The GMC Terrain does 24.7 mpg combined (21.8 city, 28.7 highway), which works out to about $1,555 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.6L 4-cyl does 32 mpg while 3.6L 6-cyl does 19.8 — a difference of $739 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every GMC Terrain engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 28 / 38 | 2018–2019 | $1,200 | |
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 25.1 / 28.9 | 2020–2027 | $1,444 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 21.9 / 31.1 | 2010–2017 | $1,483 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 17 / 24 | 2010–2012 | $1,920 | |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 16.8 / 23.8 | 2013–2017 | $1,939 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.130 |
| Fuel per year | $1,555 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,775 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$43 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,612 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 21.8 mpg | $1,761 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 28.7 mpg | $1,338 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.9 mpg (32%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Terrain changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 25 / 28 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2026 | 26 / 28 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2025 | 26 / 28 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2024 | 24 / 29 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2023 | 24 / 28 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2022 | 25 / 30 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2021 | 25 / 30 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2020 | 26 / 30 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2019 | 28 / 38 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2018 | 28 / 38 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2017 | 19 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 2016 | 19.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2015 | 19 / 27 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 2014 | 19.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2013 | 19.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2012 | 19.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2011 | 19.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2010 | 19.5 / 28 | 2 | $1,670 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the GMC Terrain get?
24.7 mpg combined on average — 21.8 in the city and 28.7 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2010–2027.
How much does a GMC Terrain cost in fuel per year?
About $1,555 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,775 over five years, or 0.130 dollars a mile.
Which Terrain engine is the most economical?
The 1.6L 4-cyl at 32 mpg, against 19.8 for the 3.6L 6-cyl — a difference of about $739 a year.
Is the Terrain good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.