Item: 2021 GMC Terrain
Rating: 3.3
Author: Willis Kuelthau

Overview

What's New

The 2021 GMC Terrain, entering its fourth model year since its last redesign, comes without many changes. The compact crossover SUV adds a few active safety features as standard equipment, including automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assist.

The Terrain languishes near the bottom of the compact crossover class. More and more mainstream brands are starting to offer upscale trim levels and high-end features, which puts the Terrain in an awkward position. Competitors like the Mazda CX-5 and the Toyota RAV4 offer a lot of the same features, but are much cheaper.

On the flip side, luxury vehicles like the BMW X3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class aren’t too far off in pricing of the range-topping Terrain, but bring a lot more in terms of performance and luxury.

Choosing Your GMC Terrain

GMC offers the Terrain in four trim levels: SL, SLE, SLT, and Denali. Prices start at $26,195 including destination for the SL trim and go up to $39,495 for the Denali.

Engine Choices

The SL, SLE, and SLT come with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine as standard. Moving up to the Denali brings a more powerful 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder, which is also a $3,095 option on the SLT.

Engine Type	Horsepower	Torque	Max Towing	Fuel Economy (Combined)
1.5L Turbo 4-Cylinder	170 hp	203 lb-ft	1,500 pounds	27 mpg
2.0L Turbo 4-Cylinder	252 hp	260 lb-ft	3,500 pounds	Not Yet Rated

Both engines are paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard throughout the lineup, while the SLE, SLT, and Denali trims can be upgraded with all-wheel drive for $1,600.

We wish GMC would offer the more powerful 2.0-liter engine as an option on lower trims instead of saving it for the SLT and Denali trims, as the base engine is a letdown. While fuel economy figures for the larger engine aren’t available, we think it’s well worth the upgrade, bringing 82 more horsepower and 2,000 pounds more of towing capacity.

Passenger and Cargo Capacity

All Terrain trims have seating for up to five passengers. Cargo capacity is rated at 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and a total of 63.3 cubic feet behind the front seats. These figures are less than competitors, as both the RAV4 and the Honda CR-V offer larger cargo areas.

Safety Features

GMC has added more standard safety features for the 2021 model year. Automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist are standard. You also get a Teen Driver system.

The SLE and SLT are available with the GMC Pro Safety Plus Package that costs $695. It brings adaptive cruise control, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring. On the SLT trim, the package costs $645.

The Denali Premium Package ($1,445) is only available on the Denali, and it includes adaptive cruise control, automatic parking assist, and a surround-view camera.

Connectivity

The Terrain comes with a 7-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, wi-fi hot spot, and four USB ports. The SLT and Denali get an 8-inch touchscreen and satellite radio, while the range-topper also adds standard navigation and wireless charging.

The Infotainment Package I ($895) on the SLE trim brings the larger 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a 4.2-inch display in the instrument cluster, and satellite radio. The SLT trim is offered with the Infotainment Package II for $1,180 that includes navigation, HD radio, and a seven-speaker Bose audio system

SL - From $26,195

The SL is more of a lease special, as it’s a stripped-down model. Standard features include heated exterior mirrors, 17-inch wheels, keyless open, and automatic headlights. On the inside, it comes with cloth upholstery, four-way manually-adjustable front seats, and single-zone climate control. It’s only available in three colors, and anything else besides Summit White is an extra $495.

SLE - From $29,595

The SLE trim may be a large increase in pricing over the SL, but it adds more convenience features and the ability to add a few optional packages. The SLE is available in a total of seven colors, but six of them cost $495.

The $995 Elevation Edition package brings 19-inch black wheels, black exterior trim pieces, and a dark front grille. The available Driver Confidence Package ($1,375) includes remote start, roof raisl, dual-zone automatic climate control, an eight-way driver power seat, and heated front seats.

SLT - From $33,695

The SLT is where the Terrain starts to feel luxurious. Over lower trims, it comes with heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, leather upholstery, a handsfree liftgate, a heated steering wheel, remote start, and 18-inch wheels.

The Dark Accent Package brings black trim pieces and a dark grille for $1,250.

Denali - From $39,495

The range-topping Denali trim comes with the larger 2.0-liter engine, 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, a six-way power front passenger seat, a seven-speaker Bose audio system, chrome trim pieces, dual exhaust outlets, navigation, and a wireless charger.

The available Denali Premium Package makes the trim feel more upscale with heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, and more safety features.

Compare Terrain Trims Side-By-Side

CarsDirect Tip

The 2021 GMC Terrain isn’t our favorite crossover on the market, but the SLT trim is the strongest option in the lineup. It can be optioned with the available turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and comes with features consumers expect to see with a $30,000 price tag.

Joel Patel

Automotive Editor - January 18, 2021

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Expert Review

Pros

Refined ride
Good leg room
Strong optional engine
Good looks inside and out

Cons

Dubious value
Weak base engine
Mediocre efficiency
Primitive all-wheel drive

Expert Rating

3.3

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Willis Kuelthau

Automotive Editor - December 11, 2020

Half rugged, half suburban. Looking at the 2021 GMC Terrain from the front, you can see echoes of the much larger GMC Yukon – and even the GMC Sierra 1500. Move farther back, however, and you find a wagon-esque taper and a trendy floating roof. This is a compact crossover that wants to have its cake and eat it, too.

The theme continues on the interior, where bold and blocky shapes rule the day. The Terrain manages to make it look handsome, helped by generally quality materials.

Although the Terrain’s exterior (and its name) may talk a big game, this crossover is destined for pavement more than mud. All-wheel drive is optional, but it’s a primitive system that must be switched manually to send power rearward. In a modern crossover, this feels a bit out of date. We’re not big fans of the toggle shifter, either.

Comfortable … for four, anyway. The Terrain puts most of its interior space toward passengers. At nearly 40 inches, rear leg room is good for the class, and the front seats are spacious and supportive.

We wish we could say the same for the second row – the bench is flat and lacks support. Two passengers fit easily in the back, but tight shoulder room means that three is a squeeze.

We appreciate the extra leg room, but it cuts into cargo capacity somewhat. The Terrain starts with less than 30 cubic feet behind the seats, which is significantly less than favorites like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. The seats don’t fold completely flat, either, limiting total space to a little over 63 cubic feet.

Regardless of how many people or suitcases the Terrain is carrying, the ride is a highlight. It’s composed and smooth, even on the Denali’s 19-inch wheels.

GMC Terrain

Powertrain compromises. The Terrain comes with two engines, and they each come with pros and cons. The base engine, a 1.5-liter four-cylinder, makes only 170 horsepower. Strong torque helps around town, but the engine struggles to move the Terrain’s considerable mass, especially on hills and highways.

The optional 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is better suited for the vehicle. It makes a more capable 252 horsepower, and when it’s paired with a trailering package, it helps the Terrain tow up to 3,500 pounds. The first downside: it’s only available on SLT and Denali trims, and it costs an extra $3,095 on the SLT.

The other downside is the fuel economy, which wasn’t great to begin with. A base Terrain gets an EPA-estimated 27 miles per gallon combined, but that figure drops to 24 mpg combined with the larger engine, and that’s before all-wheel drive is added. Especially compared to hybrids from Honda and Toyota, the Terrain’s efficiency is only average.

Best in the middle. The starting price of the Terrain sits in the same ballpark as imports like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, or Mazda CX-5. Although the Terrain looks the part, its compromised practicality puts it at a disadvantage on the value front.

On the other end of the spectrum, GMC’s lavish Denali trim brings more than a touch of class. Leather upholstery and premium trim help the Terrain feel special, but it’s still a dubious proposition against numerous competitors from luxury badges.

Our favorite Terrain is in the middle: the SLT trim, with the turbo engine if you can manage it. The SLT has just enough creature comforts to feel luxurious, but stays south of $35,000 if you’re careful.

At the least, we recommend bumping up to the SLE trim. GMC has made some improvements in the safety department, adding standard automatic emergency braking last year and blind-spot monitoring for 2021. But the best options, including adaptive cruise control, are only available on the SLE and above.

Final thoughts. The 2021 GMC Terrain hits enough of the right notes that it’s worth a look, even against the ever-expanding competition among compact crossovers. It looks good, drives well, and has most of the tech and features we look for.

It’s let down by a couple crucial points, notably practicality and efficiency. This means that we don’t think the segment leaders should be too worried.

Check prices for the 2021 GMC Terrain »

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Specs & Features

Highlights

Overall Crash Safety Rating

Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque

1.5L I-4 / 170 HP / 203 ft.lbs.

Transmission

9-spd sequential shift control auto w/OD

Drive Type

Front-wheel

Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined

25 / 30 / 27 Mpg

Passenger Capacity

Bumper to Bumper Warranty

36 Months / 36,000 Miles

Mechanical Specs

Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque	1.5L I-4 / 170 HP / 203 ft.lbs.
Drive Type	Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined	25 / 30 / 27 Mpg
Brakes	4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension	Strut
Rear Suspension	Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Fuel Tank	14.9 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type	Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank	$57

Dimensions & Capabilities

Maximum Cargo Volume	63.3 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
Exterior Length	182.3 "
Exterior Width	72.4 "
Exterior Height	65.4 "
Front Headroom	40.0 "
Rear Headroom	38.5 "
Front Legroom	40.9 "
Rear Legroom	39.7 "
Front Shoulder Room	57.2 "
Rear Shoulder Room	55.6 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight	3,449 Lbs.
Wheel Base	107 "
Turning Radius	18.7 '

Exterior Features

Door Count	4 Doors
Wheels	17.0 " Silver Aluminum
Paint	Clearcoat Monotone / Metallic Monotone
Exterior Mirrors	Dual Power Remote Heated Convex Spotter
Bumpers	Body-colored
Grille Moldings	Chrome
Rear Spoiler	Lip
Exhaust	Stainless Steel

Interior Features

Seating

Passenger Capacity	5
Seat Trim	Premium Cloth
Front Seat Type	Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls	6-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls	6-way
Front Armrests	6-way
Rear Armrests	Center
Rear Seats	60-40 Bench

Radio & Infotainment

Radio	Am/fm Stereo, Clock, Seek-scan
Speakers	6
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity

Convenience Features

Steering Wheel Type	Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Cruise Control	With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror	Day-night
One Touch Open Window	Front And Rear
Tinted Windows	Deep
Vanity Mirrors	Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry	Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets	2

Safety Features

Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags	Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags	Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag	Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners	Front
Anti-Lock Brakes	4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning	Forward Collision Alert With Automatic Braking Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning	Lane Keep Assist With Lane Departure Warning Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection	Front Pedestrian Braking Pedestrian Detection Prevention
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams	Intellibeam Auto High-beam
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems	Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable	Immobilizer

Warranty

Bumper To Bumper Months Miles	36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months	60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months	12 Months / Unlimited Miles
Roadside Assistance Months	60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation	72 Months / 100,000 Miles
Accessories Months

Used 2021 GMC Terrain for Sale