2020 GMC Terrain

2020 GMC Terrain Highlights

The 2020 GMC Terrain is the more luxurious twin of the Chevrolet Equinox. The diesel engine option is gone for 2020, leaving the 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinders as the only powerplants available. New for the model year is the GMC Pro Safety suite of driver aids, including lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, forward-collision alert, and automatic emergency braking.

Key Details

• Compact SUV body style
• Two-row seating for five passengers
• Two engine options: 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder
• Available all-wheel drive on select trims
• Enhanced standard safety features across all trims
• Elimination of diesel engine option

Benefits

• Expanded standard safety features
• Comfortable and quiet ride suitable for long trips
• User-friendly infotainment system with smartphone integration
• Upscale interior, especially in higher trims
• Available hands-free power liftgate
• Compact dimensions for easy maneuverability
• Denali Trim offers near-luxury appointments

Learn More: Which Years Of Used GMC Terrains Are Most Reliable?

2020 GMC Terrain Overview

Performance

The 2020 GMC Terrain offers two gasoline engine options:

1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine:

• 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque
• Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission
• Available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive

2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine:

• 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque
• Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission
• Available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive

The base 1.5-liter engine is enough to accelerate the Terrain with acceptable acceleration. The more powerful 2.0-liter engine, standard on the 2020 GMC Terrain Denali trim and optional on others, puts more spring in the SUV’s step and feels reasonably energetic.

The nine-speed automatic transmission, standard across all engine options, provides smooth shifts. All-wheel drive (AWD) is available on the 2020 GMC Terrain SLE trims and higher. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard and the only option on the base SL.

Towing capacity varies by engine choice:

• 1.5-liter engine: up to 1,500 lbs
• 2.0-liter engine: up to 3,500 lbs

The Terrain also features a Traction Select system, allowing drivers to choose between different drive modes to optimize performance based on road conditions.

Safety

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Terrain a top five-star overall safety rating.

For 2020, GMC has added the GMC Pro Safety package as standard on all models, which includes:

• Forward collision alert
• Automatic emergency braking
• Lane keep assist
• Lane departure warning
• Following distance indicator
• Automatic high beams
• Rearview camera

Additional available safety features include:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Front and rear park assist
• Safety alert seat

Driving

Comfort for long-distance driving is the 2020 Terrain’s forte. It’s an old-school American luxury cruiser at its core but with more usable cargo space. Compact exterior dimensions make it fit into tidy urban parking spaces and easily navigate tight city streets. Suspension is not tuned for high-speed cornering, and steering is light and feedback-free, but these aren’t detrimental when the road is long and the pavement is bumpy.

Ride quality is a strong point for the Terrain. The suspension effectively absorbs road imperfections, providing a comfortable ride well-suited for long trips. Road and wind noise are well-controlled, creating a quiet cabin environment at highway speeds.

Interior

The 2020 GMC Terrain interior is comfortable and well-appointed, especially in Denali trim. The cabin layout is modern and functional.

Key interior features include:

• Leather-appointed seating is available on higher trims
• Power-adjustable driver's seat
• 60/40 split-folding rear seats
• Available heated and ventilated front seats
• Available heated steering wheel
• Dual-zone automatic climate control (standard on SLE and above)

One of the Terrain's standout features is its spacious and versatile interior. The front seats offer good comfort and support for long drives, with ample head and legroom. The rear seats provide comfortable accommodations for adult passengers, and the seat backs can recline for added comfort on longer trips.

Material quality is mixed, but the materials become more impressive when approaching the 2020 GMC Terrain SLT or Denali.

Cargo space is competitive for the compact SUV class:

• 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats
• 63.3 cubic feet with rear seats folded

The available hands-free power liftgate adds convenience for loading and unloading cargo, especially when your hands are full.

The Terrain features GMC's unique Electronic Precision Shift, which replaces the traditional gear shifter with a row of buttons and switches. While this frees up space in the center console, it may take some time for some drivers.

Technology

The 2020 GMC Terrain has an intuitive, responsive, user-friendly infotainment system. Physical buttons and knobs for frequently used functions enhance ease of use while driving.

Key technology features include:

• Standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system (8-inch available on higher trims)
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
• GMC Infotainment System with Bluetooth
• Available 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability
• Six-speaker audio system (standard)
• Available seven-speaker Bose premium audio system
• Standard rearview camera

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, standard on all trims, allow for seamless smartphone connectivity and provide access to navigation, messaging, and music apps through the vehicle's interface.

The 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot can support up to seven devices, making the Terrain a mobile office or entertainment center for passengers.

Higher trims offer additional tech features:

• Wireless charging pad
• Head-up display (Denali trim)
• Surround-view camera system

Fuel Economy

The 2020 GMC Terrain offers competitive fuel economy ratings for the compact SUV segment. EPA fuel economy estimates are as follows:

1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine:

• FWD (mpg): 26 city / 30 highway / 27 combined
• AWD (mpg): 25 city / 28 highway / 26 combined

2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine:

• FWD (mpg): 22 city / 28 highway / 24 combined
• AWD (mpg): 21 city / 26 highway / 23 combined

2020 GMC Terrain Reviews

Consumer reviews on Kelley Blue Book give the 2020 GMC Terrain an overall rating of 3.9 out of five. Owners praise the Terrain's styling, comfort, and reliability.

Reasons to Buy It

• Comfortable and quiet ride
• The infotainment system is responsive and user-friendly
• Higher trims come with more luxurious materials
• Comprehensive standard safety features
• Optional hands-free power liftgate
• Smooth and efficient turbocharged engines

Problems

• The base engine may feel underpowered for some drivers
• Higher starting price compared to some competitors
• Cargo space is average for the class
• Some may find the push-button gear selector unintuitive
• Rear visibility can be limited due to thick pillars
• All-wheel drive isn’t available on the base trim

Explore: How Long Do GMC Terrains Last? The Scoop on Vehicle Lifespan

CoPilot's Take

If you miss the comfortable, cloudlike ride of American cars of yesteryear, you’ll be right at home in a 2020 GMC Terrain, especially in Denali trim. Plus, you’ll benefit from generous cargo space, impressive safety features, and modern infotainment tech.

Performance-wise, the Terrain offers a good balance of efficiency and capability. While the base 1.5-liter engine provides merely adequate power, the available 2.0-liter turbocharged option provides more thrilling power.

However, the Terrain isn't without its compromises. The base engine becomes strained when asked to tow or haul. While freeing up console space, the push-button gear selector may take some time for drivers accustomed to traditional shifters.

Further, cargo space is merely average for the class, which may disappoint buyers needing maximum utility. Additionally, Terrain's starting price is higher than that of some competitors, which could be a consideration for budget-conscious shoppers.

Despite these minor drawbacks, the 2020 GMC Terrain is a refined and well-equipped option in the compact SUV market. Its comfort, technology, and premium features make it a worthy contender against rivals like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

2020 GMC Terrain FAQs

Is the GMC Terrain 2020 a reliable car?

2020 GMC Terrain reliability is above-average. While it's not typically ranked at the top of its class for dependability, many owners report satisfactory reliability. J.D. Power gave the 2020 Terrain a "Great" quality and reliability rating.

How many miles will a 2020 GMC Terrain last?

With proper maintenance, a 2020 GMC Terrain can last 200,000 miles or more. Many modern vehicles, including compact SUVs like the Terrain, are built to last longer than vehicles from previous decades.

Are there any recalls on the 2020 GMC Terrain?

2020 GMC Terrain problems are few, but there have been several recalls:

• A recall was issued for a potential issue with the start-stop accumulator, which could result in a loss of brake assist and extended stopping distances.
• Another recall involved rear child seat anchors, which received excessive powder coating that could keep a child seat from properly latching.

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