The 2020 GMC Terrain lasts around 200,000 miles with some speed sensor and door lock issues reported. At $19,987 to $33,698, it’s a decent value for a compact SUV with a more luxurious cabin than the competition.
Is the 2020 GMC Terrain a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2020 is a good year for the GMC Terrain since it offers a lot of technology along with a nice interior for the money. Owner reviews praise the low ownership costs, luxury features, along with the passenger room for its size.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are higher-quality than other small SUVs, the seats offer good support on long drives, although cargo space is lower than other small SUVs.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no widespread complaints on the 2020 GMC Terrain. Avoid models from 2010–2015 which all have engine problems. Models from 2016–2022 are more reliable.
- Performance 8/10 – The base four-cylinder engine is similar to other small SUVs, while the upgraded motor is reasonably quick for its size.
- Safety 9/10 – The 2020 Terrain is a safe SUV earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. Standard features include lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking along with a rearview camera. Adaptive cruise control is an optional upgrade.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is good at up to 27 MPG, giving 402 miles of range out of the 14.9 gallon tank. Gas costs are $52 cheaper than average at $160 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2020 GMC Terrain is cheaper than many other SUVs while still offering a very nice interior for the money.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the GMC Terrain?
- Consumer Reports says the 2020 GMC Terrain offers a premium alternative to other compact SUVs on the market with good owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Terrain at 4.1/5, praising the powerful upgraded engine, but doesn’t like the smaller cargo space than some other small SUVs.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the 2020 Terrain a 4.1/5, enjoying the upscale interior for the money, but owners don’t like the push-button gear selector.
What Common Problems Does the 2020 GMC Terrain Have?
Common problems found on the 2020 GMC Terrain include speed sensor issues, the doors not locking, along with premature brake wear. Overall, these problems are similar to other SUVs on the market, leading to average repair costs as the Terrain ages.
Speed sensor issues are the most widespread complaint from 2020 Terrain owners in the first 15,000 miles. The sensor simply fails as the vehicle gets older, and has to be replaced to make the speedometer accurate. Replacing the vehicle speed sensor costs around $200, depending on local labor rates.
The doors failing to lock have been mentioned by some Terrain owners at around 5,000 miles. The problem is usually caused by a dead battery in the key fob, which causes it to not function. There are also some software issues reported with the keyless entry system, which can be updated by a dealership.
Premature brake wear is another issue on the 2020 Terrain in the first 20,000 miles. If you use your Terrain to haul heavy items or a lot of people all the time, the brakes will tend to wear out quicker than normal. Replacing the brake pads costs around $350, while a new set of rotors is over $500.
There is one recall on the 2020 GMC Terrain, which is better than many other SUVs on the market. The recall is for missing bolts on the start/stop accumulator, which can cause the transmission to leak oil. GM will install new bolts on affected models for free.
How Long Will the 2020 GMC Terrain Last?
A well-maintained 2020 GMC Terrain can last around 200,000 miles, which is roughly 100,000 miles less than the long-lasting Toyota RAV4. Regular annual maintenance costs are slightly higher than some other compact SUVs, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $525 per year.
As a used 2020 GMC Terrain reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history owners should be prepared to replace the A/C condenser for $550, brake master cylinder costing $380, along with the oil pump which costs around $500.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is excellent with a standard 7-inch touchscreen which has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. Available upgrades include a more powerful Bose stereo system and a larger 8-inch touchscreen.
Safety technology is great for a compact SUV with standard driver assistance features including:
- Lane departure warning
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Forward collision warning
- Pedestrian detection
- Lane keep assist
- Rearview camera
- Automatic emergency braking
- GM’s Teen Driver
Optional upgraded driver safety features include:
- Safety alert seat
- Rear parking sensors
- Adaptive cruise control
- Surround-view parking camera system
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Lane change alert
- Side blind zone alert
- Front parking sensors
- Parallel and perpendicular parking assist
- Blind spot monitoring
Is the 2020 GMC Terrain a Good Value?
Yes, the 2020 GMC Terrain is a good value since it offers a decent amount of luxury for the money. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $19,987 to $33,698, making it cheaper than a Subaru Crosstrek or Honda CR-V. When new, the price range was $25,000 to $39,900. Depreciation is similar to other small SUVs, losing around 10% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the GMC Terrain?
There are four models of the 2020 GMC Terrain offered, from the base SL model all the way up to the more luxurious Denali model. It is also offered with standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive.
SL is the entry-level model with:
- Power-Adjustable Heated Mirrors
- Cloth Seats
- Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
- Rear Privacy Glass
- Keyless Entry and Ignition
- 7-Inch Touchscreen With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Six-Speaker Stereo System
SLE is a step up, adding:
- Dual-Zone Climate Control
- Upgraded Cloth Seating
- Remote Start
- Power Liftgate
- 8-Inch Touchscreen
SLT is next in the lineup, which has:
- Leather Upholstery
- Heated Front Seats
- Power-Adjustable Driver’s Seat
- Seven-Speaker Bose Stereo System
- Satellite Radio
- Hands-Free Liftgate
Denali is the luxury model which adds:
- Unique Exterior Styling
- Ventilated Front Seats
- Retuned Suspension
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Wireless Phone Charging
- Heated Rear Seats
What Engines Come In the GMC Terrain?
- The base engine found in the 2020 GMC Terrain is an average 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder which makes 170 horsepower while getting up to 27 MPG. Both engines feature a standard nine-speed automatic transmission.
- An available upgrade is the stronger turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder which produces 252 horsepower at up to 24 MPG. Performance is good, taking 6.8 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the GMC Terrain Come In?
How Comfortable Is the GMC Terrain?
The 2020 GMC Terrain has a comfortable interior, with supportive and spacious seats and a well-designed cabin which has enough room for up to five passengers. According to owners, the front seats offer good comfort and support, even on long drives, while the rear seats provide ample room for passengers.
The cabin is also noted for its quietness, with good sound insulation and minimal wind and road noise. Higher trims also offer features like heated front seats and a panoramic sunroof, adding to the overall comfort and premium feel of the vehicle.
How Much Storage Space Does the GMC Terrain Have?
The 2020 GMC Terrain is a compact SUV that offers practical and versatile cargo space for its class. Behind the rear seats, it has 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space, which can accommodate several large bags or several smaller items. For added convenience and versatility, the rear seats can be folded down to increase the cargo volume to 63.3 cubic feet, allowing you to carry larger items or a combination of passengers and cargo.
Additionally, the 2020 GMC Terrain offers other storage spaces throughout the cabin, such as door pockets and center console storage, making it a great choice for families and individuals who need extra space for their belongings.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The second generation of the GMC Terrain was launched for the 2018 model year.
2015: 4G WiFi hotspot added across the lineup.
2016: Blind spot monitoring & lane departure warning system added to SLE-2 and SLT models.
2017: Standard 18-inch alloy wheels on all models, nightfall appearance package available.
2018: Fully redesigned for the second generation with new exterior, engines, and technology.
2019: New exterior appearance package added, upgraded high-resolution rearview camera.
2020: Upgraded suspension on the Denali model, diesel engine discontinued.
2021: Turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder engine removed from the lineup.
How Does the GMC Terrain Compare to the Competition?
The 2020 GMC Terrain is a decent compact SUV compared to the competition since it offers more luxury, although you trade a bit of the long-term affordability for the nicer interior.
The Ford Edge is a larger SUV which is available for around $4,500 more. Passenger room is better in the Ford Edge, while the GMC Terrain offers more standard technology for the money. We recommend the Ford Edge since it’s a more practical SUV, although both offer similar reliability for the 2020 model year.
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a popular competitor, which is about $2,200 more. Interior materials are more luxurious in the Hyundai Santa Fe, while the GMC Terrain offers a slightly better all-wheel drive system. We recommend the Hyundai Santa Fe since it has a much longer warranty, making it a better choice on the used market.