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2021 GMC Terrain

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.

GMC Terrain
Pictured: 2019 GMC Terrain Denali, front 2.29.20. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV AWD, 4dr SUV AWD Denali, 4dr SUV FWD
Engines
1.5L 4-cyl turbo
Transmission
9-speed automatic
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Seats
5
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
27 combined · 25 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.
  • Few owner complaints36 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 145 for similar models.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 28 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2021 GMC Terrain is a small SUV offered with a 1.5L 4-cyl turbo engine 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 (25 city / 30 highway), 2% better than the 2021 small SUV average of 26.4 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 36 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2021

  • Engine dropped: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo

Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 Terrain →

Trims, performance & features

Engine–1.5L turbo 4-cyl
Transmission9-speed automatic
DriveAWD/4WD · FWD
Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

SLESLT

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Blind-spot monitoringOptional
Rear cross-traffic alertOptional
Lane departure warningStandard
Lane keeping assistStandard
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Keyless startSome trims

Built in: San Luis Potosi, Mexico

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 4 2021 Terrain configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV AWD183.1 in72.4 in65.4 in107.5 in62.2 / 62.2 in3,622 lb57/43
4dr SUV AWD Denali183.1 in72.4 in65.4 in107.5 in62.2 / 62.2 in3,801 lb57/43
4dr SUV FWD183.1 in72.4 in65.4 in107.5 in62.2 / 62.2 in3,448 lb58/42

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Terrain FWD1.5L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 9-spdFront-Wheel Drive25 / 30 / 27+2%$2,500329
Terrain AWD1.5L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 9-spdAll-Wheel Drive25 / 28 / 26+9%$2,600342
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
6/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
26.4 MPG2021 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2021 GMC Terrain SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 5★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★16.4%
2021 GMC Terrain SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 5★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★18.5%
StandardElectronic stability control
StandardForward collision warning
StandardLane departure warning

Similar 2021 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2021 GMC Terrain (this car)27 MPG★★★★★2
2021 Toyota RAV440 MPG★★★★★1
2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime38 MPGNot rated4
2021 Honda CR-V38 MPG★★★★★5
2021 Toyota 4Runner17 MPG★★★★★1
2021 Hyundai Tucson25 MPG★★★★★1
2021 Subaru Forester29 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.
Tires › Tread/Belt · Aug 5, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V612000 · 9,597 vehicles

Problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles equipped with certain Hankook tires. The tires may have been manufactured with an insufficient amount of curative agent, which could cause tread separation.
Risk
Tread separation can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect the tire DOT numbers, and replace any affected tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 31, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782; and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212343560.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2021 GMC Terrain is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

36Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
4Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
4Injuries reported
78,843 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine10
Power Train8
Service Brakes8
Electrical System7
Unknown Or Other3
Suspension2
Lane Departure › Blind Spot Detection2
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking2
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
22/03: 122/08: 122/10: 123/02: 123/05: 123/08: 123/09: 123/10: 124/01: 124/02: 124/07: 124/09: 125/01: 125/04: 225/05: 225/07: 125/08: 125/09: 125/10: 126/01: 226/03: 226/04: 126/07: 326/09: 222/0323/0223/0924/0225/0125/0725/1026/04max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2021 GMC Terrain buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 10 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Power Train — 8 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  4. Service Brakes — 8 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 78,843 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 GMC Terrain. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Terrain years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Terrain26–Not rated01
2026 Terrain27181.1 inNot rated133
2025 Terrain27181.1 inNot rated013
2024 Terrain26183.1 in★★★★★153
2023 Terrain26183.1 in★★★★★241
2022 Terrain27183.1 in★★★★★488
2020 Terrain27183.1 in★★★★★2197
2019 Terrain32183.1 in★★★★★3187
2018 Terrain32183.1 in★★★★★5226
2017 Terrain25185.4 in★★★★★1135
2016 Terrain26185.4 in★★★★★2153
2015 Terrain26185.4 in★★★★★3299

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or GMC. How we calculate this →