What You Need to Know Before Buying a 2010-2017 GMC Terrain
The GMC Terrain is not usually a name that comes to mind when shopping for a compact SUV. First, it lives in the shadow of its mechanical twin the Chevrolet Equinox, and its higher-than-average price doesn’t help the Terrain’s popularity either.
A redesign for model year 2018 has brought a lot of improvement and a look more suitable for today’s tastes, but some people have come to miss those angular lines and muscular fenders found on the first gen Terrain, sold between 2010 and 2017. Are you one of these people? On Otogo.ca, you can find them for all budgets, from a bit under $10,000 up to $30,000. Here is what you need to know before buying one.
First of all, the two engines you will see under an original GMC Terrain’s hood are a 2.4-litre 4-cylinder producing 182 horsepower and a 3.0-litre V6 with a 264-horsepower output. The first is fairly economical (10 L/100 km or less on average), but the second delivers solid acceleration and upgrades your towing capacity from 1,500 to 3,500 pounds, which comes in handy if you have a trailer.
Of course, you could choose between a two-wheel and a four-wheel drive. However, the only gearbox offered was a six-speed automatic.
Despite a rather dull interior in early models, the cabin of the old Terrain remains comfortable, spacious and ergonomic. As far as cargo space goes, the trunk can handle 894 litres, and by folding the backseat, you more than double that space, with 1,810 litres.
For model year 2013, the maker added a new 3.6-litre V6 producing 301 horsepower. This was more than many competitors at the time, and something that we don’t see any more in that class. Another important addition was a top-end version called Denali, which you should favor if you want maximum refinement and commodity. Oddly enough, instead of the obvious V6, this $40,000 deluxe Terrain was equipped with the 4-cylinder engine!
In 2016, the Terrain was given a cosmetic update, including LED headlights and new wheels, while its dashboard was remodeled to accommodate a 7-inch touch-screen with an IntelliLink multimedia system. To those who can’t live without an internet connection: some versions even offer a built-in WiFi hotspot (subject to additional fees).
Finally, you should know that the GMC Terrain is not the most reliable in its class; it needs careful maintenance. It has been the subject of six recalls, all relatively minor, which were mainly related to the wipers, seats, seatbelts and the heating/AC system. Make sure that all the correctives have been applied to the model you are interested in, and that the inspection gives you a thumbs up before you buy. And an extended warranty could be a good idea.