The 2026 GMC Terrain AT4 is All About Grit

GMC just added the AT4 trim to the Terrain SUV for 2026. As with all AT4 models, the rugged look and go-anywhere agility required by an off-road-capable machine have been long-awaited and welcomed not only by our customers but also by the automotive press. MotorTrend received one for a review recently, which they say is full of “grit.” What did they think of the newest AT4 variant in the GMC lineup?

What distinguishes the 2026 Terrain AT4 from the other trim levels is some excellent features that make it stand out on and off the road. It starts with a set of 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, keeping the 2026 Terrain AT4 going. The suspension is tuned for off-road adventures. A steel skid plate helps protect the engine bay from debris below. The addition of a Terrain drive mode that is programmed to put down more traction where it is needed, adds even more capability. Lastly, the trim features a set of red recovery hooks strong enough to pull and be pulled.

Power for the 2026 Terrain AT4 comes from a 175-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged engine sending power through an eight-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels. Even with this driveline, you can still achieve an EPA-rated 24 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway.

In checking out the 2026 Terrain AT4, MotorTrend said that it “is an exceptional value in its segment, undercutting those…rivals by thousands when they’re spec’d out to match the GMC AT4’s standard equipment level. The Terrain also has a distinctive curb appeal, with handsome truckish sheetmetal, and on the inside, its cabin is festooned with fancy-looking screens and luxe touches like heated seats.”

Those “fancy-looking screens” include the 15-inch diagonal premium GMC infotainment touchscreen. Powering the screen is Google Built-in, which lets you use their app without tethering your phone. These apps include Google Maps, which can be accessed through Google Assistant using your natural voice to control various functions within and around the vehicle. The screen also houses up to eight camera views, including High Definition Surround View and the Rear Camera Mirror.

As for how it drove, MotorTrend points out that “thanks to the beefy rubber, the Terrain AT4 handles light off-road duties acceptably, with plenty of grip from the tires, though not quite enough to make up for the lack of grunt from the engine. The new Terrain model…allows for EV-like one-pedal driving, helping ease progress over trickier surfaces for novice off-roaders.”

In all, the gritty 2026 Terrain AT4 offers excellent value in a vehicle that looks and acts rugged for the roads beyond the Metroplex. If you agree, contact us at Ewing GMC of Plano to see one soon!