What kind of vehicle is the 2025 GMC Terrain? What does it compare to?
The rehashed Terrain shores up the small end of the big GMC SUV family. Offered in Elevation trim for 2025, with AT4 and Denali versions to follow next year, the Terrain’s related to the Chevrolet Equinox, and sizes up against bestsellers like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.
Is the 2025 GMC Terrain a good SUV?
This year’s revamp carries over its turbo-4 powertrain while it reskins the SUV with a much crisper look. It’s no bargain, though, and it comes in a limited number of configurations for 2025. Those demerits hold the 2025 Terrain back to a 6.0 out of 10 on the TCC scale. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What’s new for the 2025 GMC Terrain?
The Terrain creases its body more this year. At the front, the new shape folds in slimmer C-shaped LED headlights with a broad grille balanced by pronounced air intakes. GMC has deeply sculpted the body sides to take out some visual heft from its midsection, while it thickened the roof pillar behind the rear doors and angled it forward for some tension. The C-shaped taillights extend into the lip under the rear glass and point to a GMC logo. It’s a snappy update to a look that had grown musty, given the total reworks of the Terrain’s biggest competition. It’s even better inside, where the Terrain adopts big digital displays that intersect with broad horizontal dash panels and rise from the center console.
The sole engine available in the Terrain is a 175-hp turbo-4 with up to 203 lb-ft of torque (that’s with all-wheel drive; it’s 184 lb-ft with front-wheel drive). Front-drive models sport a CVT, while AWD editions slip in an 8-speed automatic transmission that proved far too eager to upshift during our evaluation. The all-wheel-drive system defaults to front-drive, and uses a dash button to engage all-wheel drive. Towing ratings max out at 1,500 pounds with all-wheel drive, or just 800 pounds with front-wheel drive. Wheel-and-tire combinations range from 17- to 20-inchers.
The Terrain has a somewhat clumsy ride and dull acceleration, though it’s reasonably quiet at speed.
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Figure 27 to 28 mpg combined, making the Terrain rather thirsty for its limited power output. The Terrain doesn’t offer a hybrid or battery model, unlike the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4. (That’s the, uh, terrain for the Chevy Equinox EV.)
Next year’s AT4 editions score 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, a specific crawl mode, a front skid plate, red tow hooks, a higher ride height, and an off-road-specific suspension. Ground clearance measures at max 8.1 inches. If the Terrain Denali shows up for 2025, it will arrive wearing 19-inch alloy wheels. As of press time, however, this model has yet to materialize.
The Terrain rides on a 107.5-inch wheelbase, and sits 181.0 inches long, so it’s slightly smaller than those top rivals. Interior space yields plenty of legroom and headroom in all five seats by the spec sheet. Cargo space checks in at 29.8 cubic feet behind the rear seat, with 63.5 cubic feet behind the front seats when the rear seatbacks have been folded down.
Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian protection comes standard. Adaptive cruise control now comes standard, while a rear camera mirror and a surround-view camera system can be fitted. The Terrain has posted good crash-test results in the past, but we’ll wait for the IIHS and NHTSA to offer more data on the new edition.
How much does the 2025 GMC Terrain cost?
At 31,395 to start, the 2025 GMC Terrain Elevation is no bargain. Its feature set includes a big touchscreen running Google built-in software, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, cloth seats, and heated front seats with manual adjustment. GMC will build you one with synthetic leather seats, a power tailgate, and all-whee drive for right about $35,000.
A Terrain Denali is allegedly on the way for 2025, though GMC has yet to release any pricing details.
Where is the 2025 GMC Terrain made?
GM assembles it alongside the Chevy Equinox in Mexico.
