2018 GMC Terrain Review: Well-Made Compact SUV With Improved Reliability Ratings

The 2018 GMC Terrain lasts around 200,000 miles with some electrical and braking system software issues reported. At $17,650 to $23,550, it’s cheaper than many other small SUVs, making it a good choice for shoppers on a budget.

Is the 2018 GMC Terrain a Good Used SUV?

• Overall Rating 8/10 – 2018 is a good year for the GMC Terrain since it offers an upscale cabin with low ownership costs, giving it a high overall score. Owner reviews praise the safety features, low fuel costs, as well as the responsive driving experience.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are very nice for a compact SUV, the seats have great support for long drives, cargo space is also good.
• Reliability 8/10 – There are no major mechanical issues on the 2018 GMC Terrain. Avoid models from 2010–2015 since they have engine problems. Models from 2016–2022 are more dependable.
• Performance 8/10 – Performance is okay from the base engines, while the most powerful turbocharged 4-cylinder is quick for a small SUV.
• Safety 7/10 – The 2018 Terrain is reasonably safe, earning 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests. There’s a standard rearview camera as well as teen driver mode. Optional upgrades include lane change assist, low-speed automatic braking, as well as park assist.
• Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is good at up to 32 MPG, giving 499 miles of range from the 15.6 gallon tank. Gas costs are $59 cheaper than average at $158 per month.
• Value 7/10 – The 2018 GMC Terrain is an okay value since it’s cheaper than a lot of other SUVs, although it does depreciate relatively fast.

What Do Critics Say About the GMC Terrain?

• Consumer Reports says the 2018 GMC Terrain is a premium alternative to the Chevy Equinox, with average owner satisfaction scores.
• Edmunds rates the Terrain at 3.3/5, praising the upscale interior materials, but doesn’t like the limited cargo space.
• Kelley Blue Book users give the Terrain a 4.1/5, enjoying the very comfortable interior, but owners don’t like the lack of advanced safety features.

What Common Problems Does the 2018 GMC Terrain Have?

Common problems found on the 2018 GMC Terrain include excessive battery drain, a frozen stereo system, as well as some braking system software issues. Overall, these problems are similar to other SUVs, leading to average repair costs as the Terrain ages.

Excessive battery drain is the most widespread complaint from Terrain owners in the first 5,000 miles. There are a lot of electrical accessories in the SUV which sometimes drain the battery even when the vehicle is off. Replacing a battery costs around $200, while diagnosing the source of the problem is around $150 more.

A frozen stereo system also shows up on some Terrain models at around 10,000 miles. The software freezes, leading to a black screen on the dash. Rebooting the stereo system usually fixes the problem. There are also software updates which improve the reliability. Most dealerships will install the updates for free, while some charge under $100.

Braking system software issues have also been reported by Terrain owners at around 40,000 miles. There’s a “service brake assist” light which shows up on the dash. Usually this is caused by a software issue which can be addressed via an update which most dealers will install for free. There are also brake sensor failures, which cost around $500 to replace if they fail.

There are five recalls on the 2018 GMG Terrain, which is worse than other small SUVs from the same year. The most serious recall covers the driveshaft, which may fracture and separate. GMC will replace the driveshaft assembly on affected models for free. Other serious recalls cover the fuel pump weld which may fail, increasing the risk of a fire. General Motors will also fix that issue for free.

How Long Will the 2018 GMC Terrain Last?

A well-maintained 2018 GMC Terrain can last around 200,000 miles, which is about 100,000 miles less than the long-lasting Toyota RAV4. Regular annual maintenance costs are more expensive than other small SUVs, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $687 per year.

As a used 2018 GMC Terrain reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the battery cable for $200, timing chain gear set costing $1,100, as well as the brake booster which costs $600.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology is very good in the 2018 GMC Terrain since it comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen system which has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities. Optional upgrades include a larger 8-inch touchscreen along with a more powerful stereo system.

Standard safety technology is good, including a rearview camera as well as Teen Driver mode, which allows you to set speed and volume limits for inexperienced drivers. Optional advanced safety features include forward collision alert, low-speed automatic braking, surround-view camera, automatic park assist, rear cross traffic alert, rear parking sensor, blind spot monitoring, lane change alert, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, as well as a safety alert seat.

Is the 2018 GMC Terrain a Good Value?

Yes, the 2018 GMC Terrain is a good value since it offers decent reliability ratings paired with an upscale interior for the cost. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $17,400 to $23,900, making it cheaper than a Subaru Forester or Honda CR-V. When new, the price range was $24,995 to $39,300. Depreciation is worse than other SUVs, losing about 12% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the GMC Terrain?

There are four models of the 2018 GMC Terrain offered from the base SL all the way up to the luxurious Denali model. The GMC Terrain is also offered with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

SL is the entry-level model with:

• 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Cloth Seats
• OnStar
• Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
• Rearview Camera
• Two USB Ports
• 7-Inch Touchscreen Infotainment System
• Bluetooth
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Six-Speaker Sound System

SLE is a step up, adding:

• Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror
• Compact Spare Tire
• Interior Trim Upgrades
• Remote Engine Start
• Roof Rails
• Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
• Power-Adjustable Driver Seat

SLT is next in the lineup with:

• Leather Upholstery
• Heated Front Seats
• 8-Inch Touchscreen
• Color Information Display
• Power Passenger Seat
• SD Card Reader
• Seven-Speaker Bose Stereo System
• Power Liftgate
• Heated Steering Wheel

Denali is the flagship model which has:

• 19-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Premium Leather Seats
• LED Headlights
• Panoramic Sunroof
• Surround-View Parking Camera
• Ventilated Front Seats
• Heated Rear seats
• Wireless Phone Charging Pad

What Engines Come In the GMC Terrain?

• The base engine is a fairly weak 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder which makes 170 horsepower at up to 28 MPG. It comes standard with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
• A more efficient option is the 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel which produces 137 horsepower while getting up to 32 MPG. This engine features a six-speed automatic transmission.
• The flagship engine is the strong turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder which generates 252 horsepower at up to 24 MPG. It has a standard nine-speed automatic transmission. Performance is very good, taking only 6.8 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.

What Colors Does the GMC Terrain Come In?

How Comfortable Is the GMC Terrain?

The 2018 GMC Terrain is a comfortable compact SUV, offering seating for up to five passengers. Seating is very supportive on longer drives and there are nice cloth and leather options available compared to other small SUVs.

Passenger room is very good throughout the cabin, offering enough space to easily fit adults in the rear seats.

How Much Storage Space Does the GMC Terrain Have?

Cargo space is a bit lower than some of the other compact SUVs on the market, with enough room for 5-6 suitcases behind the rear seats, and around 15 with the second row folded flat.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The second generation of the GMC Terrain was launched in 2018.

2015: 4G WiFi hotspot added to all models.

2016: Blind spot monitoring & lane departure warning systems added to the SLE-2 and SLT models.

2017: Available black nightfall appearance package, standard 18-inch alloy wheels across the lineup.

2018: Fully redesigned for the 2018 model year with new exterior, interior, and engine choices.

2019: New exterior appearance packages available, upgraded higher resolution rearview camera.

2020: Diesel engine discontinued, upgraded suspension on Denali models for a smoother ride.

2021: Turbocharged 2.0L engine discontinued.

How Does the GMC Terrain Compare to the Competition?

The 2018 GMC Terrain is a good compact SUV since it offers an upscale interior, affordable pricing, and decent reliability ratings, helping it earn our recommendation for shoppers.

The Nissan Rogue is another SUV which is available for around $1,000 less. Standard technology is a bit better in the Nissan Rogue, while the GMC Terrain offers a more upscale interior. We recommend the Nissan Rogue since ownership costs are lower as it ages, although both are decent small SUVs.

The Ford Edge is a larger SUV which costs about $1,500 less. Passenger room is better in the Ford Edge, while the GMC Terrain has a much nicer interior for the money with less cheap plastic. We recommend the GMC Terrain since there are fewer complaints from owners.

Do Owners Recommend the GMC Terrain?