Overview & Reviews

For decades, GMC was all about trucks and burly SUVs. But the more recent popularity of car-based crossovers has brought about evolution for the brand, as the GMC Terrain certainly indicates. A small crossover, the Terrain stands out thanks to its stylish cabin, versatile backseat, ample standard features and sophisticated driving manners. Along with its mechanically identical sibling, the Chevrolet Equinox, the Terrain is a smart choice for a new or used crossover.

Current GMC Terrain
The GMC Terrain compact crossover offers a choice of four- or six-cylinder power. The standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder is rated at 182 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque and comes with a six-speed automatic, while the optional 3.6-liter V6 makes a stout 301 hp and 272 lb-ft, also routed through a six-speed auto. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional across the lineup.

The GMC Terrain boasts a nice ride and handling combination, feeling like a more substantial vehicle than its many rivals. Inside, the Terrain's cabin is impressively quiet, well built and earns top style marks. Fuel economy would seem to be a Terrain strong suit with the four-cylinder engine, given its EPA ratings. But in real-world testing we've found it to be merely average.

Features content is generous, as even the base SLE trim level includes a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, sliding and reclining rear seats, a rearview camera, OnStar emergency communications, satellite radio, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and a touchscreen interface. With the latter two items, you can connect to Internet-based features like Pandora and Stitcher radio through a system GMC dubs Intellilink. High-end features such as leather upholstery, automatic climate control, a lane-departure warning system, a navigation system and premium audio are available as you move up through the SLT and Denali trim levels.

As a family hauler, the Terrain shines. Backseat accommodations are extraordinarily generous by default, and downright limousine-like when you slide that rear seat back. One minor disappointment is the Terrain's 64-cubic-foot maximum cargo capacity, which trails the class leaders despite this crossover's considerable dimensions.

Used GMC Terrain Models
The current-generation GMC Terrain debuted for the 2010 model year and has seen just a few notable changes since. For 2010-'13, the Terrain's power came from a 3.0-liter V6 that was less powerful than the current 3.6-liter engine; it produced 264 hp and 222 lb-ft of torque. A newly standard and updated touchscreen interface arrived for 2012 (previously a touchscreen only came with the optional navigation system), while later that year the Intellilink smartphone integration system debuted. The Denali trim debuted for 2013.

User Reviews:

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  Use oil and fuel, over and over and over and over - 2012 GMC Terrain
  By Anthony LaGrasta - October 16 - 4:52 pm

  We bought this car for MPG, only to find out it doest get anywhere near the rating, 30% less than rated. Whats more it also uses oil at an insane rate 1 quart per 1,000 miles, no exaggeration. If that wasnt enough, complaints to GM went unanswered. How could they ignore such claims? Come to find out, they knew of this problem, but never mentioned or acknowledged it, so disappointed. Wish we could just get out from under this, get our money back, start fresh. $30,000 down the drain.

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  This car has had more recalls and issues than norm - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Bryan Thompson - October 15 - 9:36 am

  We have had 4 recalls. Every time we take the car in to the dealership it takes days to get it fixed, after being promised it should be a 4 hour fix. They also try and charge us every time and they try and tell us its not under warranty so we have to prove it. The computer is a joke and the engine continues to have issues idling. Dont buy this vehicle as it has many issues.

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  Cant cover any terrain since in shop. - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By Diane - October 9 - 8:41 pm

  On the three years I have had my car. Ive had to fire air bag wiring. Told was not covered. Ive replaced the manifold, catalytic converter, there was a oil consumption issue, this past week I replaced the thermostat and water pump. The backup camera hasnt worked great since the fixed the consumption issue. Didnt know the navigation was suppose to work with onstar until I read comments. Cant trade in because resale value is poor. Ive pumped in over 6,000 dollars this car and the dealer had the nerve to say today. Think its time to trade in. The only reason the consumption issue was fixed is my husband complained to GMC because the dealer wasnt listening.

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  badd gmc - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By Shawn - September 15 - 6:30 pm

  too many recalls not safe no power .. Stalls and I complained to gmc and they just said didnt do much at all

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  Not what GMC promises - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By Dave A - September 9 - 9:07 pm

  Talk about false advertising, the actual gas mileage is no where near the EPA. At 60k miles, the timing chain needed replaced, a loud rattling noise continued and the on board diagnostic light keeps turning off and on. Recently the car started to lose oil - 3 quarts - about 3,000 miles after the last oil change. Also, the car has been hesitating and then stalling while in drive, very dangerous! One of the mechanics told us the timing chain was a constant problem...why no recall? Also, there have been 3 recalls in the past 4 years. This is the 4th GMC vehicle weve owned and it will definitely be the last. We should have quit buying GMC after the first one....!

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  Very Noisy Engine - Rattling Sound on Start Up - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By Frank Gibbs - August 17 - 6:59 pm

  Stay away from the 4 cylinder. I have a 2011 Terrain with the 4 cylinder engine and i know that it is just a matter of time before the engine goes. It rattles on crank up, sounds like metal scraping against metal. Transmission jumps on occasion and the gas mileage is very much exaggerated by GM. It does not get neat the mileage that they state in their bulletin on the Terrain. I would not recommend this vehicle to a friend.

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  Not a Country Car - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Doug T. - July 18 - 10:22 am

  We had driven Ford Explorers for many years and thought we would give the Terrain a try partly due to its touted fuel mileage. As we live on a ranch and drive under different road conditions depending on the time of the year, we purchased the AWD. It was a bad decision. The mileage advertised at the time was 32 mpg and we were lucky to get 25 mpg under the best of conditions. The transmission was so high geared that we had to manually put it in low and ride the brakes on steep grades. The overall workmanship interior/exterior was poor, with plastics being major components throughout. The worst was the ground clearance, which was ridiculous for a so-called SUV. We encountered several damages by driving road good paved roads, when something would be thrown up from the tires and doing damage. The final straw was my wife hitting a jack rabbit at 50 mph, causing enough damage that the vehicle had to be towed and repair costs were $1,800.00. Owning it less than two years and with less than 45,000 miles on it, we traded it in for another make. I would recommend that you not buy this vehicle unless you live in town, dont care about gas mileage and just want to say you drive a SUV.

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  Most unreliable vehicle ive ever owned - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By tpregnar - February 20 - 12:07 pm

  My first car cost $17,000 less than my terrain and was 100% more reliable. Lots of warranty work was done on the engine before the engine needed to be rebuilt. After it was rebuilt the gas mileage plummeted. then the transmission blew just out of warranty. Would have been nice to be able to check the transmission fluid without crawling under the car, but there is no dipstick. Absolute waste of money and the last gm product I will own.

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  Not worth buying - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By bxgirl - November 6 - 9:03 am

  Purchased my Terrain soon as it hit dealerships during its release. Ive never visited a dealership so many times and have had so many problems with a vehicle. Since having this vehicle Ive had problems with the vehicle shutting off in the middle of intersections due to the senor oxygen (engine control) needing to be replaced to due cold starting the vehicle, the rear control arm bushings, the stabilizer shaft, the exhaust manifold all of which needed to be replaced. Now, GM was trying to hit me over the head and charge me for the timing chain which they try putting on me for not changing the oil. Luckily I saved all my receipts and they had to eat the $847 bill.

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  Will not buy American again - 2012 GMC Terrain
  By jclablanc - July 25 - 1:28 pm

  So I again trusted the american Manufacture to my demise. I have owned Ford, Chevy, GMC, Honda, Toyota, Nissan and BMW. The only vehicles I have not had problems with are the freaking Japanese vehicles, which really pisses me off. Why can we the American people not make a solid vehicle that can be reliable. Every American Vehicle I have owned did not last 30k miles without some type of issue. My latest Toyota has 112k miles with no issues to date owned for 8 years now. This piece of trash, unreliable Terrain I have had for 11 months been in for 3 Engine Lights. Its gets no where near the gas mileage stated, 23mpg on free way stated 31 ha!