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2020 GMC Terrain Denali driving
Trucks & SUVs

Will Turbo Power Make the GMC Terrain Worth Buying?

The 2022 GMC Terrain is getting a much-needed power boost. It’s getting turbo power to be exact. But will the return of the more powerful engine option make the GMC Terrain worth buying?  The 2022 GMC Terrain regains turbo power  Back in the day, the GMC Terrain and Chevy Equinox had a powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged …
by Allison Barfield
Published on
2 min read

The 2022 GMC Terrain is getting a much-needed power boost. It’s getting turbo power to be exact. But will the return of the more powerful engine option make the GMC Terrain worth buying? 

The 2022 GMC Terrain regains turbo power 

Back in the day, the GMC Terrain and Chevy Equinox had a powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that was discontinued for 2021. The leaves the 2021 GMC Terrain with the 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder engine that provides 170 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque. This is a fair amount of power for a small SUV, but it’s not exactly exciting. 

2020 GMC Terrain Denali driving
2020 GMC Terrain Denali | GMC

Now a newer version of the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine will be making its return for 2022. However, it will only come with 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The old 2.0-liter engine had 252 hp. 

But this is a good thing for the environment, at least. With this loss of muscle, the GMC Terrain gains an increase in efficiency. According to PickupTruckTalk, the new engine has better emissions and higher refinement than the older engine. 

What else is new for the 2022 GMC Terrain 

Not much information has been revealed about the 2022 GMC Terrain yet. However, according to GMAuthority, the 2022 GMC Terrain will receive a refresh. It was supposed to be updated in 2021, but the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak caused a few complications. 

A red GMC Terrain on display at a car show
GMC Terrain on display | Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

The 2022 GMC Terrain will represent the 5th model year of the second generation. It could have new front end styling, rear-end styling, interior styling and materials revisions, new exterior colors, the addition of the AT4 off-roading model, a new heads up display (HUD) feature, and the addition of the engine auto stop-start technology. 

Is the 2021 GMC Terrain a good SUV? 

We know that the 2021 GMC Terrain will have a new look and more power. But is the 2021 GMC Terrain worth buying? If you don’t want to wait for the refreshed model, you can get started in the 2021 model for about $25,000. This price is fair compared to rivals. For example, the Toyota Rav4 begins around $26,050. 

The GMC Terrain can only tow up to 1,500 lb, which is better than nothing. Also, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds, according to CarandDriver. That’s pretty darn fast for a SUV. 

While the 2021 GMC Terrain comes in front-wheel-drive, it includes driving modes for towing and driving in snow. The driving mode reduces the chance of wheel slippage in low-traction driving conditions. It also has hill descent control.

The GMC Terrain Denali, which is the highest trim level, has a premium suspension with an additional valve internal to the struts and shocks. This delivers a smooth and controlled ride. Plus, the urethane spring isolators reduce road noise. 

With the GMC Terrain, you get GMC Pro Safety, and Pro Safety Plus is available. The available safety features include lane change alert, blind-spot detection, rear park assist, and rear-cross traffic alert. 

2019 GMC Terrain Denali
2019 GMC Terrain Denali | GMC

The infotainment center can connect to Alexa, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Plus, a built-in navigation system and 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot are available. You can also benefit from a surround-view camera to avoid objects while parking and reversing with the Denali.

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Staff Writer

Allison Barfield

Allison Barfield joined MotorBiscuit in 2020 and covers all things trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. Having grown up on a farm in Rock Hill, South Carolina, she’s no stranger to the “Best in Class” truck and SUV debates; people in her hometown were always gathering to help work on vehicles together, and deliberation would naturally arise.

Allison graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Media Arts. She has helped bring awareness to issues Women In Trucking face and has promoted Truckers Against Trafficking, an anti-trafficking NGO.

A fan of creatively dark literature, Allison appreciates the works of Shirley Jackson and Emily Dickenson. She lives in a mountainous area of the country and enjoys off-roading and camping. Her dog, Bruce, often joins her in testing trucks and SUVs for our site.