The 2025 GMC Terrain is here. It follows in the footsteps of its cousin, the Chevrolet Equinox, but brings the traditional GMC touch into the mix.
Its fresh design is immediately noticeable, with a new front end inspired by the GMC Canyon. The front hood is much higher than before, giving it a more muscular look, and the same bulk is evident in the accentuated fenders. An optional painted roof adds some sparkle – it’s painted gray on black cars (pictured above) and black in all other cases. Larger wheels up to 20 inches in diameter are available for the Denali. And speaking of trims, there are now just three: Elevation, AT4 and Denali.
For 2025, the Elevation is the only model it will sell. GMC says both the AT4 and Denali models will follow later for the 2026 model year, and you can see a preview of those in the group photo below. They each have their own grille designs, wheel options, and unique styling cues. As you’d expect from the AT4, it also has off-road-ready suspension, small (around 12mm) all-terrain tires, skid plates, tow hooks, and a special “off-road” drive mode. The Denali has its own plus points like “Smart Frequency Dampers” for a better ride, tons more standard luxury features, and the 20-inch wheels.
What’s common across all trims is the powertrain. Every next-generation Terrain will come with a 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. That’s the same powertrain as the new Equinox, and while GM has hinted there will be more hybrid options, there’s no word on whether the Terrain would be a candidate for that strategy. The 2025 model will be all-wheel drive only, but GMC tells us you’ll be able to opt for a front-wheel drive version starting with the 2026 model year. If you want to tow, though, you’ll need the AWD version, which can carry a maximum of 1,500 pounds (about 780 kg).
The 2025 Terrain’s interior gets a major overhaul, reminiscent of other new GMC products with its large, portrait-oriented touchscreen. There’s a 15-inch screen in the center, accompanied by an 11-inch digital cluster, both of which are standard. It runs Android Automotive software, which gives you Google Maps as a native navigation system and Google Assistant for voice queries. Both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remain on board, however, as GM promised for its gasoline-powered vehicles.
This generation also introduces numerous new features, including a rearview mirror with camera, an automatic tailgate (opens when a key fob is present), rain-sensing windshield wipers, a heated parking zone for the windshield wipers to defrost them, 5G Wi-Fi hotspot capability, and numerous other driver assistance features – but Super Cruise is not one of them.
Pricing hasn’t been finalized yet, but the 2025 Terrain will go on sale in late 2024. GMC promises the AT4 and Denali trims will be available in calendar year 2025, but for those versions, you’ll have to wait until the 2026 model year comes online.
