“Test drive it, be sure you want to buy it before you buy. I absolutely love my terrain, but some people don't like them.”
GMC Terrain: Trims, Generations & Buyer's Guide
Last updated August 13, 2026
The GMC Terrain is a compact five-seat SUV made for commuting, family errands, and weekend trips. It is known for a roomy cabin, flexible cargo space, and upright, truck-inspired styling.
The Terrain has always paired everyday crossover practicality with a squared-off GMC look. Across three generations, it has remained a roomy two-row SUV while steadily adding better screens, phone connectivity, and driver-assistance features. Denali has provided an upscale version since 2013, while AT4 has added a more trail-focused personality since 2022.
Strengths
- The cabin seats five and gives adults useful space in back, with 39.7 inches of rear legroom in 2027.
- The folding rear seats make it easy to switch between carrying passengers and larger items.
- The third-generation Terrain puts its main controls and information on a large 15-inch touchscreen and an 11-inch driver display.
- Driver-assistance features became standard across the lineup in 2020, and the redesigned 2025 model expanded that coverage further.
- Its upright, truck-inspired shape gives it a distinct look among everyday compact SUVs.
Who it's for
The Terrain suits someone who wants an easy-to-use compact SUV with room for five and enough flexibility for errands, commuting, and road trips. It also makes sense for shoppers who prefer a more upright, truck-like design than many compact crossovers offer.
GMC Terrain lineup
Elevation is the everyday version and the natural pick for shoppers who want the Terrain’s core space, technology, and safety features. AT4 is the trail-focused step up; since joining the Terrain range in 2022, it has been the choice for a tougher look and greater emphasis on driving beyond pavement. Denali has been the comfort-focused top trim since 2013, aimed at buyers who want a more upscale cabin and road-focused feel. Older used Terrains may instead use SL, SLE, or SLT names for their mainstream trims.
GMC Terrain generations
From 2010 to 2027, the Terrain spans three generations. The current 3rd Generation arrived for 2025, following the 2nd Generation (2018–2024).
3rd Generation (2025–Present)
The third-generation Terrain has boxier, more truck-inspired styling, a 15-inch touchscreen, an 11-inch driver display, and a broader standard safety suite. It launched only in Elevation form before AT4 and Denali returned for 2026.
78 In Stock
2027
The front-wheel-drive Elevation switches from a CVT to an 8-speed automatic, making the 8-speed standard across the range.
2026Trim changes
AT4 and Denali return, completing the third-generation trim range after the Elevation-only launch year.
2025New generation
A full redesign brings boxier styling, much larger displays, and more standard driver-assistance features. The range launches only in Elevation trim.
2nd Generation (2018–2024)
The second-generation Terrain is smaller and lighter than its predecessor, with turbocharged four-cylinder engines and a touchscreen system supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 2022 refresh revises the exterior lighting and front-end styling while adding wireless phone integration.
343 In Stock
2024
The AT4 gains the GMC Pro Safety Plus driver-assistance package as standard. The rest of the range carries over.
2023
A revised 1.5-liter turbo engine raises output to 175 horsepower, and electronic brake assist is added.
2022Mid-cycle update
Refreshed front styling, redesigned LED lighting, updated cabin materials, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto arrive. The AT4 trim makes its debut.
2021
The 2.0-liter turbo engine is discontinued, leaving the 1.5-liter turbo and 9-speed automatic as the only powertrain.
2020Trim changes
Automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and other driver-assistance features become standard across the range. Denali receives revised suspension tuning.
2019
The basic styling, structure, and three-engine range carry over, with only minor equipment updates.
2018New generation
The full redesign makes the Terrain smaller and lighter, adds three turbocharged four-cylinder engines, and introduces Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a push-button shifter.
1st Generation (2010–2017)
The original Terrain is a five-passenger crossover with squared-off styling, a sliding rear seat, and four-cylinder or V6 power. Its 2016 refresh updates the front and rear styling, cabin controls, and trim structure.
55 In Stock
2017
The final year of the first generation carries over without significant equipment or mechanical changes.
2016Mid-cycle update
Updated front and rear styling, a new hood, revised grilles, and reworked cabin controls arrive. The trim structure is also reshuffled.
2015Trim changes
A simpler SL base trim joins the range with front-wheel drive and the 2.4-liter four-cylinder.
2014
The Terrain carries over with only minor equipment revisions.
2013Trim changes
Denali joins the range for the first time. A 301-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 replaces the previous 3.0-liter V6, and most trims gain updated smartphone integration.
2012
A 7-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth become standard across the range. The four-cylinder also gains E85 fuel capability.
2011
The optional 3.0-liter V6 gains E85 fuel capability on federal-emissions models; the rest of the Terrain is largely unchanged.
2010New generation
The Terrain debuts as a new five-passenger crossover with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder, an optional 3.0-liter V6, a rearview camera, and a sliding rear seat.
What's new by year
See what changed in a specific model year of the GMC Terrain.
Frequently asked questions
Is the GMC Terrain a compact SUV or a midsize SUV?
The GMC Terrain is a compact two-row SUV with seating for five. It has an upright, truck-inspired look but is sized for everyday commuting, family errands, and weekend travel.
What is the GMC Terrain known for?
The GMC Terrain is known for a roomy five-seat cabin, flexible folding seats, and an upright design. Newer models add large digital displays and a broad set of standard driving aids.
Is the GMC Terrain a good family SUV?
Yes, the GMC Terrain suits small families that need five seats, useful rear legroom, and folding seats for larger cargo. Its compact size also makes it easier to use for commuting and errands than a three-row SUV.
Does the GMC Terrain come as a hybrid?
No, the Terrain covered here does not use a hybrid powertrain. Most versions have gasoline engines, while a 1.6-liter turbo-diesel was sold for the 2018 and 2019 model years.
Was the GMC Terrain ever sold with a diesel engine?
Yes. The 2018 and 2019 Terrain offered a 1.6-liter turbo-diesel with a six-speed automatic in SLE Diesel and SLT Diesel versions. Later Terrains returned to gasoline-only power.
Does the GMC Terrain have front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive?
The Terrain has been sold with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, depending on year and trim. In the newest lineup, Elevation covers both layouts, while AT4 and Denali use all-wheel drive.
How many generations of the GMC Terrain are there?
There are three Terrain generations. The first ran from 2010 through 2017, the second from 2018 through 2024, and the third began for 2025 with boxier styling and much larger digital displays.
GMC Terrain Reviews
What owners are saying about the GMC Terrain.
4.1
GMC Terrain
(2,904 reviews)
“The GMC Terrain Diesel is very economical, but God awful to drive. The interior rattles were awful. The driving experience is abysmal. Slow, under powered, clumsy. The MyGMC radio system locked up half the time and required a complete shut down of the car to reset. I kept getting errors on the DEF system.”
“It seems to be an okay car. Too costly and will rust out too fast. Wish we could still buy basic vehicles without all the garbage.”
“GMC Terrain is built sturdy, gets great gas mileage, is an extremely roomy 5 seater with a lot of trunk space and good safety features.”
“The vehicle is comfortable, roomy, spacious cargo area, sits high from the ground, good visibility, handles well, smooth and very quite drive.”
“The vehicle is well equipped and comfortable to drive as well as ride in. The amount of cargo space is great for families on the go.”
Sources
- news.gmc.com — 2024 / Aug / 0812 25Terrain
- media.gmc.com — Terrain / 2024 / 2024 GMC Terrain 110623
- gmc.com — Download Brochures / 2024 Models / GMTN23CT100 2024 TERRAIN FO 011124 FINAL
- media.gmc.com — Terrain / 2022 / 2022 GMC Terrain 052421
- gmc.com — 2023 Models / 02 Pdf / GMTN23CT000FO MY23 GMC TERRAIN 092322
- gmc.com — 2023 Models / 02 Pdf / GMTN23CT000 MY23 GMC TERRAIN DESKTOP 042823 INTERACTIVE
- gmc.com — Download Brochures / 2021 Models / GMTN21CT000 2021 GMC Terrain Catalog DIGITAL 8321
- gmc.com — 2022 Models / 02 Pdf / GMTN22CT000FO MY22 GMC TERRAIN 062722
- gmc.com — 2020 Models / Updated 2020 Pdfs / 2020 Gmc Terrain Catalog
- gmc.com — Download Brochures / 2019 Models / 2019 Gmc Terrain Brochure
- gmc.com — 2018 Models / 03 Pdfs / 2018 Gmc Terrain Brochure Revapr2018
- gmc.com — 2017 Models / 02 Pdfs / 2017 Gmc Terrain Brochure