Our Opinion - 2026 Gmc Terrain Review The Terrain is a small SUV that drives like a truck, like GMC’s tough pickup trucks. The boxy mini-ute looks a lot like the huge GMC Sierra from a distance, but it doesn’t have a bed. Instead, it has a back hatch and a big cargo area. The Terrain uses the Equinox’s main frame and engine, so it’s mostly Chevy under its heavy bodywork, like a lot of other GMC cars. The Terrain’s cabin, on the other hand, is more luxurious than the Chevy’s, and it has many of the Acadia SUV’s tech systems and features. Trail fans and valet drivers now have options, with the sporty top-of-the-line Denali model and the new off-road-focused AT4 model. What's New? In 2026, the Terrain lineup will include two new models: the high-end Denali and the off-road-focused AT4 grade. GMC says the Terrain AT4 will have strong all-terrain tires, red front rescue hooks, underbody protection, and a slightly higher ride height. As the top trim level, the Terrain Denali will come with more high-end features and standard equipment, such as heated back seats, unique 19-inch wheels, and a suspension designed to make the ride as comfortable as possible. Pros and Cons Pros Design that is tough and powerful. Changes to the Denali and AT4 are on the way. As always, well-equipped. Cons Better than the Equinox from Chevrolet? There is only one engine to choose from. FWD makes powerless. Engine, Transmission, and Performance The All-Terrains have a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that can make 175 horsepower. Models with all-wheel drive have an automatic transmission with eight speeds, while models with front-wheel drive have an automatic transmission that changes speeds constantly. The mechanically identical Chevy Equinox has both of these settings. When we tried it, we found that it had good acceleration but average handling. We will add our thoughts and test results to this page as soon as we get a chance to drive the 2026 Terrain. Safety There are some basic driver-assistance features in the Terrain, such as one that looks out for riders on the road. The following are important safety features: Most automatic emergency braking systems can distinguish between a cyclist and a pedestrian. Blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert come as standard features. It comes with adaptive speed control. Internal and External Cargo Capacity The Terrain is a two-row SUV that can fit five people. Its interior design combines a lot of high-tech and useful features with tough elements found in other GMC trucks. There is a lot of room on the dashboard for a 15.0-inch touchscreen for entertainment that is raised vertically. All models come with a remote starter, a warm steering wheel, and heated seats. The photos show that the interior materials are pretty good, but we won’t decide for sure until we can test drive the Terrain. Now that the Terrain lineup includes both the high-end Denali model and the all-terrain AT4 model, each may have a different interior design to match its personality. There is enough room for cargo behind the back seats, but we will test the Terrain’s cargo space by putting carry-on bags in it as soon as we can and add the results to this report. Fuel Economy and Actual MPG The 2025 Elevation model with front-wheel drive gets 26 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. When it is switched to all-wheel drive, the city rating drops to 24 mpg. The EPA has not yet released figures for how much fuel the 2026 Terrain will use. We haven’t yet checked out how well the Terrain uses gas on a real highway, but we will as soon as we can. Infotainment and Connectivity It has a big 15.0-inch tablet for entertainment that runs GM’s newest, most Google-based interface. With a 5G data link, owners can add more apps to their system, such as the navigational Google Maps app. All models come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as an 11.0-inch digital gauge display. Range, Charging, and Battery Life We haven’t tested the Terrain’s acceleration yet, but we have tried the Chevy Equinox, which is based on the same platform. Our all-wheel-drive 2025 Equinox test car took 8.6 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph. Because they come from similar places, the 2026 Terrain will work like the Chevy, if not exactly the same. Towing and Payload Capacity GMC says that all-wheel-drive cars can pull up to 1,500 pounds, while front-wheel-drive Terrains can only pull 800 pounds. Price and How to Choose There are a few different models and options that can change the cost of the 2026 GMC Terrain. We suggest that you stick with the base Elevation unless you think that the AT4’s better all-terrain abilities would be useful for you. The Elevation is the base model and costs the least. It comes with many great features, such as a remote start, adaptive cruise control, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. You should choose all-wheel drive since it costs only $2,000 more than front-drive.
