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Used 2021 GMC Terrain SUV Consumer Reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
16 reviews

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4 out of 5 stars

2021 GMV Terrain SLT

Stgcret, 04/19/2021
updated 07/03/2023
2021 GMC Terrain SLT 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
34 of 34 people found this review helpful

As of today, April 19/2023 I still own my Terrain purchased in November 2020. It has, so far, not given me a minute's issue. The 1.5L Turbo is "okay" but the 2.0L Turbo is so much better. The Terrain is a very well thought out vehicle. Back seat flip flat at the push of a button and easily clicks back in to place. Seats are at hip height, which at 71, makes them very easy to slide in and out. The front bucket seats are fairly comfortable with many power adjustments. The front seats could use another 1/2" to 1" of width. I would buy this beauty again. UPDATE: I purchase my 2021 GMC Terrain brand new in November 2020 before the chip shortage, that isn't an issue with the 2021 at all. I just hit 20,000 miles a couple of weeks ago and all-in-all has been a pleasure to drive. I'm a big guy of 6' 2" and 285 and I easily slide in and out of my Terrain. Quiet ride and efficient and peppy 1.5L Turbo motor, although I would have preferred the 2.0L Turbo like I had in my 2018 Terrain, but the 2020 was the last year for the 2.0L On the SLT, that I have, are many positions to adjust the front seat and I do prefer the leather over cloth seats. For a 2-row seat SUV, there is plenty of room and the seats fold down at the touch of button or pull that works with the effort of one finger. I really like the info system and Sirius Radio. I have not used the Navigation or phone interface because I just don't need to. One oddball fact I discovered though is that when you want to take out the Cabin Filter, you have to use a 5.5 mm socket and that size is difficult to find. They need to go to a more conventional size like a 6 mm or 1/4 inch. UPDATE: I drove my 2021 Terrain SLT Elevation Edition out of the dealer showroom on 11/27/2020. I am 6' 2" and 72 yrs old. I specifically like the way I can slide in and easily slide out of the Terrain. I also find the front seat very comfortable and easy to adjust and has a nice lumbar support. I don't find the road noise so bad, but maybe that is because I have Talk Radio on all the time. I do agree that a 2.0 Turbo would be a better engine option. I owned a 2018 Terrain Denali with the 2.0L and I thought I was in a rocket when I stepped on the gas. I have owned my 2021 for 31 months now and have put 21,530 miles on the ol' girl and have not had a single issue, but there was one "what were they thinking moment" the screw for the driving compartment air filter is a 5.5 mm! I did change that filter at 18,000 miles although the manual called for 30,000 miles. Such an odd and hard to find size. I have changed the oil and filter every 5,000 miles and rotated the tires. I would like to see the same vehicle but 10" to 12" longer and maybe 4" to 6" wider to fit just a bit more beefy seat like the Tahoe has. Other than that I will most likely buy another Terrain and for sure if they reinstate the 2.0L Turbo.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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4 out of 5 stars

2021 GMC Terrain

S.M., 06/11/2021
2021 GMC Terrain SLT 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
20 of 20 people found this review helpful

It’s been a about a month with my 2021 GMC Terrain and I absolutely love it. It’s not the fastest car in the world but it’s 4 Cylinder engine can actually run hard and smooth at the same time. As far as the milage it runs on gas, I honestly can’t complain. it’s the perfect size efficient vehicle anyone can ask for.

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5 out of 5 stars

Love my Terrain

Mproctor, 01/28/2021
2021 GMC Terrain SLE 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
44 of 47 people found this review helpful

I was pleasantly surprised how peppy this small SUV is. I love all the safety features and the fact that I don’t have to pay so much for gas since it takes regular 87 octane. I took it on a long trip this weekend and it performed great.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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2 out of 5 stars

Unreliable where it gets below 10C

Lynn, 01/11/2022
2021 GMC Terrain SLT 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful

Turbo has an inner cooler that freezes up on a consistent basis, leaving you with low power to limp to a dealership to have it dealt with. I guess GMC is not acknowledging there is an issue as they don't sell enough in the northern areas to worry about due to every vehicle with this engine has this issue. Cheaper to fix than repair permanently. Dealerships are overloaded with this issue. It is not reliable in winter, can't trust a commute, can't take it on a winter vacation. Can't trust it not to freeze up. Too bad, I quite liked it otherwise.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
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2 out of 5 stars

Computer problems that have no fix

Nannette Porath, 07/09/2021
2021 GMC Terrain SLE 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
13 of 15 people found this review helpful

I purchased my 2021 Terrain in December 2020. I have had many computer issues with the car that make many features unavailable and there is no fix. The car is still drivable but offers new problems daily. They are intermittent but reoccurring. The dealer tells me there is currently no fix and that I have to wait for a software update. This is the first GMC car I have owned and now regret my purchase.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
2 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

The best I love my car

Pansetta, 02/05/2021
2021 GMC Terrain SLT 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
10 of 12 people found this review helpful

Comfortable easy to manage and have the power.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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4 out of 5 stars

Darned Good Vehicle

Jim, 11/13/2022
2021 GMC Terrain SLT 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

I feel the Terrain is a very stylish vehicle. It has great fuel economy, 30-33 mpg during the summer, mainly highway miles. When trying to pass on the highway, the turbo is far superior to the Equinox I used to own. I find the seats comfortable, and storage adequate-plus. If there is a drawback, it is acceleration/running through the gears from a stop sign or stop light. Not sure why GMC needs a 9 speed tranny. Overall, I am impressed, more so than the so-called experts. I'd buy another one, and perhaps will eventually

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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2 out of 5 stars

Loosing Faith

Melissa T., 02/17/2023
2021 GMC Terrain SLT 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful

I bought my SLT Terrain brand new in 2021. I love this car, well at least I thought I did. It took me nearly 5 months to find the car I wanted and loved. In the last 3 months I have had it at the shop twice for major repairs the fuel pump and now the the drive shaft. Yes it’s all covered under warranty but the car only has 20,000 miles. I bought a brand new car so I wouldn’t have to be in shop and had reliable transportation. Very disappointed!

Safety
2 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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4 out of 5 stars

Very Good SUV!

JoeBWan, 06/20/2021
2021 GMC Terrain SLE 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
8 of 10 people found this review helpful

I’ve had the GMC Terrain SLE for only about a month now, but I have to say it’s a pretty solid vehicle. It has a comfortable ride, it has very good gas mileage, and it has surprisingly a lot of room between the backseat as well as the cargo area. I traded in a BMW X.3, so I knew I wasn’t getting a speed demon, However , it does have decent acceleration, either city driving or highway driving. The only fault I can see in this vehicle, is it does have some massive Blindspot‘s, in the windshield pillars. Other than that it has all the functionality, technology, safety features I need. I am very happy with this SUV so far, I can see myself buying another one in the future.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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2 out of 5 stars

underpowered drive train

Bill B, 11/29/2021
2021 GMC Terrain SLT 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful

The drive train is underpowered at 35 to 45 when trying to maintain speeds following traffic on NH roads it transmission grinds like you are in a standard shift high gear going to slow. I have to put in L mode and select the best gear when you do that the rpms go higher and stops most of the grinding I complained at the dealer when I had 1200 miles on it and was told its normal use the L mode. I have the SLT I paid in the high 30"s for this car and can't wait until Ican get out of it. It is a terrible running car when you have to feel it grinding in the drivetrain. Highway is fine at higher speeds Very disappointed in this vehicle when i bot it i got extra warrantee thought last car i am 72 not a chance I will trade and will not go back to gm. Everything else works ok and is a nice car except it runs terrible.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

Sweet Ride!

Michelle Ryan, 01/23/2022
2021 GMC Terrain SLT 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Bought my 2021 GMC terrain last Fall and I love it! Handles extremely well both in town and on the highway and even in snow! (AWD) It's roomy, not too bad on fuel, peppy and I love the many features it has as well. It's pretty freaky though how it will readjust itself if you are too close to the right white line, the crash alert is also pretty sweet. The 'hidden' volume control and radio channel changer...took me a while to discover they were on the back of the steering wheel! Lol For me it's an all around great upgrade from the Chevy Trax that I had.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

🥰 love my new terrain

Donna, 06/14/2022
2021 GMC Terrain SLT 4dr SUV (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

So far love everything only week two

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5 out of 5 stars

GMC

Niculae Preda , 11/20/2020
2021 GMC Terrain SLE 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
9 of 20 people found this review helpful

Very nice ride

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5 out of 5 stars

love my slt

davd, 09/10/2022
2021 GMC Terrain SLT 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful

I absolutely love my 2021 gmc terrain. The ride is great and it has a big suv feel to it. I would buy another on in a second.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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4 out of 5 stars

I No longer have the terrain. I have an Equinox .

Bob Braunel, 04/30/2022
updated 05/02/2023
2021 GMC Terrain SLT 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful

I like the Terrain and especially the memory seat. I thing I do not like is the rear view camera, worst one I have had in my last 4 suvs and I get a new one every year. Buick encore gs Jeep Chev Equinox

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Owner

Lew Herro, 07/22/2021
2021 GMC Terrain SLT 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
1 of 8 people found this review helpful

do your homework

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
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