“The Terrain overall is a pretty awesome SUV. I had issues with the engine at first but once it was fixed I was good.”
2015 GMC Terrain: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The main change for the 2015 GMC Terrain is a new SL base trim with front-wheel drive, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, and simpler equipment. Otherwise, this is largely a carryover year with no redesign or broad mechanical update.
About the 2015 GMC Terrain
1st generation (2010-2017), sixth model year and last year before the 2016 mid-cycle refresh
GMC positioned the Terrain as a two-row crossover with bold, truck-inspired styling but car-like step-in height and road manners. Its main strengths were a quiet cabin, a comfortable ride, a sliding and reclining rear seat, and an easy-to-load cargo floor. The range paired a fuel-conscious four-cylinder with a stronger V6 in many upper trims, while Denali added distinctive design, extra comfort, and a softer-riding suspension.
The 2015 Terrain ranges from the straightforward SL to the comfort-focused Denali. Every trim has a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth phone connectivity, a rear camera, and a sliding, reclining rear seat; upper trims add features such as leather seating, a power liftgate, a sunroof, and driver-assistance alerts.
What changed, by category
Trim lineup
The SL joined the lineup as the new entry trim. It pairs the 182-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder and six-speed automatic exclusively with front-wheel drive, along with a simpler set of standard features.
Tech
Navigation shifted from standard to optional on SLE-2, SLT-1, SLT-2, and Denali. These trims still use a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
2015 GMC Terrain specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.4 Liter / V6, 3.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.4 Liter / V6, 3.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.4 Liter / V6, 3.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.4 Liter / V6, 3.6 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | AWD / FWD | FWD | FWD / AWD | FWD / AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 22 mpg | 20 mpg | 17–20 mpg | 17–22 mpg | 16–22 mpg | 16–22 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 32 mpg | 29 mpg | 24–29 mpg | 24–32 mpg | 23–32 mpg | 23–32 mpg |
| Horsepower | 182 hp | 182 hp | 182–301 hp | 182–301 hp | 182–301 hp | 182–301 hp |
| Torque | 172 lb-ft | 172 lb-ft | 172–272 lb-ft | 172–272 lb-ft | 172–272 lb-ft | 172–272 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 1500 lb | 1500 lb | 3500 lb | 3500 lb | 3500 lb | 3500 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 63.9 cu-ft | 63.9 cu-ft | 63.9 cu-ft | 63.9 cu-ft | 63.9 cu-ft | 63.9 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 39.9 in | 39.9 in | 39.9 in | 39.9 in | 39.9 in | 39.9 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||||
| Rear Parking Sensors | ||||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||
| Fog Lights | ||||||
| Heated Mirrors | ||||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | ||||||
| Power Moonroof | ||||||
| Power Liftgate/Trunk Release | ||||||
| Roof Rails | ||||||
| Trailer Hitch Receiver | ||||||
| Bluetooth | ||||||
| Front DVD Entertainment System | ||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||
| Rear DVD Entertainment System | ||||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||
| Subwoofer | ||||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | ||||||
| USB Ports | ||||||
| Automatic Air Conditioning | ||||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | ||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | ||||||
| Leather Seats | ||||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | ||||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||||
| Remote Start | ||||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest difference between the 2015 and 2014 GMC Terrain?
The biggest difference is the addition of the SL base trim for 2015. The rest of the Terrain lineup carried over without a redesign or broad engine, transmission, safety, or infotainment-hardware update.
What does the new 2015 GMC Terrain SL include?
The 2015 Terrain SL has a 182-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, a six-speed automatic, and front-wheel drive. It also has a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth phone connectivity, a rear camera, cruise control, and a sliding and reclining split rear seat.
Does the 2015 GMC Terrain SL have all-wheel drive?
No. The 2015 Terrain SL comes only with front-wheel drive and the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Shoppers looking for all-wheel drive need one of the other Terrain trims.
Was the 2015 GMC Terrain redesigned?
No. The 2015 Terrain retains the existing body, chassis, engines, transmissions, and overall styling. It is the final model year before the light exterior refresh for 2016.
Which 2015 GMC Terrain trims have the most standard driver-assistance features?
SLT-2 and Denali have the most extensive standard warning features. Both include forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and rear parking sensors, while Denali also has blind-zone and rear-cross-traffic alerts.
2015 GMC Terrain Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2015 GMC Terrain.
4.1
2015 GMC Terrain
(290 reviews)
“tilt steering wheel very uncomfortable. Will not go up high enough when over 6 feet tall and have longer legs. I always have it in the most upper position and is never moved. Needs to be changed.”
“I've driven a Tahoe for the last 20 years and find the following difficulties with the terrain: I have to bend my head to get into the vehicle, front seat very tight and I can't reach into the back seat from the driver's seat, a lot of wind noise when the sunroof is open.”