EXPECTED SUMMER REFRESH OVERDUE FOR CROSSOVER
With big wheels, turbocharged performance, swoopy style, fancy materials and eye-popping paint finishes, the world of compact crossovers has evolved into a diverse landscape.
Almost every automaker has built their crossover into something interesting or unique, but this GMC Terrain is the result of slow progress, and it shows. GMC is even being upstaged by the efforts of smaller automakers such as Mitsubishi and Mazda.
There is some redemption found under the hood. Smooth and punchy rather than high performing and exciting, the turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine used in our SLE test model was a pleasant reminder of what General Motors is capable of. Paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission and a driver controlled all-wheel-drive system, I was pleased with how the vehicle slipped into the right gear under heavy throttle and didn't feel sluggish or limited. That's despite the relatively mundane output from the engine, which is rated to deliver 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque.
All previously optional engines are no longer available, meaning no high-output 2.0-L turbo, or turbodiesel.
Fuel economy easily met or improved upon the 9.0 L/100 km the vehicle is expected to return based on the Natural Resources Canada testing. Likely this is a result of the selectable all-wheeldrive system, which can be kept in a 2WD mode in dry and clear conditions for reduced fuel usage.
Beyond the powertrain, the GMC Terrain feels cumbersome on the road. The steering is light and limp, though the suspension and ride are decent.
Our SLE test model felt spartan at times. While the infotainment system featured Android Auto
and Apple Carplay support, the seven-inch touch screen seemed minuscule. There was no wireless phone charger, and though the entertainment features include 4G capability and a Wi-fi hot spot, the vehicle felt thoroughly low tech. Heated front seats are included at this level, but not the rear seats, and there was no heated steering wheel. Some other vehicles in this class offer ventilated seats in some configurations. At this trim level, the Terrain doesn't even have a power liftgate.
Behind the rear seats, the Terrain has a hefty 838 L of storage
space, which expands to 1,792 when you fold the rear seats down. That task can be accomplished with some handy levers in the cargo area. Unfortunately, with folded seats, the storage floor isn't completely flat.
Rear-seat passengers get an average experience in terms of space, but the seats aren't very comfortable. One detail I liked is that it has a lot of storage cubbies throughout the cabin.
Surprisingly, the Terrain includes only a few safety features and driver aids, which might appeal to those who loathe these kinds of nannies.
There was no blind-spot monitoring, or adaptive cruise-control system, just a forward-collision warning system with automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assistance. These features are available only on optional packages, while other vehicles, such as the Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic, offer many of those features as standard equipment.
The lighting was excellent at night, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety notes that it creates excessive glare. This concern, and the limited safety features, explain why the vehicle doesn't have a Top Safety Pick rating, though the crash test scores are strong.
While I was disappointed with the lack of features in the Terrain, it was the styling that left a lingering aftertaste that I couldn't shake. It lacks an identity of its own. The blacked-out rear pillars look awkward, and the C-shaped daytime running lights are bland.
Inside, the cloth seats aren't very impressive, though they are textured and provide a decent amount of support. There's orange stitching found around the seats, but the rest of the cabin features a hard plastic material that feels like an old Rubbermaid container, or the finishing texture on a cooler. Knobs and controls feel equally low rent, and my passenger complained that the seat's fore-aft sliding lever sticks out from under the seat and into their legs.
If you're thinking there's a redeeming factor to the Terrain with its price point, it will once again disappoint. A front-wheeldrive version of the GMC SLE is offered for $31,398 while the allwheel-drive version tested starts at $33,798. This is more than a Subaru Forester or Mazda CX-5, which both come standard with AWD and feature more equipment at the base level. The next step up is the SLT, which costs $36,598, and the range-topping Denali model, which is $40,798. Delivery fees are an extra $1,900 on top of that.
A refreshed version of the vehicle is expected to arrive this summer and promises to rectify many of these complaints, with a front-end redesign, improved interior and tech features, and a rugged, off-road-ready AT4 model. We recommend waiting for the new model, because the Terrain in 2021 guise seems outmatched by its rivals in every way.