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Inside, both utes are as attractive as any on the market, better than most. All controls and the layout is virtually the same in both, but testing two different color schemes proved one point. Go with the darker black over gray dash as found in the Equinox. The Terrain’s light gray over black dash reflected in the windshield (the light gray part that is) on sunny days.
Other than that, the interior is quiet and sharp looking with brushed metal look trim by the door handles, air vents, radio, shifter and a touch on the steering wheel. There’s chrome look trim around the gauges and a bit by the shifter. Everything is easy to see and reach and the radio and climate controls are simple to understand and use.
Seats were an attractive gray leather with black trim and red stitching. In both trucks the seats were moderately contoured, but with good side support on the bottom cushion. Both came with three-speed heated seats, top and bottom cushions, a delight in our climate. Those are standard on the SLT1 models, along with 18-inch machined aluminum wheels outside.
Standard on the base GMC model are goodies like OnStar, a rear-vision camera, fog lights and a nice radio with satellite service, a USB input and six stereo speakers. All models have a manual tilt/telescope steering wheel too along with normal goodies like power windows, cruise control and power mirrors and door locks.
Control knobs and buttons are good sized and easy to use and the interior is well insulated from road noise, so very quiet. Neither are tall vehicles for step-in either. So it’s easy to get in and out of the utes, something that will make it attractive to all age groups.
You’ve likely seen commercials touting GM’s great gas mileage and it says these two get best-in-class mileage too. But that’s figuring the I-4 rated at 22 mpg city and 32 highway. If you select the V-6, gas mileage is middle of the road.
I got 21.1 mpg in the GMC and 18.1 mpg in the AWD Chevy. The GMC was about 70% highway driving while the Chevy was about 80% city, so those numbers seem reasonable as the V-6 powered ute is rated 17 mpg city and 25 highway.
Both utes are pleasant to drive, but if you’re looking for good mileage, go with the I-4. If you want power to pull a small trailer or haul bigger kids and their cargo, go with the V-6. From a looks standpoint, I’m partial to the Chevy. But then I guess sheet metal and plastic is what differentiates many models these days.