The redesigned 2020 GMC Terrain has a nicer interior, more room, enhanced utility, and better tech than its predecessor. But a weak base engine, unresponsive transmission and bouncy ride, paired with a high price, hinder the Terrain from standing out in the competitive compact-SUV class.
One of our biggest complaints about last year's GMC Terrain was that it kept most of the advanced safety features on the options sheet — very few items came standard. For the most part, that's changed with the 2020 model. GMC has made lane keeping assist, low-speed forward collision warning, front pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking all standard.
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On top of those added standard features, the 2020 GMC Terrain still gets a comfortable and attractive interior, a lengthy list of upscale optional features and an intuitive cabin layout. Unfortunately, the Terrain also has some significant drawbacks worth noting.
Those optional features we mentioned? They bring the price up pretty quickly. So if you want all the extras, you may be out-pricing top-notch rivals such as the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5, not to mention the Terrain's very similar sibling, the Chevy Equinox. Those same rivals (and a few others) also outdo the Terrain when it comes to interior space, both behind the rear seats and for small-item consideration. And, under the hood, there's a base 1.5-liter engine that is disappointingly slow, with poor throttle response.
So, while the 2020 GMC Terrain may have some high points, we recommend taking a look at competitors before signing on the dotted line.
Edmunds Expert Rating
edmunds TESTED
by the Edmunds Experts
Below Average
6.5
out of 10
We drove the 2020 GMC Terrain on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.
Performance
6/10
How does the Terrain drive? Unfortunately, the Terrain's base engine lacks power, the transmission is slow-witted, and the powertrain's focus on fuel economy eliminates snappy acceleration. In Edmunds testing it took 9.3 seconds to reach 60 mph, which is very slow.
Elsewhere, this SUV performs better. The brakes bite smoothly and evenly, with a good relationship between pedal pressure and actual stopping power. The steering is slow and a bit mushy, but steering effort weights up nicely at highway speeds, imparting more confidence and a sense of stability. Capable and balanced on twisty roads, the Terrain keeps body roll in check. It's not sporty, but through turns at reasonably high speeds, the Terrain remains stable and composed.
Comfort
6.5/10
How comfortable is the Terrain? On the road, the Terrain is prone to regular low-impact shock, vibration and jostling on even moderately rough surfaces like bumpy streets. Road and tire noise is limited to a muted, dull hum on most road surfaces. The front seats are firm but comfortable and they hold up well over long road trips while the rear seats are relatively firm and flat.
There's a simple control layout other than the four buttons for vent mode, which is excessive, and the central vertical vents distribute air poorly. Seats offer cushion-only or cushion-and-seatback heating – a nice GM-only feature.
Interior
6/10
How’s the interior? The Terrain's interior is attractive and well-configured, but some controls are awkwardly placed. Least impressive is the Terrain's unnecessarily clumsy transmission interface -- pull switches placed below the climate controls. There's no way to avoid using those on every drive.
Low seat bolsters and wide-opening doors should make getting in and out easy for most drivers and passengers. There's also plenty of seat adjustment up front, although taller drivers might wish for more steering wheel extension. Visibility is below-average thanks to a deep, angled dash that makes it hard to know where the front really is. Front side windows provide a good view out; less so out the rear side windows.
Technology
7.5/10
How’s the tech? The Terrain deserves high marks for its tech, improving on the mediocre offerings of past models. The optional Bose sound system offers surprising power and clarity, and the optional navigation system is easy to use. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard and beat GMC's native software for ease of use, but the standard system works fine for those outside the Apple/Android ecosystem. Six (!) USB ports stand ready for device charging, and one is even the new USB-C standard.
Terrain offers a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot standard with easy setup, but coverage isn't much better than typical mobile phone coverage. The safety systems such as forward collision warning and lane keeping assist are still a bit intrusive, but not overbearing.
Storage
7/10
How’s the storage? With the rear seats folded, the Terrain's 63 cubic feet of cargo space lags behind class benchmarks (Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4). But a fold-flat front passenger seat is a nice touch (surfers and campers, rejoice) and increases space to 81 cubic feet. A power liftgate and low liftover height make cargo loading easy, too. There are plenty of bins, trays and pockets available to hold personal items.
For child seats, the car seat anchors are easy to find and connect to, and there's plenty of space for forward-facing seats. Rear-facing seats fit well as long as drivers and passengers can keep their seats reasonably forward. The Terrain provides no top-tether for a middle seat, but there is one in the rear seatback.
Fuel Economy
7/10
How’s the fuel economy? The Terrain with the 1.5-liter engine is EPA rated at 28 mpg combined (26 city/30 highway), which is on par with the segment. We got 28.4 mpg on our mixed-driving test loop, but just 22.4 mpg in 600 miles of combined driving. These results suggest that a light touch is needed to achieve its published numbers.
Value
7/10
Is the Terrain a good value? We're not convinced the Terrain offers enough value to justify its price. It feels solid and it's not outrageously expensive, but competitors such as the CR-V offer similar or better features and versatility, plus better ride quality and comfort, for a lower price.
For a warranty, the Terrain has three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain coverage, which is typical for this class. However, the first two scheduled maintenance visits are free, and roadside assistance and loaner cars are offered for five years or 60,000 miles. Those are more generous terms than the competition.
Wildcard
5.5/10
The Terrain is a mixed bag. It's handsome at a glance, and the sleek style, sharp (and quiet) interior and modern tech make it desirable. But it rides and drives worse than a car in this class should, especially at this price. It's not oozing with personality, nor is it particularly fun to drive, so the Terrain remains a midpack choice.
The 2020 GMC Terrain seats five people and is available in four trim levels: the base SL, SLE, SLT, and Denali. There are two engine options: a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (170 hp, 203 lb-ft of torque) and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (252 hp, 260 lb-ft of torque). Both engines come standard with a nine-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, but they can be optioned with all-wheel drive. The 1.5-liter engine is standard on the SL, SLE and SLT. The 2.0-liter engine is optional on the SLT and standard on the Denali. Compare the 2020 GMC Terrain trim levels in-depth.
Which Terrain trim does Edmunds recommend?
The base Terrain SL gets a full suite of standard safety features this year, so it's a bit more appealing than it once was, but we'd still recommend upgrading to the SLT trim level. The SLT is eligible for a long list of options, including the more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and creature comforts such as a heated steering wheel and a seven-speaker Bose audio system.
The 2020 GMC Terrain has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 2 recalls. 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
2 recalls 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:
23V339000
Manufacturer Recall Number:
N232403240
Number of vehicles affected:
668187
Defect Description:
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The four rear-seat lower child seat LATCH anchorage bars may have excessive powder coating, which could prevent a child seat from being installed with the anchorage bars. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Defect Consequence:
The inability to install a child seat with the LATCH anchorage bars could result in an unsecured child seat, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Corrective Action:
Owners are advised to install child seats using the vehicle's rear seat belts until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect the latch anchorage bars, and remove and replace the finish, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232403240.
Recall Number:
20V668000
Manufacturer Recall Number:
N202313440
Number of vehicles affected:
194105
Defect Description:
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Defect Consequence:
Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Corrective Action:
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 14, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
I drive a CRV at work all day in all kinds of Phoenix metro traffic. It is OK but my 2020 Terrain has it beat overall in my opinion. The 2.0 turbo is zippy, and quiet. I drove a 2020 1.5L turbo up to Flagstaff and I would recommend the bigger engine, glad I bought it. The CRV and its CVT transmission is loud and annoying on the freeway. Hard to keep a consistent speed on the freeway … which drives me nuts. I notice the Terrain has a quieter cabin because I can hear people talk on the phone. I am 6’9 and would always like more legroom but the console of the CRV digs into my right leg, in the Terrain it does not. I am still getting used to no shifter but the extra room is nice. To me the only thing the CRV wins in the comparison is it gets really good gas mileage & it has never been in the shop for a repair in 88,000 miles (1 1/2 years). I hope the Terrain is comparable in that area! Not sure I agree with all the CRV hype and the experts ragging on the Terrain. I like the look of the Terrain and 18/19/20’s look WAY better than its boxy predecessor.
One of the nicer choices in this size range SUV
5 out of 5 stars
Dave, 01/07/2020
2020 GMC Terrain Denali 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Literally I don't know what Edmunds reviewed -- I recently checked out all the small-mid SUV's at the LA auto show and was surprised to find the Terrain to my liking. My brother has a CX-5 which is very nice, good materials and it drives quiet and handles well, but just feels cramped up front for me (6ft, 240lb guy). It feels roomier than most competitors including CX-5, has decent … materials throughout, and the option for a very powerful 2.0L Turbo. I then test drove one and it drives really nice, very quiet ride, awesome acceleration, smooth shifting 9-speed. Nice storage in back and a folding front passenger seat to carry 8ft long items -- nothing else I've found has this! Edmunds must be paid by Honda or something. I wouldn't touch their models with CVT. Needless to say, I'm 90% sold this will be my next vehicle.
2024 Update
The vehicle has been a winner for me for the last 4 years and I'm happy I pulled the trigger in 2020 as the powerful 2.0L turbo engine is sadly no longer a choice. Only issue I've had was the auto engine STOP has stopped working but since nobody really likes this "feature" anyway I haven't bothered to have the dealer diagnose. I understand it is possible it can stop working when the battery is less than 100% since it is sensitive to that and that could be a possibility.
What we like:
We loved the Terrain SLT we purchased a few years ago, so in the early fall, with $8,000 in incentives, we traded it in for a 2020 model. This is a very SMART car. Lots of new features and technology to learn. We like that it allows data from the cell phones to download to the car. Nice to set up your Google Maps or Waze, go out to the car and view it on the display … screen. The folding front seat is a great option. Love the huge sun roof and its push-button shade. Very quiet ride. Good acceleration. Well designed dashboard/interior lighting. We like the air-conditioning/heat vents for the back seats. The heated steering wheel gets so warm, so fast, that you must quickly turn it off. All-in-all we are very happy with our Terrain.
Things we're not crazy about:
Fuel. Both the salesmen and service manager said if we purchased the 1.5 Turbo engine, we could avoid expense premium gas and use mid-grade instead. But the owner's manual recommends premium gas. It says the use of anything other than premium voids the warranty. So, we bought the car under a gas-savings assumption, but now fear the dealership may not have been truthful. Can anyone confirm that this engine can safely use mid-grade fuel? Also, living in Michigan, we purchased AWD, but I am disappointed with it. The first time we drove the car in heavy snow, it became stuck. And with its wheel design, snow became packed into the rim and spokes. When we drove the car the next day, it shook violently, with the wheels out of balance by the packed ice/snow. We now keep a snow shovel in the car and use our Buick AWD in the heavier snow. Another item, I don't like where the fog lamp switch is located. It's out of site, below the steering wheel, under the fold of the dash, where it sits among other push button controls. It is hard to locate the switch while driving -- frankly, you can't turn the fog lamps on without taking your eyes off the road. So, at least until you learn the brail of it, you must operate the lamps only when the vehicle is stopped.
GMC Terrain for the win
5 out of 5 stars
Jake446, 06/21/2020
2020 GMC Terrain SLE 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
I purchased the GMC Terrain SLE FWD and my wife loves it. It drives well, handles well, and is overall a nicer vehicle than the similar Chevy Equinox. With all the incentives that GMC had, we got it at the same price as a less equipped, base Equinox, but the GMC has much more features and overall nicer interior. The 1.5L engine is plenty for us as we are not aggressive drivers. My only … sight dislike so far is the push or pull buttons for Park, Drive, Reverse. Not used to those just yet. Overall highly recommended.