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2025 GMC Terrain Drive Modes Explained

Arriving with just one trim level and heralding the third generation of Big Red’s compact crossover, the 2025 GMC Terrain offers up a list of changes. These range from more truck-like, rugged exterior styling cues to a new, larger 15-inch diagonal Premium GMC Infotainment System as standard. The vehicle also offers Drive Modes, which you can read about in detail here.

The 2025 GMC Terrain offers access to four different drive modes through its Driver Mode Control. These modes include Normal Mode, Snow/Ice Mode, Off-Road Mode and AWD Mode. The mode can be changed using the instrument panel’s Driver Mode Control Switch, which is found to the left of the crossover’s steering wheel.

Side view of the 2025 GMC Terrain.

Normal Mode

Designed for ordinary driving on dry, clear city streets and freeways alike, Normal Mode is the default mode for the 2025 GMC Terrain. This mode provides good everyday handling and a smooth ride, while helping to conserve fuel as well.

Snow/Ice Mode

Designed for wintry roads when snow, slush, or ice is present on the pavement surface, Snow/Ice mode tunes performance for these inclement conditions. The pedal is tuned to provide better acceleration and traction on snowy asphalt, though acceleration on dry pavement may be reduced by this tuning.

Rear three quarters view of the 2025 GMC Terrain.

Off-Road Mode

For venturing onto dirt or sand, grass, and other cross-country surfaces, Off-Road Mode gives the 2025 Terrain some performance tweaks to help with these rougher situations. All-wheel drive is automatically engaged and the pedal response is changed for gravel, dirt, or other loose surface acceleration.

The system also modifies the function of the crossover’s Antilock Brake System (ABS) as well as the electronic stability control or “StabiliTrak” and the Traction Control System for best off-road results.

AWD Mode

For situations where a bit of extra grip and power is needed without dealing with slippery surfaces such as snow or loose dirt, AWD Mode activates all-wheel drive, if present. This sends torque to all four wheels at the same intensity.

Cockpit view of the 2025 GMC Terrain.

For now, the 2025 GMC Terrain is limited to one trim level, the entry-level Elevation trim. The off-road flavored AT4 and the high-end Denali will appear later, possibly not until the 2026 model year. The vehicle draws standard motivation from the turbocharged 1.5L I4 LSD gasoline engine, offering 175 horsepower as well as 184 pound-feet of torque with the front-wheel drivetrain, or 203 pound-feet of torque with AWD.

Under the body panels the Terrain makes use of the GM D2 platform for structure. The model rolls off the assembly line at the GM San Luis Potosí plant in Mexico.

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