The GMC Terrain had a number of different engine configurations over the lifespan of the vehicle, but the towing capacity basically stayed the same throughout the years and varied based on the engine you had equipped.
I organized the trailer weight specs I found by year and by engine to make it a little easier to scan through the information. All of the charts below are for the Terrain specifically.
Overview of the Data For the Terrain:
Engine Choices: Over the years, there were many different engine choices and the engine that was equipped was really the main determining factor when it came to the capacity numbers.
Configurations: The two main options for these SUVs came down to either a FWD model or an AWD model, but none of these configurations made any difference when it came to the specs or weight capacities, as you can see in the charts listed on this page.
Towing Capacity: Over the years, the maximum trailer weight ratings did not vary at all and was either a 1,500 pound capacity or a 3,500 pound capacity.
GMC Terrain Towing Capacity Summary:
The towing capacity for the GMC Terrain was either 1,500 lbs. or 3,500 lbs. and really had no range, it was either-or. The engine that was equipped was the main deciding factor when it came to trailer weight ratings.
2021 Models:
The 2021 Model Terrain had only one engine choice, the 1.5L engine that is also used in the '18-'20 model years, so the maximum trailer weight is much lower and the same for both AWD and FWD configurations.
The towing capacity for the 2021 models was set at 1,000-1,500 lbs. max. for all models.
The 1,500 pound rating was for trailers that had an independent braking system, separate from your vehicle's brake system and the lower 1,000 pound spec was listed for trailers without a brake system. You can see the unbraked trailer weight rating below the columns in the table.
2021 Chart
2018-2020 Models:
The 2018-2020 Terrain's had a towing capacity that was either 1,500 pounds or 3,500 pounds, depending on the engine you had equipped in the vehicle.
The 1.5L and 1.6L engines had the lower 1,500 pound capacity and the 2.0L engine had that higher 3,500 pound rating.
The chart below shows the numbers for the base model and the Denali Edition and whether the vehicle was FWD or AWD didn't seem to affect the statistics at all.
2020 Chart
2019 Chart
2013-2017 Models:
Model's that were made from 2013-2017 had the same towing capacity of either 1,500 pounds or 3,500 pounds, like the 2018 and 2019 models but had different engine options.
The 2013-2017 model's had either a 2.4L engine equipped or a 3.6L engine. The 2.4L engine had the lower 1,500 pound rating, while the 3.6L engine boasted the 3,500 pound rating.
The 2013-2017 charts, shown below does break up the models into FWD and AWD models in the chart but these configurations did not affect the overall capacity numbers.
2013 Chart
2010-2012 Models:
The 2010-2012 Terrain's still had that 1,500 or 3,500 pound maximum towing capacity like we saw in the other model years but again, the engine choices were slightly different and even the axle ratios differed.
The engine options you had for the 2010-2012 model years were either a 2.4L or 3.0L engine.
The 2.4L engine had the lower 1,500 pound capacity and the 3.0L engine had the higher 3,500 pound capacity, according to the charts I found. Yet again, the FWD and AWD configurations of the vehicles did not affect the capacity numbers at all.
The 2011 chart (below) had the GCWRs listed, along with the GVWR and the payload capacities which was nice to have all of those metrics on one chart and would have been very helpful if they were included in all of the model year's charts.
2012 Chart
2011 Chart
2010 Chart
If you notice that I have missed or overlooked anything in the article, please feel free to leave me a comment and I will gladly address the matter. Thanks for stopping by!
My Resources For This Article:
I always like to include some resources for other people out there that like to do their own research and decided to include the links to the owner's manuals. These have the all of the specs listed and contain lots of other helpful info and are a recommended read.
Note: I used GMC's Trailering Guides for most of the tables above, but the specs listed in the owner's manuals are identical and offer a better resource.
Last updated on May 6th, 2021 at 04:57 am
