GMC Revamps Terrain for 2025

There is ample competition in the mainstream compact crossover segment, so any updates by a mass-market brand to its entrant in this field is worth talking about.

Off the hop, GMC is shuffling the Terrain’s available trim options, introducing the Elevation trim as the (for now) base model. This draws from the Sierra catalog of names while dumping the SLE and SLT monikers. AT4 and Denali options are in the hopper but, in a strange fit of product roll-out, won’t be available until the 2026 model year. Generally, automakers lead with expensive trims; this is a reversal of such thinking. Whether it is a deliberate move by marketing for volume reasons or some sort of headache related to production is up for debate. 

Exterior changes are found in the rear three-quarter area, binning the mail slot window in favor of something through which drivers might actually be able to see. There is a squaring-off of some surfaces and the grille is slightly more aggro than last year. It isn’t the wholesale sea-of-change as seen in the most recent evolutions of models like the Acadia and Yukon.

Inside are far more improvements, such as the enormous 15.0-inch infotainment screen and 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster, both of which are standard across the Elevation/AT4/Denali tripartite. That infotainment setup is similar to what’s found in the new Acadia and works quite well with a volume dial anchoring the thing plus an array of redundant controls lining its chin. 

Last year’s engine soldiers on, showing up as a 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder making 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. Towing still maxes out at 1,500 pounds. If those numbers don’t sound like a lot, it’s because they really aren’t – though we would be remiss to point out the 2024 Honda CR-V, also saddled with a 1.5L turbo four, is rated at 190 horses and 179 torques. Meanwhile, the Bronco Sport can be had with a engine of equivalent displacement (181hp, 190tq) though its 2.0L option can belt out 250/277 and is the preferred choice.

Back at GMC, the Terrain’s transmission loses a cog and becomes an eight-speed, which isn’t the end of the world since that digit seems to be the right number for most applications. All-wheel drive is standard across the board for now, though that may change at some point in the future.

The compact Terrain is an important model in GMC showrooms. So far this calendar year, a total of 49,123 deliveries have been recorded. This currently makes it the most popular crossover/SUV through to the end of June in terms of volume, with the Yukon finding 39,462 homes and the Acadia finding 17,682 takers. These numbers are likely skewed a bit thanks to production quirks – this time last year the Terrain (37,625) lagged both the Yukon (41,992) and Acadia (40,150). Overall sales at GMC so this point of 2024 are roughly flat, down just 0.9% or 2,650 deliveries according to official docs.

[Images: GMC]

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