Pros: Good selection of available comfort and safety features; lively performance with 2.0-liter turbo engine
Cons: So-so acceleration with base engine; price premium of optioned-up versions, especially topline Denali model
CG Says: The 2020 GMC Terrain adds standard safety features. Automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights are now standard on all models. The optional diesel engine has been dropped. Terrain was redesigned and downsized for 2018. The current Terrain is about three inches shorter and up to 400 pounds lighter than the previous generation, which bumped it from the smaller side of our midsize SUV class to our compact SUV category. The Terrain shares its basic platform and powertrains with the Chevrolet Equinox, which was also redesigned for 2018. The base engine is a turbocharged 170-horsepower 1.5-liter 4-cylinder and a more powerful 252-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder is available. Both engines are paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard and all models except the base SL are available with all-wheel drive. Available safety features include forward-collision alert, blind-spot alert, and rear cross-traffic alert. Other available features include a surround-view camera, automatic parking assist, 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, heated and ventilated front seats, and hands-free power liftgate. The redesigned GMC Terrain now competes more directly with the likes of the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, and it boasts a slightly more upscale look and feel than the other vehicles in its class. You’ll pay a bit of a premium for that ambiance, but the Terrain’s pleasant road manners, user-friendly infotainment system, and generous passenger room also satisfy.
Class | Compact SUV |
Body Style(s) | 4-door wagon |
Passenger Count | 5 |
Drive Wheels | front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive |
Manufacturer | GMC |
Nation of Manufacture | Mexico |
Base Prices | SL: $26,195 SLE: $29,595 AWD SLE: $31,195 SLT: $32,395 AWD SLT: $33,995 Denali: $39,495 AWD Denali: $41,095 |
Base Engine turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder |
Horsepower 170 |
Std. Transmission 9-speed automatic |
Avail. Transmission NA |
EPA City Range (mpg) 25-26 |
EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 28-30 |
Optional Engine turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
Horsepower 252 |
Std. Transmission 9-speed automatic |
Avail. Transmission NA |
EPA City Range (mpg) 21-22 |
EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 26-28 |