Jeep Liberty vs GMC Terrain 02/24/2011
After becoming unpopular during the recession, SUVs are now making a small comeback, according to many sales reports. We stacked two large American-made SUVs - the GMC Terrain and Jeep Liberty - up against each other to see which offers drivers more bang for their buck.
The Terrain starts out $1,000 more expensive than the Liberty, as it retails for $24,250 while the Liberty comes in at $23,250. Both General Motors and Chrysler back the vehicles with a 5 year/100,000 mile warranty, which is good for those who plan on really putting the miles on quickly.
Looking underneath the hood, the Terrain doesn't immediately justify its higher price. The Liberty comes equipped with a V6 engine producing 210 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque, while the Terrain rolls with a four-cylinder producing 182 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque. It's worth noting that the Terrain gets significantly better gas mileage at 22/32 mpgs compared to the Liberty's 16/22 mpgs. Yet for many drivers, paying more for a smaller engine doesn't seem right.
On the inside, however, the Terrain boasts a number of advantages, including an iPod dock, power seats and the OnStar system. Despite these perks, it's not enough to overcome the discount of $1,000 with the V6 engine upgrade that Liberty drivers will enjoy.