DecodedCars2020 GMC Terrain
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV AWD, 4dr SUV AWD Denali, 4dr SUV FWD
- Engines
- 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 27 combined · 26 city / 30 hwy
- Length
- 183.1 in
- Curb weight
- 3,448–3,801 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 27 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2020 GMC Terrain is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (1.5L 4-cyl turbo and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 183 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,622 lb (4dr SUV AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 27 MPG combined (26 city / 30 highway), 5% better than the 2020 small SUV average of 25.6 MPG, for an estimated $2,500 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 197 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
What changed for 2020
- No diesel version any more
- Engine dropped: 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG down from 32 to 27
Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 Terrain →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV AWD | 183.1 in | 72.4 in | 65.4 in | 107.5 in | 62.2 / 62.2 in | 3,622 lb | 57/43 |
| 4dr SUV AWD Denali | 183.1 in | 72.4 in | 65.4 in | 107.5 in | 62.2 / 62.2 in | 3,801 lb | 57/43 |
| 4dr SUV FWD | 183.1 in | 72.4 in | 65.4 in | 107.5 in | 62.2 / 62.2 in | 3,448 lb | 58/42 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrain FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 30 / 27 | +5% | $2,500 | 325 |
| Terrain AWD | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 25 / 28 / 26 | +11% | $2,600 | 339 |
| Terrain FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 28 / 24 | -6% | $3,400 | 350 |
| Terrain AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 26 / 23 | -2% | $3,550 | 386 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 GMC Terrain SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 16.4% |
| 2020 GMC Terrain SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 18.5% |
Similar 2020 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 GMC Terrain (this car) | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2020 Toyota RAV4 | 40 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2020 Honda CR-V | 38 MPG | ★★★★★ | 9 |
| 2020 Toyota 4Runner | 17 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2020 Hyundai Tucson | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2020 Subaru Forester | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2020 Mazda CX-5 | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
Recalls (2)
Child Seat › Vehicle Latch Anchor · May 11, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V339000 · 668,187 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The four rear-seat lower child seat LATCH anchorage bars may have excessive powder coating, which could prevent a child seat from being installed with the anchorage bars. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
- Risk
- The inability to install a child seat with the LATCH anchorage bars could result in an unsecured child seat, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
- Fix
- Owners are advised to install child seats using the vehicle's rear seat belts until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect the latch anchorage bars, and remove and replace the finish, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232403240.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · Oct 29, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V668000 · 194,105 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
- Risk
- Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
Not every 2020 GMC Terrain is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2020 GMC Terrain buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Service Brakes — 65 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Engine — 58 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Power Train — 27 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 48,552 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 GMC Terrain. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Terrain years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Terrain | 26 | – | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2026 Terrain | 27 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 33 |
| 2025 Terrain | 27 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 0 | 13 |
| 2024 Terrain | 26 | 183.1 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 53 |
| 2023 Terrain | 26 | 183.1 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 41 |
| 2022 Terrain | 27 | 183.1 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 88 |
| 2021 Terrain | 27 | 183.1 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 36 |
| 2019 Terrain | 32 | 183.1 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 187 |
| 2018 Terrain | 32 | 183.1 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 226 |
| 2017 Terrain | 25 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 135 |
| 2016 Terrain | 26 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 153 |
| 2015 Terrain | 26 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 299 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or GMC. How we calculate this →