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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  false advertisement on fuel - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By cignarella - August 14 - 12:03 pm

  i purchased the vehicle 3 weeks ago and not getting any where close to the aqdvertised mpg only gettig 17 mpg very dissappointed wouldnt recommend to buy

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  GMC TERRAIN - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Rambo - August 12 - 7:30 am

  Rides like a dream.Great vehicle.The little motor is very pept up.Looks great.I was going to stay away from government motors but the terrain won me over. If you crive it your hooked.Love the moveable back seat.

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  Very disappointed in the GMC Terraine - 2017 GMC Terrain
  By Dean Gould - July 6 - 3:40 pm

  I changed jobs and needed a car fairly fast. I saw this car on the lot in what appeared to be a good deal, $23,000. By the time I was out of there, my loan was $28,000. For $28,000, I could have gotten a great Honda or Toyota but I wanted to buy American. There are some great American cars out there but not this one. My fault for rushing. One of the reasons I liked it was the exterior design. I like the tough front end which looks like a truck front end. The 2018 looks like every other mid-size SUV. Bad mistake on GMCs part to change the styling. Here are my problems: 1) it sounds like a tin-can when you close the doors. A little injection fill of some sort should have fixed that. 2) biggest problem is the seats are tilted up ever so slightly (bottom portion) so it is causing major pain in my right leg (probably sciatica) Ive spent hours trying to get just the right position and nothing works. It lifts your leg just enough to be uncomfortable. I looked on line and others have the same problem. I called GMC about them adjusting it somehow mechanically and no one really cares. Not possible. So I had to buy a tacky seat cushon and Im hoping that works. You better make sure the 2018 models dont have that slant. I was in my buddys Honda truck this weekend. Ahhhhh. The pain resided. 3) the salesman told me the radio was the latest technology; that I could play my iphone through the radio, pandora, etc. I spent hours trying to figure it out. I called 2 dealers, I called the technical hotline. I stopped in a dealer twice. No one could help me get it working. I was told by the technical line that my model, S1 radio does NOT have that option. To replace radio would be $1500 or more. Finally after wasting all that time, I found a special adaptor that allows me to play pandora, etc. through the car radio. How could no one know that. Meanwhile, its a great big hassle because I cant charge my iphone and use this adapter at the same time and there is NO other adapter that works. 3) the headliner is like paper. it has ripped in 3 places and the dealer wont fix it even though I have the "interior" warranty. What a joke. Ive owned and driven company cars for 40 years; at least 20 different cars and only a used Grand Prix in about 1983 had a torn headliner and it was probably already 10 years old. 4) The seat covers are cheap looking and it ruins the overall interior design of the car. The little holes in the fabric catch food and other things. 5) Id trade the car in tomorrow but it appears in just nine months, Id already lose over $10,000. Its KBB is $17,153 so Im stuck with this lunch box for a long time. What a joke.

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  Can you say wow!! - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By ctpatsfan - June 27 - 3:40 pm

  Looked at Subaru Outback and Forrester as well as Ford Escape. None could compete with drive, feel or accessories of the GMC Terrain. Almost didnt look at the Terrain but glad I did because I fell in love with it once I drove it. Good acceleration, smooth transmission, great accessories, even the red trim lighting isnt as bad as people make it out to be especially if you use the dimming knob. Have had the car 3 weeks now and have loved every minute of driving the vehicle. The key now is reliability. Will check back in when I have full year under my belt.

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  Good vehicle, but did not enjoy dealer - 2017 GMC Terrain
  By Jim - June 15 - 5:14 am

  DO NOT PURCHASE VEHICLE OR ADD-ONS DURING FIRST VISIT TO DEALERSHIP. Do not purchase add-on contracts and warranties from dealer at time of purchase - do homework on value of add-ons to you as buyer and research experiences of other buyers with these add-ons such as LUXCARE, 3 for 1, extended mechanical warranty, dealer service contract, etc. Do your homework before puchasing: Determine value of your trade-in, determine MSRP for the vehicle being purchased - GO TO EDMONDS BEFORE GOING TO DEALERSHIP. Take a younger friend with you who hears well, thinks quickly and is not easily pushed or intimidated.

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  not happy - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By terrain owner - May 26 - 11:13 pm

  I bought a Terrain based on the advertised 32 highway mpg. I do all highway driving and I havent even gotten remotely close to the 32. I have seen tanks with 22, 23 and 24 mpg. Not happy. Other than the gas mileage I love it. It has lots of leg room for the rearseat passengers. I like that the rear seat slides up and back.

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  Excellent suv - 2018 GMC Terrain
  By jmechanic - April 8 - 10:32 pm

  best compact crossover suv on the market right now. in my 35 years as an automotive technician I have fixed ,driven,tested and owned many vehicles and nothing compares to a GM in overall quality, performance,safety and features, despite what you read out there. this 2018 terrain is another example of that. the sle also comes with the 2.0 l turbo, not just the slt or denali. i also love the fact that GM does not use the CVT transmission on their vehicles like Honda, toyota, nissan and many others do, just to get a litle better mpg sacrificing performance. will like to point out that although many of the features on the new terrain are new to the terrain, they are not new to general motors. I recommend the 2.0L turbo over the 1.5 unless your all about mpg, another option the 1.6L turbo diesel. go test one for your self.

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  Two weeks Old - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Fred - March 23 - 7:40 pm

  In the overall I am pleased with the vehicle. My last three were Explorers so it has taken a little while to adjust to the opposite positioning of wipers, lights, etc.

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  save yourself dont buy this p.o.s - 2017 GMC Terrain
  By damian - December 14 - 2:39 am

  you can go faster in a go kart with a better ride at k1 speedway than this gutless slow as hell car.SUV stands for qaulity most cases but not here.i have to pay 30,000 dollars for a piece of crap car i think not.Shame on the dealerships for pushing ppl into buying this car.GM even knows its a piece but yet here we are.

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  Transmission is crap - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By gac - November 20 - 8:24 am

  Had this car for 6 yrs and has less than 49K on it when the transmission goes out. You would think that a transmission with less than 49K on would last a little longer. I now see why GM reduced the mileage for its powertrain warranty from 5yrs/100,000 to 5yrs/60,000. Im sure they were losing big money. Also, fuel economy is way less than advertised. I barely get 18 MPG.