Spacious backseat that slides and reclines for added comfort
Optional V6 engine makes this crossover faster than most competitors
Interior stays quiet at highway speeds
Supple suspension soaks up impacts on rough roads
Cons
Four-cylinder engine feels sluggish and real-world mpg falls short of EPA ratings
Less cargo space than many rivals
Touchscreen is hard to reach
Dated interior design reflects the Terrain's advanced age
What’s new
Largely unchanged from last year, the 2017 GMC Terrain gets standard 18-inch alloy wheels and adds a black-trimmed Nightfall appearance package to its options list.
Vehicle overview
Crossover SUV shoppers just can't quit the strong-selling 2017 GMC Terrain. But the current-generation Terrain is now in its eighth year on the market, and every major rival has received an overhaul during that stretch. How does the Terrain stay in the game? The roomy backseat certainly helps, as does the powerful optional V6 engine. We'll also mention the quiet, comfortable ride as a relative strength in this class.
Wanna drive? CarMax puts you in the driver's seat-and that includes transparency. Certain cars may have unrepaired safety recalls, so check nhtsa.gov/...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
25 Combined MPG (21 City/31 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 2GKALMEK9H6302049 Stock: 27523064 Certified Pre-Owned: No
The Denali version of the 2017 Terrain receives special styling details. The model's overall look is getting pretty familiar, though.
But as you might imagine, time hasn't been kind to the Terrain in some other respects. The base four-cylinder engine provides both underwhelming acceleration and disappointing real-world fuel economy, while the dashboard is showing its age thanks to a hard-to-reach touchscreen and some ergonomic faux pas. Furthermore, smartphone users -- i.e., just about every car shopper these days -- should note that Bluetooth audio connectivity isn't even available on the two lowest trim levels (SL and SLE-1).
The 2017 Terrain remains a versatile and generally competent crossover, but we'd recommend taking a close look at a number of its rivals before making a final decision. Segment leaders include the enduringly well-rounded Honda CR-V, the significantly refreshed Toyota RAV4 and the sporty yet practical Mazda CX-5. We also like the redesigned Kia Sportage, which has a big backseat like the Terrain, along with contemporary cabin technology. Faced with distinguished competitors like these, the 2017 GMC Terrain has its work cut out if it wants to win your heart.
The 2017 GMC Terrain is fitted with standard antilock brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags and a rearview camera. Also standard is GM's OnStar emergency communications system, which includes automatic crash notification, an emergency assistance button, remote door unlock and stolen vehicle assistance.
Lane-departure warning, forward-collision alert, rear parking sensors and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert are optional on the SLE-2 and SLT trim levels and standard on Denali.
In Edmunds testing, a Terrain Denali V6 AWD stopped from 60 mph in a satisfactory 122 feet.
In government crash tests, the Terrain earned an overall score of four stars out of five, with four stars for overall frontal-impact protection and five stars for side-impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Terrain the best possible rating of "Good" in its small-overlap frontal-offset, moderate-overlap frontal-offset, side-impact and roof-strength tests. The seat/head restraint design was also rated "Good" for whiplash protection in rear impacts.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
Are you searching for a compact crossover SUV with a big backseat? The 2016 GMC Terrain fits the bill, and it also offers a powerful V6 that will leave most rivals in the dust. Read on to see if the Terrain has what it takes to keep up with the pack in other respects.
Driving
Ride quality is excellent in the 2017 GMC Terrain. The comfort-tuned suspension soaks up road imperfections, and extensive sound-deadening measures make this affordable crossover unusually quiet on the highway. The cushier suspension in the Denali version makes the ride even more agreeable. There's a price to be paid for the soft ride, however, as the Terrain is out of its element when the road starts to bend. If you want a more engaging driving experience, the Mazda CX-5 would certainly suit you better.
The 2017 Terrain's imposing grille is backed up by potent acceleration with the optional V6 engine.
The four-cylinder GMC Terrain doesn't feel very potent in most situations. You'll have the gas pedal floored during routine merging and passing maneuvers, which can get on your nerves over time. If you're looking for a more enjoyable driving experience, the V6 is definitely the way to go. With 301 horses on tap, it's one of the most capable engines in any crossover in this price range.
Interior
Although GMC is primarily known as a truck brand, the tastefully appointed interior of the GMC Terrain shows a softer side. The dashboard is styled in two graceful curves, with gauges and secondary controls treated to bright red back lighting. The center stack has survived nearly untouched since the Terrain's debut in 2010, however, so it unsurprisingly looks dated when compared to most other vehicles in this segment. In particular, many of the buttons are small and hard to differentiate at a glance.
We like that this 7-inch touchscreen comes standard on every 2017 Terrain, but its ergonomics and responsiveness leave something to be desired.
The standard 7-inch color touchscreen display lends a high-tech feel to even the base model Terrain, and the IntelliLink interface (standard starting on the SLE-2 model) is a worthwhile enhancement, as it thankfully includes Bluetooth audio as well as Pandora and Stitcher integration. On the downside, the slanted screen is more than an arm's length away from the driver, and the small, fiddly virtual buttons make it difficult to navigate the on-screen menus. In addition, the system's occasional slow or missed responses to touch inputs can be frustrating.
The front bucket seats are comfortable, and the standard sliding rear seat allows you to optimize rear-seat legroom or cargo capacity, depending on your needs. But even when primed for cargo, the Terrain can't carry as much stuff as some other crossovers. With the rear seats folded, the Terrain's 63.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity is noticeably less than that of the Honda CR-V, among other rivals. With the rear seats carrying passengers, the Terrain offers a so-so 31.6 cubic feet of cargo space.
The 2017 GMC Terrain is available in five trim levels: SL, SLE-1, SLE-2, SLT and Denali.
Standard equipment for the base SL trim includes 18-inch alloy wheels, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a rearview camera, cruise control, a power height-adjustable driver seat with power lumbar, a 60/40-split folding rear seat with sliding and reclining functions, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, rear privacy glass, OnStar (with an onboard WiFi hotspot), Bluetooth phone (but not audio) connectivity, a 7-inch touchscreen interface and a six-speaker sound system with an auxiliary audio jack and a USB port.
Move up to the SLE-1 and you get heated mirrors and satellite radio. More importantly, all-wheel drive becomes available.
The SLE-2 builds upon the SLE-1, adding LED daytime running lights, automatic climate control, an eight-way power driver seat (with power lumbar), a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a Pioneer eight-speaker audio system and GM's IntelliLink system, which includes Bluetooth audio, voice controls and compatibility with Pandora and Stitcher smartphone apps. The available Convenience package adds heated front seats and remote engine start.
LED daytime running lights come standard on the SLE-2 trim level and above.
The SLT comes standard with the Convenience package and adds chrome exterior accents, ambient interior lighting and perforated leather upholstery.
Two Driver Alert package levels are available for the SLE-2 and SLT. The first level includes a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors and (on the SLT only) an adjustable power liftgate. The second level adds forward-collision and lane-departure alerts. The SLT-only Memory package includes driver memory settings and an eight-way power passenger seat (with power lumbar).
Also optional on SLE-2 and SLT is the Nightfall package, which includes special 18-inch wheels and various gloss-black exterior accents.
The range-topping Denali has the SLT features as well as 19-inch wheels, an exclusive comfort-oriented suspension and Denali-specific exterior and interior trim. It also includes the Memory and Driver Alert I and II packages.
A navigation system is optional on Terrains in the SLE-2 trim and above.
The 2017 GMC Terrain comes standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 182 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. Optional on SLE-2, SLT and Denali is a 3.6-liter V6 that churns out a hefty 301 hp and 272 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, and all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional on all trims except the base SL model.
In Edmunds testing, a mechanically comparable four-cylinder Chevrolet Equinox LT with FWD accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds, which is notably slower than average for a small crossover.A Terrain Denali V6 AWD went from zero to 60 in a quick 7.1 seconds.
According to EPA fuel economy estimates, the four-cylinder engine should return 25 mpg combined (21 city/31 highway) with FWD, although we've been unable to match those numbers in our test vehicles. With AWD, the four-cylinder drops to 23 mpg combined (20/28). The V6 is rated at 20 mpg combined (17/24) with FWD and 18 mpg combined (16/23) with AWD.
With the four-cylinder engine, a properly equipped Terrain can tow 1,500 pounds; the V6 increases towing capacity to 3,500 pounds.
The 2017 GMC Terrain has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 1 recall. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, ranks it #11 out of 29 among Compact SUVs. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.
Reliability Rating by RepairPal
4 out of 5 stars4/5Above Average
#11 out of 29 among Compact SUVs
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
$502/yr
vs. $465/yr for Average Compact SUV
Frequency
0.74x/yr
vs. 1x/yr for Average Compact SUV
Severity
12.8%
vs. 11.5% for Average Compact SUV
powered by RepairPal
Recalls
1 recall found
Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.
If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).
Recall Number:
22V137000
Manufacturer Recall Number:
N222363740
Number of vehicles affected:
740581
Defect Description:
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles. A reflection caused by the headlight housings may illuminate areas above the vehicle and outside of the driver's view with excessively bright light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Defect Consequence:
The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:
Dealers will install headlamp appliques, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222363740.
The Terrain not only stands out for it's looks, but it drives great, is dependable, comfortable, offers great features, and is decent on gas. I loved my first one so much that I got a new one. I did look at a few other vehicles, but none in the same class even compare. I have owned almost every make of car out there and the GMC Terrain has been the only one I ever considered owning a … second time around!
1st Terrain - could not be happier
5 out of 5 stars
Southern Newhampshire, 04/26/2017
2017 GMC Terrain SLT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
Chose the SLT AWD with V6 3.6L option. Leather and everything but driver memory feature. Extremely comfortable to drive, V6 has great response. Only observation is down-shifting when coasting around corner then up-hill; seems to hard shift but learned to work the pedal differently.
HOT IN THE BACK SEAT!
3 out of 5 stars
Betty, 07/10/2017
2017 GMC Terrain SLT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
No air vents in the back seat. You have to freeze in the front in order for the back seat to have air. HOT HOT HOT...IT IS AN SLT. ITS NOT THE CHEAPEST TERRAIN. BUT IS IS HOT IN THE BACK.
GMC Terrain is a good ca
5 out of 5 stars
CD, 02/18/2018
2017 GMC Terrain SLT 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
Leasing my 2nd terrain and I love my car. Road noise is a problem could be much better. Seats could be softer. Tires might hydroplane on wet roads a little. If GMC upped the quality a little it would be perfect. Gas mileage around 26mpg. Engine not gutsy enough on pick up. Love my car. Don't think any car is perfect
Looking for a compact crossover SUV with a big backseat? The 2017 GMC Terrain might be a good fit. Here's a quick rundown of what we like, what we don't and the bottom line from the Edmunds editors.