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I honestly think GMC did a really good job with this redesign. The new Terrain feels much more premium inside, and while it’s not a three-across SUV for me, it’s incredibly comfortable and versatile for families with one to two kids.
- Lower anchors in both outboard seats: both outer second-row seats have lower LATCH anchors, which keeps installs pretty straightforward for two-car-seat families.
- Three top tether anchors across the back row: there’s a tether anchor for every second-row seating position, which gives you flexibility for forward-facing setups.
- Rear-facing space works well for tall drivers: I’m 5’11” and still had really impressive legroom with a rear-facing infant seat installed behind me.
- The wide bench makes the second row feel comfortable: even though I couldn’t fully recommend it for three across, the bench itself feels really roomy and comfortable for passengers.
- Rear heated seats in the Denali trim: I loved seeing heated rear seats back here because that still feels pretty premium in this category.
- Huge trunk for a five-passenger SUV: you really gain a lot of cargo space when you move into this type of SUV, and the underfloor storage is a huge bonus too.
- The interior finally feels luxury-adjacent: the two-tone materials, giant screen, and upgraded finishes genuinely made this feel more expensive than I expected for the price point.
The Exterior
The redesigned Terrain honestly just looks much more expensive than the old one. GMC really leaned into making it feel like a mini Acadia or mini Yukon, and I actually think they pulled that off really well.
The Terrain Now Looks Like a Mini Yukon
One of the first things I noticed is how much the Terrain now matches the rest of GMC’s lineup. It really does feel like a smaller version of the Acadia and Yukon, especially with the more upright styling and redesigned front end.
- The redesigned grille feels much more upscale: this Denali trim gets tons of chrome detailing throughout the grille and front fascia.
- Body-color details clean up the exterior: I liked that GMC used more body-color elements instead of making everything overly busy.
- LED headlights and fog lamps come standard on this trim: the lighting setup gives the Terrain a much more updated look.
The Denali Trim Adds More Luxury-Looking Details
This Denali trim definitely pushes the Terrain more toward the luxury side of the segment. I actually really liked the subtle two-tone roof treatment because it felt more understated than some of the really aggressive two-tone designs we’ve been seeing lately.
- Chrome roof rails add to the upscale feel: GMC really leaned into the premium styling details here.
- The black paint still looks sharp: I usually love blue cars, but I do think the black worked really well with all the chrome accents.
The Terrain Feels Like the Right Size for Everyday Family Life
This is still a compact five-passenger SUV, but it doesn’t feel tiny in person. It has a comfortable height, good proportions, and enough presence that it does not feel like an entry-level SUV anymore.
First Row
The first row of the Terrain honestly impressed me way more than I expected. GMC really stepped up the interior quality here, and this Denali trim genuinely feels much more expensive than the price point would suggest.
The New Screens Finally Make GMC Interiors Feel Competitive
The full digital dash and 15-inch infotainment screen completely change the feel of the cabin. Normally I do not always love giant iPad-style screens, but GMC integrated this one really well and it actually feels intentional instead of just stuck onto the dashboard.
- Climate controls are still easy to use: I liked that you can control them through the screen or with physical controls below.
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are built in: the infotainment setup overall felt really user-friendly.
The Denali Trim Feels Much More High-End Inside
The two-tone brown interior, open-pore wood trim, chrome accents, and leather-wrapped steering wheel all made this feel much more premium than older GMC interiors. I also really liked the comfortable seats and panoramic sunroof because the whole cabin just feels airy and upscale.
- Heated and ventilated seats are included: plus a heated steering wheel, which always makes the car feel more luxurious.
- Rearview camera mirror improves visibility: I liked having this since visibility can get blocked quickly with passengers or car seats.
Storage and Cupholders Feel Thoughtfully Designed
I actually really liked the storage setup up front. There are lots of little cubbies for keys, wallets, and random mom things, plus a really deep center console with an additional tray inside.
- Side-by-side cupholders work so much better: there’s no confusion about whose drink is whose.
- Wireless charger was a little finicky: honestly this was probably my biggest complaint in the first row.
Second Row
The second row is honestly one of the biggest strengths of the new Terrain. Even though I could not fully give it my “three-across friendly” badge, the amount of space, comfort, and flexibility back here still really impressed me for a compact five-passenger SUV.
Lower anchors in the outboard seats and three tether anchors across the back row support most family setups well
The Terrain has lower LATCH anchors in both outboard second-row seats along with three top tether anchors across the back row. For most families running one to two car seats, the setup works really well.
- Lower anchors are easy to access: I liked that the covers make the anchors really visible and easy to find.
- Rear-facing space is excellent for tall drivers: I’m 5’11” and still had impressive legroom with the rear-facing infant seat installed behind me.
The wide flat bench gives families more flexibility with car seats
One of the reasons I was hopeful about three across is because the bench itself is very wide and flat. The middle seat does not feel tiny or heavily sculpted like some SUVs in this category.
- The rigid outboard buckles limit three-across setups: I ran into issues because the outer buckles do not flex enough to move around tighter installations.
- Slim car seats may work better than wider setups: I still think certain combinations could work, especially with narrower seats like the Graco SlimFit 3 LX.
Rear passenger comfort feels much more premium in the Denali trim
The second row also feels genuinely comfortable for older kids and adults. I had great legroom, good headroom, heated rear seats in this trim, USB-C charging ports, and a fold-down armrest with cupholders.
Third Row
Trunk
The Terrain Gives You a Huge Trunk for a Five-Passenger SUV
One of the biggest advantages of going with a two-row SUV like the Terrain is how much cargo space you get back here. The 2025 Terrain offers 29.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, and honestly, it feels huge in person.
The Cargo Area Easily Handles Everyday Family Gear
I did not bring a stroller with me for this tour, but just looking at the shape and depth of the trunk, I had zero concerns about fitting one back here. Groceries, sports gear, Costco runs, and everyday family life would all be very manageable in this setup.
- 29.8 cubic feet behind the second row: that puts the Terrain right in line with compact SUVs like the Chevy Equinox.
- More usable cargo room than many sporty compact SUVs: the wider opening and taller shape help this feel very functional.
- Underfloor storage adds even more flexibility: I loved the extra hidden storage underneath the cargo floor for smaller items or emergency gear.
The Five-Passenger Layout Makes the Cargo Space Feel Much Bigger
This is one of those reminders that if you do not need a third row, you can gain a ton of usable trunk space by sticking with a five-passenger SUV. I genuinely think the Terrain hits a really sweet spot for one-to-two-kid families because of that balance.
Safety
The 2025 GMC Terrain Received Good Ratings In IIHS Front Crash Prevention Testing
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2025 GMC Terrain received a Good rating in the pedestrian front crash prevention evaluation equipped with Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking and Front Pedestrian and Bicyclist Braking.
The Terrain Includes Seat Belt Pretensioners In The Front And Rear Outboard Seats
The 2025 GMC Terrain includes seat belt pretensioners for the front row and second-row outboard occupants.
GMC Pro Safety Comes Standard Across The Terrain Lineup
The 2025 Terrain includes more than 15 standard safety and driver assistance features, including:
- Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking
- Front Pedestrian and Bicyclist Braking
- Blind Zone Steering Assist
- Rear Cross Traffic Braking
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking
- Reverse Automatic Braking
- Side Bicyclist Alert
Available Technology Adds Additional Driver Assistance Features
Available safety and driver assistance features on the 2025 Terrain include:
- HD Surround Vision
- Rear Camera Mirror
- Rear Pedestrian Alert
- Traffic Sign Recognition
- GMC Pro Safety Plus
The 2026 GMC Terrain has two full LATCH positions in the outboard second-row seats, and both also include top tether anchors. The middle seat does not have lower anchors, but it does include a top tether anchor for forward-facing installs using the seat belt method.
One thing to note is that the outboard headrests are non-removable, which may affect how certain forward-facing car seats fit flush against the seatback.
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