beebs
Skip to main content

2014 GMC Terrain review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise

GMC Terrain highlights

Customer rating

RepairPal reliability rating

Pros

  • Spacious backseat that slides and reclines for added comfort
  • Available V6 engine makes this crossover faster than even modern competitors
  • Interior stays quiet at highway speeds
  • Supple suspension soaks up impacts on rough roads
  • Some advanced driver aids available

Cons

  • Four-cylinder engine feels sluggish
  • Less cargo space than many rivals
  • Touchscreen is hard to reach

Mileage (EPA estimate)

16 city, 23 highway, 19 combined

Pricing for current inventory

(no current inventory)

View our GMC Terrain inventory
Lighting bolt logo
Can an EV fit my lifestyle? Image of woman on smartphone while charging an EV

Does an EV fit my lifestyle?

On this page

Find your Terrain
then buy online or in-store

Learn more about getting pre-qualified with no impact to your credit score
Price
Year
Search our Terrain inventorySearch for a different car

Shop with your budget in mind

Getting pre-qualified lets you shop with personalized monthly payments, and it doesn't impact your credit score.

Get Pre-qualified

Comfort is king with the 2014 GMC Terrain and Terrain Denali

For those seeking a comfortable, quiet and potentially powerful compact SUV on a budget, the 2014 GMC Terrain might fit the bill.

The interior is comfortable and quiet, and the rear seats slide forward and backward nearly eight inches to optimize rear legroom or cargo space. Under the hood, the standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder does well with fuel economy, but if you want power the available 3.6-liter V6 engine is the way to go. Not only is it powerful enough to outrun even modern compact SUVs, it can also tow up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped. Various factors may impact towing capacity, including weight of passengers, cargo, and options/accessories.

Of course, there’s no getting around the 2014 Terrain’s age, as a glance at the array of infotainment and climate control buttons on the dash can tell you. That said, while the Terrain obviously doesn’t have modern smartphone integration, there’s a standard USB audio input, and SLE-2 and higher trims have Bluetooth® audio streaming. Driver assist tech is limited, but includes forward-collision warning and lane-departure alert. Denali trims get blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

All GMC Terrain years

Not sure what year to select? Learn about each GMC Terrain generation from 2012 to 2026

What is new for the 2014 GMC Terrain?

  • SiriusXM Trial Available features are now available as options on select trims.

What We Like

V6 Power: Even though it’s older, the 2014 GMC Terrain has a trick up its sleeve: A powerful V6 engine. Not only is it enough to outpace newer compact SUVs, it can also tow up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped, pretty good for this class.

Fuel economy is definitely a weak point, but if you need extra oomph, the Terrain has you covered.

Rear Seat Flexibility: We like the sliding rear seat of the 2014 Terrain, which allows you to optimize cargo space with the seat all the way forward, or legroom with it in its rearmost position. In fact, it’s enough to give this older vehicle more legroom and cargo space than its successor (2018-present), albeit by just a little bit.

Interior Comfort: You don’t have to get the luxury-level Terrain Denali to get a comfortable interior and smooth ride. Every GMC Terrain benefits from this, thanks to extensive sound deadening and a soft suspension. That all goes double for the upscale Denali.

What Needs Improvement

Interior Space: By external measurements, the Terrain is a “tweener” vehicle, slotting somewhere between rivals like the Honda CR-V and the bigger Ford Edge. However, the interior is actually smaller than both. While what you get is comfortable, if you need maximum interior and cargo space, the Terrain comes up a little short.

Shop with your budget in mind

Getting pre-qualified lets you shop with personalized monthly payments, and it doesn't impact your credit score.

Get Pre-qualified

Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

4 out of 5

26 customer reviews
The 2014 GMC Terrain is a mid-size SUV that has a lot of great features. Customers like the car's economy, style, comfort, and the car's safety ratings.

RepairPal reliability rating

4
Above Average

RepairPal gave the GMC Terrain an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks GMC Terrain 11th out of 29 among Compact SUVs.

View RepairPal's full rating of the GMC Terrain

GMC Terrain features and specs

Curious how GMC Terrain trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

Denali 2WD 4D Sport Utility

Standard Features

  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • Alloy Wheels
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Blind Spot Monitor
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • CD Audio
  • Cruise Control
  • Front Seat Heaters
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Leather Seats
  • Memory Seat(s)
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Parking Sensors
  • Pioneer Sound System
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Seat(s)
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Defroster
  • Rear View Camera
  • Remote Start
  • Satellite Radio Ready
  • Side Airbags
  • Sunroof(s)
  • Traction Control

Optional Features

  • Automatic Transmission
  • Full Roof Rack
  • Navigation System
  • Power Hatch/Deck Lid
  • Rear Entertainment System
  • Tow Hitch

Drive Wheels

Front Wheel Drive (2WD)

Engine size

2.4L

Horsepower

182

Torque (ft-lbs)

172

Engine type

Gas

Fuel capacity

18

Wheelbase

112.5"

Overall length

185.3"

Width

72.8"

Height

66.3"

Leg room

F 41.2"/R 39.9"

Head room

F 39.8"/R 39.2"

Front tires

P235/55R18

Rear tires

P235/55R18

Seating capacity

5

Max towing capacity

225/1500 lbs.

Transmission

Automatic

2014 GMC Terrain FAQ

GMC Terrain articles

These Are the Cars You're Looking For

These Are the Cars You're Looking For

Around the country, shoppers are seeking out different cars and trucks. We see the search patterns, in the northeast, southeast, midwest, southwest, and west coast. And we’re sharing our results with you.
These Are the Cars You're Looking For

These Are the Cars You're Looking For

Around the country, shoppers are seeking out different cars and trucks. We see the search patterns, in the northeast, southeast, midwest, southwest, and west coast. And we’re sharing our results with you.
10 Best Diesel SUVs for 2022: Ranked: Abstract | CarMax

10 Best Diesel SUVs for 2022: Ranked

If you're looking for a capable SUV with plenty of utility, check out this list of the 10 best used diesel SUVs for 2022 shoppers, based on CarMax sales data from July 1, 2021, through December 31, 2021.

Want to view more trending articles?

Research other vehicles


* Price excludes taxes, title, registration, and fees. Applicable transfer fees are due in advance of vehicle delivery and are separate from sales transactions.

We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.​

Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.

Unless otherwise noted, information related to featured vehicles comes from third-party sources, including manufacturer information. Product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of third-party entities. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these entities.​ By clicking on any video links, you will be taken to a third-party site maintained by YouTube, Inc.

We make every effort to provide accurate information, but please verify before purchasing.