2023 GMC Terrain

While the 2023 GMC Terrain doesn’t retain the same flair it had when its second-generation design was new in 2017, the truckmaker’s smallest SUV remains a capable handsome choice for family crossover buyers. For the 2023 model year, GMC made three colors available, increased the maximum power output, reworked certain wheel designs, and introduced an available Black Diamond Edition of the Denali. There weren’t any significant changes expected as the 2022 model year launched with a refreshed design and an available rugged AT4 trim. 

The Terrain is a compact SUV, measuring 182.3 inches long. It competes with vehicles such as the Hyundai Tucson, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, as well as the Chevrolet Equinox, with which it shares its platform and turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The GMC has a nine-speed automatic transmission, whereas the Chevy comes with six gears. While the Equinox uses a traditional gear selector, the Terrain uses awkward buttons in a weird spot—right below the climate controls. Neither of GM’s entries here are quite as nice as the top-tier competition, but they aren’t bad either.

While GMC has given the Terrain 5 more horsepower this year, the 175-hp SUV trails its peers on power. The CR-V makes 190, and the GMC also trails the base Tucson and RAV4, which offer 187 and 203 horsepower, though the Terrain’s 203 pound-feet of torque is the highest in this group. Acceleration is languid, especially at highway speeds. Moreover, the Honda, Hyundai and Toyota all have optional hybrid powertrains the latter two PHEVs, greatly increasing horsepower and reducing passing times. As with many in the segment, the Terrain’s maximum towing capacity is 1,500 pounds.

The Terrain comes as the SLE at $31,295, including a $1,395 delivery fee, and the SLT at $35,295, both with front-wheel drive (FWD). Both can be optioned to AWD for $1,600. The recent AT4 is $37,395, and the top-trim Denali is $39,995, both with AWD only. That’s a higher price range than many competitors, where the Tucson starts at $28,235 and the non-hybrid RAV4 tops out at $38,530. The Terrain isn’t trying to compete with more upscale cars like Mazda CX-50 Turbo, but its price is surely encroaching upon territory.

With room for five, the Terrain offers solid legroom and comfortable seats, and while its 29.6 cubic-feet of cargo space isn’t as much as in rivals, it will be sufficient for most consumers. Its front passenger seat folds flat along with the second-row seats for carrying extra-long items. The cabin styling is dated with relatively small screens, analog gauges and plenty of hard plastics, but the controls are straightforward. In 2022 Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are went wireless and navigation became standard on the Denali and optional on all other trims.

The Terrain earns high scores in crash testing. All models have driver-assist safety technologies, including emergency front braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist and automatic high-beam headlamps. However, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is optional, save the Denali. Adaptive cruise control is available as an option for all trim levels but is standard on some rivals. GMC’s tough truck exterior looks good still, and the Terrain is roomy and practical, but the lineup is limited, and if it’s on- and off-road flexibility you’re looking for, there are better choices.

Performance: 9/15

Underneath the Terrain’s hood is a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, making 175 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. Mated to the engine is a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Terrain used to offer a 2.0-liter turbo engine making 252 horsepower, but GMC dropped that option for the 2021 model year. With only one relatively underpowered engine option, the Terrain gets winded when pushed at higher speeds. 

The SLE and SLT trims come in front-drive or AWD, while the AT4 and Denali are all-wheel drive only. The AWD models let drivers switch the car from all-wheel-drive to front-wheel-drive, though the car is biased towards the front in regular driving. Despite the bias, the AWD Terrain is competent in adverse conditions. The AT4’s intent is to go farther off the asphalt, but while it includes a skid plate and a selectable off-road drive mode, it doesn’t offer extra ground clearance or locking differentials.

For a similarly-sized and similarly-priced crossover that will really take you further, check out the Subaru Forester Wilderness or the Toyota RAV4 Adventure.

Fuel Economy: 10/15 

With front-wheel drive, the Terrain is rated at 26 mpg combined (24 city, 29 highway). With AWD the combined and city figures are the same, but highway mileage drops to 28. This is down 1 mpg in every cycle over the 2022 model year (possibly because of the different engine calibration this year) and the AWD is also down 1 mpg, but just in the city cycle. It runs on regular-grade 87-octane gasoline. 

The Terrain’s fuel figures are not all too impressive, especially when stacked against similar options. With front-wheel drive, the Hyundai Tucson rates 29 mpg combined, while the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 get 30 mpg. With AWD, the Tucson matches the Terrain at 26 mpg, but the CR-V rates 29 mpg and the RAV4 is rated at 30 mpg. Upgrade to the Tucson, CR-V and RAV4 hybrid models, and their fuel economy quotes jump to a respective 38 mpg, 37 mpg and 40 mpg. Plus, those all have AWD capabilities with those listed figures.

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 10/15

The Terrain gets the top five-star crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Additionally, it received the top “Good” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in all but the updated side test, where it earned “Marginal.” However, the IIHS recently modified that test with higher speeds and a more considerable barrier simulating an SUV. As a result, few vehicles that rated “Good” before have received the highest score when re-tested with the new standards.

All Terrain models include six airbags, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, following distance indicator, lane-keeping assist and automatic high-beam headlamps as part of the GMC Pro Safety package. 

Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and rear parking assist is standard only on the Denali, but adaptive cruise control is an option across the lineup. On the SLE, SLT, and AT4, adaptive cruise arrives in the Pro Safety Plus package, ranging in price from $445 to $495, depending on trim. On the Denali, adaptive cruise control is only available with the $1,445 Denali Premium Package.

Comfort & Room: 14/15

The Terrain offers 40 inches of front headroom and 38.5 inches in the rear, comparable to its rivals. That’s also the case with its 40.9 inches of front legroom, but its 39.7 inches of rear-seat legroom is more than most. It trails the leading Hyundai Tucson by 1.6 inches, but the Terrain’s rear quarters feel appreciably larger than the RAV4’s.

The seats, cloth on the base SLE and perforated leather on all other trims, are supportive and comfortable. All but the SLE include heated and power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control and remote start, and these can be optioned as part of the SLE-exclusive $1,375 Driver Convenience package. The Denali’s $1,445 premium package adds ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, self-parking assist, a 360-degree camera and adaptive cruise control.

Infotainment: 11/15

The SLE has a 7-inch center touchscreen, while all other trims get an 8-inch unit. The Denali includes standard navigation, Bose premium audio, a wireless phone charger and a configurable eight-inch driver information screen. (Navigation is available on SLE, SLT and AT4.) All trims include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The center touchscreen doesn’t boast the most cunning-edge tech, but it has large icons and is very simple and intuitive. A 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot is available on all trims. 

A Tech Package is available on SLT, AT4 and Denali with a surround-view camera, a head-up display and front and rear park assist SLT and AT4.

Cargo Space & Storage: 10/15

The Terrain provides 29.6 cubic-feet of storage space with the rear seats up and 63.3 cubic-feet when folded. That falls well short of most of its rivals, but not all. The RAV4 has 37.5 and 69.8 cubic-feet, and the CR-V boasts 39.2 and 75.8, respectively. Even the Subaru Forester does better at 69.1 cubic-feet without removing its load floor cover (which opens volume up even more).

Overall space may be middling, but the Terrain still does a good job of handling luggage or groceries, and there’s a bin under the cargo floor. In addition to the second-row seats folding flat, drivers can further fold down the front passenger seat for hauling long items like lumber.

Style & Design: 7/10

Solid and rugged looking the Terrain’s updated muscular front-end styling almost appears truck-like from a frontal view. For an added flair, buyers can option SLE and SLT trims with the Elevation package, adding 19-inch gloss-black wheels and black exterior accents. It runs $995 on the SLE, which upgrades from 17-inch wheels, and $795 on the SLT, which moves up from 18-inch wheels. 

Buyers craving more utilitarian looks to match its nameplate should consider the AT4 trim. Along with black accents and rugged 17-inch wheels, the AT4 comes equipped with all-terrain tires and an underbody skid plate. Less impressive is the fact that the AT4 doesn’t have any increased ride height, though its target market likely won’t be taking theirs on the Rubicon trail anyway.

Is the 2023 GMC Terrain Worth it? Which Terrain is the Best Value? 

The base model SLE Terrain starts at $31,295, including a $1,395 delivery fee, and tops out at $39,995 for the AWD-only Denali.

However, we feel buyers will be satisfied with the mid-level SLT, one up from the SLE. The SLT offers a satisfying combination of features for a starting price of $35,295 with front-wheel drive and $36,895 with AWD. It includes 18-inch wheels, a hands-free liftgate, leather upholstery, heated seats and steering wheel, and garage door opener integration. While the Denali offers near one-stop shopping for features, its $39,995 base price opens the door to an array of luxury competitors, including the BMW X1 and others of an ilk far distant from the GMC.

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the 2023 GMC Terrain?

The 2023 GMC Terrain costs a little more to insure than the competition, but not much. According to our data, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record can expect an average annual premium of about $1,978 ($2,078 for Denali trim), though this averages all 50 states. That’s more than the $1834 for the Toyota RAV4 LE, $1,790 for the Honda CR-V or $1,869 for the Hyundai Tucson. To get a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, visit our car insurance calculator.