GMC Spruces Up Terrain for 2025

Smaller vehicles have moved to the center of the conversation in the auto industry and GMC is hoping to gain attention by upgrading the 2025 Terrain with added space, more safety features and a truck-inspired reworking of the front fascia in an attempt to separate it from rivals in the compact SUV and crossover segments.

The redesign of the Terrain has the added advantage of tying the vehicle’s exterior visual language more tightly to the broader GMC product portfolio. The new-look interior is built around premium materials and a larger, center-stack touchscreen for entertainment and navigation. The Terrain’s interior package emphasizes long, sweeping lines to accentuate the width of the cabin, with chrome decorating the IP insert, upper door and console armrest.

GMC is offering a Terrain-first two-tone roof option in black or gray, providing the vehicle with a new level of design flair and personalization for customers.

As part of the reboot for the updated 2025 Terrain, GMC offers a new “Elevation” trim to be followed by AT4 and Denali versions of Terrain. The Elevation trim will offer the most standard technology and equipment of any compact SUV on the market, according to GMC.

“The 2025 GMC Terrain builds on GMC’s strengths and offers our latest premium technology and safety features while bringing a fresh, bold design to our 2-row SUV,” says Duncan Aldred, global vice president, Buick and GMC.

“With the next-gen Terrain and updated 2025 Yukon both slated to launch later this year, the entire GMC SUV lineup will be refreshed by year-end, giving customers the latest design, the best technology and the best driving experience we’ve ever offered in our SUVs,” Aldred adds.

All Terrains come standard with a 1.5L turbocharged engine, offering 175 hp and 203 lb.-ft. (275 Nm) of torque and up to 1,500 lbs. (680 kg) max trailering capacity. All-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic transmission are standard on Elevation at launch, according to GMC.

Standard on all three Terrain trims is a new 15-in. (38-cm) Premium GMC Infotainment System and 11-in. (28-cm) driver information center. Up to three applications can be viewed simultaneously to show key information on the center screen.  

By using the touchscreen or standard Google Assistant, drivers can reply to text messages, get directions through Google Maps or control select vehicle functions. Users can add apps such as Spotify and Pandora.

New for 2025 are up to eight available camera views, including an optional rear camera mirror, which is a first for the GMC Terrain.

Additional technologies available on the Terrain include 5G wi-fi hotspot capability, HD Surround Vision camera, rain-sensing wipers, heated wipers for snowy days and an Autosense power liftgate, which automatically opens the liftgate in the presence of the key fob.

Standard safety equipment on every 2025 Terrain includes enhanced automatic emergency braking that encompasses front-pedestrian and bicyclist braking, intersection automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic braking, reverse automatic braking, side bicyclist alert and blind-zone steering assist technology.

GMC designers note the 2025 Terrain exterior design delivers a more planted and athletic stance, and the grille now shares design cues with GMC’s truck lineup, giving the Terrain a new attitude. The grille connects redesigned headlamps to the lower fog lights to create a distinctive front-end graphic.

Standard content on the next-generation AT4 trim – which GMC describes as “the most capable Terrain AT4 ever” – will include Selectable AT4-exclusive Terrain Mode as well as enhanced ride height, metal underbody protection shield, animated headlamps and taillamps, red front recovery hooks, 17-in. all-terrain tires, all-wheel drive and hill descent control.  

The Denali version of the Terrain will include standard features such as heated rear seats, animated headlamps and taillamps and 19-in. tires. It is also equipped with Smart Frequency Dampers for improved ride comfort, AWD and hill descent control, GMC says.GM Terrain brand sales were up 38% inn the second quarter of this year, versus the same period a year ago, while total GMC sales were up 2%.