The Minn Kota PowerDrive and Terrova are both electric-steer bow-mount trolling motors, so you can steer without a foot on a cable pedal. The difference is in features and build: the Terrova is Minn Kota’s GPS-guided motor with Spot-Lock anchoring, wireless remote control and easy stow-and-deploy, and it is offered in more shaft lengths and for larger boats. The PowerDrive is the lower-priced electric-steer option for small to medium boats. If you want to hold position on a spot at the press of a button, the Terrova is the one built around that.
PowerDrive vs Terrova at a glance
| PowerDrive | Terrova | |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | Electric | Electric |
| GPS and Spot-Lock | Not listed as standard | Yes, with wireless remote control |
| Stow and deploy | Standard | Easy stow-and-deploy design |
| Thrust and voltage (listed models) | 55 lb 12V, 70 lb 24V | 55 lb 12V, 80 lb 24V |
| Shaft lengths (listed models) | 54″ on the 55; 54″ or 60″ on the 70 | 45″ or 54″ on the 55; 45″, 60″ or 72″ on the 80 |
| Boats suited | Small to medium freshwater boats up to about 18 to 20 feet | Small to medium boats including center consoles, skiffs, pontoons and deep-Vs |
Which should you choose?
- Choose the PowerDrive if you want hands-free electric steering on a smaller freshwater boat and do not need GPS anchoring.
- Choose the Terrova if Spot-Lock anchoring, remote control and a longer shaft for a taller bow matter to you.
- Fishing in salt water? Look at the Riptide versions of either; see saltwater trolling motors.
Thrust, voltage and batteries
For thrust, allow roughly 2 lb per 100 lb of fully loaded boat weight. The 55 lb models run on one 12V battery; the 70 and 80 lb models run on 24V from two batteries in series. See 12V vs 24V trolling motors, trolling motor wiring and trolling motor size guide.
Shaft length matters as much as features
A shaft that is too short lets the prop come out of the water as the bow rises in a chop; see how deep a trolling motor should be. The Terrova’s longer shaft options suit taller bows.
Motors we list
- Minn Kota PowerDrive 55: $999.99
- Minn Kota PowerDrive 70: $1,169.99
- Minn Kota Terrova 55: $1,649.99
- Minn Kota Terrova 80: $1,899.99
Browse PowerDrive and Terrova motors, and compare the premium models in Terrova vs Ultrex vs Ulterra and the cable models in Maxxum vs PowerDrive.
More guides: Fortrex vs Terrova · Terrova 55 vs 80 · Riptide vs freshwater Minn Kota · trolling motor prices by type.
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