Hit the Ground Running In a Used GMC Terrain

GMC recently announced that it will be refreshing the Terrain in time for the 2022 model year, featuring an AT4 off-road version as an option for the first time. With this recent announcement, GMC has made it a great time to consider buying a used Terrain as your next SUV. That’s why you should stop by Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth, your used GMC Terrain dealer. We offer a great inventory of used GMC Terrain models to choose from, with various engine options, drivetrains, and trims from each of the two current generations of this crossover SUV. Stop by today and let us show you the benefits of buying a used GMC Terrain from us.

Earthbound: The First Generation Of GMC Terrain

GMC introduced the Terrain in 2009 as a 2010 model. The GMC Terrain was designed to take the place of the discontinued Pontiac Torrent. However, the Terrain more than met expectations with a look that was more aggressive than the closely related Chevy Equinox. The first generation also set the mold for the model as a four-door SUV with plenty of passenger space for up to five people. It comes with front-wheel drive standard and has available all-wheel drive for improved traction. The first-generation Terrain was also slightly larger than the current model, with a full 99.6 cubic feet of passenger space inside the interior and 27.6 cubic feet of space in the back for luggage or other cargo.

The first-generation Terrain offers drivers a choice of two engines. The base engine on the 2010 Terrain is a 2.4-liter EcoTec 4-cylinder gas engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, which can produce up to 182 horsepower and generates 172 pound-feet of torque. The front-wheel drive Terrain with this engine is also very fuel-efficient, providing an estimated 22 MPG in city driving, 32 MPG on the highway, and 26 MPG combined. The 2010 Terrain also offered a larger engine option. The 3.0-liter V6 produces 264 horsepower and generates 222 pound-feet of torque, giving the Terrain improved acceleration at the cost of fuel economy. Also, the all-wheel drive models also do not match the front-wheel drive Terrain when it comes to saving you money at the gas pump.

As is often the case with successful models like the Terrain, GMC made a number of incremental changes along the way, improving the infotainment system and adding some cosmetic features. The first major upgrade to the Terrain was made for the 2013 model year, with the addition of the popular Denali trim to this smallest of GMC SUVs, joining the SLE and SLT trims in the lineup. The 2013 Terrain Denali was also the first version of this model to offer active safety features such as Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

The other major change for the 2013 Terrain was a change to the larger engine option. The original 3.0-liter V6 was replaced with a larger 3.6-liter, producing 301 horsepower and 272 pound-feet of torque. The fuel economy on the larger engine continued to be good, with an expected 17 MPG in city driving and 24 MPG in highway driving from front-wheel drive models, and 16 MPG in the city and 23 MPG for all-wheel drive Terrains. GMC continued to manufacture the first-generation GMC Terrain through the 2017 model year.

Three if by Land: The Second Generation Of GMC Terrain

In 2017, GMC reached a decision that it was time to make a major change in the GMC Terrain in time for the 2018 model year. The second-generation Terrain would have a smaller profile than the prior model while still providing a spacious interior for five passengers. Moreover, the new design would be sleeker and more aerodynamic, with improved fuel economy and more luxury features. In retrospect, GMC truly hit the mark with the second generation of the Terrain.

The 2018 Terrain was offered in four trims: the SL, SLE, SLT, and Denali, with an upscale interior for drivers seeking a little more luxury in their lives. The 2018 Terrain also provides more cargo space, a full 29.6 cubic feet, while having a tighter wheelbase than the first-generation model, giving drivers better cornering and overall handling. The 2018 Terrain also features three different engine options, all of which utilize a turbocharger for improved performance and fuel economy.

The base engine is a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder gas engine that produces 170 horsepower and generates 203 pound-feet of torque. It is also incredibly fuel-efficient, with an estimated 26 MPG in city driving and 30 MPG on the highway in front-wheel drive models, and 24 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway with all-wheel drive. The larger gas engine on the 2018 Terrain is a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that can produce up to 252 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. This is the one to get if you have a need for speed. It is also really powerful for a smaller engine, giving the Terrain the capability of towing up to 3,500 pounds. Even with all this power, the 2.0-liter I-4 engine on the Terrain won’t hurt you at the gas pump. It can provide an estimated 22 MPG in city driving and 28 MPG on the highway with front-wheel drive models, and 21 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway with all-wheel drive Terrains.

The most interesting addition on the second-generation Terrain is an optional 1.6-liter turbo-diesel I-4 engine that provides 137 horsepower and generates 240 pound-feet of torque. This engine is also the most fuel-efficient of the three, at 28 MPG in the city and 39 MPG on the highway with front-wheel drive Terrains, and 28 MPG in city driving and 38 MPG in highway driving with all-wheel drive models. Clearly, the diesel may be the best option for a 2018 Terrain if you are concerned about fuel economy. There are a few things to consider when buying a used second-generation GMC Terrain. If you want one with a diesel engine, then you will need to look at either a 2018 or 2019 model since GMC stopped offering this engine in 2020. Similarly, if you want the larger 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 engine, then you will have to buy a used Terrain from the 2018, 2019, or 2020 model years since the only engine offered on the 2021 Terrain is the 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.

What’s Next For the GMC Terrain

GMC recently announced that the 2022 Terrain will mark a refresh of this popular crossover SUV. The looks are more rugged than the current Terrain, but the biggest news concerns the trim levels. The 2022 Terrain will be the first to offer the AT4 off-road edition with such extra features as skid plates to protect the undercarriage of your Terrain when you take it across challenging terrain out on the trail. GMC will also no longer offer the base-level SE, leaving the SLE, SLT, and Denali trims to join the all-new AT4 on the 2022 GMC Terrain. Finally, GMC will offer the GMC Pro Safety suite of six active safety technologies as standard on all models of the 2022 Terrain.

Whether you are in the market for a used first or second-generation GMC Terrain or are intrigued by the new 2022 Terrain AT4, Rick Hendrick Buick GMC of Duluth is the dealership for you. Stop in today to find out more about this exceptional SUV, and drive out with high-quality used GMC Terrain. This crossover SUV will let you hit the ground running no matter which generation you choose.