why ads?

Popular at KBB.com

The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2012 GMC Terrain

Please enter a valid mileage

View all 50 photos

Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 GMC Terrain

Overview

Get Your Fair Purchase Price See actual transaction prices, explore total cost to own, projected resale value and more. See what you should pay

Buy used | Trade-in/Sell

2012 GMC Terrain Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 7.2

The 2012 GMC Terrain crossover SUV straddles the fence between a compact and mid-size SUV. Although it does not offer a third-row seat, the 2012 GMC Terrain is intended to lure away customers looking at the RAV4, as well as the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe and Ford Escape. Riding on the same platform as the Chevy Equinox, the Terrain displays a decidedly more truck-like appearance, an important link to its GMC heritage. The oversized wheel arches and massive grille make the 2012 GMC Terrain appear much larger in photos than it is in person. Yet, despite its compact SUV size, the Terrain offers an impressively large interior, as well as the best highway fuel economy in the segment (rated at 32 mpg for front-drive, 4-cylinder models). If the GMC Terrain SUV's strong styling and narrow windows don't offend your visual senses, there is a lot to fall in love with in this compact crossover SUV.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're thinking you'd like a reasonably sized crossover SUV that gets great gas mileage, has room for five but also has a bit of an attitude, the 2012 GMC Terrain compact SUV deserves a spot on your shopping list.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you're looking for a powerful V6 engine option and capable all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup, the 2012 GMC Terrain may meet only half your criteria. While its V6 is a strong engine, the only terrain the Terrain is designed to tackle is that of the paved nature. Mild off-road adventures might be better served in a vehicle such as the Subaru Outback wagon or Jeep Patriot.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

7.2
Driving Dynamics

6.8
Comfort & Convenience

8.0
Design: Interior & Exterior

7.0
Value

7.0
Safety

8.0

How It Ranks

#7

out of 45

MPG

#23

out of 45

Horsepower

View all rankings

Consumer Rating

7.8 out of 10

View all
consumer ratings

What's New for 2012

The 2012 GMC Terrain receives an updated 2.4-liter engine that is now E85-compatible. Later in the model year GMC will make available IntelliLink, a service that allows customers to customize the touch-screen radio and use voice commands to operate various functions. IntelliLink uses USB and Bluetooth to connect the user's smart phone to the radio, making it possible to stream apps such as Pandora and Stitcher.

Driving the Terrain

Driving Impressions With the proliferation of Bluetooth-enabled devices becoming increasingly more commonplace, the 2012 GMC Terrain SUV's impressively quiet cab is an unexpected bonus. Extensive use of acoustic laminated glass, active noise-cancellation...

technology, and triple-sealed doors culminate to create an interior that is nearly Lexus-like at highway speed. Powering the 2012 GMC Terrain SUV is a competent 4-cylinder engine admittedly better at impressing with its fuel economy than its passing prowess. For those more appreciative of power, a 3.0-liter V6 is available, delivering 264 horsepower yet still earning fuel-economy ratings in the mid 20s.

Favorite Features

Heated Cloth Seats
Heated seats aren't often seen without a leather interior. The seats in the 2012 GMC Terrain can be programmed to begin warming when the vehicle is turned on via remote start, which always makes for a more comfortable start to the day on a cold winter morning.

Moveable Second Row
The entire second row can be moved forward or back eight inches, allowing for taller passengers to gain more legroom and for parents to pull kids in car seats significantly closer.

2012 GMC Terrain Details

2012 GMC Terrain Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

If there is a place where the Terrain's Chevy roots are exposed, it's the nearly identical interior it shares with the Equinox. To differentiate the two models, GMC employs more high-quality materials and soft-touch areas, as well as satin metal trim. Compared to the Equinox, the Terrain offers more standard features, but retains the same available interior color schemes of black, gray and brown/black. GMC's signature glowing red instrument panel looks particularly fetching in the Terrain, with backlighting for just about every conceivable switch or button. Even the USB port features a lighted surround making it easier to locate in the dark. There's also a new touch-screen radio that uses smart-phone-like icons to operate the screen functions. Cool features we thought were above what most in this segment offer include an available power rear liftgate and a standard rearview camera.

Exterior

The 2012 GMC Terrain compact SUV shuns the rounded, wavy look so popular among small crossover SUVS today, opting instead for a rugged, almost Hummer-like profile. Strong angular wheel arches and a huge 3-bar grille with block GMC lettering and chrome cap are the first things that will catch your eye, but definitely not the last. Optional 19-inch wheels make a bold statement, as do the sturdy roof rail racks perfect for holding kayaks, bikes, skis, surfboards or a cargo carrier. The 2012 GMC Terrain isn't terribly tall off the ground, making it easy to get in and out of, as well as to reach the roof. The long 112-inch wheelbase creates a more stable and comfortable ride, as well as opens up the interior for superior legroom both front and rear.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The base 2012 GMC Terrain compact SUV comes equipped with features like a 182-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 6-speed transmission, 17-inch wheels, rearview camera, a USB port, six airbags, XM Satellite Radio, OnStar, and a sliding rear seat that can move fore/aft nearly eight inches. Inside, ambient lighting sets the interior's mood, and Active Noise Cancellation – the usage of sound waves through the car's speakers to counteract loud exterior noises – means that the car is also quiet.

Optional Equipment

Want a little more oomph under the hood? Add a 264-horsepower 3.0-liter V6. Want larger wheels in those bold wheel wells? Upgrade to the 19-inchers. Looking to keep the kids quiet on a long trip or just while out running errands? Add the rear-entertainment system with two independent screens. Also available is a 7-inch touch-screen navigation system, a 10-gigabyte music storage hard drive, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, and a programmable rear liftgate that can be set to open to a lower height.

Under the Hood

Motivating the 2012 GMC Terrain is either a 182-horsepower in-line 4-cylinder or a 264-horsepower V6. Both benefit from direct injection and are mated to 6-speed automatic transmissions, and see excellent fuel-economy numbers.

2.4-liter in-line 4
182 horsepower @ 6,700 rpm
172 lb-ft of torque @ 4,900 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/32 (front-wheel drive), 15/22 (E85, front-wheel drive), 20/29 (AWD), 14/20 (E85, AWD)

3.0-liter V6
264 horsepower @ 6,950 rpm
222 lb-ft of torque @ 5,100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/24 (front-wheel drive, gasoline), 12/18 (front-wheel drive, E85), 16/22 (AWD, gasoline), 12/17 (AWD, E85)

Pricing Notes

The 2012 GMC Terrain SLE has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) close to $26,000, while the SLT runs closer to $30,000. Adding all-wheel drive will set you back $1,750 on either model. Competitors of the Terrain include the Dodge Journey, Honda CR-V and the Subaru Outback, all of which cost less than the Terrain, but come with less standard equipment. To ensure that you get the best price on the 2012 GMC Terrain SUV, be sure to check out the Fair Purchase price on kbb.com, which will give you an idea of what people in your area are paying for theirs at the local GMC dealership. A 2012 GMC Terrain will hold its value exceedingly well over the years, far better than the Journey and the Compass, but still well behind the segment residual leader, the Honda CR-V.

To find out what consumers are really paying for this vehicle, first select a style to see the Fair Purchase Price| Calculate payments for this vehicle

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used GMC Terrain vehicles for sale near you.

Get Your Fair Purchase Price See actual transaction prices, explore total cost to own, projected resale value and more.

See what you should pay

Buy used | Trade-in/Sell

2012 GMC Terrain Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

7.8

Out of 10

Based on 142 Ratings for the 2010 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

8.0/10

Quality

8.0/10
Reliability

8.2/10

Performance

8.0/10
Comfort

8.5/10

Styling

8.6/10

Great Car

By Matt_The_Camo_hut (AL) on Sunday, June 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 16,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "easy to drive, lots of buttons, touch screen"

Cons: "lacks in storage space, not super good on gas"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I love my Terrain, It has some pick up and go issues nothing to major but I did go with the 2.4 engine for fuel economy. For a single guy it fits me great it doesn't have as much room as i would like the designers really missed a few spots that could have easily been turned into extra storage. for a family I would not recommended this car again just going to the space issues. I am a big guy and take lots of trips 700+ miles on a regular basis and the car just fits me perfectly. over all I would say just test drive one and BE picky."

5 people out of 5 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Great Car

By Matt_The_Camo_hut (AL) on Sunday, June 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 16,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "easy to drive, lots of buttons, touch screen"

Cons: "lacks in storage space, not super good on gas"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Great Over the Road Vehicle!!

By TK (SD) on Friday, June 07, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 9,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "It is a great vehicle!"

Cons: "Nothing at this time."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have owned this vehicle for about 4 months and have put over 9,000 miles in it. Was worried about room coming from a Chevy Tahoe and took it on a weekend trip with 4 people and had plenty of room. As far as power, the V6 is very reliable and quick when needed. Had debated between this and a Acadia but didn't want to spend another $10k when this had everything I was looking for. Really think this vehicle is sharp looking and love the Denali package trim. Will continue to put on the miles and enjoy this ride for many years to come!"

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

I love this car.

By gg (FL) on Tuesday, June 04, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 20,222

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "fun to drive, very comfortable"

Cons: "I can't think of any"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I have used this car for loading 35 bags of mulch, or 50 18x18 patio blocks, many times over. It still handles like a dream. I have most of the options and love the car. Except for oil changes, I have never had to take it in for service. Granted I live in Florida, but I used to live in Michigan And know how the roads are, so this would do well there."

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

2010 Terrian Never Again

By Doug Danger (CA) on Thursday, May 16, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 56,000

10 2.0

overall rating 2 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 2/10
Value: 4/10
Reliability: 3/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 2/10
Styling: 5/10
Comfort: 5/10

Pros: "Can't really think of any."

Cons: "See below...too much to list here."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"We bought a new 2010 Terrain after our last two family cars were Ford Explorers. The main reason for the switch was the highly touted gas mileage. We are trading it in at 56,000 miles as it has been nothing but a disappointment. The gas mileage averages 21-24mpg verses the 28 we were told we would get with the AWD. We could live with that. What we can't live with is a transmission that does not downshift to handle coming down mountain roads. You either have to manually put it in low or ride the brakes. The worst part is even calling it a SUV. It has no ground clearance and it is built so cheap that my wife hit a rabbit last year and it did $1,800.00 worth of damage to the front bumper and wheel well. Last week the AC went out and we found that a small rock had been thrown up and knocked a hole in the AC condenser. A SUV should have a certain degree of plating in protecting the undercarriage. There are more blind spots on this vehicle than any I have ever encountered. The backup camera does show you whats behind you but makes things that are ten feet away look like they are thirty feet away. The audio controls and for that matter all the controls on the front control panel are confusing and hard to adjust while you are driving. If you actually need an SUV, this is not the vehicle for you. If you are never off the flat blacktop and want to say you drive an SUV, the Terrain might fit the bill."

8 people out of 8 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Great Mid-Sized SUV

By az on Monday, May 13, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 11,500

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 5/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Competitively priced, luxurious interior feel"

Cons: "Some advanced features limited per XM subscription"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I purchased the Terrain Denali in November 2012. When I first started looking to buy a new car, I considered almost every possible option, new and used, in my price range of $30-$45k. I ultimately narrowed down my list of options to those with AWD because I wanted something that handled well in the winter above all else. When it came to pricing out a well-equipped vehicle, I was left with few appealing options in my price range. I could have gone with a lower-trim level in a luxury crossover or sedan, or a fully-loaded domestic crossover or sedan. After settling on the Terrain Denali, I was a bit skeptical that it would meet my expectations after I had given strong consideration early in the process to some other, more popular models. Six months later, I could not be happier with the Terrain. The interior is comfortable and quiet, the technology is intuitive and straight-forward, and the overall driving performance is smooth. I have had one issue with the suspension that was fixed under warranty, but the Terrain has otherwise completely exceeded my expectations."

9 people out of 9 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

See all 142 reviews