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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  Junk Parts in Car and Junk Manufacture - 2012 GMC Terrain
  By exec17 - August 15 - 2:38 pm

  do not buy this vehicle. I am over 60 and have had over 30 cars in my life. this one is the WORST as to mechanical problems. I bought two of these, one for me and one for my educator daughter. Bottom line: this car gets terrible gas mileage, lucky to get 19 on the interstate. It loses oil that "vanishes" such as all oil gone after 4,000 miles- bone dry. and out of oil after oil change and 1500 miles. Brake job after 20K miles. Replace S belt after 20K miles. I have NEVER had a car that has lost oil like this, even "oil burners" never a brake job after 20K miles, should go 40K. and NEVER EVER loss of the sperpentine belt. and I am absolutely certain that problems will continue and more come

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  Malfunctions - timing change, noise, oil pouring out - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By dlatour - June 9 - 3:32 pm

  At 35,000 miles the timing change had to be changed. At 51,000 miles I brought it in for engine noise that was extremely loud and an oil film on the undercarriage. Told that the noise and oil was normal. Today at 54,000 miles it appears all of the oil drained out of the motor. Beside the huge puddle on the driveway there is oil from the front of the car to the rear of the car.

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  BAD BAD FUEL ECONOMY - 2012 GMC Terrain
  By aray5 - May 28 - 6:15 pm

  Do not "presume" that you will get anywhere near the sticker mpg with your Terrain. You wont. Our sticker showed 22-32 and we get 23.8. GMC is not "playing fair" by having EPA conduct the fuel tests so that lawsuits are avoided. Apparantly the only way to get close to 32 mpg is by driving between 48-60mph on a flat or slightly sloping downward road...If you are plagued by poor fuel economy with your Terrain, I urge you to call GMC and your GMC dealer and voice your complaint!

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  Worse vehicle I have ever had! - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By texas322 - April 7 - 9:31 pm

  We have never had so many problems with a new vehicle as we have had with this one. They had to replace timing chain, a rattling noise is still very loud but they tell us there is nothing wrong, drive the car to work and back and no engine light turned on or anything just a loud knocking noes in the motor every time we pressed gas.. Little did we know that the car had no engine oil... But it still showed it had 40% oil life. Dont know where the oil is going. This is the second time its happened to us. We have to check oil at least every 2 weeks.. This is a 2010 car. Mileage is not what it says it is..

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  Be careful when you buy this vehicle! - 2012 GMC Terrain
  By cnorborg - October 8 - 3:54 pm

  Overall I like my Terrain, love my dealer, but definitely not a fan of GM. The terrain is a small SUV, does ok for a dog owner like me, not a fan of the seats not folding fully flat. The leather seats get a bit warm and it drives a bit stiff. The AC struggles to get the car cold when its hot outside, a bit undersized for the type of vehicle for living in a desert like Albuquerque. My biggest complaint stems from something I noticed and mentioned to the dealer the first time I took the car in for an oil change. The color backup camera is 99% of the time showing up B&W. In dealing with GM, I find they are simply trying to make excuses and not fix the problem. They say its "as designed"

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  A Lot of Issues and Problems - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By cockermom - September 12 - 7:23 am

  We purchased a 2011 GMC Terrain SLE2 Automatic with a 4 cylinder engine. The engine is so small that this poor vehicle has terrible pick-up. Its dangerous to try and pass on the highway or pick up speed when merging because the pick up is so bad. Another major issue we have is that the engine seems to be hesitating or fluttering or it is stalling at low throttle which is extremely dangerous when driving period let alone driving up a hill. This problem warrants a recall. The doors are so lightweight that they will slam on you when opening/closing which is dangerous to passengers. This needs to be sorted by GMC as its dangerous. Passenger airbag light doesnt work. Poor gas mileage.

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  Using Oil - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By graygrandma - September 2 - 9:05 pm

  I 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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  Poor fuel economy - 2012 GMC Terrain
  By owner13 - August 20 - 3:07 pm

  Actual 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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  I got suckered into buying this based on Gas Mileage - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By vlazo - June 7 - 10:57 am

  Im 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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  A BIG MISTAKE - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By sgthaight - February 8 - 6:12 pm

  Leased this vehicle in 4 cylinder, was promised 26/32 mpg city/highway. A BLATANT LIE FROM GMC! Veh gets 14-16 in town and cant get over 21 on the highway. GMC was contacted and set up a service check at the dealer. They came up with every phony excuse you could think of. Too much weight in the veh (which is empty) to the mileage gauge must be reset every time ( even though the On-Star app says the lifetiMe average mileage of both city/highway is 17). Avoid this car at all expense, it has no power and the mileage SUCKS. GMC will try to blame you for the crummy mileage if you complain. Searching for a lawyer to take on the big GMC Corp. Buy American, but not this American vehicle.