models compare?
The 2023 Rogue and 2023 Terrain have expansive center touchscreen displays that offer seamless connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available features progress across the lineups as the two automakers pull out all the stops to add luxury and convenience to their top-tier trims. You’ll experience this with the addition of Amazon Alexa built-in and integrated navigation on premium trims like the Terrain Denali and Rogue Platinum. However, GMC provides a unique advantage by equipping every trim of the 2023 Terrain with standard Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an option that requires spending more if you opt for the Rogue.
Because of industry-wide standards, there are only a few differences in the safety and driver-assist tools found on these two models. GMC and Nissan make your safety a priority and equip the Terrain and Rogue with standard safety suites. Nissan Safety Shield 360 outfits the 2023 Rogue with Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection and Rear Automatic Braking to help minimize the potential for frontal and rear collisions. Other tools include Blind Spot Warning, High Beam Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Lane Departure Warning.
The 2023 Terrain’s GMC Pro Safety Suite features similar tools but adds a Following Distance Indicator that minimizes the potential for tailgating. Top-tier trims like the Terrain Denali are equipped with premium features, like Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. These tools complement the Denali’s standard head-up display and constantly heighten your awareness in the driver’s seat. With the Rogue, you can enjoy similar features but must pay a premium for the ProPILOT Assist.
Williams Buick GMC is proud to be your GMC authority and automotive home away from home. In business since the late 1930s, we are one of the oldest dealers in the Charlotte region and are proud of the incredible legacy we’ve built. With Williams Buick GMC, excellence is always guaranteed.
We’re excited to help you get behind the wheel of a best-selling SUV like the 2023 Terrain, but that process may look far different from what you expect. Our extensive history in the automotive business has taught us many valuable lessons, including the importance of redefining the dealership experience. Customers deserve to get excited about their purchases, and it’s our job to fuel and maintain that excitement. We want to celebrate with you.
When you shop with Williams Buick GMC, you will enjoy a lifetime partnership with our team. Our friendly sales staff will help you find the right model, and our finance experts will walk you through your purchase transparently. From there, our certified technicians give you a front-row seat to their expertise as they oversee all your routine maintenance and repair needs. It’s our way of helping you protect your investment and proving you can always count on us wherever the road leads.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.