2026 GMC Terrain towing capacity
Max tow rating
1,500lb
- Elevation AWD, 1.5L 4cyl.
- Base trim: 800 lb.
- Rank 131 of 147 SUVs (2026).
Trailer check
Yes. 1,200 lb is within 80% of the rating.
- Tow rating
- 1,500 lb
- 80% rule
- Up to 1,200 lb
- Margin
- 300 lb (20%)
- Hitch class needed
- I, up to 2,000 lb
- Share of curb weight
- 33% of 3,598 lb
Within the 85% curb weight guideline.
Expect 20-40% lower mpg when towing: 15-20 mpg.
What it can pull
Rule: keep the trailer at 80% of the rating or less.
- Max tow rating
- 1,500 lb
- 80% of the rating
- 1,200 lb
- Hitch class at max
- I, up to 2,000 lb
| Trailer | Loaded weight | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Teardrop camper | 1,000 to 2,500 lb | Some, up to 1,200 lb |
| Utility trailer | 1,000 to 3,000 lb | Some, up to 1,200 lb |
| Pop-up camper | 1,500 to 3,000 lb | No |
| Boat on a trailer | 2,000 to 6,000 lb | No |
| Small travel trailer | 3,000 to 5,000 lb | No |
| Mid-size travel trailer | 5,000 to 7,500 lb | No |
| Car on a car hauler | 5,500 to 7,500 lb | No |
| Large travel trailer | 7,500 to 10,000 lb | No |
| Fifth wheel | 10,000 to 16,000 lb | No |
Trailer weights are typical loaded weights.
Tow rating by trim
Cheapest at 1,500 lb: Elevation AWD, $32,200.
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Tow rating | Payload | GVWR | Curb weight | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation AWD | 1.5L 4cyl | AWD | 1,500 lb | N/A | N/A | 3,598 lb | $32,200 |
| AT4 AWD | 1.5L 4cyl | AWD | 1,500 lb | 1,252 lb | 4,850 lb | 3,598 lb | $39,400 |
| Denali AWD | 1.5L 4cyl | AWD | 1,500 lb | 1,252 lb | 4,850 lb | 3,598 lb | $41,900 |
| Elevation FWD | 1.5L | FWD | 800 lb | 1,184 lb | 4,630 lb | 3,446 lb | $30,200 |
Max rating by year
- Changed in 2018: 3,500 lb to 1,500 lb.
Rivals: max tow rating
| Model | Max tow rating | Cheapest trim at max | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Forester | 3,500 lb | Wilderness AWD | $36,995 |
| Ford Escape | 2,000 lb | Active FWD | $30,350 |
| Mitsubishi Outlander | 2,000 lb | ES FWD | $29,995 |
| GMC Terrain (this car) | 1,500 lb | Elevation AWD | $32,200 |
| Chevrolet Equinox | 1,500 lb | LT AWD | $30,800 |
| Mazda CX-5 | 1,500 lb | 2.5 S AWD | $29,990 |
Lists by trailer weight
Other models rated for these weights.
- What can tow 1,500 lb? 173 models (2026)
What this cannot tell you
Ratings need the right hitch and tow package.
Passengers and cargo count against the payload.
- 2 or more sources
- 1 source
- Model-level, rule or estimate
- Sources disagree