SPACIOUS SUV
DESPITE MINIMAL UPDATES AND POOR FUEL ECONOMY, GMC’S TERRAIN IS A TOP SELLER.
The GMC Terrain is a great example of how popular crossovers are these days. Despite an aging platform, poor fuel economy and a slapdash interior design, the Terrain remains a popular pick.
Replacing the Pontiac Torrent in 2009, the GMC Terrain is the mechanical twin to the similarly decrepit Chevrolet Equinox. The ancestry of the pair of General Motors crossovers goes back to a corporate front- or allwheel- drive crossover platform that debuted on the 2002 Saturn Vue. Despite an influx of more up-to-date rivals, such as the Ford Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, Kia Sorento, Nissan Murano or Toyota Venza — to name just a few — GMC has only made minimal updates to the Terrain as it waits for an all-new model, due in a few years. Still, the Terrain sells. After the bestselling GMC Sierra full- sized pickup, the five- passenger, four- door Terrain mid-size crossover is the GM brand’s second mostpopular vehicle in Canada. For 2016, a minor refresh sees the Terrain get restyled front and rear fascias with extra plasti-chrome, new interior colours, a revised centre dash and optional side blind- zone alert and rear cross-traffic alert safety tech.
To get a feel for the full 2016 Terrain menu in one vehicle, GM loaned me a top- of- the- line Denali version. Front- wheel- drive, four- cylinder Terrains start at $ 28,295 ( not including freight and pre- delivery inspection fees); upscale Denali models begin at $ 42,245. The Denali comes with AWD, leather all around, “smoked mahogany” interior wood trim, a sunroof, power tailgate, navigation, the afore- mentioned safety kit and — most importantly — GMC’s signature Denali shaver-grille as standard fare.
Add another $ 3,065 for an optional V6, 19-inch alloy wheels, trailer towing package and some other bits, and my 2016 Terrain Denali ended up priced where luxury crossovers such as the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz begin. Just to be clear, though, the GMC crossover’s driving dynamics and interior accommodations do not come close to matching the level of sophistication and refinement those German utes possess. Primarily because of its old and heavy chassis, the aspiring Terrain Denali delivers poor fuel economy, mediocre steering, tepid handling and a less- thanpremium interior.
The Terrain’s engine lineup is equally old school. While many rivals now offer downsized and turbocharged mills, t he 2016 Terrain’s standard power plant is a naturally aspirated 2.4- litre four- cylinder with 182 horsepower and 172 pound- feet of torque. The optional 3.6L V6 produces an extra 119 hp and 100 lb.-ft. of torque over the base four, but when you put your foot down to take advantage of al l that V6 power, the GMC doesn’t feel all that lively.
It also isn’t very fuel efficient. With a relatively obese 1,907- kilogram curb weight and a tall-geared six- speed automatic transmission ( the lone Terrain gearbox offering), the Terrain Denali V6 is rated at 14.9 L/ 100 km city and 10.1 on the highway. Unfortunately, my indicated average of 16.5 L/100 km never came close to those figures. The only positive is a respectable 1,588-kg tow rating with the $420 trailer towing package.
The rest of the GMC’s driving experience is strictly below average. In cruising mode, the Terrain Denali is a relatively quiet vehicle. Just don’t expect any kind of feedback from the GMC’s numb steering. Even with the Denali’s exclusive “dual flow” shocks, the Terrain still has a hard time controlling its body motions when driven with any kind of verve. While the GMC corners like a football offensive lineman after a big meal, its Ford Edge and Kia Sorento rivals offer more car- like handling.
The other area the GMC crossover is showing its grey hair is inside. At a time when fresher mainstream rivals offer near-luxury cabins, the Terrain — even in dolled- up Denali form — feels about $ 10,000 cheaper than its mid-$40K price.
The 2016 Terrain’s central touch- screen interface has sharper graphics this year, yet the display is tiny and a long reach for both driver and front passenger. And yes, GMC IntelliLink offers trendy text message alerts, Apple’s Siri Eyes Free features and a standard builtin Wi- Fi hot spot. But those same kids who will thank you for letting them connect to their Instagram accounts will also mock your Terrain for its eight-bit-quality pixelated graphics.
As well, all the mobile hot spots in the world won’t let you forget that the premium- priced GMC is still missing some features new car buyers expect in modern subcompact cars, let alone $ 45,000- plus mid- size premium crossovers. The Terrain Denali lacks auto- up windows, keyless ignition and dual- zone climate control. And none of the latest in infotainment gear can hide the Terrain Denali interior’s mishmash of oddly placed controls and patches of plastic with large panel gaps.
In f airness, t he GMC crossover offers a roomy interior, especially for those in the second row. However, beware of the Terrain’s 1,810L rating for rear cargo space: in reality, its wheel wells intrude noticeably.
Essentially t he s ame vehicle that arrived in 2009, the 2016 GMC Terrain Denali V6 is showing its age in one of the market’s most hotly contested segments. Step outside a GMC showroom, and you’ll find fresher competitors easily surpass the Terrain in terms of refinement, execution and drivability. I suggest you go buy one of those.