GMC polishes up entry-level hauler
In rapid succession, General Motors has recreated virtually its entire line of Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac utility vehicles, giving them more style, safety content and performance. The Terrain was one of the beneficiaries of GM’s clean-slate revival, and the newly launched second-gen version of GMC’s least-expensive model has nothing in common with the original, in a good way.
Styling borrows from the larger Acadia that was redesigned for 2017, but in a reversal of current practices, the Terrain has been scaled down. The only potential misstep is the oddly shaped upward sweep above the rear fenders that serves no obvious purpose, but results in reduced visibility.
The newest Terrain is about 7.5 centimetres shorter overall and most significantly the space between the front and rear wheels has shrunk by about 13 centimetres. That’s actually a smart move, since the first Terrain appeared somewhat disproportionate.
The attractiveness should help it move in more mainstream circles, where the top dogs — including the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape and Hyundai Tucson (to name a few) — dominate the compact-utility category. It should also help even things out against the new-for-2018 Chevrolet Equinox that has traditionally been GM’s top performer in this class.
Despite the downsizing, the 2018 Terrain maintains about the same passenger space, while cargo room, whether the back seat is upright or folded, suffers only slightly. The front passenger seat’s backside can now be folded flat to create a lengthier load area, something that all wagons should offer as a matter of course.
The rest of the cabin receives the full makeover treatment, including redesigned seats, a larger floor console and a more sensibly laid-out dashboard. The control panel has actual knobs for the infotainment and climate controls, but the traditional transmission shift lever has been replaced by buttons. An active-noise-cancellation system that electronically offsets exterior noises contributes to a more premium environment, as does additional insulation.
The Terrain and the new-for-2018 Chevrolet Equinox use the same basic architecture (but not body panels) and also share the same powertrain trio.
The starting point is a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder that makes 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. The optional turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder makes a healthy 252 horses and 260 pound-feet.
For a combination of good low-speed torque and thriftiness, you can order a 1.6-litre turbodiesel that makes 137 horsepower and 240 poundfeet. It’s rated at 8.5 l/100 km in the city and 6.0 on the highway. By comparison, the base turbo 1.5 earns a city/highway rating of 9.2/7.9.
The two gasoline engines are connected to nine-speed automatic transmissions, while a sixspeed automatic is fitted to the turbo-diesel.
All-wheel-drive is available, regardless of engine.
It can be set to function in front-wheel-drive only for the best fuel efficiency, or left in AWD when road conditions warrant. An Off-Road setting permanently engages the system.
Terrain pricing starts at $32,100 for the front-wheeldrive SLE, including nearly $2,000 in freight and airconditioning tax. The frontwheel-drive diesel model begins at $36,100 with freight. The midrange SLT — in all-wheeldrive only — starts at $39,600, and the luxury-oriented Terrain Denali AWD rings in at $44,500. As the top pick, it comes with the turbo 2.0 engine, its own grille, suspension tuning and leather-trimmed seats. There’s also dual-zone climate control, power liftgate, Bose audio package, 19-inch wheels (17s are standard) and a wide range of dynamic safety technologies that help avoid or at least mitigate collisions.
The Terrain has undergone significant positive change that will spark renewed interest in the model. The vehicle is sized properly, it’s up to date in terms of technology and likely has more engine choices than are really needed. The deciding factor for purchase could boil down to style, proving the old adage that if it looks right, it must be so.