2025 GMC Terrain review redesigned compact SUV with premium styling and everyday comfort
The newly redesigned 2025 GMC Terrain has arrived, sporting a refreshed look and a refined interior—but carrying over many elements from its corporate cousin, the Chevrolet Equinox. As GMC’s compact SUV offering, the revamped Terrain aims to elevate comfort and style without diverging too far from mechanical familiarity.
For car enthusiasts and automotive dealers watching the small SUV segment evolve, the Terrain offers a compelling case built on design sensibilities and premium aspirations. However, beneath its sharp aesthetical upgrades, the vehicle treads cautiously in the performance department.
This in-depth review dissects the Terrain’s successful redesign while evaluating how it stacks up in a hyper-competitive market. Whether you’re a dealer considering this SUV for your inventory or a gearhead tracing trends in compact crossovers, read on for a comprehensive look at what the 2025 GMC Terrain has to offer.
What’s New in 2025? A Modern Design Language
The 2025 model year marks a complete redesign for the GMC Terrain, giving the SUV a bolder and sleeker visual identity. Its updated exterior and refined interior reflect GMC’s aspirations to move closer to upscale territory while keeping affordability in check.
- Exterior Redesign: The Terrain adopts a boxier silhouette with sharp body lines, more aggressive lighting elements, and an updated grille that reinforces GMC’s signature truck-inspired aesthetic.
- Updated Lighting: Slim, horizontally aligned LED headlights and taillights bring a modern touch and enhance nighttime visibility.
- Wheel Options: New wheel designs, ranging up to 19 inches in size, offer added customization across trims.
The overall effect is a high-end look that punches above its actual category, distinguishing the Terrain on busy streets and dealership lots alike.
Interior Upgrades: Functionality Meets Premium Ambitions
Inside, the 2025 Terrain introduces a thoughtfully designed cabin that feels more mature than its predecessor. GMC has integrated cues from its larger stablemates, downsizing luxury for the compact segment.
Highlights of the Redesigned Cabin
- Digital Instrument Display: A standard 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster offers intuitive driver information and modernizes the cockpit experience.
- Infotainment System: A central 11.0-inch touchscreen provides seamless access to GMC’s infotainment system, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay coming standard across all trims.
- Materials: Improved soft-touch surfaces and optional contrast stitching give the cabin a more refined and comfortable feel.
- Cargo Space: With rear seats folded, the Terrain provides competitive cargo capacity for weekend bags, strollers, and more.
Whether cruising on highways or navigating urban congestion, the interior’s serene layout and functional tech elevate the driving experience.
Performance: Beauty Held Back by Modest Power
While the 2025 Terrain scores high marks in styling and interior comfort, its performance leaves more room for improvement. Like the Equinox, it is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, offering modest horsepower and acceleration.
Technical Specifications
- Engine: 1.5L turbocharged inline-4
- Horsepower: 175 hp
- Torque: 203 lb-ft
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: Standard front-wheel drive; available all-wheel drive
While sufficient for daily driving and suburban commutes, the Terrain’s engine exhibits noticeable delays when accelerating—particularly when merging onto highways or overtaking vehicles. Enthusiastic drivers may find it underwhelming compared to sportier compact rivals.
Ride and Handling: Comfortable and Confident, But Not Sporty
One of the 2025 GMC Terrain’s redeeming strengths is its ride comfort. The chassis, suspension, and lightweight frame produce smooth and composed motion, making it an excellent choice for those prioritizing comfort over performance.
Driving Dynamics
- Steering: Light and responsive—ideal for city driving and tight parking maneuvers.
- Suspension: Tuned for comfort with minimal road noise and vibration, especially effective on well-paved surfaces.
- Highway Behavior: Stable and relaxed with a quiet cabin, thanks to extensive sound-deadening features.
The Terrain isn’t designed for spirited cornering or high-speed thrills, but for families, commuters, and crossover loyalists, its comfort-forward engineering delivers what most buyers want.
Trims and Features: Something for Every Buyer
The 2025 Terrain comes in a variety of trims, ranging from value-focused base models to tech-rich, top-of-the-line versions. This structure provides flexibility for both budget-conscious buyers and those seeking a premium small SUV experience.
Trim Levels
- SLE: Standard safety features, LED lighting, cloth seats, and digital displays.
- SLT: Adds leatherette-trimmed seating, roof rails, dual-zone climate control, and available heated seats.
- AT4: Tailored for light off-roading with unique styling, skid plates, and all-terrain tires.
- Denali: The most luxurious option, adding real leather, chrome accents, and a hands-free power liftgate.
GMC’s habit of adding trim-specific design touches—like unique grille patterns and wheel options—makes each version feel distinct and marketable for automotive dealers seeking inventory diversity.
Technology and Connectivity: Standard Integration, Optional Upgrades
Today’s crossover buyers expect connectivity, and the Terrain delivers. From infotainment to safety systems, it checks the essential boxes while offering extras for tech-savvy drivers.
Tech Features
- Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto: Standard across all trims
- Built-in Navigation: Available on higher trims with customizable interface
- Wi-Fi Hotspot: Optional subscription service
- Audio Systems: Standard six-speaker setup; premium Bose system offered on Denali trim
Ergonomically, the interface feels well laid out. Voice commands, touchscreen menus, and physical controls remain driver-friendly, minimizing distractions on the road.
Safety First: GMC Pro Safety Standard Across the Board
Safety takes center stage in the 2025 GMC Terrain, with a robust suite of driver-assist features offered standard through GMC Pro Safety. This helps boost appeal among safety-conscious families and makes it a versatile option for dealerships prioritizing reliability.
Standard Driver Assistance Features
- Forward Collision Alert with Automatic Emergency Braking
- Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keep Assist
- Automatic High Beams
- Rear Vision Camera
- Pedestrian Detection
Shoppers can opt for GMC Pro Safety Plus for additional features such as Adaptive Cruise Control and Rear Park Assist, giving added peace of mind.
Fuel Economy: Competitive Efficiency for Daily Driving
The Terrain’s efficiency is on par with most other non-hybrid small SUVs, making it practical for daily commuters and families.
- EPA Estimated Fuel Economy: Around 26 mpg city and 31 mpg highway (FWD)
- Tank Capacity: 14.9 gallons
- Driving Range: Approximately 400-460 miles per tank
Though not revolutionary, the fuel economy reflects thoughtful engineering for those keeping an eye on total cost of ownership.
How It Compares: Terrain vs. Segment Rivals
In the fiercely competitive compact SUV category, the Terrain competes with models like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, and Hyundai Tucson. While some deliver better performance or advanced hybrids, the Terrain stands out for its upscale styling and tech-forward interior.
Where It Shines
- Premium design for the price point
- Comfort-focused ride
- Standard advanced safety suite
Where It’s Behind
- Underpowered engine compared to rivals
- No hybrid or electrified powertrain options yet
- Price may be slightly higher due to trim packaging
Dealers should consider its high curb appeal and broad trim variety as selling points, while acknowledging the trade-offs in performance.
Who Should Buy the 2025 GMC Terrain?
The 2025 GMC Terrain is ideal for:
- Drivers seeking a small SUV with upscale styling and technology
- Families valuing safety and comfort over speed
- Buyers looking for a feature-rich vehicle below $40,000
- Dealerships that want a premium-flavored compact SUV without premium costs
Its versatility and good looks make it a legitimate contender for buyers who want more than an entry-level SUV but don’t want to leap into luxury pricing.
Final Verdict: Style and Comfort Over Speed
The 2025 GMC Terrain delivers a bold new look, a quiet and spacious cabin, and plenty of standard features—all while keeping in line with the needs of today’s SUV buyers. While its engine may lack punch, the overall package remains desirable for many shoppers. Automotive dealers will find it easy to move these off lots, thanks to their curb appeal and comprehensive feature sets.
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