I get that I lean on the “old man” trope a bit too much in my recent writings. Sometimes it’s simply because I’m lazy (another favorite trope of mine). But there are other instances, such as this one, where it helps provide further validation to a point I am attempting to make. So without further ado…
It’s hard for me to believe that I’ve been reviewing cars professionally for a bit over 20 years now. Technically 21 years at the time of this writing, meaning my writing career is not only a legal adult, it can also legally drink. That also means I’ve got about 21 years of being in a new car each week, each time with a scrutinizing eye towards what made each of those vehicles good or bad. It’s a career that’s had me behind the wheel everything from a Kia Rio5 to a McLaren 675LT, with each year delivering a flurry of surprises.
And the biggest surprise of 2025—for me as a professional car reviewer—was this: the GMC Terrain Elevation. Is it the most exciting vehicle I’ve driven? Uh, no. Did it pay off its professional-grade styling by conquering Moab’s Prichett Canyon? Also, no. Is it the most comfortable vehicle I’ve driven in recent memory? The answer, surprisingly, is yes.
The Basics: GMC Terrain Elevation Specifications
Engine: 1.5-liter turbocharged DOHC inline-four
Horsepower: 175
Torque: 203 lb-ft
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Driver-selectable AWD
Starting MSRP: $31,000
Price as tested: $40,910
Let’s cut to the chase: the Terrain, especially in Elevation trim, doesn’t deliver a modern luxury-car experience. This is the base grade of GMC’s entry-level crossover, so it doesn’t get things like sport-inspired handling or active tech features to counter lean in corners. It instead feels like an early-‘90s Cadillac with its pillowy-soft ride that superbly soaks up bumps and other road imperfections. And unlike the Caddys of old, this crossover can actually turn and stop, too.
Speaking of old ‘90s Cadillacs, no one ever bought one because they were fast. This Terrain also lacks any semblance of speed, which I guess is to be expected of having just 203 torques to lug 3,500 pounds of crossover (not including driver) around. To hit that ‘90s Cadillac comparison just one more time, buyers of that era weren’t concerned with fuel economy and were fine with their big V8s returning MPG numbers in the teens. As tested by the EPA, this Terrain gets 25 mpg combined, but in practice the digital display shows my estimated driving range dropping by numbers greater than the miles I’m actually driving. So if I drive two miles, for example, the “range to empty” number drops by 10. And like a typical of-the-era ‘90s Cadillac driver, I’m naturally an incredibly slow driver.
But no one buys an entry-level crossover for speed; they buy ‘em for their ability to hold a bunch of stuff. Thanks to its unabashedly boxy design, this Terrain can carry a whole bunch of stuff. There’s 29.80 cubic feet of room behind the second-row seats. Fold ‘em down and this GMC can swallow up to 63.5 cubic feet of whatever your heart desires.
Passenger space is generous, with both the front and rear seats offering ample head- and legroom. And because this specific tester gets a bunch of premium add-ons like heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats, heated rear seats and automatic dual-zone climate control, it’s an easy space to get comfy in. You could argue that the Terrain’s gray-on-gray interior isn’t exactly exciting, but the space is still handsome, with materials and build quality that exceed what you’d expect for a $30k starting price. This GMC’s simpler cabin design will probably age gracefully, too.
Let’s talk more surprises: that big old tablet in the center of the dash. As with all touchscreen systems, there’s a bit of a learning curve needed to learn how to navigate it. But I don’t hate it. In fact, I kind of like it. Why? Simple: it’s got a bunch of nice, meaty toggle switches placed strategically at the bottom of the screen. These toggles will control different things depending on the main-screen setting, but generally they’ll provide an easy-to-use, tactile way to adjust all primary climate and audio controls. And you won’t have to dive through a series of menus to do so.
Final Takeaway
I get that the GMC Terrain Elevation is a bit of an appliance car in work-truck clothing, but it delivers a comfy ride at a cheap entry price. It’s a crossover that does the things a crossover is supposed to do, and it does them all well. It also pulls off the unique party trick of presenting a near-perfect blend of tablet and tactile controls. This vehicle remains the biggest surprise of 2025, and I can’t wait to see what GMC might have in store for 2026. Maybe a Terrain built to take on Moab?
Like pictures? You know you do. So check out more photos of this surprisingly comfortable crossover in the GMC Terrain Elevation photo gallery below.
