2026 GMC Terrain AT4 Review: Rugged Looks, But Can It Conquer the Outback?

The 2026 GMC Terrain AT4 is a compact crossover that promises rugged style and off-road chops, hitting Australian showrooms in mid-2025. Priced at an estimated $65,000 AUD (converted from USD $43,650 including destination, adjusted for Aussie taxes), it’s a bold step up from its Chevy Equinox cousin, sporting a 1.5L turbo 4-cylinder (175hp/203lb-ft), all-terrain tires, and a tech-heavy cabin. But can it tackle Australia’s unforgiving trails, from the Flinders Ranges to Fraser Island, or is it just a city slicker with a tough-guy badge? Tested by Driving Sports TV in the Pacific Northwest, the Terrain AT4 faced mud, hills, and ruts to reveal its limits. Drawing from their hands-on review, web insights (e.g., MotorTrend, Edmunds), and X sentiment, this review dives into its features, performance, and whether it’s worth your hard-earned cash for Aussie adventures.

Key Features of the 2026 GMC Terrain AT4

• Engine and Drivetrain: 1.5L turbo 4-cylinder (175hp, 203lb-ft torque), 8-speed automatic, on-demand AWD with Terrain, Off-Road, Normal, Snow, and Tow/Haul modes.
• Off-Road Gear: General Grabber all-terrain tires on 17-inch alloys, 8.5-inch ground clearance (measured by Driving Sports TV), front skid plate, red recovery hooks, hill descent control.
• Interior Tech: 15-inch infotainment touchscreen with Google Built-In (XM radio, maps, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto), 11-inch digital cluster, adaptive cruise, lane detection, blind-spot warnings, surround-view camera.
• Comfort and Space: Synthetic leather heated seats, panoramic sunroof (optional), 60/40 split-folding rear seats, 63.5 cu.ft cargo (seats down), 29.6 cu.ft (seats up).
• Safety: Over 15 standard features, including automatic emergency braking (pedestrian/cyclist detection), rear cross-traffic braking, side bicyclist alert.
• Price: ~$65,000 AUD (est.), including options like Riverstone Metallic paint, tech package, all-weather liners.
• Towing and Economy: 1,500lb towing capacity, 24 mpg city/26 mpg highway (~9.8L/100km city, 9.0L/100km highway).

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Bold, Rugged Design: Boxy styling, C-shaped LED headlights, and red tow hooks give it a tough, premium look that stands out in Sydney traffic or on bush tracks.
• Tech-Loaded Cabin: Massive 15-inch touchscreen, wireless connectivity, and surround-view camera make it a gadget lover’s dream for Melbourne commutes.
• Comfortable Interior: Well-padded seats, spacious second row, and optional panoramic sunroof elevate family road trips to Cairns.
• Decent Light Off-Roading: General Grabber tires and Terrain mode handle dirt roads and mild inclines with confidence.
• Improved AWD Tuning: Outperforms the Chevy Equinox’s AWD, avoiding shutdowns in muddy conditions, per Driving Sports TV.

Cons

• Underpowered Engine: 175hp and 9.26s 0–60mph sprint feel sluggish, especially against the Ford Bronco Sport Badlands (250hp).
• Limited Off-Road Capability: No locking diffs, crawl control, or air suspension; struggles on steep hills and deep ruts.
• Smaller Fuel Tank: 55L tank (est.) limits range to ~450–500km, a drawback for Outback tourers.
• Glossy Black Trim: Prone to scratches off-road, a design flaw for rugged use.
• Pricey for Performance: $65,000 AUD is steep when rivals like the Jeep Compass Trailhawk offer more power for less.

On-Road Performance

On the road, the Terrain AT4 is a mixed bag. The 1.5L turbo 4-cylinder (175hp, 203lb-ft) paired with an 8-speed automatic feels “peaky” and underpowered, taking 9.26 seconds to hit 100km/h, per Driving Sports TV. It’s no match for the Subaru Forester Wilderness (182hp, ~8.5s) or Ford Bronco Sport Badlands (250hp, ~7s). The AWD system, while improved over the Equinox, feels front-wheel biased, with noticeable wheel spin during hard acceleration. Fuel economy (~9.0–9.8L/100km) is thirstier than hybrids like the Toyota RAV4 (6.0L/100km), a letdown for long drives from Perth to Broome.

The ride is comfortable but “rolly” and “soft,” with a choppy feel on broken pavement due to the short wheelbase and MacPherson strut front/multilink rear suspension. Steering is direct with decent heft, but there’s no Sport mode to sharpen responses, per Edmunds. The General Grabber all-terrain tires add road noise but don’t ruin the quiet cabin, enhanced by acoustic laminated glass. For city driving in Brisbane or highway cruises, it’s competent but uninspiring—lacking the “premium” precision of a Mazda CX-5.

Tech shines, with the 15-inch touchscreen and 11-inch digital cluster offering crisp graphics and app stacking. Adaptive cruise and lane detection (with seat vibration alerts) work well, though the system only nudges you back rather than fully steering. Odd design quirks—like touchscreen-only headlight controls and non-functional “push-button” drive mode squares—frustrate, as noted in the transcript. Overall, it’s a comfy daily driver but falls short of sporty or efficient rivals.

Off-Road Performance

The Terrain AT4 is billed as GMC’s most capable compact SUV, with 8.5-inch ground clearance, General Grabber tires, a front skid plate, and red recovery hooks. Angles (21.9° approach, 19.2° breakover, 23.1° departure) are decent for a compact crossover, per Driving Sports TV. The Terrain mode acts like a one-pedal crawl, applying brakes when you lift off the throttle, and the hill descent control eases steep descents, though it engages after a 3–4ft roll—not ideal.

In testing, it tackled light forest trails and moderate inclines, shifting power via brake vectoring to manage wheel lift. It cleared a rutted course without error messages, unlike the Equinox, which shut off its AWD in mud. However, the AT4 struggled on steeper hills and deep holes, digging itself in due to the lack of locking differentials or crawl control. The transcript notes a “smell of clutch” under strain, indicating the single-clutch AWD system works hard but lacks sophistication. Compared to the Ford Bronco Sport Badlands (with dual-clutch rear drive) or Jeep Compass Trailhawk (with low-range gearing), it’s less capable for serious off-roading in places like the Simpson Desert.

For light trails, snow, or dirt roads to a Blue Mountains campsite, it’s fine. But for treacherous tracks, the AT4’s hardware—especially the underpowered engine and basic AWD—falls short, as Driving Sports TV concluded: “It doesn’t have the climbing power some people need.”

Top 10 Reasons to Buy the 2026 GMC Terrain AT4

Top 5 Reasons to Avoid the 2026 GMC Terrain AT4

Comparison Table

The Terrain AT4 lags in power and towing but excels in interior tech.

Buyer’s Guide: Who’s It For?

• City Families: The spacious, tech-heavy cabin suits Sydney school runs or Gold Coast getaways, with comfy seats and safety features.
• Light Off-Roaders: General Grabber tires and Terrain mode handle mild trails or snowy roads, ideal for Blue Mountains campers.
• Tech Lovers: The 15-inch touchscreen and Google Built-In appeal to gadget fans in Melbourne.
• Avoid If: You need serious off-road capability (choose Bronco Sport Badlands), hybrid efficiency (RAV4), or more power for less (Compass Trailhawk). Check GMC Australia or carsguide.com.au for updates.

About the Author

Driving Sports TV New car, truck and crossover reviews with a focus on off-road performance and adventures. YouTube Partner since 2007.

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Sources

• YouTube: “Will the 2026 GMC Terrain AT4 Complete Our Off-Road Test?” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PamqXQhnneo
• MotorTrend: https://www.motortrend.com
• Edmunds: https://www.edmunds.com
• Driving.ca: https://driving.ca
• GMC: https://www.gmc.com
• X Posts: Sentiment on AT4 styling and off-road limits