Compare the2027 Kia Seltos VS 2027 GMC Terrain

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Kia Seltos are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The GMC Terrain doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Seltos’ driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Terrain doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Seltos and the Terrain have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all-wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The Seltos comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Terrain’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Seltos 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than GMC covers the Terrain. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Terrain ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Seltos has a standard 150-amp alternator. The Terrain’s 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 13 places higher in reliability than GMC.

The Seltos X-Line SX’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder produces 15 more horsepower (190 vs. 175) than the Terrain’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Seltos X-Line SX 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the GMC Terrain:

	Seltos	Terrain
Zero to 60 MPH	8.2 sec	8.6 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	23.7 sec	28.6 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	9 sec	9.4 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	5.8 sec	6.3 sec
Quarter Mile	16.4 sec	16.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	86 MPH	83 MPH
Top Speed	132 MPH	125 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the Seltos gets better mileage than the Terrain:

			MPG
Seltos
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	28 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/30 hwy
		1.6 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy
Terrain
	FWD	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/28 hwy
	AWD	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/28 hwy
		AT4/Denali 1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/26 hwy

The Seltos has a standard locking fuel door. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Terrain. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

The Seltos 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 Terrain doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the Seltos AWD’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Terrain:

	Seltos AWD	Terrain
Front Rotors	12 inches	11.8 inches

The Seltos X-Line SX’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Terrain Denali’s optional 50 series tires.

The Seltos has front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Seltos flat and controlled during cornering. The Terrain’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For better maneuverability, the Seltos’ turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Terrain’s (35.2 feet vs. 37.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Seltos LX has a 1.7 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Terrain Elevation (7.5 vs. 5.8 inches), allowing the Seltos to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Seltos X-Line SX’s minimum ground clearance is 1.6 inches higher than on the Terrain AT4 (8.1 vs. 6.5 inches).

The Kia Seltos may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 350 pounds less than the GMC Terrain.

The Seltos is 6.6 inches shorter than the Terrain, making the Seltos easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Seltos’ rear seats recline. The Terrain’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Seltos has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Terrain with its rear seat folded (64.2 vs. 63.5 cubic feet).

Standard on the Seltos uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Terrain doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Seltos EX/X-Line SX’s front power windows both open or close with one touch of the switches. The Terrain’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.