The GMC Terrain’s Evolution Over the Last Decade

The GMC Terrain stands out in a crowded field of compact SUVs with a rugged yet refined exterior, an impressively roomy cabin, and a thorough array of standard tech features. If you’re looking for a used GMC Terrain for sale, you might be interested in knowing how the model has changed over the past few years. You can narrow your search by model year here on Online.cars, so it can be helpful to know which ones are the cutoffs for various features, whether it’s a particular engine or a specific driver assistance feature. It’s also interesting to see how vehicles evolve over time as tastes change and new technologies are introduced. Today, we will look at how the Terrain has changed over the past decade.

The Very First GMC Terrain

The Terrain first debuted for the 2010 model year and came out swinging with a design that blended bold SUV styling with a fuel-efficient powertrain and a cabin full of premium features. A 2.4L 4-cylinder engine delivered best-in-segment fuel economy at the time of its release, with an EPA rating of 32 MPG for highway driving, while a more powerful 3.0L V6 delivered improved performance for drivers looking for some extra oomph. Features on the 2010 Terrain include a programmable power liftgate, Bluetooth connectivity, a sliding rear seat, USB connectivity, a 7-inch touchscreen, a rear-seat entertainment system, and remote vehicle start. Since its beginning, the Terrain has been available with either efficient front-wheel drive or high-traction all-wheel drive.

2015: Improved Engineering and Tech

By the 2015 model year, the Terrain had changed its look with a sleeker, less boxy exterior that still appeals to drivers today. In addition to offering solid fuel economy, the 2011-2017 model Terrains also gives drivers the option to use green E85 fuel at the gas station if they opt for an available FlexFuel engine. By this point, the Terrain offered features like electronic stability control and traction control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and ambient lighting throughout the cabin as standard features across the lineup.

You might think a decade-old vehicle won’t have a good array of tech features, but the 2015 Terrain feels surprisingly modern, especially the upscale Denali trim. Popular features like a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and built-in navigation are included on the Denali, as are driver assistance features like Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Side Blind Zone Alert, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. The voice recognition tech onboard the Terrain got an upgrade for this model year, making it easier for drivers to use various features hands-free.

2016-2017: New Style and More

Over the next two model years, most of the upgrades involved the Terrain’s style. For the 2016 model year, the SUV got new front and rear fascias and a C-shaped lower chrome trim designed to show off the model’s wide stance. New color options were added to the interior, including a “Saddle Up” leather theme for the SLT and a Light Titanium/Jet Black colorway for the Denali. The center instrument panel was redesigned, too, with a shiny chrome trim and an intuitive layout. For the 2016 model year, the Nightfall Edition was introduced, allowing drivers to add black accents to the Terrain’s exterior.

However, the Terrain’s appearance wasn’t all that changed during these model years. The 2016 model also got new LED daytime running lights on high-level trims, improving visibility at night. Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert also became available on SLE and SLT models for the 2016 model year, instead of being reserved for the top-tier Denali alone.

2018: The Second Generation Begins

By the 2018 model year, over 700,000 Terrains had been sold in North America, and it was time for the popular model to enter its second generation. The exterior styling was tweaked once again, adding more sculpted elements and sharp angles to project a strong attitude. The engine lineup was changed as well, discontinuing the FlexFuel options and adding an efficient turbo-diesel option alongside two gas-powered 4-cylinder engines.

Active Noise Cancellation was made standard across the lineup, making the cabin calm and quiet. The cabin also gained a larger center console storage area with pass-through storage underneath to help keep everything organized and a fold-flat front passenger seat for transporting extra-long cargo. New safety features became available, including Forward Automatic Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Following Distance Indicator, and IntelliBeam automatic high-beam headlamps on the roster. On the infotainment side, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity allow drivers to access smartphone apps through the 2018 Terrain’s interface across all trim levels.

2019-2021: Tech Added and Access Expanded

After such a big shift, the Terrain didn’t change dramatically over the next few years, but it did get some additions and upgrades, particularly regarding safety tech. Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Pedestrian Braking, a high-definition backup camera, and Surround Vision to help with parking in tight spots all became available for the 2019 model year. For the 2020 model, Front and Rear Park Assist became standard on the Denali, and the GMC Pro Safety suite made Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Following Distance Indicator, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and IntelliBeam headlamps standard across the entire lineup. The diesel engine turned out to be short-lived, and was discontinued for the 2020 model year.

2022: Mid-Cycle Refresh

The next major refresh for the Terrain came for its 2022 model year. This upgrade altered the front fascia, exterior lights, and all-around look of the exterior yet again, keeping up with modern automotive trends. New interior looks were also added across the lineup, each with its own distinct personality. The cabin gained new tech features as well, with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity letting drivers ditch cables across all trim levels and an all-new available Head-Up display projecting important information directly onto the lower dashboard so you don’t have to take your eyes off the road for even a second.

The less-efficient 2.0L engine was dropped from the lineup, leaving the capable and economical 1.5L turbo-4 as the sole powertrain for all trims of the Terrain. Perhaps the biggest news for the 2022 model year was the introduction of the AT4 trim. This rugged variant is capable of heading off-road so you can explore rural and wild areas. It comes standard with useful features like all-wheel drive and a protective steel skid plate.

2023-2024: Small but Significant Changes

Following the 2022 refresh, the next two model years saw relatively small, though still significant, changes. The engine was re-tuned for 2023, bringing its horsepower up to 175 hp and giving drivers more power to work with across the lineup. The eBoost electronic power brake assist was added the same year, giving drivers extra confidence in tricky driving situations. For the 2024 model year, GMC Pro Safety Plus, the more extensive suite of advanced driver assistance features that includes more than the basics covered in GMC Pro Safety, became standard on the AT4 trim and available on the SLE and SLT trims. This package includes Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Park Assist, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

The Evolution Continues

A lot has changed over the past ten years. The Terrain has gained and lost various engine options, accrued brand-new tech features, and gotten its fair share of makeovers inside and out. But through all of that change, some important things have remained constant. The Terrain has always been a reliable and luxurious compact SUV that perfectly balances power and efficiency, interior space and maneuverability, and timeless elegance and modern style. While you might need to look for a specific model year if you want a diesel engine or the off-road AT4 trim, you can shop confidently knowing that you’ll get a great SUV no matter what year you choose.