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Pros
Cons
The 2026 GMC Terrain has moved upmarket, with the brand’s Denali treatment added to the mix.
It’s one of two new trims, along with the rugged-looking AT4, which join the lineup a year after the Terrain was redesigned. As the smallest sport utility in the brand’s lineup, it has two sets of seats and a maximum capacity of five occupants.
The 2026 lineup starts with the Elevation in front-wheel drive (FWD) at $37,899, including a non-negotiable delivery fee of $2,300. It can be optioned with all-wheel drive (AWD) for $40,199 before tax and extras. The other two trims are AWD-only, with the AT4 priced at $45,899, and the Denali tested here at $51,799. This one was further optioned with a coat of Ebony Twilight Metallic paint for $495, bringing it to $52,294 before taxes.
Styling 9 / 10
The Terrain wasn’t the prettiest vehicle when it initially debuted for 2010, but a redesign made it better, and now this version is the best of all. Even though it’s not quite as big as some of its rivals, its new design and prominent grille (with a unique treatment on each trim) makes it look larger than it is. The interior is equally handsome, with soft-touch materials and upscale finishes, and a 15-inch touchscreen that’s standard in all trims.
Safety 8.5 / 10
The United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hadn’t yet crash-tested the updated Terrain at this time of writing, although it gave the 2024 version its top five-star rating. The not-for-profit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hadn’t yet smacked it up, either.
All trims include emergency front and rear braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot steering assist, intersection braking assist, lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, side bicyclist alert, teen driver controls, and the back-up camera that’s mandatory on all new vehicles. Standard on the Denali, and available on the two lower trims, are surround-view cameras, rear pedestrian detection, and traffic sign recognition.
Features 8 / 10
General Motors (GM) usually gives the opportunity to pile option packages onto its offerings, but the Terrain Denali comes pretty much all-in, other than accessories like floor liners. The Altitude is relatively basic with heated seats and steering wheel, a 15-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity, and manual-adjustment fabric seats, while the AT4 moves up by adding a hands-free power tailgate, power driver’s seat, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control, wireless charger, tow package, and faux-leather-trimmed seats.
The Denali builds on that with a panoramic sunroof, rear camera washer, leather upholstery, power passenger seat, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and digital rearview mirror. However, I was a bit surprised to find there wasn’t a head-up display.
User-Friendliness 8 / 10
Although that big infotainment screen offers a lot of real estate to stuff in functions, the engineers were smart enough to use real toggle switches for the cabin temperature and fan speed, along with a big volume dial. The steering wheel controls are also simple to use. The gear selector is now on the column, which is much better than the previous shift buttons on the console.
It’s easy to get in and out of the Terrain, and what really impresses is its wide windshield and flat dash, which provide excellent visibility. The rear liftover is low so it’s easy to load and unload cargo, and equally easy to fold down the rear seats for more room. Towing capacity with the Denali is 680 kg (1,500 lb).
Practicality 8 / 10
On paper, the Terrain doesn’t have as much legroom or cargo space as many rivals, but when you’re in the seats or loading it up, it’s still impressive. Also notable is small-item space, especially since the wireless charger is tucked in front of the lidded console box, leaving the large cubby under the centre screen open for business. And if that’s not enough, the console is dual-height, with storage space under it.
Comfort 8 / 10
The Terrain’s seats are nicely-cushioned and supportive. In the Denali, both rows have heated seats, and ventilation up front ones as well. Despite riding on 19-inch wheels (and their correspondingly lower-profile tires), the ride is smooth and bumps get soaked up before they make their way into the cabin, which is very quiet for a compact sport-ute.
Power 7 / 10
All Terrain trims are powered by a turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder engine. In the Elevation with FWD, it makes 175 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, and is mated to an automatic continuously-variable transmission (CVT). With AWD, it also makes 175 hp, but torque rises to 203 lb-ft, and the transmission is an eight-speed automatic. It’s a peppy little engine in city traffic, where it’s truly happy and does a great job. But the Denali tips the scale at a hefty 1,691 kg (3,728 lb) and it gets wheezy when you put your foot into it for merging or passing. It doesn’t make it a bad choice, but take it on the highway during your test-drive to see how it works for you.
Driving Feel 8 / 10
The Terrain has smooth and responsive steering, and that excellent visibility makes it easy to manoeuvre in city traffic. The driving experience isn’t spectacular, but it falls squarely in what you expect an average commuter vehicle to be. Oddly, the AWD is selectable: you can either keep it in FWD or switch to AWD, where it primarily powers the front wheels but brings in the rear wheels as needed for extra traction. I’m not sure why there’s a choice, especially if you forget it isn’t activated on slippery roads; but the good news is that once you set it, it doesn’t default to FWD when you turn the engine off. It’ll stay in AWD eternally unless you actively turn it off.
Fuel Economy 7 / 10
The Terrain AT4 and Denali trims are rated by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) at 9.9 L/100 km in the city, 8.9 on the highway, and 9.5 combined; and in my week with it, I averaged 9.0. It takes regular-grade gasoline.
The Chevrolet Equinox is the Terrain’s mechanical sibling, but no doubt due to its lower weight, it’s rated at 8.9 L/100 km in combined driving. Other rivals do even better, with the Ford Bronco Sport at 8.7; the Honda CR-V at 8.4; and the Nissan Rogue at 7.6; and some of its competitors offer hybrid powertrains that will further undercut those.
Value 7 / 10
The Terrain lineup ranges from $37,899 to $51,799. Its Chevrolet Equinox sibling, which doesn’t have a trim as high as Denali, stops at $43,399. Honda’s CR-V ranges from $38,975 to $45,375; the Nissan Rogue goes from $36,028 to $47,628; and the Bronco Sport from $41,090 to $51,590 and with more power than the Terrain in its upper trim (all prices including delivery).
The Verdict
On its own, the 2026 GMC Terrain Denali offers a luxury feel and features that you don’t always get in the compact-SUV segment. But at the same time, it isn’t inexpensive, so be sure you’re happy with its performance and fuel consumption before you buy. As with any vehicle, it isn’t which one is best, but which one is best for you.
