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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  Cant wait to pick up my new car! - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By lmbt969 - April 17 - 12:41 pm

  My family is picking up our 2010 GMC Terrain on Monday (tomorrow) and we are SO excited! It is actually used with 30,000 miles but its new to us! We took the car for almost an entire day last week (my very close friend is the manager of the dealership) and absolutely loved it. I drive a 2008 Tahoe for work and just cant imagine spending that kind of money on gas considering how much city driving I do. I love love love the interior and exterior styling of the Terrain. I agree with the "numb steering" feel, but Im used to it from the Tahoe. We were impressed with the gas mileage, but long term remains to be seen. We were in the market for a 4cyl SUV and this one fit the bill!

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  Happy Owner - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By new_terrain - March 12 - 11:58 am

  Ive owned the vehicle for a few weeks and am very satisfied so far. There was a problem with accessing music on my iPhone4 via the USB port. I kept getting error messages stating "Unsupported iPod device" and "Unsupported USB device". This was very frustrating. After Googling the problem, it turns out the issue is NOT unique to GM vehicles --- indicating the problem was with the iPhone, not the car. Fortunately, I was able to update the software on the iPhone4 to the latest version (Version 4.3), which was very straightforward using iTunes. This appears to have fixed the problem. I hope this helps others with the same problem.

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  My most favorite vehicle yet - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By debsop - March 4 - 2:28 pm

  Ive owned quite a few cars in my 40 years of driving and I am loving my 2011 Terrain the most. My husband and I are probably a salesmans worse nightmare when it comes to going over every detail, however the Terrain excels at all and for the price you can drive the vehicle loaded up with a more comfortable ride than the Cadillac version. We test drove both and I found the Cadillac to wallow on the road, struggle and scream on the highway for lack of power and the Terrain is as smooth as silk. Ive owned Grand Ams, Mustangs, Firebirds, Monte Carlos and bang for buck this is as close to Im probably going to get to an Escalade. Cant think of a thing Id like to add to it.

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  2010 GMC Terrain - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By baja2011 - February 15 - 4:26 pm

  First Off, we decided to buy the 4 cylinder over the 6, cause we thought we would get the 32-35 mpg on the highway. we are lucky if we get 24 mpg on the highway even with the ECO mode enabled and nitrogen in the tires. The dealership were acting like these terrains are the hottest selling vehicle on the market, but when you get inside-just a lot of shaped plastic parts and dash and bright red interior at night. Im not impressed with this vehicle at all and the price we paid for it. Very Disappointed in this Vehicle. We will not buy another terrain.

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  Great car, would like more options - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By tommyycar - February 14 - 10:18 am

  We have had this car for a year and we like it very much. We bought this for my wife to drive, but I also use it a lot. As a matter of fact, when it is time for me to trade my Lexus this summer, I would buy a Terrain for myself in a heartbeat if it just had some more goodies. I know that GM markets this as a family car, but it is also the perfect car for traveling empty nesters who need some cargo capacity but also want good fuel mileage. In my opinion, GM is missing the boat by not adding an empty nester package to include things like power passenger seat, power sliding back seat, power adjusting steering wheel, rain sensing wipers. Maybe a Cadillac version!?

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  Finally a vehicle tall people can enjoy :) - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By theburr4 - January 23 - 4:36 am

  Our gas mileage is 18.9 MPG. Many people dont like the red lighting but my family & I think its pretty cool. The fabric seats arent that attractive but they are comfortable & they seat my tall family very nicely with room to spare. This really is a beautiful, nice, and safe feeling SUV. It feels solid and drives well up mountain roads. The onstar is awesome along with the XM Radio and Ipod USB Port. Ive only driven in the snow once with my AWD Terrain. It was brand new and I was nervous. I thought I was stuck and my Dad said "Come on and give it some gas!" No problem I got through their non-maintained road. The engine idle sound is horrible & embarrassing but we still love the car.

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  700 miles ... Love it so far! - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By svrobs - January 18 - 2:06 am

  After 8 years in a minivan, needed to move on. Compared all available crossovers in the <$30,000 range, w/ focus on MPG. Averaging 22 MPG, mostly city. Looking forward to a road trip to test highway MPG. The cloth seats are very comfortable. Love the backup camera in the rear view mirror. Might have bought up a trim level if wed had more information. Both 54" and 61" find driving, passenger and rear seats comfortable. Overall quite happy with our purchase ...

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  Big mistake - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By carroruim - January 15 - 11:19 pm

  Major transmission issues. The car died at 7,000 miles the transmission had to be replaced. Even with a new transmission I’m still having issues with the car shifting gears, it stutters frequently. A new problem since the transmission replacement is that when the low gears shift, it appears that something is rubbing and it’s loud. Since it’s a new model, the techs at the dealership cannot diagnose the problem. I regret buying this car and would not recommend to anyone

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  dont buy this is gas mpg is important to you - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By bravesmama1 - January 7 - 8:47 am

  i traded in a crv to get the terrian because i thought i was going to get better mpg, wrong..dont buy this if you expect the mpg gmc says it will get, i have had it 2 months and i took it out of state xmas and i am getting 26 on highway, 6 miles under what gmc says.. in town about the same 5 miles under....if mpg doesnt matter to you i would recommend this suv, it rides much better than the crv, much roomier..other than the mpg great suv

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  Great car - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By boyd4447 - December 21 - 12:13 pm

  This is my first brand new car, so it may be a little biased. I have been researching mid-sized crossovers for almost a year before I purchased this vehicle. I absolutely love it. In head to head vs. the several others I was researching, I liked this one the best for style, comfort, and price. The driving is a little numb and the steering is touchy, but it isnt a sports car. The mpg isnt half bad, but no where near the EPA estimates. I am getting a combined 22 mpg, obviously less in the city. Overall though, I love this vehicle