The 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander is a compact SUV with three rows of seating and one of the best warranties in its segment. This generation of Outlander debuted for the 2022 model year and shares the same platform as the Nissan Rogue.
One of the Outlander’s many rivals is the 2024 GMC Terrain. It boasts a user-friendly infotainment system and an off-road-ready AT4 variant. The Terrain hails back to the 2018 model year and it’s a near mechanical twin to the Chevrolet Equinox.
How do these two fare in a direct comparison? To find out, let’s dive into some of the highlights of the Mitsubishi Outlander and GMC Terrain.
2024 Mitsubishi Outlander
The 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander is offered in seven trims. They are powered by a 181-horsepower 4-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Front-wheel drive is standard, all-wheel drive is optional. Pricing starts at $29,890, including destination charge. The Outlander is also available as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), which we review separately.
While testing the Outlander we’ve found its ride comfortable and body lean is kept under control during hard cornering. The 4-cylinder drivetrain gets the job done, though it runs out of steam and gets noisy when asked for anything beyond moderate levels of acceleration.
Mitsubishi Outlander Highlights
Outstanding warranty: There is no doubt about it — a major highlight of the Mitsubishi Outlander is its warranty. It consists of a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty coupled with 10 years/100,000 miles of powertrain coverage. That’s far better than what the Terrain offers.
Free scheduled maintenance: In addition to its great warranty coverage, the Mitsubishi Outlander comes with two years/30,000 miles of free scheduled maintenance. This is newly added for the 2024 model year.
Seating for seven: The Mitsubishi Outlander is only one of two compact SUVs that offers a 3-row seating arrangement (the other being the Volkswagen Tiguan). In the Mitsubishi this setup is standard and the added seats could be perfect for toting along small kids. Just be aware that squeezing adults back there could end friendships.
Super All-Wheel Control: This is Mitsubishi’s name for the all-wheel-drive system that’s available in the Outlander. It has six modes – Tarmac, Gravel, Snow, Normal, Mud, and Eco – and delivers the added grip many SUV drivers want.
Platinum Edition: Another addition this model year is the Platinum Edition. It sits atop the Mitsubishi Outlander lineup and is packed with features like a head-up instrument display, tri-zone climate control, a 10-speaker Bose audio system, and a panoramic sunroof. Visually you can spot it courtesy of its Black Diamond paint, 20-inch two-tone alloy wheels, and silver roof.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Outlander models near you.
2024 GMC Terrain
The 2024 Terrain enters its seventh model year with no notable changes – a completely redesigned variant is expected next year. While this generation is ready to drive off into the sunset, we’re still impressed with its level of comfort, cabin space, cargo volume, and practical instrument layout.
There are four trims and pricing for the base SLE model starts at $30,095, including a $1,395 destination fee. The Terrain has one drivetrain — a turbocharged 4-cylinder that produces 175 hp. Acceleration is fine for day-to-day driving – like the Mitsubishi Outlander, it’s no road rocket – and the cabin stands out for being very quiet at cruising speed.
GMC Terrain Highlights
Cabin room, cargo space: We still enjoy the amount of stretch-out space and cargo volume that comes with the Terrain. Adults will be fine in the second row.
User-friendly infotainment system: A 7-inch touchscreen comes in the SLE model, though all others are fitted with a larger 8-inch screen. With its clear menus and quick response times, this is one of the better infotainment systems found in the compact SUV segment. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, too.
Outdoorsy AT4 model: The AT4 adds more ruggedness to the Terrain. It comes with an underbody steel skid plate, off-road drive mode, hill-descent control, 17-inch gloss-black wheels, and black chrome exterior accents. This is enough to get this GMC through some moderate all-terrain adventures.
Luxury-themed Denali trim: The Denali trim upgrades the interior of the Terrain with extras like a digital instrument display, wireless device charging, navigation, leather seating, heated seats, heated steering wheel, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic warning. To this, a Terrain shopper can also add the Denali Premium Package or Black Diamond Edition. The latter includes heated rear seats, a sunroof, ventilated front seats, and a 360-degree parking camera.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Terrain models near you.
Similarities
The Mitsubishi Outlander and GMC Terrain have similar starting prices, about the same level of fuel efficiency, and spacious interiors with good outward visibility. They also have drivetrains that leave something to be desired if you prefer life in the fast lane.
Conclusion
This is a really close match. Both the Mitsubishi Outlander and GMC Terrain have some key advantages – not to mention a couple of drawbacks. To start, straight-line speed is not a strong suit with either of these SUVs. Granted, this vehicle segment doesn’t often prioritize tire-smoking acceleration, though a number of rivals feel more energetic in terms of acceleration.
In the plus column, the Mitsubishi Outlander has a bold design, superb warranty, and the convenience of coming with a (small) third row. The GMC Terrain counters with a quiet ride, user-friendly tech, and higher trims that take on a near-luxury look and feel.
We’re already looking forward to a rematch in the near future once the updated 2025 Terrain starts rolling onto dealership lots.
| 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander | 2024 GMC Terrain | |
| Starting Price | $29,890 | $30,095 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | Turbo 1.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 181 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 175 hp @ 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 181 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm | 203 lb-ft @ 2,000-4,000 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT | 9-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy MPG | 24 city/31 highway/27 combined | 24 city/29 highway/26 combined |
| Also Available | AWD | AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | N/A | 5-Star |
| Max Seating Capacity | 7 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 106.5 inches | 107.3 inches |
| Overall Length | 185.4 inches | 182.3 inches |
| Width | 74.7 inches | 72.4 inches |
| Height | 68.7 inches | 65.4 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 36.1 feet | 37.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.6 inches | 40.0 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 39.1 inches | 38.5 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | 34.5 inches | N/A |
| Legroom, Front | 41.7 inches | 40.9 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 39.9 inches | 39.7 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | 18.7 inches | N/A |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.9 inches | 57.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 55.9 inches | 55.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | 51.2 inches | N/A |
| Cargo Volume | 11.7 cubic feet | 29.6 cubic feet |
