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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  Thought I had a good car. - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By Tracy - November 16 - 7:29 am

  Bought this used 3 months ago. Had a problem with a timing belt and something else a month ago and it was repaired under warranty. My warranty went out last week. Yesterday, my check engine light came on so I had Onstar run a diagnostic check and they said it had something to do with the car not starting and I need to get it fixed within 7 days. This morning, I had to turn the heat up to 78 to feel any kind of warm air. Last week 75 was too hot. Also, mpg is not what they claim and that was one of the main reasons I purchased this vehicle. Very disappointed!

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  Did not realize what i was getting into - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Chris Little - November 6 - 2:47 pm

  i bought the SLE 2.4l AWD in 2014, the vehicle was already 4 years old with 80k miles on it. before i drove it off the lot, noticed the utility charging plug in the front storage compartment did not work, and the USB port in the center console did not work. told the dealer and they said they would handle it, no one ever called me. as the year progresses that i have the vehicle, i start smelling small amounts of exhaust in the cab and think nothing of it. this week, 11/2/15 - 11/6/15 the check engine light came on and gave a P0011 code, took it to the dealer and found it was crank shaft alignment sensor, the dealer recommended replacing the actuator for it and also doing the exhaust sensor and actuator. $900 later, because the extended warranty that i purchased would not cover the work performed, the exhaust i smelled in the cab became 10 times worse. took it back to the dealer and had them look at it free of charge. i now have a cracked exhaust manifold. this crack does not show up over night, which means when i bought it, the manifold probably had a small fracture in it. and yet again, my extended warranty will not cover this repair either. dealer wants over $500 to fix this, sorry.. i got my complementary inspection, im going somewhere else for the repair. dont get me wrong, the fuel economy on this vehicle is great and it is a good looking car. i, however, do not like having to fork out this much money on a vehicle when i have only owned it for a year now and still making payments on it. my 2002 GMC Sierra has given me less trouble, and its 13 years old now.

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  Lemon in the making - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By ericdm33 - April 2 - 10:33 am

  I was really looking forward to owning this vehicle when I purchased it. Now just 5 years and 70k miles in, Im currently dealing with my 3rd breakdown. This was my first American built vehicle ever, and it may very well be my last.

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  cute car but unreliable with ongoing issues - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By aestabrook - March 7 - 12:48 pm

  I purchased this car new in 2010. within 6 months there was trouble. oil issues, check engine light with no real causes, throttle body replacement, stalling on the highway, stalling on side roads, general unreliability. I have been towed into the dealer 9 times since purchase for dying on the side of some road. It burns oil for no reason. GMC and dealer just say too bad, and tell me to check it every 1000 miles between oil changes. I typically add between 1 to 2.5 quarts every 1500 miles. The car is comfortable, and spacious for having two car seats in it, BUT that comfort does not outweight its ongoin challenges. I would get rid of it if i had the money to.

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  Four cylinder engine - 2012 GMC Terrain
  By hydiesel - October 6 - 4:09 pm

  I have owned two four cylinders. 2010 30,000 miles engine replaced using excessive oil. 2012 at 32000 miles engine rebuilt (was told they didnt replace them any more ) I dont think GM knows how to build a good four cylinder. I am driving a gas guzzling V6, hope it can go past the dreaded 30,000 mile mark.

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  Big lemon - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By somerside - September 10 - 1:10 pm

  I bought this terrain just over a year ago and have had nothing but problems. In its 4 years of being on the road its had the motor rebuild due to oil consumption issue. Its had the timing chain replaced twice. The AWD system has malfunctioned. The sunroof is broken. The navigation unit has been changed twice. Numerous sensors have been replaced. The emissions system has been a nightmare. Ive spent a lot out of pocket cause most of it has not been under warranty. Im very disappointed in the quality that GM has put into the first gen terrain. Overall the vehicle so unreliable that I cant trust it for my wife to drive back and forth to work. I do not recommend this vehicle at all.

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  Too Hot, Too Bad - 2014 GMC Terrain
  By bonabob1 - June 30 - 2:24 pm

  Well, the test drive went pretty well. That is because it was at night. I leased the vehicle for 39 months and then realized what a big mistake. There are NO vents for the air conditioning in the back seat area. Not even on the center console. NONE. And to make matters worse, if the ECO button is pressed, it makes the fan speed go slow so there is very little air flow. This has got to be the worst engineering mistake since the Corvair. Can you imagine the heat in South Florida and your passengers in the back seat are dying from lack of ventilation due to this engineering mistake. I could not imagine 3 people sitting in my back seat even though it does say seating for 3 in the back.

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  Dont buy a 2012-2014 Terrain - 2012 GMC Terrain
  By rondavis1 - May 10 - 12:09 pm

  My 2012 Terrain has 38,000 miles on the odometer and uses 1 qt of oil every 2000 miles. The Dealer that falls within GMs specs????? No wonder they had to be bailed out. I get 21.5 mpg overall with the 4 cyl/auto and that is below the EPA city rating. The navigation had to be replaced plus the transmission needed replacement at 32,000 miles.

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  The V6 is the way to go. - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By fionafirst - March 19 - 12:08 am

  The Terrain I own has a V6, not the I-4. (Not sure why Edmunds doesnt list that as an option) I bought this car used with 60k miles on it because I got a good deal on it and wanted a car with AWD. I recently took my car from Indianapolis to Destine Florida and have realized some good and bad things. The engine is beautiful. Peddle down and the power comes out. Aceleration in 2nd gear while merging is lusty, and passing power is plentiful. That being said, the car still feels heavy and any less power would not be adequate. The steering wheel is comfortable, the audio system is plenty loud and the power seats hold my big American butt pretty well. All in all, I would buy it again.

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  87,000 miles and switching - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By drstubb1 - November 6 - 2:53 pm

  We bought our 2010 Terrain new. My wife drives daily to work and in less than 3 years we already have 87,000 miles. We bought the car because we were informed that the mpg would be 31 or so. Weve never gotten better than 27 and usually were at 24-26 mpg with the 4 cylinder on eco. Weve had problems with the lift gate, timing chain knocking, and at 80,000 miles we changed the tranny oil. It was black! Since then weve continued to feel it slip. Driving in the back seat is a horrific experience for people with good backs! Its too straight up and down. The AC has broken down twice in 2 years!