Key findings
- GMC Terrain presents the revised Terrain crossover with sharper design, numerous safety features and a more luxurious interior.
- The 1.5-liter engine with 175 hp remains unchanged.
- Pricing has yet to be announced, but the Elevation trim will arrive in dealerships in late 2024.
GMC has finally unveiled the new Terrain SUV, which comes with truck-inspired styling, more luxury and improved technology. It may be the brand’s smallest model, but the Terrain looks more rugged than ever, making it stand out from the crowd of crossover competitors.
The front end now looks bolder, with a revised grille and headlights that bring the Terrain up to par with the Sierra 1500 pickup. In comparison, the previous Terrain looks rather dull, so the facelift is welcome. The grille now connects the redesigned headlight clusters to the fog lights, resulting in a “distinctive front graphic,” according to GMC.
GMC Terrain (model year 2025)
- Motor
- 1.5 l turbo inline four-cylinder petrol engine
- PS
- 175 hp
- Fuel consumption
- 24/29 MPG
Much better to look at
For the first time, GMC will offer the Terrain with a contrasting roof option. Customers can choose between black and gray, giving them more personalization options than before. Multiple trim levels will be offered, with the entry-level Elevation trim coming standard with 17-inch wheels. In 2025, GMC will introduce the AT4 and Denali trim levels for the 2026 model year, each offering buyers rugged and luxurious trim levels.
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The off-road model is considered the most capable Terrain AT4 yet and features a raised ride height, 17-inch all-terrain tires, standard four-wheel drive, hill descent control and an AT4-exclusive Terrain mode. In terms of design, the Terrain AT4 gets red front tow hooks, underbody protection and headlight/taillight animation. This will help GMC compete against crossovers like the outgoing Forester Wilderness and the new Nissan Rogue Rock Creek.
“The 2025 GMC Terrain builds on GMC’s strengths, offering our latest premium technologies and safety features while bringing a fresh, bold design to our two-row SUV. With the launch of the next-generation Terrain and the updated 2025 Yukon, both scheduled to launch later this year, GMC’s entire SUV lineup will be refreshed by year’s end, offering customers the latest design, best technology and best driving experience we’ve ever offered in our SUVs.”
– Duncan Aldred, Global Vice President at Buick and GMC
Luxurious Denali equipment enhances the off-road experience
If you’re not into exploring and would rather have a more luxurious crossover, consider the Denali. From the outside, the Terrain Denali has animated headlights and taillights and 19-inch wheels (20-inch alloy wheels are available). Inside, occupants enjoy heated outboard seats (front and rear) and unique intelligent frequency dampers that improve ride quality. Like the Terrain AT4, the Denali has standard all-wheel drive and hill descent control.
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The AT4 equipment looks particularly robust.
And the changes don’t end there. When you get inside, you’ll find a revised interior. Gone is the generic design with its small central touchscreen and myriad buttons. In its place is a classic and tasteful design, with a larger portrait-orientated touchscreen dominating the instrument panel. GMC says the new interior design lines emphasize the width of the carbon, with chrome trim on the doors, console armrest, and dashboard. There are also optional wireless chargers near the armrest. Overall, it’s more sophisticated than before, and Terrain owners will no longer have to look longingly at the CX-5 and Sportage interiors.
Disappointing 1.5-litre engine remains unchanged
While all of these changes are great, there’s one crucial part of the package that we wish GMC had refined: the engine. Under the hood, you’ll find the same turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that powered the outgoing model. It makes an unremarkable 175 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque, which isn’t the strongest output in its class. GMC says an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard on the base Elevation model, but more power would have been welcome; we would have liked to have seen a power upgrade or a new electrified engine.
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In terms of safety, the 2025 Terrain impresses with more than 15 standard safety and driver assistance features. These include rear cross traffic braking, automatic reverse braking, blind spot steering assist, enhanced automatic emergency braking, side cyclist alert, automatic intersection emergency braking, front pedestrian and bicycle braking, enhanced automatic emergency braking and more.
GMC says the redesigned Terrain will launch in late 2024, though pricing hasn’t been announced. As a reminder, the outgoing Terrain’s base MSRP is $28,700. The new model will initially launch in the Elevation trim level.
