2026 GMC Terrain Denali Review : Style Without Refinement

Launched last year, the new generation of the GMC Terrain adds a Denali trim level, at the top of the range, for 2026.

Summary of the 2026 GMC Terrain Denali

• The 2026 GMC Terrain Denali is meant to be a more stylish and distinguished SUV than its close cousin, the Chevrolet Equinox.
• The Denali is powered by a 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission.
• Average fuel consumption is estimated by NR Can at 9.5 L/100 km; I achieved 9.3 L/100 km.
• The Terrain Denali is offered starting at $52,625.

Positive Points

• Polished interior and exterior appearance
• Practical and well-designed cabin
• Up-to-date technology

Negative Points

• Lack of mechanical refinement
• Slightly high fuel consumption
• Uninspiring road manners

Contrary to the norm, General Motors introduced the new generation of the GMC Terrain starting with the entry-level version last year, before adding the AT4 and Denali models for 2026.

The latter is the most luxurious and most expensive version of the compact SUV that acts as the gateway to the brand. Closely related to the Chevrolet Equinox, the GMC Terrain plays the luxury card while its cousin sports a more dynamic look.

Stylish and Distinct

Given the number of compact SUVs on the North American market, it’s often difficult to stand out, and many models end up looking alike.

Without redefining the segment, the GMC Terrain manages to distinguish itself from others with its robust yet elegant exterior styling, which uses several straight lines and rectangular elements, unlike some competitors that rely on aerodynamic curves.

The Denali adds a good dose of chrome all around the vehicle. It’s not to everyone’s taste, but it gives it an undeniably more high-end look than other models in the segment and speaks to those with slightly more traditional tastes.

In my opinion, the large Denali logo on the tailgate is too much, and I would have preferred “Terrain” badges on the front doors, but these are small details, all things considered.

The Terrain’s lines are less dynamic than the Equinox’s, which is a bit more successful in my opinion, but I still received positive comments about the Terrain’s style, which is rarely the case with a mainstream model.

The orange marker lights in the front and rear wheel arches seem a bit out of place on the Denali version, but they add to the Terrain’s distinct character and are undoubtedly intended to recall the brand’s trucks.

Regarding lighting, the animations of the headlights and taillights are well done, as they contribute to the more luxurious feel of the Terrain Denali when approaching or walking away from the vehicle, especially at night.

A Welcoming Interior

Opening the door, we see that General Motors wasn’t satisfied with just giving the GMC Terrain Denali a premium exterior style; it also gave it a matching interior.

Indeed, the Terrain Denali’s cabin is one of the most attractive in the compact SUV segment in my opinion, as it is both practical and elegant.

Without being openly luxurious, this model follows the lineage of GMC’s Denali models with its leather upholstery with X-shaped contrast stitching, its numerous brushed metal accents, and its wood trim, which is certainly fake, but convincing.

GMC is the only General Motors brand that still separates the infotainment and instrumentation screens rather than integrating them into a single panel. While the effect is a bit less striking, it avoids hiding several controls behind the steering wheel.

Still on the subject of screens, the Terrain’s are large, readable, and have good graphic quality, but it must be noted that the central screen houses too many controls that should be entrusted to physical buttons, such as those for the headlights, child locks, and dome lights, for example.

In addition to its appearance, the GMC Terrain Denali’s cabin also scores points thanks to its practical design, which provides numerous open and closed storage spaces in the center console and doors.

Furthermore, the floor is completely flat in the rear, which offers better clearance for passengers and even makes it possible for adults to use the center position of the rear bench, although shoulder room is a bit tight with five people on board.

Access to the rear bench is somewhat compromised by doors that don’t open quite wide enough, but front seat access is flawless, with a rather narrow sill and a seat placed at just the right height.

In terms of cargo space, the 2026 GMC Terrain is far from the category leaders like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, with only 844 liters of space behind the rear bench, but the square and regular shapes of the cargo area allow it to be fully utilized, and the Terrain should be sufficient for all daily tasks in this regard.

Despite its polished appearance, some curious cost-cutting moves are apparent inside the Terrain Denali, notably the absence of a sunroof (optional in the United States), the non-adjustable anchor for the passenger seatbelt, and the presence of some cheap plastics on the door panels.

It is also surprising that there is no high-end audio system in the Denali, but the standard six-speaker setup does a good job.

A Powertrain that Spoils the Mix

Unfortunately, the good impression left by the 2026 GMC Terrain Denali’s interior and exterior fades when it’s time to hit the road.

Indeed, this model, just like the Chevrolet Equinox, suffers from a powertrain that lacks refinement.

The engine is the main culprit, as this 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder is a bit rough and clearly doesn’t appreciate high revs, which is unfortunate since the modest 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque often require flooring the accelerator to merge onto highways or to pass slower vehicles. The power delivery is also not linear, as there is an unpleasant lag during gear shifts, possibly in an effort to protect the 8-speed automatic transmission.

Even worse, a strange vibration is felt through the vehicle when the speed is between 20 and 25 km/h. This means that every time you accelerate from a stop, the Terrain waddles on its suspension for a few seconds. It almost feels like a wheel is improperly installed.

It is difficult to determine the cause of this peculiarity, but one thing is certain, it is not isolated to my test vehicle, as the Chevrolet Equinox I drove a few months ago behaved the same way.

Still on the subject of mechanical disappointments, the GMC Terrain does not have an automatic all-wheel-drive system, which means you must activate the rear axle via a button to the left of the dashboard on slippery surfaces, otherwise the front wheels spin freely.

The Terrain Denali also doesn’t stand out for its road manners, which are a bit soft in terms of damping and do not encourage dynamic driving. However, this provides good overall comfort, and the handling still inspires confidence.

Also noteworthy is the high level of cabin soundproofing, which effectively masks the engine’s sound, even under hard acceleration.

Another strong point of the GMC Terrain on the road is its maneuverability, which benefits from both the vehicle’s square shape and its tight turning radius to facilitate parking maneuvers and urban driving. Visibility is also flawless.

Overall, the driving experience of the 2026 GMC Terrain Denali is rather mundane, if not for the annoying vibrations…

What to Watch For

2025 GMC Terrain: Slightly Updated to be More Competitive

The GMC Terrain’s reputation for reliability varies depending on the information source, with some claiming it is more durable than average and others saying the exact opposite. Considering General Motors’ reputation regarding turbocharged engines, caution is advised, but the 1.5L unit used in the Terrain seems much less problematic than the old 1.4L it replaces.

For now, no recalls have been issued for the new generation of the Terrain in Canada, but the previous generation (2018 to 2024) currently lists 11 on Transport Canada’s website.

As in many cases, rigorous maintenance seems to be essential for the GMC Terrain to be reliable, but at least this should not be too expensive since the manufacturer only recommends oil changes every 12,000 kilometres or once a year.

A spark plug replacement is scheduled at 96,000 kilometers, which is much earlier than many competitors, but not unique to General Motors.

The resale value of used models is average for the segment, behind the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.

Price of the 2026 GMC Terrain Denali

The 2026 GMC Terrain Denali is offered in Canada at an MSRP of $49,499 ($52,633 with fees), and my test model came with a sticker price of $53,128 due to an exterior paint colour (Downpour Metallic) billed $495.

This makes the Terrain Denali one of the most expensive models in its segment, even costing more than some rivals with a hybrid powertrain, which usually requires a surcharge.

If we compare it to the Chevrolet Equinox, we see that the Terrain Denali is about $8,400 more expensive than the Activ or RS versions of that model, but we must not forget that the Denali is more premium than those.

Other models in the 2026 Terrain lineup include the Elevation, which is offered starting at $35,599 ($38,733 fees included) with front-wheel drive and $37,899 ($41,033 selling price) with all-wheel drive.

The AT4 version, with its more rugged appearance, includes standard all-wheel drive (like the Denali) and has a starting MSRP of $43,599 ($46,733 selling price).

Options consist of interior protection packages, the “Hit the Road” package (which adds mud flaps and a roof rack), and the Black Badging package, which replaces the red GMC logos with black badges for $620.

20-inch wheels can replace the 19-inch units that equipped my test model for $645, and the black, blue, and silver paint colours are billed $495, while Volcanic Red costs $595. Summit White is the only no-cost hue, and Glacier White Tricoat requires $1,195 extra.

Conclusion

The 2026 GMC Terrain Denali is undeniably a stylish, attractive, and well-designed compact SUV, but its powertrain leaves us wanting more due to its no-more-than-adequate power output, its somewhat high fuel consumption, and above all, its unacceptable vibrations for a vehicle of this price.

Moreover, it is difficult to justify the cost of the Terrain Denali when compared to rivals that offer just as much for less, with the added bonus of a more refined and economical powertrain.

It’s a shame, because the new GMC Terrain is not a bad product in itself and has several advantages over its competitors.

Let’s hope General Motors reconsiders and gives it a more modern engine better suited to the task in the coming years. And why not a hybrid version at the same time?

Model	GMC Terrain Denali	Ford Bronco Sport Badlands	Honda CR-V Touring Hybrid
MSRP (Canada)	$49,499	$49,295	$51,200
Powertrain	1.5L 4 cyl. turbo / auto. 8 speed	2.0L turbo 4 cyl. / auto. 8 speed	2.0L 4 cyl+ 2 electric motors / eCVT
Power	175 hp	250 hp	204 hp
Torque	203 lb-ft	280 lb-ft	247 lb-ft
Average fuel consumption (NR Can)	9,5 L/100 km	10,1 L/100 km	6,4 L/100 km
Towing capacity	680 kg (1 500 lb)	1 225 kg (2 700 lb)	453 kg (999 lb)
Cargo space (rear seats up / down)	844 L / 1 798 L	834 L / 1 716 L	1 028 L / 2 030 L
Legroom (FR/RR)	1 116 mm / 1 008 mm	1 067 mm / 937 mm	1 049 mm / 1 042 mm
Headroom (FR/RR)	1 003 mm / 960 mm	1 054 mm / 1 059 mm	970 mm / 970 mm
Touchscreen size	15-inch	13,2-inch	9-inch