2018 GMC Terrain review
GMC Terrain highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Comfortable and upscale interior
- Infotainment touchscreen is are intuitive and easy to use
- Good driver aids
Cons
- Complete package of driver aids remains optional
- 1.5-liter turbocharged engine disappoints with power, fuel economy and refinement
- Less cargo space behind the back seat than in most competitors
Mileage (EPA estimate)
21 city, 26 highway, 23 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
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Sleek and upscale new design headline the 2018 GMC Terrain
The 2018 GMC Terrain is the first year for a complete redesign of this compact SUV. The sleek new styling reflects GMC’s ruggedly handsome design themes, and the interior features upscale touches like a stitched dash and modern and easy-to-use technology.
The Terrain’s three available powertrains include a torquey diesel, great for those who seek more power pulling away from stoplights or passing on the highway. The diesel also has the best fuel economy of the Terrain’s engine trio, which also includes a standard lackluster 1.5-liter four-cylinder and more sporting 2.0-liter four-cylinder.
Seemingly aimed at road trippers, the Terrain’s firm and supportive front seats and overall quiet interior make it a good choice for long hauls. Cargo space can be expanded for long items with a fold-flat front passenger seat for long items. We like the touchscreen interface, and the standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ smartphone integration, but unfortunately some interior controls are frustrating to use, particularly the gear-selector buttons that are oddly placed low on the dash.
All GMC Terrain years
What is new for the 2018 GMC Terrain?
- Terrain trims have been upgraded with Smart Key, Heated Steering Wheel, Automated Parking, Full Roof Rack, Turbo Charged Engine, Turbo Diesel Engine, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, BOSE Sound System, and Navigation System as standard equipment this year.
- Panoramic Sunroof, Rear Seat Heaters, and A/C Seat(s) features are now available as options on select trims.
- The SLT trim now comes with Cloth Seats, Memory Seat(s), and Power Hatch/Deck Lid as standard equipment.
- The SLE trim now comes with Front Seat Heaters, Remote Start, and Power Hatch/Deck Lid as standard equipment.
- The Denali trim now comes with Cloth Seats as standard equipment.
2018 GMC Terrain trims
SL:
- 170-hp, 203-lb-ft of torque 1.5L
- Rear Defroster
- Cruise Control
- Cloth Seats
- Power Mirrors
- Traction Control
- Side Airbags
- Overhead Airbags
- Rear View Camera
- View our GMC Terrain SL inventory
SLE:
- Includes all features available on the SL
- 2.0L
- 137-hp, 240-lb-ft of torque 1.6L
- 4WD/AWD
- Power Seats
- Front Seat Heaters
- Remote Start
- Full Roof Rack
- Power Hatch/Deck Lid
- Turbo Diesel Engine
- View our GMC Terrain SLE inventory
SLT:
- Includes all features available on the SLE
- Leather Seats
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Memory Seats
- View our GMC Terrain SLT inventory
Denali:
- Includes all features available on the SLT
- 252-hp, 260-lb-ft of torque 2.0L
- Parking Sensors
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Lane Departure Warning
- Automated Parking
- BOSE Sound System
- Navigation System
- View our GMC Terrain Denali inventory
GMC Terrain photos
5 reasons to buy the 2018 GMC Terrain
What We Like:
Technology: With big colorful icons, the Terrain’s standard touchscreen is easy to use, and the standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ smartphone integration fit perfectly with the high-tech feel. Every GMC Terrain comes standard with four USB ports, with higher trim levels adding two more. The Terrain also comes standard with automatic emergency braking and forward-collision alert, lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist, and even automatic high beams. However, we suggest looking for models with the optional Driver Alert Package II (SLT and up), which adds adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.
Interior Comfort: Road trippers will like the Terrain’s interior comfort. The firm and supportive front seats are great for long drives, and the side cushions manage to hold you in place without intruding when getting in and out of the vehicle. Topping it off are low overall noise levels.
Cargo Flexibility: We admit it’d be nice if the cargo area was bigger, but the Terrain makes up for it with excellent flexibility. The available hands-free power tailgate (SLT and up) is activated by sweeping a foot under the rear bumper for easy access. Like its competitors the rear seatbacks fold flat, but the front passenger seat also folds flat, making it easy to accommodate extra-long items like a kayak. It even has a hard plastic back to avoid damaging the upholstery.
What Needs Improvement
Interior Controls: As comfortable as the interior is, GMC’s placement of some controls has us scratching our heads. Chief among these are the buttons for the transmission gear selector. They’re located low on the dash, and while you could argue long-term owners will get used to the placement, we’d prefer something closer to the driver and more intuitive to use.
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Ratings & reliability
Customer ratings
4.9 out of 5
18 customer reviews| 5 Stars | 16 |
|---|---|
| 4 Stars | 2 |
| 3 Stars | 0 |
| 2 Stars | 0 |
| 1 Star | 0 |
RepairPal gave the GMC Terrain an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks GMC Terrain 11th out of 29 among Compact SUVs.
View RepairPal's full rating of the GMC TerrainGMC Terrain features and specs
SLE 2WD 4D Sport Utility
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Bluetooth Technology
- Cloth Seats
- Cruise Control
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Smart Key
- Traction Control
- Turbo Charged Engine
- Air Conditioning
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Front Seat Heaters
- Full Roof Rack
- Navigation System
- Panoramic Sunroof
- Parking Sensors
- Power Hatch/Deck Lid
- Power Seat(s)
- Remote Start
- Running Boards
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Tow Hitch
Drive Wheels
Front Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
1.5L
Horsepower
170
Torque (ft-lbs)
203
Engine type
Turbo Gas
Fuel capacity
14.9
Wheelbase
107.3"
Overall length
182.3"
Width
72.4"
Height
65.4"
Leg room
F 40.9"/R 39.7"
Head room
F 40"/R 38.5"
Front tires
P225/65R17
Rear tires
P225/65R17
Seating capacity
5
Max towing capacity
150/1500 lbs.
Transmission
Automatic
2018 GMC Terrain FAQ
The 2018 GMC Terrain is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- SLE: 28 MPG City and 39 MPG Highway
- SLE: 26 MPG City and 30 MPG Highway
- SLT: 28 MPG City and 39 MPG Highway
- SLT: 26 MPG City and 30 MPG Highway
- Denali: 22 MPG City and 28 MPG Highway
- SL: 26 MPG City and 30 MPG Highway
The GMC Terrain received a rating of 4 out of 5 stars from RepairPal, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks the GMC Terrain as 10 out of 29 among Compact SUV
The 2018 GMC Terrain has received an average 4.9 out of 5 stars from our customers. If you're in the market for a 2018 GMC Terrain, check out reviews from customers just like you. 2018 GMC Terrain Reviews.
The 2018 GMC Terrain has a maximum towing capacity of 1500 pounds, when properly equipped. Various factors may impact towing capacity, including weight of passengers, cargo, and options/accessories.
Here is what's new for the 2018 GMC Terrain:
- Smart Key
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Automated Parking
- Full Roof Rack
- Turbo Diesel Engine
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We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.
Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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