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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2014 GMC Terrain

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Overview

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2014 GMC Terrain Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 7.4

Fitting into what might be called the "just-right- size" SUV category, the 5-passenger 2014 GMC Terrain has a rugged-looking truck-like – yet handsome – exterior, a roomy and luxurious interior, an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system that gives it all-weather capability for snowy days and a choice of two engines, each of which delivers commendably-good fuel economy. It does not offer a 3rd-row seat and it's not really intended for off-road duties. Still, for the more reasonable uses that most of its owners will require, the Terrain will more than fill the transportation bill. Compared to some of its likely competitors, such as the Ford Escape, Hyundai Santa Fe and Honda CR-V, the 4-cylinder Terrain has fuel economy ratings around the upper-end of the category, and the optionally-available V6 engine delivers 301 horsepower-worth of performance, yet is still remarkably fuel-efficient.

You'll Like This Car If...

If this size and type of vehicle fit your needs, and you'd like something with a more truck-like image and appeal, or an available V6 engine, see your local GMC dealer for the Terrain.

You May Not Like This Car If...

For the serious off-roader, there are alternatives that will prove more satisfactory. While the Terrain's AWD is perfectly fine for snow-covered roads, those who deal with rough and rugged off-road trails will be happier with a Jeep Wrangler or Subaru Outback.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

7.4
Driving Dynamics

6.6
Comfort & Convenience

7.8
Design: Interior & Exterior

6.8
Value

6.8
Safety

7.8

How It Ranks

#3

out of 10

MPG

#7

out of 11

Horsepower

View all rankings

Consumer Rating

7.8 out of 10

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consumer ratings

What's New for 2014

For 2014, the GMC Terrain has only minimal changes. There are 17-inch wheels standard on the SLE and SLT1 trim levels, 18-inch wheels are standard on the SLT2 and available on the SLE2 and SLT1. And you can now have the Terrain with the exterior painted in Silver Sky Metallic.

Driving the Terrain

Driving Impressions Occupants of the 2014 GMC Terrain will appreciate the remarkably quiet interior – thorough applications of laminated glass, active noise-cancellation technology and triple-sealed doors have resulted in an almost luxury-car...

level of quiet, even at highway speeds. The base engine is a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder of 182 horsepower that delivers adequate performance along with exemplary fuel economy. Optionally available is a 3.6-liter V6, rated at 301 horsepower, that cranks out plenty of performance for passing or tackling long hills along with commendably-decent fuel economy. Going down the road, the Terrain has a comfortable ride, with predictable steering feel and reassuring directional stability. It might have the looks of a rugged truck, but it has the easy driving manners of a medium-size car.

Favorite Features

DISTINCTIVE EXTERIOR
In a world of swoopy compact and mid-size SUVs, the Terrain's somewhat squared-off styling, with its prominent fender flares and truck-like grille, stands out from the crowd. It might not be for everyone, but we like it.

MOVEABLE 2ND-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.

2014 GMC Terrain Details

2014 GMC Terrain Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

The Terrain shares a lot with its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Equinox, but comes across as more upscale, with higher-quality materials and a snazzier, more luxurious look that includes satin metal trim and 2-tone leather. Going further, the Terrain Denali includes an 8-way power passenger seat, smoked mahogany trim and French-stitched seams on the upholstery. More details show in the GMC signature instrument panel, with glowing red lighting and backlighting for the control functions – even the USB port is made easier to find at night, thanks to a lighted surround. Another nice touch is a touch-screen radio and sound system that includes icons similar to those on smartphones in order to operate the various functions.

Exterior

If you want your SUV to look more rugged and truck-like than others in this size category, the GMC Terrain is for you. The strong, angular wheel openings and big grille – with block GMC lettering and capped with a generous piece of chrome – will certainly catch your eye. There are optional 19-inch wheels to fill out those big wheel openings, and on top is a sturdy roof rack for whatever you want to tie down. Also, even though the Terrain looks substantial, it's not particularly high off the ground, so it's easy to get in and out and to reach that roof rack, as well.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Standard equipment on the base 2014 GMC Terrain includes the 2.4-liter 182-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, 6-speed automatic transmission, 17-inch wheels, rearview camera, color touch-screen radio, USB port, iPod support, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, XM Satellite Radio, OnStar, six airbags, and the very handy sliding rear seat that can be moved fore or aft nearly eight inches. Another nice feature is the Active Noise Cancellation that helps to keep the interior quieter by the projection of sound waves through the speakers to counteract loud and obnoxious exterior noises.

Optional Equipment

The 2014 GMC Terrain includes most of what you would want as standard, but the options list includes the 3.6-liter V6 engine (which is heartily recommended for those who will be carrying heavier loads or spending long times on the highways) and 19-inch alloy wheels. A 2nd-row entertainment system with two independent screens will keep the kids occupied on long trips. Other options include color touch-screen navigation with IntelliLink, a 10-gigabyte music-storage hard drive, Pioneer audio and a programmable rear liftgate that can be set to open at a desired height. Safety options include Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Alert, and the Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Under the Hood

The GMC Terrain for 2014 offers a choice of two engines: A 2.4-liter 4-cylinder of 182 horsepower or a 3.6-liter V6 of 301 horsepower. Both feature the efficiency benefit of direct fuel injection and are matched to 6-speed automatic transmissions, and both deliver remarkably good fuel-economy numbers. Most drivers will probably find the 4-cylinder entirely adequate around town and, if not too heavily loaded, will appreciate its fuel economy on the highway. But those who carry more or drive in hilly conditions should consider the more-powerful V6, which still has decent fuel economy ratings and is known for smooth, quiet operation.

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), 12/17 (AWD, E85)

Pricing Notes

The 2014 GMC Terrain SLE1 has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) just over $27,000, while the SLT1 will be just over $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 2014 GMC Terrain, 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. We expect the 2014 Terrain to hold its value quite well over the years, far better than the Journey and the Compass, but still well behind the segment residual leader, the Honda CR-V.

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2014 GMC Terrain Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

7.8

Out of 10

Based on 158 Ratings for the 2010 - 2014 models.

Review this car

Value

8.0/10

Quality

8.0/10
Reliability

8.3/10

Performance

8.1/10
Comfort

8.5/10

Styling

8.6/10

Did not get suggest gas mileage

By kk (IN) on Friday, July 26, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 35,000

10 7.0

overall rating 7 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 7/10
Value: 7/10
Reliability: 7/10
Quality: 7/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 4/10
Comfort: 7/10

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

"I liked the GMC Terrain and received a lot of compliments. But, the advertisements and dealership stated i should get 32 miles per gallon but i never got better than 25 miles per gallon. I travel 48.3 miles per day to and from work and all but 5 of those miles are on the highway. The gas mileage has been very disappointing. I thought when i bought the car i could drive it forever as it seemed to be a very durable car. I spend an average of $40 per week or more on gas. I feel like I'm working to put gas in my tank. I always used Marathon regular gas so it wasn't the "cheap" gas I used. It was the car. I'm not a mechanic but it seems to me that a 4 cylinder engine is too small for a car as large as the Terrain."

3 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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Don't expect the gas mileage indicated

By Ksversion (AZ) on Wednesday, July 17, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 36,000

10 6.0

overall rating 6 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 6/10
Value: 7/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 7/10
Performance: Not Rated
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 7/10

Pros: "body style, cockpit controls"

Cons: "gas mileage! No rear air"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 7

"I mostly like this car but I decided to compromise space and power(3rd row seating and 6 cylinder)for better gas mileage. You will not get 29 on the highway. I get 20 maybe 21. This is a huge disappointment. Had I known, I would have stuck and newer Highlander (which has more room and the same gas mileage)or something of the sort."

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A little less perfect than I was expecting

By KraftyKitten (CA) on Monday, July 15, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 32,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Pros: "Gas mileage, comfortable for big or small driver."

Cons: "Small rear cargo, poor dash design."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 4

"My vehicle has had two major electrical problems. One was a recall issue that has been fixed (radio and air conditioner sporadically didn't work). Recently, vehicle will only turn on about 75% of the time. If it doesn't start, the CD ejects, my time and date reset to zero, and I have to wait 10-20 seconds to try again. Taking it in tomorrow. Really frustrating. Other than that, it handles nicely. The interior is designed well, other than 2 chrome pieces on the dashboard that reflect sunlight directly into the driver's eyes. I keep a post-it note over that piece (poor design). Rear cargo isn't as roomy as it looks from the outside. I keep my son's stroller in the back seat because it doesn't fit flat in the rear cargo area. Wheel wells get in the way. These are all little inconveniences, but they add up. Gas mileage is good."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Great driving car--very poor gas mileage

By Dlt (LA) on Tuesday, July 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 49,000

10 4.0

overall rating 4 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 4/10
Value: 4/10
Reliability: 6/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 8/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 2

"Bought the car because of the ads for gas mileage. I have never gotten better than 21 mpg, even on the highway. When I asked the service rep about it, he told me I needed to talk to my sales person. Very comfortable, great driving and great sound.."

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I love this car!

By linds1130 (AR) on Tuesday, July 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 23,000

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: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "interior, gas mileage"

Cons: "no rear air control, not as roomy"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"I really love this car and the only complaint I have is that there are only air vents in the front of the vehicle. I have to blast my air as high is it will blow on the coolest temperature (Summer in the South is not fun!) so it can reach my 18 month old in the back seat. Luckily, I have remote start so I can start it and let it run a bit before we pack in. It's also not quite as roomy as I thought it would be. It's actually about the same size as my old Chevy Malibu which is kind of a disappointment since I did get this because I thought it would be a bigger family-sized SUV. The good news is that the gas mileage is not as horrible as we were anticipating. It rides very smoothly for an SUV and I really love the exterior and interior of the car."

5 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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This is a great car

By Dr. J (SC) on Sunday, July 07, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 33,000

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: "very comfortable, great mpg, easy to get DIY parts"

Cons: "Being able to set the int vents a bit higher"

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

"I bought this car used with 11,000 on it. 2011 model in Oct 2012 - now July 2013. 4 cylinder FWD SLE-2. I put on 22,000 more (total now 33,000). It is a great car. I have been never gotten below 27 mpg city/rural though on trips I get 2 or 3 more mpg. I keep it in Eco mode. I have driven by the sea and in the mountains from Fla to Mass. One trip for 18 hours straight. It is so comfortable. The only thing that I might change is being able to adjust the vents a bit higher though from one to ten, that would be a six (about a tossup). Though back seat vents would be nice also. No problems with it (of course it is almost new). I did have a problem with the original equipment Michelin tires though. With lots of tread left the *all* of them seemed to fall apart. One recall to reprogram the oil use interval readout. They found it was set too long. I would buy the Terrain - (or Equinox if you like that style better) again and highly recommend it. Neat to try a diesel if they would offer one."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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