2018 GMC Terrain
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.

- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV AWD, 4dr SUV FWD
- Engines
- 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Diesel, Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 32 combined · 28 city / 39 hwy
- Length
- 183.1 in
- Curb weight
- 3,327–3,483 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 5 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 32 MPG combined — 29% better than the average 2018 small SUV (24.9 MPG).
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 24 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2018 GMC Terrain is a small SUV offered with 3 engines (1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo) 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 3,483 lb (4dr SUV AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 32 MPG combined (28 city / 39 highway), 29% better than the 2018 small SUV average of 24.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,400 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 226 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
What changed for 2018
- New body dimensions: 2.3 in shorter, wheelbase −5.1 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- New diesel version
- Engines added: 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Engines dropped: 2.4L 4-cyl and 3.6L 6-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 25 to 32
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 Terrain →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV AWD | 183.1 in | 72.4 in | 65.4 in | 107.5 in | 62.2 / 62.2 in | 3,483 lb | 57/43 |
| 4dr SUV FWD | 183.1 in | 72.4 in | 65.4 in | 107.5 in | 62.2 / 62.2 in | 3,327 lb | 58/42 |
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 Diesel | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 39 / 32 | +29% | $3,000 | 319 |
| Terrain AWD Diesel | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 28 / 38 / 32 | +38% | $3,000 | 319 |
| Terrain FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 30 / 28 | +12% | $2,400 | 316 |
| Terrain AWD | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 28 / 26 | +12% | $2,600 | 339 |
| Terrain FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 28 / 24 | -4% | $3,400 | 369 |
| Terrain AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 26 / 23 | -1% | $3,550 | 386 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 GMC Terrain SUV FWD Later Release | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 18.5% |
| 2018 GMC Terrain SUV AWD Later Release | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 16.4% |
| 2018 GMC Terrain SUV AWD Early Release | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 16.5% |
| 2018 GMC Terrain SUV FWD Early Release | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 18.8% |
Similar 2018 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 GMC Terrain (this car) | 32 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2018 Toyota RAV4 | 32 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2018 Honda CR-V | 30 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2018 Toyota 4Runner | 18 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2018 Hyundai Tucson | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2018 Subaru Forester | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2018 Mazda CX-5 | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
Recalls (5)
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · Oct 29, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V668000 · 194,105 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
- Risk
- Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper · Aug 30, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V576000 · 210,628 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
- Risk
- A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · May 31, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V358000 · 895 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
- Risk
- A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.
Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module · May 24, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V340000 · 88,503 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 GMC Terrain vehicles. The sensing diagnostic module (SDM) that senses a crash and deploys the necessary air bags may not power down correctly when the vehicle is shut off, causing it to be inoperative when the vehicle is restarted.
- Risk
- If the SDM becomes inoperative, it will not detect a crash or command the necessary air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SDM with updated software, free of charge. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18179.
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft · Aug 22, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V516000 · 2,905 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles and 2017-2018 GMC Acadia vehicles. The right front intermediate driveshaft may fracture and separate while driving.
- Risk
- If the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. If the assembly separates while parked on a grade, without the park brake engaged, the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a vehicle roll-away.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right front intermediate drive shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17329.
Not every 2018 GMC Terrain is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2018 GMC Terrain buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Service Brakes — 70 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Engine — 55 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Power Train — 41 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 19,000 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 2018 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 |
| 2017 Terrain | 25 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 135 |
| 2016 Terrain | 26 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 2 | 153 |
| 2015 Terrain | 26 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 3 | 299 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or GMC. How we calculate this →