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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  2 Adults/no kids - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By scooter - November 19 - 2:53 pm

  Waited 5 weeks to get an SLT-2 with a 6 cylinder and MSRP of $31,495 for my wife. Traded a Honda CRV and this beats it so far. Its small and simple like the CRV but the ride quality is far superior. With the back seat pushed forward (thats the way my dog likes it) the cargo area is bigger than the specs make it seem. This may seem crazy but I drive a 6 cylinder Porsche Cayenne and the Terrain, while not handling as nifty as the Porsche, has a ride quality and practicality that actually make it the vehicle of choice for driving excursions out of town. So far, I think GMC has hit a home run with this.

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  Good Job G.M. - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Sid Wombold - November 10 - 11:53 pm

  Now have 1,000 miles on the Terrain. Came from an Enclave and in my opinion this is a better built vehicle. With the 4cyl. it will shift less on the hills than the V6 Enclave. First tank full gave 25.1 m.p.g. and the DIC is showing over 26 on this tank. The looks is still growing on me. I preferred the Equinox and the better 1/2 preferred the Terrain. So we compromised and bought the Terrain. Decent seats and good room for 4 people. Better stereo than the Bose in the Enclave.

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  Nice ride - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By tim - November 6 - 11:16 pm

  The vehicle looks great and is a very smooth ride. The V-6 engine provides good performance and above average handling.

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  11 Months Dead Battery - 2016 GMC Terrain
  By D - November 4 - 6:58 pm

  This car is great. Ive had it for 11 months, have only driven 9000 miles and I really do love my car. However, my battery died. It should be covered under warranty but still.... it should not have died. I dont leave anything plugged in and none of my lights were on. It doesnt make sense.

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  Terrain - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By terrain - August 28 - 5:16 am

  Purchased my Terrain very end of Jan. Currently have 1400 miles. I do feel that transmission shifting that others have spoken about. Took some getting use too. It definately wont win any awards for being fast to accelerate from a dead stop. The ride is wonderful coming from a Honda Element, its like heaven. Nice smooth ride, quiet cabin. No problems thus far. Havent had a chance to test it out in the snow. I hope its as good as the Element was.

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  End of Season Terrain - 2017 GMC Terrain
  By Lou D - August 22 - 9:26 am

  The extremely aggressive rebatesthat applied to this 2017 model totalled almost $6000, lowering the purchase price significantly, about 20% off sticker. While not an option listed above, this was a 6-cyl SLT. After a test drive, the 4-cyl just didnt have the power needed for this truck. With that, though, comes less than stellar mileage, about 18 MPG. The other complaint is that the center console controls are a bit of a stretch, and the nav system could be simpler to operate. Besides those things, the truck has power, room (especially head room), good cargo space, and a generally sweet interior. Its a great ride, and were very happy with the deal received.

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  Black Bad Sparkle Machine - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By david ordiway - August 8 - 7:55 pm

  a few complants: #1 - doesnt give you enough room to buckle up front drivers seat belt, its right up against center console #2 - hard to get in driver door if on incline for tall people (Im 59")

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  What Happened - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Disappointed - May 18 - 1:00 pm

  I have had this vehicle for about 5 weeks with 2000 miles on it already. I have been so happy with the way it drives and handles. Until last night, all of a sudden the transmission would not grab. Engine racing and couldnt go over 30 miles an hour. Not sure if it is the transmission or the computer misreading something. Will find out tomorrow once the dealership looks at it. First time I had bought American and hope I am not going to be sorry. I am on the road all the time and need a car that is reliable. I am very disappointed. Never had this happen with any previous foreign made purchases. Not getting anyway near what they advertise for mileage - getting around 22 mph,

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  Run from this car!! - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By anart04 - May 8 - 7:38 am

  Weve owned a 2010 GMC Terrain SLE 6 cylinder since December 2009. We purchased this after our first child and quickly realized how tiny the backseat was with a carseat installed. Along came baby number 2 and bye-bye went the third passenger in the back. Even just three average adults are squished into that tiny space. I couldnt sit between the 2 carseats and Im 54, 130lbs. Within the first year, the tailgate needed to be repainted because the back licence plate housing rubbed the paint off. 18 months later, the same thing happened. At the 4 year mark, the inside bottom of all the doors were rusted to the metal. The center console USB plug stopped working after a year. Out of the blue, I got a service stabilitrac warning one day around 60,000 miles accompanied by loud grinding from my brakes. I needed a new wheelbearing, all new brake pads, and rotors, and my emergency brake caliber somehow fell off. At 63000 miles, at startup one evening, the engine sputtered and the notification center said low power mode, service stabilitrack, and the abs, stabilitrak, and check engine light stayed on. After turning the car off and on a few times, the lights turned off, but I still had an intermittent check engine light turn on. The code for that was for a camshaft actuator and the engine had somehow burned or leaked 2 quarts of oil in a very short amount of time. Wasted $300 on a camshaft actuator and the check engine light stayed off long enough for the ride home. Called the dealership next day, they stated that the timing chains usually need to be replaced in these and that may be what is wrong (mind you, "may be" to the tune of another $1,000!) They also informed me that they had never changed the timing chains on a 6 cylinder at that dealership. I questioned if it would affect the engines function and was assured that the timing chains made noise when they went bad and I would know when it was time. Fast forward another 8 months and 3,000 miles and my service stabilitrak light, ABS, and check engine lights are on again and the engine has again consumed 3 quarts of oil in a short amount of time(yes, I regularly check the oil). At 70000 miles, the motor failed on the windshield washer pump, so I am unable to wash my front/rear windshield until I repair it. There is currently a recall for an intermittent problem with the seatbelt notification chime dinging despite everyone wearing their seatbelts. This has only happened twice and resolves itself if you restart the engine. This car was garage kept and averaged less than 10,000 miles a year, and I followed the maintenance schedule. I am the original owner. When I contacted GMC, their reply was that the vehicle is out of warranty and then they had the dealership contact me. After some research, I found my issues are similar to other GMC Terrain owners and if your Terrain isnt having any of these issues now, great, but I strongly suggest getting rid of it before this happens. If your looking to purchase a Terrain, please choose something else!! **Update**2018 This beast is still running! In the past year, the moonroof malfunctioned and needed to be completely replaced or permanently closed. It was a difference of a $1000 or $200 repair. You can probably guess what I chose. I now have a sweet sky light in my car that has the tiniest annoying air leak in it, but its closed at least. I still randomly burn through oil, but again I regularly check it, so I guess its not an issue. The check engine light permanently stays on. The bottom of the doors are rusting faster than I can drive it. Im just waiting for the engine to blow up.

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  Up-to-date technology in a great ride - 2018 GMC Terrain
  By D Eddy - April 29 - 8:58 am

  I downsized from a medium-sized SUV - so this has less cargo space and passenger capacity. But I rarely used the third row seating in my previous vehicle (rated at 7 passengers - but that counts 3 in the third row which would be difficult to get into and far too cramped) so this 5 passenger compact SUV more tha meets my needs, and with the ability to fold down flat all of the second row, and even the passenger front seat, it will meet all my cargo needs. Also downsized from a 6 cylinder to this 4 cylinder turbo - and with the reduced weight, and extra transmission speeds, dont miss the bigger engine at all - this has even more pickup, and the braking is very good, and the mileage improvement more than offsets the extra cost for premium gas. Start-Stop technology easy to get used to, as is the push-pull transmission selectors. Much improved navigation system; great intuitive controls. Excellent safety features - crash avoidance, parking assist; birdseye view cameras. Excellent sound system and lighting package. Start of the art dash board displays and steering wheel controls. Very comfortable seats.