The GMC Terrain is a crossover SUV that General Motors builds under the GMC marque. It shares its platform with the Chevrolet Equinox, is the smallest GMC model and sits below the Acadia; it also indirectly replaced the Pontiac Torrent, which had been sold through the same dealers.
GMC Terrain at a glance
| Class | crossover SUV |
|---|---|
| First generation | 2010, launched at the 2009 New York show |
| Platform | GM Theta, shared with the Chevrolet Equinox |
| Position in range | the smallest GMC, below the Acadia |
| Replaced | Pontiac Torrent |
| Trims at launch | SLE and SLT |
| Engines | 2.4 L four and a V6, enlarged from 3.0 to 3.6 L for 2013 |
| Denali trim | added for 2013 |
| SL trim | added for 2015, front-wheel drive with the 2.4 |
| Facelift | 2016 |
| Nightfall edition | 2017 |
| Second generation | 2018, on the Delta platform |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the GMC Terrain.
History of the GMC Terrain
First generation (2010)
The 2010 Terrain debuted in April 2009 at the New York International Auto Show as a replacement for the Pontiac Torrent, which ended production after GM shut down Pontiac in 2010. Although the Torrent used the same Theta platform, it had been a rebadged version of the original 2005-2009 Chevrolet Equinox, while GM chose to give the Equinox and the new Terrain different looks. Early 2010 models carried the GM Mark of Excellence logo on the sides.
Equipment and trims
The Terrain initially came in SLE and SLT trims. All models included a backup camera, AM/FM/CD/MP3 radio with USB port, laminated front door glass, tinted rear glass, a fore-and-aft adjustable rear seat, a telescoping steering wheel, four-wheel independent suspension and four-wheel vented disc anti-lock brakes. For 2013 a Denali trim was added with extra chrome including unique exhaust tips, slightly better interior materials and firmer front struts; it offered cross-traffic detection, blind-spot warning and a power passenger seat as options, but not dual-zone climate control. A low-end SL trim arrived for 2015, derived from the SLE-1 and available only with front-wheel drive and the 2.4-litre engine.
Facelift and Nightfall
For 2016 the Terrain was facelifted together with the Equinox, with new front and rear fascias, chrome exhaust tips on all models, a power dome hood, LED daytime running lights, new wheels, a new gear selector and a second storage shelf under the dashboard in place of the CD player. For 2017 GMC added the Terrain Nightfall edition, replacing chrome with a gloss-black finish on the grille surround, fascia accents, mirror caps and roof rack, with charcoal grille inserts and darkened headlights from the Denali. It was offered on the SLE-2 and SLT trims in Onyx Black, Summit White, Graphite Gray and Crimson Red only.
Engines, gas conversion and safety
The first-generation Terrain was powered by a 2.4-litre four or a V6 that grew from 3.0 to 3.6 litres for 2013, with flex-fuel capability offered on four-cylinder models from 2012 to 2017 and on V6 models from 2011 to 2014. In 2013 two American firms began offering a bi-fuel compressed natural gas version using the 2.4 direct-injection engine, the first direct-injection natural gas vehicles approved by the US EPA, with a cargo version and a five-seat passenger version. The 2010 Terrain was named an IIHS Top Safety Pick and earned a Good rating for roof strength, its roof withstanding four times the vehicle’s weight. In March 2022 GM recalled more than 740,000 Terrains from 2010 to 2017 because their headlights were excessively bright, fixing the problem by cleaning the headlights and applying a translucent decal.
Second generation (2018)
On 8 January 2017 the second-generation Terrain was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show as a 2018 model, moving to the Delta platform. It went on sale in summer 2017 with three turbocharged four-cylinder engines, including a diesel option, and LED lighting accents on all models.
Design and features
- Smallest GMC: a compact crossover below the Acadia.
- Equinox platform: shared engineering with the Chevrolet Equinox but different styling.
- Denali trim: added for 2013 with chrome details and extra safety options.
- Natural gas version: a bi-fuel CNG conversion approved by the EPA in 2013.
- Safety record: an IIHS Top Safety Pick in 2010.
GMC Terrain versions
- SLE and SLT (2010-2017): the main first-generation trims.
- Denali (2013-2017): the premium trim with chrome and extra driver aids.
- SL (2015-2017): the low-end front-wheel-drive model with the 2.4.
- Nightfall edition (2017): a black-trimmed appearance package.
- Second-generation Terrain (2018-): the Delta-platform model with turbo engines and a diesel option.
The Terrain sits below the GMC Acadia and above the GMC Canyon, and the Denali trim is available on it. More cars are in the GMC collection.
Sources
- GMC Terrain, English Wikipedia: launch, trims, engines, facelift, CNG version, recall, second generation
