GMC introduced the all-new 2018 GMC Terrain and unveiled the next chapter of GMC design via a boldly styled and intelligently engineered successor to the brand's popular compact SUV. The GMC Terrain offers greater refinement and versatility to adapt to customers' unique needs, and it's packed with more available advanced safety technologies than ever before.

GMC offers customers the widest range of choices yet, with three all-new available turbocharged propulsion systems, including a new turbo-diesel. Two new efficiency-enhancing nine-speed automatic transmissions are matched with the gas engines - a first application for the GMC lineup.

Continuing the momentum of owning 25 percent of GMC's overall retail sales, Denali returns to the Terrain with greater exclusivity than ever, offering a distinctive range-topping design and uniquely refined features.

"GMC's strong growth over the past decade is due in large part to Terrain," said Duncan Aldred, vice president of global GMC Sales and Marketing. "The all-new Terrain builds on that success, leveraging GMC's proven premium SUV experience to shake up the largest vehicle segment, with a strong blend of design, functionality and engineering excellence."

The 2018 GMC Terrain goes on sale in summer 2017 in SL, SLE, SLT and Denali models, maintaining the momentum created by the first-generation model, of which more than 700,000 have been sold in North America since it went on sale in 2009.

Bold, modern design

The new GMC Terrain's bold exterior signals the next chapter of GMC's design language, evolving the brand's signature cues with stronger, sharper and more sculpted elements such as the grille and lighting features. Its shape was refined in the wind tunnel to help ensure the distinctive profile cuts through the air with optimal efficiency and quietness.

"It is a striking design with functional beauty," said Helen Emsley, executive director, Global GMC Design. "There's confidence and optimism in its stance, with exceptional attention to detail that speaks to GMC's rise as a premium brand."

Elevating GMC's new design, the all-new Terrain Denali will feature its signature chrome grille along with Denali-specific accents including body-color fascias and lower trim, plus chrome roof rails, door handles, side mirror caps and body-side molding. Additionally, LED headlamps and 19-inch ultra-bright machined aluminum wheels are standard on Denali.

All other models feature signature LED daytime running lamps and tail lamps. Bi-functional HID headlamps are standard on SL, SLE and SLT. Additionally, 17-inch wheels are standard on SL and SLE, with 18-inch wheels available on SL and SLE, and standard on SLT.

Turbocharged propulsion choices

A range of three all-new turbocharged engines, including an all-new 1.6L turbo-diesel, provides more choices when it comes to performance, efficiency and capability in the all-new 2018 GMC Terrain. New 1.5L and 2.0L turbocharged gas engines are matched with two unique new nine-speed automatic transmissions, with the 2.0L turbo engine offering stronger acceleration and a higher degree of performance than its 1.5L counterpart.

GMC's new Electronic Precision Shift enables more storage room in the center console by replacing the conventional transmission shifter with electronically controlled gear selection consisting of intuitive push buttons and pull triggers.

The GMC Terrain comes standard with GMC's driver-controllable Traction Select system, which has choices for different driving conditions. Elements such as the throttle responses are optimized for the selected driving mode. AWD models include a FWD mode that disconnects the AWD system to minimize drag and optimize fuel economy, while the AWD mode offers all the benefits of an active AWD system.

Refined, versatile and purposeful interior

Like the exterior, the new GMC Terrain's interior makes a statement and serves as a fundamental component of the vehicle's heightened emphasis on refinement and functionality. Elements such as authentic aluminum trim, soft-touch materials on the instrument panel and doors and standard active noise cancellation are premium features seamlessly integrated into the interior design for a luxurious customer experience.

The Terrain Denali heightens the GMC experience throughout the new interior with a unique trim tint color and Denali-specific logos and piping on the front seats. Denali customers will benefit from additional standard features including a heated steering wheel, navigation, Bose premium 7-speaker sound system and a hands-free programmable power liftgate.

An expanded center console with pass-through storage underneath and side-by-side cupholders adds to the Terrain's functionality. A new fold-flat front passenger seat and flat-folding rear seat help Terrain offer greater versatility for stowing longer items and make it easier to load cargo. There are also new under-floor compartments in the cargo area for more secure storage.

GMC keeps passengers connected with 7- and available 8-inch-diagonal infotainment systems, featuring compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality and a standard OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot (data plan purchase required after limited trial period) that can accommodate up to seven mobile devices. Owners can also manage their vehicles remotely with the industry-leading myGMC mobile app via their compatible smartphones. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are subject to their terms, privacy statements and data plan rates, and require a compatible smartphone.

Every new GMC Terrain comes standard with five years of the OnStar Basic Plan at no additional cost. Among other benefits, this connectivity plan features OnStar Smart Driver, an opt-in service designed to help GMC owners maximize their vehicle's overall performance, reduce wear and tear, monitor fuel efficiency and become better drivers - all factors that add to the overall ownership experience.

Expanded range of safety features

An expanded range of available active safety technologies is designed to enhance driver awareness and even help make it easier to park and maneuver in low-speed situations. The features include radar- and camera-based adaptive technologies that can provide alerts to potential crash threats, allowing the driver to react and make changes to potentially avoid them, including:

• New Surround Vision
• New Forward Collision Alert with Following Distance Indicator
• New Low-Speed Forward Automatic Braking
• New Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
• Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• New Safety Alert Seat

The new Terrain also features GMC's new Rear Seat Reminder and Teen Driver. Rear Seat Reminder alerts drivers to check the back seat as they exit their vehicles under certain circumstances, while Teen Driver allows parents to set controls and review an in-vehicle report card in order to help encourage better driving habits, even when adults are not in the vehicle.

The first-generation GMC Terrain debuted back in April 2009 for the 2010 model year, getting a second generation for 2018, and, Tuesday, a mid-cycle refresh for 2022. It got some styling updates, and a whole new trim for off-roading, though how much off-roading Terrain owners will do remains an open question.

GMC sold 86,020 Terrains last year, good enough to be the brand’s second-biggest-selling vehicle behind the Sierra. Which means that this is a car you probably haven’t thought about in a while, in the same way that you probably haven’t thought about the Chevy Equinox in a stretch, but it is car driven by a lot of people nonetheless.

For 2022, the wheels have an updated design, there are four new colors, and the front fascia and grille are different. There is also that off-roading trim, called AT4, which adds a skid plate up front. The interior is also a little different, GMC says.

The engine will remain a 1.5-liter four cylinder that makes 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque that is tied to a nine-speed automatic. There is a new head-up display, GMC says. This was all actually supposed to happen last year but then the pandemic hit and upended things.

You might be saying to yourself at this point that, man, the 2022 GMC Terrain sure seems a bit tepid, to which, I will say, let’s have a look at its electronic shifter, which is one possibly interesting thing about the 2022 GMC Terrain.

That’s right, you push the P button for park, you pull the R switch for reverse, you push it in for neutral, and you pull D for drive and you press the various buttons to put it in lower gears.

Autoblog refers to this design as “controversial,” which gave me a laugh and tells you what you need to know about the 2022 GMC Terrain I guess, in that this electronic shifter has managed to stir controversy, possibly because everything else about the car is wholly unremarkable.

Some GMC Terrain headlights are just too powerful for our mortal world, and because of that, General Motors has to neuter 1,450,000 of them — or the equivalent number of headlights for about 725,000 cars.

To put it simply, 2010-2017 Terrain headlights can create “glare to other motorists driving in proximity,” according to Car and Driver. The issue can be made even worse in certain weather conditions like rain, snow or fog.

It’s just too damn bright from some vantage points, according to the NHTSA. Specifically, C&D says, reflections from the headlamps’ housing illuminate two small areas high above the car that return a candela rating three times higher than what is allowed by the government. If you’ve ever had a Terrain from the impacted model years following you at night, you probably know exactly what I’m talking about.

This issue is not news for General Motors. In 2019, it asked NHTSA to consider an exemption for the Terrain headlight issue since the “reflection has no effect on vehicle safety for oncoming or surrounding vehicles.” They also argued for the dismissal on the basis that only one customer had ever launched an inquiry into the issue and no crashes were caused by the errant beam of light. It’s reported the light could shine at a 45 degree angle up into trees.

They went on to say the headlight supplier, Stanley, redesigned the headlight with graining on the surface that accidentally changed the direction of the light’s reflection. That’s sort of impressive in its own right, no? It’s a lot like getting the correct answer on a math test but using the wrong formula — or something like that. I don’t know. I was very bad at algebra.

Nevertheless, the organization denied The General’s request last week. That means the company has to recall 726,959 Terrains — or 1,453,918 fucked up headlights — at no cost to the owners.

There’s no word on when that recall could take place, but if you find yourself standing in a random spotlight, it could be a Terrain shining on you.

The next-generation 2025 GMC Terrain debuted today with a fresh new design that elevates the premium brand's gateway model. Launching first in the Elevation trim, the 2025 Terrain delivers more standard technology and equipment for the compact SUV than ever before.

"The 2025 GMC Terrain builds on GMC's strengths and offers our latest premium technology and safety features, while bringing a fresh, bold design to our two-row SUV," said Duncan Aldred, global vice president, Buick and GMC. "With the next-gen Terrain and updated 2025 Yukon both slated to launch later this year, the entire GMC SUV lineup will be refreshed by year end, giving customers the latest design, the best technology and the best driving experience we've ever offered in our SUVs."

Every Terrain comes standard with more than 15 safety and driver assistance features, as well as the comfort and convenience of heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. New for 2025, the suite of standard safety and driver assistance features includes:

• Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking
• Front Pedestrian and Bicyclist Braking
• Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking
• Rear Cross Traffic Braking
• Reverse Automatic Braking
• Side Bicyclist Alert
• Blind Zone Steering Assist

Tech takeaways

The next-generation Terrain is packed with standard tech across all three trims, including a 15-inch-diagonal Premium GMC Infotainment System and 11-inch-diagonal driver information center. Up to three applications can be viewed simultaneously to showcase key information on the 15-inch-diagonal screen.

The Terrain's infotainment system gives drivers a seamless and intuitive experience. Using the touchscreen or standard Google Assistant, drivers can reply to text messages, get directions through Google Maps, or control select vehicle functions. Drivers can also add apps like Spotify to listen to their music and favorite podcasts.

New for 2025 are up to eight available camera views, including an optional rear camera mirror - a first for the GMC Terrain.

Additional available technologies include:

• 5G Wi-Fi hotspot capability
• HD Surround Vision camera
• Rainsense wipers
• Heated wiper park
• AutoSense power liftgate, which automatically opens the liftgate in the presence of the key fob

Fresh truck-inspired design

The 2025 Terrain offers a more planted and athletic stance, and the grille now shares design cues with GMC's truck lineup to give Terrain a whole new attitude. The grille connects the new headlamps to the lower fog lights to create a distinctive front-end graphic.

It also will offer a GMC Terrain-first two-tone roof option in black or gray, giving the brand's gateway vehicle a new level of design flair and personalization for customers.

The new interior design emphasizes long, sweeping lines to accentuate the width of the cabin, with chrome decoration sweeping across the IP insert, upper door and console armrest. Available wireless chargers are located conveniently near the armrest.

The Elevation trim - the entry to the Terrain lineup - comes standard with 17-inch wheels.

AT4 and Denali

In 2025, GMC will launch the 2026 model year AT4 and Denali trims.

Standard content on the next generation AT4 - the most capable Terrain AT4 ever - includes:

• Selectable AT4-exclusive Terrain Mode
• Lifted ride height
• Metal underbody protection shield
• Animated headlamps and taillamps
• Red front recovery hooks
• 17-inch All-Terrain tires
• AWD and Hill Descent Control

Denali raises the bar on advanced technologies, exceptional craftmanship and impeccable luxury. Standard features include:

• Outboard front and rear heated seats
• Animated headlamps and taillamps
• 19-inch wheels (20-inch wheels available)
• Unique Smart Frequency Dampers for improved ride comfort
• AWD and Hill Descent Control

Great performance comes standard

All Terrains come standard with a 1.5L Turbocharged engine, offering 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque and up to 1,500 pounds max trailering. All-wheel-drive and an 8-speed automatic transmission are standard on Elevation at launch.