GMC Terrain Ground Clearance: What To Know
Source: Pixabay
The GMC Terrain is a compact SUV offering a rugged appearance and room for five people inside the exciting cabin. If you’re interested in a large vehicle, you might be looking for a car with an impressive ground clearance. It’s a critical factor to consider. You might wonder - what is the GMC Terrain ground clearance? Is it ideal for your driving needs?
If you’re interested in learning more about the dimensions of the GMC Terrain as they relate to ground clearance, you’re in the right place. The more you know about this measurement, the easier you will see if the Terrain is the right choice for your life. Read on to learn more about the pros and cons of ground clearance, Terrain measurements, and more valuable items.
Ground Clearance Pros and Cons
The GMC Terrain ground clearance is the measurement from the lowest part of your car’s body (minus the wheels and tires) and stretches to the ground. As with any number, there are pros and cons to ponder before using this number to determine if you want the GMC Terrain in your driveway. Some may enjoy high ground clearance, while others loathe the addition.
Ground Clearance Pros:
Cars with higher ground clearance tend to enjoy a much lower risk of damage when driving over speed bumps, dips and cracks in the road, and imperfections in the earth. Also, the driver will have a much higher position and a better view of the road ahead. Those with cars boasting a tall ground clearance measurement look more grandiose and intimidating than those built lower to the ground.
OTHER CAR SHOPPING APPS ARE OUTDATED
You won’t realize how outdated other car searching apps are until you try the CoPilot car shopping app. CoPilot does the hard work for you by searching all of the listings in your area and intelligently creating a personalized list of the best buys in the area that match what you’re looking for.
Ground Clearance Cons:
There are some drawbacks to a high ground clearance. For one, there is a greater risk of rollover due to an increased center of gravity. Loved ones who must get in the back seat may also have trouble, especially if they are elderly, younger in age, or otherwise disabled.
GMC Terrain Ground Clearance By Generation
First Generation: The first generation of the GMC Terrain didn’t appear on the market until 2009, stretching until 2015. It was meant to exist in the middle of the midsize and compact crossover segments on the market, offering an alternative to interested drivers. It offers four trim levels and a unique new opportunity. It was sophisticated, stylish, and full of excellent standard features. The ground clearance of the GMC Terrain was 6.9 inches from dirt to base.
2016 Refresh: In 2016, GMC decided the iconic Terrain needed a refresh. This version of the vehicle took on a completely new look for drivers who wanted the newest version of the car. It was updated with a new grille, LED daytime running lamps, an exciting 18-inch alloy wheel design, and excellent standard safety features. Still, the refreshed version of the GMC Terrain did not increase the ground clearance past 6.9 inches.
Second Generation: The second generation of the GMC Terrain appeared after the 2016 refresh. It has existed since 2018 and continues to sell today. Its goal was to improve the interior quality, drivability of the system, and the technology inside and out. This generation comes in three trims - the SL, SLE, and SLT. Still, the GMC Terrain decided to stick with the traditional ground clearance and did not raise it past 6.9 inches. However, if you decide to go with the more expensive trims, you will get up to 7.9 inches of ground clearance.
Terrain Ground Clearance By Generation
First Generation: 2009-2015
All Models: 6.9 inches
2016 Refresh: 2016-2017
All Models: 6.9 inches
Second Generation: 2018-2022
All Models: 6.9-7.9 inches
8 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN BUYING A USED CAR
So you’re in the market for a used vehicle? We’ve gone ahead and prepped some essential questions to ask when buying a used car.
What Version of the Terrain Has the Best Ground Clearance?
The GMC Terrain’s ground clearance hasn’t changed much over the years. Typically, the trim will impact the height you get. According to getjerry.com, most years of the GMC Terrain have the same ground clearance. However, every upgrade from the base in the newer versions of the GMC Terrain is taller than usual.
If you want to get the tallest ground clearance out of your GMC Terrain, go with the second generation of the vehicle. Select the SL, SLE, and SLT options to get at least 7.9 inches out of your car. Although it isn’t the best on the market, it’s much better than the 6.9 inches the vehicle typically holds. It will offer the best drive over obstacles and in off-roading.
If you’d prefer a lower ground clearance, you are better off with the first generation or the 2016 refresh of the vehicle. Each has 6.9 inches to offer, which provides a nice, low ride if you care more about speed than the ability to get over obstacles in your way.
THE BEST TWO-SEATER CARS
If you’re in the market for a speedy two-seater, we’ve got you covered. Check out our list of the best two-seater cars on the market today.
Should You Purchase the Terrain Based On Ground Clearance?
According to topliftpros.com, the GMC Terrain ground clearance isn’t the best on the market. An ideal off-roading vehicle will have a ground clearance measurement between 8.8 and 10.8 inches. The GMC Terrain is much lower than this number. The best year is almost an entire inch shorter than the desired number for off-roading ground clearance.
If you don’t want to hurt your vehicle, the Terrain is not the best choice for your wallet. It isn’t too high off the ground, so you risk damaging your car if you do any serious off-roading or hit high-speed bumps and potholes in the road.
Final Thoughts
Ground clearance is critical, especially if you’re worried about off-roading or keeping your undercarriage safe whenever you hit the road. The GMC Terrain is worse than average, with most years providing a 6.9-inch ground clearance. The better trims offer about 7.9 inches of ground clearance, still below average.
We hope this information was valuable! It might feel overwhelming to pick the correct vehicle with all the necessary features for your next investment, so we want to simplify the process. The length of the ground clearance is no small matter, and if you want your car high up, the GMC Terrain might not be ideal for you.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.
Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.
The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.
