2020 GMC Terrain

The compact SUV comes powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine that produces 170 horsepower. The optional upgrade for the 2020 Terrain includes a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that churns out 252 hp. GMC has made the current generation Terrain more compact than ever. However, the reduction in size also leads to lesser available space for passengers and cargo.

All the available engine options can be attached with either front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive configurations. The AWD-equipped models get a knob that allows drivers to switch between FWD and AWD during the ride.

The Terrain SUV is available in four trim levels, starting with the base SL trim, and moving to luxury Terrain Denali. The standard features available on the SL include 17-inch wheels, cloth seats, Bluetooth, and air conditioning. Other desirable features include keyless entry and start, a rear-view camera, and a 7-inch touch screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Trims	SL	SLE	SLT	Denali
MSRP	$26,195	$29,295	$32,095	$38,995
Key Features		In addition to SL features:	In addition to SLE features:	In addition to SLT standard features:
	HID Headlamps with LED Signature Lighting	4.2" multi-color Driver Information Center	18" machined aluminum wheels with Dark Gray painted accents	2.0L Turbo engine 19" Ultra-Bright machined aluminum wheels
	Leather-wrapped steering wheel	Body-color mirror caps	Leather-appointed seating Heated front seats	LED Headlamps with Signature Lighting
	Keyless Open and Start	Release levers for folding second row in the cargo area	Dual-zone automatic climate control	Hands-free power programmable liftgate
	Fold-flat front passenger seat Traction Select System		8" diagonal GMC Infotainment System	Rear Park Assist
	7" diagonal GMC Infotainment System		4.2" multi-color driver information screen	Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
	Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Compatibility		Remote start Roof-mounted side rails	Side-blind zone alert with lane change alert
	3.5" monochromatic driver information screen			Heated steering wheel Navigation
				Bose premium 7-speaker system

For this year, the SLE and SLT trims are available in appealing Black Edition, which is equipped with black exterior trim, and 19-inch gloss black wheels. Also, a new chrome package for the SLT trim offers 19-inch machined wheels, chrome mirror caps, a unique chrome grille, and chrome outlines for the door handle. There’s a new color named Smokey Quartz Metallic, available throughout all trim levels.

We Recommend

Since the base trims have nothing much to offer, it is not easy to recommend one. On the other hand, the Denali version is a very luxurious and capable car but comes with some big cash. So, in order to take this on one, we would recommend the SLT trim. This trim offers a handful of value-added features along with solid tech amenities. We also recommend you to upgrade to the performing 2.0-liter engine.

“The base engine isn’t as energetic as the other two offerings. The automatic transmissions shift smoothly. While the Terrain is not the most athletic SUV in the class, this GMC holds its own on winding roads. It’s maneuverable and delivers a comfortable ride.” – cars.usnews

Powering the GMC Terrain is either a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that makes 170 hp, a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine that propels 137 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque, or a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder unit. All the three turbocharged engines may be configured with FWD or AWD. The engine is mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission, while the diesel holds a 6-speed automatic.

Models	GMC Terrain SL suv	Ford Escape S suv	Ford Edge SE suv	Honda CR-V LX suv	Chevrolet Equinox L suv	Hyundai Santa Fe SE suv	Toyota RAV4 LE suv
MSRP	$25,995	$25,100	$30,990	$25,395	$24,795	$26,545	$26,595
Engine	1.5L i4 Turbo Gas/Ethanol	2.5L i4 Regular Unleaded	2.0L i4 Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded	2.4L i4 Regular Unleaded	1.5L i4 Turbocharged Gas	2.4L i4 Regular Unleaded	2.5L i4 Regular Unleaded
Transmission	9 Speed Automatic	6 Speed Automatic	8 Speed Automatic	Continuously variable speed automatic	6 Speed Automatic	8 Speed Automatic	8 Speed Automatic
Horsepower	170 hp@ 5600 rpm	168 hp@ 6000rpm	245 hp@ 5500 rpm	184 hp@ 6400 rpm	170 hp@ 5600 rpm	185 hp@ 6000 rpm	203 hp@ 6600 rpm
Torque	203 ft-lbs@ 2000 rpm	170 ft-lbs@ 4500rpm	275 ft-lbs@ 3000 rpm	180 ft-lbs@ 3900 rpm	203 ft-lbs@ 2000 rpm	178 ft-lbs@ 4000 rpm	184 ft-lbs@ 5000 rpm

Acceleration

The 1.5-liter turbocharged powertrain offers decent sprint at low speeds. It is capable of doing zero to 60 mph sprint in 6.8 seconds. Most of the SUVs in this class deliver the same sprint in more than 7 seconds. Even in the quarter mile score, the Terrain delivers in 15.4 seconds, which is again good. 

Models	GMC Terrain SL suv	Ford Escape S suv	Ford Edge SE suv	Honda CR-V LX suv	Chevrolet Equinox L suv	Hyundai Santa Fe SE suv	Toyota RAV4 LE suv
0-60 MPH	6.8 sec	7.1 sec	8.0 sec	7.7 sec	N/A	8.9 sec	8.3 sec
Quarter mile	15.4 sec	16.7 sec	N/A	16 sec	N/A	16.7 sec	16.8 sec
Engine	1.5L i4 Turbo Gas/Ethanol	3552	2.0L i4 Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded	2.4L i4 Regular Unleaded	1.5L i4 Turbocharged Gas	2.4L i4 Regular Unleaded	2.5L i4 Regular Unleaded
Emission(Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	6.3	7.3	7.1	6.5	6.3	N/A	N/A

Braking and Handling

The brakes are ultimately smooth. The compact sized Terrain is good at cornering and handling over rough pavements. The pedal feels a bit soft when you travel a few miles. The Terrain stops from 60 mph at 130 feet. However, other rivals like Ford Escape and Honda CR-V stop at 112 and 115, respectively.

On the handling part, the steering is slow to respond at times. It takes a long time to steer to change the direction. The steering effort is quite lesser on highway speeds where the Terrain performs with amazing confidence.

Model	GMC Terrain SL suv	Ford Escape S suv	Ford Edge SE suv	Honda CR-V LX suv	Chevrolet Equinox L suv	Hyundai Santa Fe SE suv	Toyota RAV4 LE suv
Brake Front (in.)	11.8	12.8	13.6	11.1	N/A	12.6	12
Brake Rear (in.)	11.3	12	12.4	10.2	N/A	12	11.1
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3449		3959	3307	3274	3591	3370
60-0 MPH (ft.)	130	112	119	115	N/A	130	134

The GMC Terrain is good at fuel economy. It confidently returns 26 mpg in city and 30 mpg on the highway. The combines result shows 28 mpg. Several other SUVs in this class offers lesser fuel economy in the city comparatively.

Model	GMC Terrain SL suv	Ford Escape S suv	Ford Edge SE suv	Honda CR-V LX suv	Chevrolet Equinox L suv	Hyundai Santa Fe SE suv	Toyota RAV4 LE suv
MPG (city)	26	21	22	26	26	22	26
MPG (highway)	30	29	29	32	32	29	35
MPG (combined)	28	24	25	28	28	25	30
Range (miles) (city/highway)	387/447	330/455	407/537	364/448	387/477	414/545	377/508
Tank Capacity (gal)	14.9	15.7	18.5	14.0	14.9	18.8	14.5

“Like most of the competition, the 2020 Terrain’s cabin is perfectly functional and comfortable without necessarily being that luxurious. There are hard plastics in the lower areas of the dashboard and doors, even in the supposedly upscale Denali model.” – Kelley Blue Book

Seating and Comfort

The front passengers and driver enjoy the best position with extra legroom and hip room. The Terrain is heavily bolstered and comfortable from inside. The power-adjustable seats are just blessing in multiple ways. However, they are unable to provide support for tall passengers.

The rear seating offers leg room of 39.7 inches just like the front-seats, but the flat bottom cushions are not expected here. Till, last year, the Terrain models used to offer sliding second-row seats which are now gone, making it more difficult to add some extra space.

Model	GMC Terrain SL suv	Ford Escape S SUV	Ford Edge SE suv	Honda CR-V LX suv	Chevrolet Equinox L suv	Hyundai Santa Fe SE suv	Toyota RAV4 LE suv
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	40.0/57.2/40.9	39.9/55.9/43.1	40.2/60.3/42.6	40.1/57.9/41.3	40.0/57.2/40.9	41.2/59.1/44.1	39.5/57.8/41.0
Second(Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.5/55.6/39.7	39.0/55.2/37.3	40.3/60.5/40.6	39.2/55.6/40.4	38.5/55.5/39.7	39.2/58.3/40.9	39.5/56.4/37.8x

Cargo Space

With folder rear seats, Terrain’s cargo becomes 63 cubic feet. The fold-flat front passenger seat is a good thing to add some extra storage. With the help of power liftgate and lower liftover height, the cargo loading becomes easier.

However, we found that the Terrain doesn’t offer sufficient cargo when compared to some prominent rivals in the class. It manages to offer little spaces with small trays and a fold-flat front passenger seat.

Model	GMC Terrain SL suv	Ford Escape S suv	Ford Edge SE suv	Honda CR-V LX suv	Chevrolet Equinox L suv	Hyundai Santa Fe SE suv	Toyota RAV4 LE suv
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	29.6	34.0	39.2	39.2	29.9	35.9	37.6

Infotainment System

Terrain’s infotainment is a delight to use and the user interface is mesmerizing. The infotainment is very responsive to user commands. It has got clear graphics along with logical menus and the latest in-car connectivity features. As standard equipment, we have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with Wi-Fi hotspot. The SL and SLE trims are standard with a 7.0-inch touch screen, while the higher trim Denali features an 8.0-inch unit. There’s also standard navigation system on all trim levels.

Some features associated with the infotainment system are:

• 7" diagonal GMC Infotainment System with multi-touch display and AM/FM stereo
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 6-speaker audio system
• Bluetooth connectivity
• 2" diagonal multi-color driver information screen

Interior Features

• Front bucket seats
• Seat trim, premium cloth
• 5-passenger seating
• 4-way manual driver seat
• 4-way manual front passenger seat
• Flat-folding front passenger seatback
• Rear seat release levers
• Rear Seat Reminder
• Front carpeted floor mats
• Rear carpeted floor mats
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Steering-wheel mounted controls
• Speedometer, miles/kilometers
• Driver Information Center
• Compass display
• Power windows with driver express-up/down
• Power windows with front passenger express-down
• Power windows with rear express-down
• Power door locks
• Keyless Open
• Remote panic alarm
• Keyless Start
• Cruise control
• Theft-deterrent unauthorized entry system
• Single-zone climate control
• Rear air vents
• Interior humidity sensor
• 12-volt auxiliary front power outlet
• 12-volt auxiliary cargo area power outlet
• Overhead sunglass storage
• Driver seatback map pocket
• Front passenger seatback map pocket
• Inside rearview auto-dimming mirror
• Assist handle, driver
• Assist handle, front passenger
• Assist handles, rear outboard

“The 2020 Terrain has been smoothed over—but not smothered—compared to prior generations.” - carconnection

Dimension and Weight

The regular models get a simple design while the Denali comes with good looking glossy black work. The SUV has got some sharp lines flowing throughout the body. The front fascia looks upmarket with a new set of headlights under LED accent. The Denali has been offered with extra chrome for mirror caps and lower rocker panels.

Model	GMC Terrain SL suv	Ford Escape S suv	Ford Edge SE suv	Honda CR-V LX suv	Chevrolet Equinox L suv	Hyundai Santa Fe SE suv	Toyota RAV4 LE suv
Curb weight (lbs.)	3449	3552	3959	3307	3274	3591	3370
Length(in)	182.3	178.1	188.8	180.6	183.1	187.8	180.9
Width(in)	72.4	72.4	75.9	73.0	72.6	74.4	73.0
Height(in)	65.4	66.3	68.3	66.1	65.4	66.1	67.0
Ground clearance (in)	6.9	7.8	N/A	7.8	N/A	7.3	8.4
Wheelbase (in)	107.3	105.9	112.2	104.7	107.3	108.9	105.9
Track width (in) F/R	62.2/62.2	61.5/61.6	64.8/64.7	63/63.7	62.2/62.2	64.3/64.7	63/63.7

Exterior Features

• 17" Silver painted aluminum wheels
• Paired with all-season blackwall tires
• 17" all-season blackwall tires (AWD models)
• P225/65R17
• 16" compact spare tire
• Mechanical jack with tools
• 16" steel spare wheel
• Trim, Black lower body
• Active aero shutters
• High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps
• Automatic delay headlamps
• Automatic on/off headlamps
• LED signature taillamps
• Acoustic laminated windshield
• Deep-tinted rear glass
• Heated power outside mirrors
• Body-color mirror caps
• Body-color door handles
• Manual liftgate
• Active Noise Cancellation

The entry-level GMC Terrain trims lack some active safety features. Some of the major safety features like parking sensors and blind-spot monitors require to add $800 more. You need to spend even more on features like upgraded headlights, automatic emergency braking, active lane control, and forward-collision warnings.

The 2020 GMC Terrain has been crash-tested by NHTSA and IIHS. In the NHTSA safety test, the compact SUV has scored 5 stars out of five in overall rating and four stars in the rollover test. Meanwhile, in the IIHS tests, the Terrain has performed pretty well in the majority of the categories. Although, it failed in the headlight tests and the agency awarded it “Poor” rating in this category. That said, some of the key safety features are: 

• StabiliTrak, electronic stability control system with traction control
• Hill Descent Control
• C-Shaped LED signature lighting
• Frontal airbags
• Seat-mounted side-impact driver and front passenger airbags
• Head-curtain airbags
• Passenger Sensing System
• Rear Vision Camera
• Teen Driver
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System with tire fill alert

2020 GMC Terrain vs. Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V is a compact SUV that is easy to recommend. It is practical, roomy and comfortable. The CR-V is easy to drive and delivers great fuel economy in comparison to most of the rivals. On highways, the Honda offers better fuel economy than the GMC Terrain. You’ll love it for its space and available amenities.

2020 GMC Terrain vs. Ford Edge

The Ford Edge is quite old-school but in terms of build quality, the SUV is upmarket. It offers plenty of cargo space and seating space with an array of optional engines. The Ford Edge gets a powerful V6 engine. The edge gets lots of appealing features than the GMC Terrain.

With the availability of a wide range of features and premium materials, the GMS Terrain is undoubtedly a must-have compact SUV for prospective buyers. The kind of ride quality and fuel economy estimates successfully places it at the upper hand among the competition. Despite the above-average price, the 2020 Terrain appears to be a worthy SUV in the class. However, there are other cars that offer better space and features in lesser budget