2025 GMC Terrain: 5 reasons to love it, 2 reasons to look elsewhere

The GMC Terrain serves as the American automaker’s entry into the crossover segment, and while it’s similar to the Chevrolet Equinox, it offers a different, classier take while maintaining a fairly competitive price. Despite its affordability, the 2025 GMC Terrain offers many of the amenities found in its larger siblings.

The 2025 model year kicks off a new generation for the GMC Terrain, complete with a redesign inside and out. As you might expect, the latest model features updated styling and a more rugged design on par with the rest of the GMC lineup. The GMC Terrain comes available in the Elevation trim for the 2025 model year.

Reason to love it #1: Fresh design for 2025

Redesigned for the 2025 model year, the GMC Terrain boasts a more athletic stance that shares styling cues with its larger siblings. The grille now connects the headlights with fog light to create a more distinctive stare. The all-new crossover rides on 17-inch wheels.

In addition to more rugged styling, the 2025 model will be the first Terrain to offer a two-tone roof option. There’s also an available Black Edition that includes blacked-out accents and badging. The Black Edition rides on 19-inch gloss-black aluminum wheels and will run you an additional $895.

Reason to love it #2: Starts at $30,000 MSRP

When it comes to price, there’s no segment more competitive than crossovers. While the GMC Terrain takes an upscale approach to its closest competitors, including the Chevrolet Equinox, it starts at $30,000 on the dot.

That pricing puts it in contention with popular models like the Honda CR-V, available from $30,100, and the Mazda CX-50, starting at $30,300.

Reason to love it #3: Improved infotainment tech

Thanks to its redesign, the 2025 GMC Terrain rolls onto the scene with improved infotainment tech. A 15-inch vertically-mounted touchscreen display with Google compatibility built-in comes standard, as does wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

With the standard Google Assistant, drivers can reply to text messages and get directions via Google Maps. They can also add more apps to enhance their driving experience.

Reason to love it #4: Extensive list of safety systems

While it starts at just $30,000, the 2025 GMC Terrain comes with more than 15 safety and driver assistance features. In its most recent rendition, the Terrain comes equipped with Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking, Rear Cross Traffic Braking, Reverse Automatic Braking, and Blind Zone Steering Assist, just to name a few systems.

Reason to love it #5: Roomy interior

The GMC Terrain seats up to five passengers, with up to 40 inches of headroom in the front row and 39.2 inches in the second row. Legroom amounts to 40.6 inches and 39.2 inches in the front and rear rows, respectively.

In terms of cargo space, the Terrain is fairly expansive, offering up to 29.8 cu. ft., with the rear seat in its upright position. With the rear row folded down, cargo space increases to 63.5 cu. ft. of cargo space. That’s more cargo space than the 2025 Jeep Compass, which offers 27.2 cu. ft. with the rear seats upright and 59.8 cu. ft. with the seats folded down.

Reason to think twice #1: Only one engine option

The 2025 GMC Terrain launches with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a CVT. In front-wheel-drive models, that combination produces just 175 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque.

If you opt to pay the additional $2,000 to upgrade to an all-wheel drivetrain, performance gets a slight boost to 203 lb-ft of torque. Switching to all-wheel drive also replaces the CVT with an eight-speed automatic transmission. No matter the powertrain and drivetrain, the GMC Terrain can only tow up to 1,500 lbs.

The 2025 Subaru Forester offers similar performance from its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, but it can tow up to 3,000 lbs. when properly equipped. Likewise, the base Mazda CX-50 can tow up to 2,000 lbs. and comes with standard all-wheel drive.

Reason to think twice #2: Just one trim level for 2025

It’s odd to see any redesigned or all-new model launch with just one trim level, but that’s exactly what GMC did with the Terrain. The base Elevation trim is the sole offering for the 2025 model year. The AT4 and Denali models, which are readily available on other GMC vehicles, will arrive for the 2026 model year.

Final thoughts

Overall, the 2025 GMC Terrain is a solid offering in its segment, but it’s also facing down some of the industry’s biggest names. Before you drive off in a new GMC Terrain, consider test-driving the Chevrolet Equinox, Toyota RAV4, and Honda CR-V as well.

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