2015 GMC Terrain
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2015 models.

- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- Sle/Slt/Denali 4dr SUV AWD, Sle/Slt/Denali 4dr SUV FWD
- Engines
- 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- FFV, Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 26 combined · 22 city / 31 hwy
- Length
- 185.4 in
- Curb weight
- 3,854–4,019 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 23 similar 2015 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2015 GMC Terrain is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.4L 4-cyl and 3.6L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 185 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,019 lb (Sle/Slt/Denali 4dr SUV AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 26 MPG combined (22 city / 31 highway), 8% better than the 2015 small SUV average of 24 MPG, for an estimated $2,600 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 299 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the visibility/wiper.
What changed for 2015
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2014 Terrain — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2014; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2014 Terrain →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sle/Slt/Denali 4dr SUV AWD | 185.4 in | 72.8 in | 66.5 in | 112.6 in | 63 / 62.2 in | 4,019 lb | 56/44 |
| Sle/Slt/Denali 4dr SUV FWD | 185.4 in | 72.8 in | 66.5 in | 112.6 in | 63 / 62.2 in | 3,854 lb | 57/43 |
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 FFV | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 31 / 26 | +8% | $2,600 | 347 |
| Terrain FWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 31 / 26 | +8% | $2,600 | 347 |
| Terrain AWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | +2% | $2,900 | 381 |
| Terrain FWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 19 | -21% | $3,550 | 462 |
| Terrain AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 19 | -16% | $3,550 | 481 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2015 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2015 GMC Terrain.
Similar 2015 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 GMC Terrain (this car) | 26 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2015 Toyota RAV4 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2015 Honda CR-V | 29 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2015 Toyota 4Runner | 19 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2015 Subaru Forester | 27 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2015 Mazda CX-5 | 29 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2015 Toyota Highlander | 28 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (3)
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor · Mar 17, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V165000 · 681,509 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The ball joints in the windshield wiper module may corrode, causing one or both windshield wipers to fail.
- Risk
- Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect the wiper module, and repair or replace it as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 21, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212352530.
Exterior Lighting › Headlights · Mar 8, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V137000 · 740,581 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles. A reflection caused by the headlight housings may illuminate areas above the vehicle and outside of the driver's view with excessively bright light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will install headlamp appliques, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222363740.
Air Bags › Side/Window · Oct 16, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V666000 · 395 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of one or both of the side impact air bags, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not properly inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Additionally, if the air bag does not properly inflate, the driver or passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 01320.
Not every 2015 GMC Terrain is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2015 GMC Terrain buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Visibility/Wiper — 101 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Engine — 81 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 31 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 65,000 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 2015 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 |
| 2020 Terrain | 27 | 183.1 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 197 |
| 2019 Terrain | 32 | 183.1 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 187 |
| 2018 Terrain | 32 | 183.1 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 226 |
| 2017 Terrain | 25 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 135 |
| 2016 Terrain | 26 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 2 | 153 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or GMC. How we calculate this →