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Overview
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2013 GMC Terrain Review
What's New for 2013
Interior
By KBB.com Editors
KBB Expert Rating:
By no means compact, but also not quite mid-size, the five-passenger 2013 GMC Terrain offers the fuel economy of a small SUV with a rugged truck-like design that makes it appear larger than it actually is. Although roomy, the Terrain doesn't offer a third-row seat and its all-wheel-drive (AWD) system is pretty much limited to tackling snow-covered roads rather than off-road trails. Compared to newer competitors such as the Ford Escape, Hyundai Santa Fe and Honda CR-V, the 2013 GMC Terrain manages to hold its own, with 4-cylinder models touting fuel economy figures near the top of its class. And, unlike the Escape and CR-V, the Terrain offers the option of a V6 engine that makes better than 300 horsepower while still returning pretty respectable fuel economy.
You'll Like This Car If...
If you're looking for something akin to a Ford Escape or Honda CR-V, but you don't like futuristic styling or 4-cylinder powertrains, the GMC Terrain for 2013 may very well be the answer. Its squared-off edges and flared wheel openings say "GMC Truck" loud and clear.
You May Not Like This Car If...
If your travel plans include serious off-road adventures, the Terrain probably isn't the best first choice.
While its AWD is effective in snow, off-road trails with mud or deep ruts are better left to such as the Jeep Wrangler or Subaru Outback.
What's New for 2013
The 2013 GMC Terrain gets a bump in power from a new 3.6-liter V6 engine rated at 301 horsepower (replaces the previous 3.0-liter engine). Also new for 2013 is the Terrain Denali model, offering such exclusive options as Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
Driving the Terrain
Driving Impressions With the proliferation of Bluetooth-enabled devices becoming increasingly more commonplace, the 2013 GMC Terrain SUV's impressively quiet cabin is an unexpected bonus. Extensive use of acoustic laminated glass, active noise-cancellation...
technology and triple-sealed doors creates an interior that is nearly Lexus-like at highway speed. Powering the 2013 GMC Terrain SUV is a competent 4-cylinder engine admittedly better at impressing with its fuel economy than its passing prowess. For those who want more power, there's the new 3.6-liter V6 of 301 horsepower, 272 lb-ft of torque and EPA highway 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 2013 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 SEATS
The Terrain's entire second row can be moved forward or back eight inches, allowing for taller passengers to gain more legroom or for parents to pull kids in car seats significantly closer.
2013 GMC Terrain Details
Interior
Although it shares much in common with the Chevy Equinox, the 2013 GMC Terrain strives to distinguish itself with more high-quality materials, such as satin metal trim and two-tone leather seating. The Denali takes things even further with French-stitched seams, smoked mahogany trim and an 8-way power passenger seat. 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 touch-screen radio that uses smart phone-like icons to operate the screen functions.
Exterior
The 2013 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. GMC's 2013 Terrain isn't terribly tall off the ground, making it easy to get in and out of, as well as to reach the roof.
Notable Equipment
Standard Equipment
The base GMC Terrain compact SUV for 2013 comes equipped with a 182-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 6-speed transmission, 17-inch wheels, rearview camera, color touch-screen radio with a USB port and iPod support, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, XM Satellite Radio, OnStar, six airbags and a sliding rear seat that can move fore and aft nearly eight inches. Inside, ambient lighting sets the interior's mood, and Active Noise Cancellation – the projection of sound waves through the speakers to counteract loud exterior noises - helps keep the interior quiet.
Optional Equipment
Popular options include a 3.6-liter V6 engine and larger 19-inch alloy wheels. 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 new color touch-screen navigation system incorporating all of the IntelliLink features, a 10-gigabyte music storage hard drive, Pioneer sound system and a programmable rear liftgate that can be set to open to a lower height. Is safety a big concern? Add the Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Alert (standard on SLT-2 and Denali) or the Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (Denali only).
Under the Hood
Powering the 2013 GMC Terrain is either a 182-horsepower in-line 4-cylinder or a new, 301-horsepower V6. Both benefit from direct injection and are mated to 6-speed automatic transmissions, and deliver excellent fuel-economy numbers.
2.4-liter inline-4 (SLE, SLT, Denali)
182 horsepower @ 6,700 rpm
172 lb-ft of torque @ 4,900 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/32 mpg (front-wheel drive), 15/22 mpg (E85, front-wheel drive), 20/29 mpg (AWD), 14/20 mpg (E85, AWD)
3.6-liter V6 (SLE-2, SLT, Denali)
301 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
272 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/24 mpg (front-wheel drive, gasoline), 13/22 mpg (front-wheel drive, E85), 16/23 mpg (AWD, gasoline), NA (AWD, E85)
Pricing Notes
The 2013 GMC Terrain SLE-1 has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) just under $27,000, while the SLT-1 runs closer to $30,000. Adding all-wheel drive will set you back $1,750 on either model. Competitors of the Terrain include the Ford Escape, 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 2013 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. A 2013 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 compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used GMC Terrain vehicles for sale near you.
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2013 GMC Terrain Consumer Reviews
Based on 138 Ratings for the 2010 - 2013 models.
Review this car-
ValueQuality
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ReliabilityPerformance
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ComfortStyling
2010 Terrian Never Again
By Doug Danger (CA) on Thursday, May 16, 2013
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 56,000
overall rating 2 of 10rating detailsReviewer Ratings
- Overall Rating
- Value
- Reliability
- Quality
- Performance
- Styling
- Comfort
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."
1 person out of 1 found this review helpful
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Great Mid-Sized SUV
By az on Monday, May 13, 2013
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 11,500
overall rating 9 of 10rating detailsReviewer Ratings
- Overall Rating
- Value
- Reliability
- Quality
- Performance
- Styling
- Comfort
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."
3 people out of 3 found this review helpful
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This is a great vehicle for the money.
By Shep (IL) on Tuesday, May 07, 2013
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 3,500
overall rating 9 of 10rating detailsReviewer Ratings
- Overall Rating
- Value
- Reliability
- Quality
- Performance
- Styling
- Comfort
Pros: "It is a nice car to own, it drives very nice."
Cons: "We previously owned Cadilac CTS, its not a Caddy."
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9
"It handles great, is very comfortable, is spacious. It gets good gas mileage. I feel that we got a very nice vehicle for the price range."
6 people out of 6 found this review helpful
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Car like ride.. quite inside cabin
By johnc (NC) on Sunday, April 28, 2013
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 1,100
overall rating 10 of 10rating detailsReviewer Ratings
- Overall Rating
- Value
- Reliability
- Quality
- Performance
- Styling
- Comfort
Pros: "Auto Lift Gate remote start good seats good ride"
Cons: "none at this time only 3 weeks"
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10
"Good looks,,1st 2 tanks of gas 23 and 24.7 miles per gallon Rides like a car and very good seats both front and rear good cargo room love the auto open lift gate. So far very happy with it. Will come back in a month or two for a update"
2 people out of 2 found this review helpful
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Buyers Beware Part II!!
By just me (VA) on Monday, April 08, 2013
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 20,000
overall rating 2 of 10rating detailsReviewer Ratings
- Overall Rating
- Value
- Reliability
- Quality
- Performance
- Styling
- Comfort
Pros: "cup holders"
Cons: "engine"
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1
"Now for my reasons why this car should be pulled or recalled: At times, when I am slowing down for a light and that light happens to turn green and I go from slowly cruising/breaking to cruising/giving it a little gas, it "poops" like someone said. And it's a pretty bad jerking motion that the first time I thought I had gotten bumped from behind and each time I do wonder was that the engine or did someone hit me this time. It happens all the time and having been hit from behind, it's a little bit of a PTSD issue for me, but nonetheless, it's embarrassing and shouldn't be happening."
10 people out of 11 found this review helpful
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Buyers beware Part I!!
By Designing and loving it! (VA) on Monday, April 08, 2013
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 20,000
overall rating 3 of 10rating detailsReviewer Ratings
- Overall Rating
- Value
- Reliability
- Quality
- Performance
- Styling
- Comfort
Pros: "Comfortable, cupholder size, roomy"
Cons: "poops, engine noise & rattling, nav is terrible"
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1
"I'll start with what I do like about this car. For one, it's pretty comfortable. I have lower back issues and I appreciate being about to adjust the driver’s seat in so many ways. Although in the passenger seat, I don't find it comfortable. The only time I sit in the passenger seat is for long road trips (ugh!) I just have to use pillows for lumbar support. I also like the color choices, I have white with grey interior and I love it! I appreciate the dash system and components, although I am not too happy with some of the features, we'll get to that in a minute. Let’s see, the other things I really like are all pretty much standard stuff, child lock, window lock, lift gate (love), the little things make me really happy. I love that the cup holders can hold the 1-1.5 liter water bottles. There are way too many cars with the tiny cup holders that served no purpose for me. Oh, the back is pretty roomy. I've had some big guys and they were able to sit without their knees going through the driver and passenger seat and without having to pull the driver and passenger seat forward much."
4 people out of 6 found this review helpful
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GMC Terrain SUV
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