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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Using Oil - 2011 GMC Terrain
By graygrandma - September 2 - 9:05 pmI agree with all the disappointing remarks regarding gas mileage. I dont care if its the EPA or GMC - the public deserves the truth! My big worry now is that its using oil. My car was showing 50+% life left before my oil change. The engine was making a loud noise and I took it to the dealer to find I had no oil showing on the dip stick. The check engine light NEVER came on! Since then my husband has consistantly checked the oil level and we have to keep adding oil in between oil changes. I have never had to do that with my vehicles. Anyone else using oil?
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Great Car! - 2012 GMC Terrain
By jlbigguy - August 28 - 8:29 pmHave my 2012 Terrain for 1 week now, and after 900 miles I am impressed. Getting 30.5 mpg on the highway, and overall average is 27mpg. This is with ECO mode on. Very smooth and quiet ride, no wind noise at all. The car feels solid, and is very comfortable (premium cloth seats). I have more room then in my old 2004 Pontiac Montana, and I am 66" tall. Can hardly tell the engine is running when at idle. Very pleased with my purchase.
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Poor fuel economy - 2012 GMC Terrain
By owner13 - August 20 - 3:07 pmActual mileage much less than advertised. 27-28(on a good day) hghway, 15-16 in town. Poorer than the usual poor visibiity found in SUVs.
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four times unlucky - 2011 GMC Terrain
By joemxz - July 30 - 8:59 pmi bought the terrain with awd v6 with plans of towing my rv and it has been good however the last month it was been burning oil? and its been in the shop 3 times to be fixed and each time it is something else fron solenoids to oil seals and now its doing it again with less than 30000 miles on it. each time its been in shop 4 days and now i am taking it back its frustrating to say but warranty is helping but once its up scary hope its four time lucky
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I got suckered into buying this based on Gas Mileage - 2011 GMC Terrain
By vlazo - June 7 - 10:57 amIm very disappointed in my purchase of the 2011 GMC Terrian. When i bought this i was told like most about the amazing gas milegae that ranged from 23-32 mpg so i made the decision that for my first new car i would go with the 2.4L 4 cylinder FWD model to maximaze fuel econonmy. I have never seen more then 23.6 miles per gallon and that was after putting in premium gasoline(which is not called for i was just doing anything i could to get better gas mileage) and highway driving...whats wrong with this picture??? I average 21.9 mgh normally & my car has 21,000 miles so it doesnt need to b broke in like i was told by my dealer.
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Back to Toyota!!!! - 2011 GMC Terrain
By dsgarvey - May 19 - 12:48 amWe bought a 2011 Terrain SLE-1, then had leather, DVD and sunroof added, just came out cheaper that way. Sunroof messed up within about six months, air condition stopped working around the same time in the middle of summer. The 4 cylinder is so under powered its pathetic and makes the worst sounds when cranking up. Also here lately its been dying after being started. Now the gas mileage, well it sucks! GMC must measure MPG alot different than I do, but I have never got close to 32 on the highway. The average with about 70% highway and 30% city stays at 19mpg. We are looking to getting back into a Toyota ASAP while this thing is still running.
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7 times in the shop first year - 2011 GMC Terrain
By kathy75 - May 16 - 6:25 pmI thought I was exchanging a 9 year Murano that was needing its 5 transmission (which was still under warranty and was no longer reliable as something I could depend on, wrong! This 2011 terrain has been in the shop 7 times for a total of the same 3 problems. 4 times for cutting off and cutting out on me, the lift gate made loud noises when it got hot and finally after 5 times in the shop in which they told me unless it makes the notice when it is in here you will just have wait until breaks, well it did and came down on my head. The air stopped working last summer twice while it was in the high 90s you could turn it back on after about 20 minutes and it would work again.
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Great little SUV! - 2012 GMC Terrain
By dalerex - April 18 - 6:07 pmI have had my 2012 Terrain for less than three weeks now and simply love it. For the price, it is a quality vehicle.
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2011 GMC Terrain Poor Gas Mileage - 2011 GMC Terrain
By longbow1 - March 26 - 10:07 amPurchased our 2011 GMC Terrain Feb 2011 and still waiting for 32 mpg. If I knew the mileage was going to suck Id purchase the V6 to give me better pick up, passing acceleration, and cruise control performance going up freeway hills. We love our Terrain except for the engine and mpg. The best mileage experienced on our trips to Utah and Arizona from California is 23.2. Currently in the city 21.2. Wheres the miles per gallon as advertised. Just saw a 2013 Terrain commercial on TV last night (3/25/12) boasting 32 mpg. Both my wife and I laughed!
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Bad gas mileage - 2011 GMC Terrain
By elvis711 - March 5 - 2:04 pmJust like everyone else- 22-25 MPG. Also, it does a hard shift all the time, and often when pressing on the gas, it hesitates, as though it had to think if it was the brake or the gas , it makes you very angry when driving. Terrible experience. One good thing is the storage. Too bad we cannot afford to road trip with the crap mileage.
