Launching the crossover’s third generation with brawny truck-inspired styling, standard 17-inch wheels, an expanded lineup of tech goodies and safety features, and more, the 2025 GMC Terrain is currently available only in the Elevation trim level, with the AT4 and Denali trims to launch in the 2026 model year. Here, we’re looking more closely at the Terrain’s towing capacity.
The basis for towing, the 2025 GMC Terrain powerplant, is currently limited to a single engine option for the Elevation trim. This is the same turbocharged 1.5L I4 LSD gasoline engine that was offered for the 2024 model year. The LSD develops a peak output of 175 horsepower along with either 184 or 203 pound-feet of torque, depending on the chosen drivetrain and transmission.
Speaking of which, the 2025 GMC Terrain offers two different configurations. These include front-wheel drive with the continuously variable automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive matched to the eight-speed automatic. Towing capacity for the model is dependent on which drivetrain is selected.
With these preliminaries revealed, the table below shows the towing capacities that can be expected from the third-gen 2025 Terrain:
2025 GMC Terrain Towing Capacities
Model Drivetrain Turbo 1.5L I4 LSD Max Trailer Weight (lbs / kg) Elevation FWD 800 / 360 Elevation AWD 1,500 / 680
Notably, GMC currently offers no factory or dealer-installed (LPO) tow hitch on the 2025 Terrain, so these figures remain purely notional for the time being. However, it is almost certain that a tow hitch option will eventually be made available for the crossover as a dealer accessory.
Towing capacity for the 2025 GMC Terrain is 800 pounds (360 kilograms) for the FWD configuration of the vehicle. Upgrading to AWD nearly doubles the max towing figure to 1,500 pounds (680 kilograms), as indicated by the chart.
The 2025 GMC Terrain user manual contains standard recommendations for trailering from General Motors. The vehicle should be driven 500 miles when new as a break-in period before towing is attempted, with neglect of this precaution risking damage to the crossover’s engine, axles, or other parts. The Terrain should get its first oil change after this 500 mile break-in before towing is attempted.
Furthermore, during the first 500 miles of actual towing, the Terrain should not be driven above 50 miles per hour. Full-throttle starts should be avoided during this period, too, with towing performed while in Drive (D). Using a lower gear is acceptable if the crossover downshifts frequently in Drive.
The Terrain user manual contains extensive additional towing information.
Furthermore, GM recommends disabling some Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) technology while using the GMC Terrain to tow a trailer. Assuming the vehicle is equipped with these features, the following should be switched off while towing (though the crossover may disable some automatically when it detects a trailer):
- Park Assist
- Automatic Parking Assist
- Reverse Automatic Braking
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Rear Cross Traffic Braking
- Lane Change Alert
- Adaptive Cruise Control (unless equipped for trailering)
As a reminder, pricing for the 2025 GMC Terrain Elevation starts at an MSRP of $31,395 for FWD and $33,395 for AWD. The model started arriving at dealerships at the start of February 2025. The third-gen Terrain continues to be underpinned by the GM D2 platform and is produced exclusively at the GM San Luis Potosà plant in Mexico.
Comments
What a joke .
This is hilarious, for a vehicle that has proven to break down under its own weight, why anyone would be compelled to try pulling something would obviously have a tow truck fetish or just likes the idea of replacing an engine as often as most cars batteries (not hybrid)… The 2.4 equinox engine I’ve seen batteries last longer than 2 engines… Not kidding
The only thing these will be towing is a high interest auto loan.