Hot Wheels: GMC Terrain, Chevy Equinox a bright spot for GM
GMC Terrain joins its twin Chevrolet Equinox with a new makeup for the 2010 model year, both taking a spot among top contenders in the field of compact-midsize crossovers.
The two are very similar — from engine options down to the attractive two-tone interior. The Terrain looks a little more truck-like with fog lamps and GMC’s more aggressive grille, but despite the name and availability of all-wheel drive, this is not a vehicle to be taking very far off road.
The Terrain’s base price of $24,995 is about $1,800 more than its Chevy clone with a slightly difference equipment lineup, including the addition of floor mats, heated mirrors, UBS connection, and rearview camera integrated into the overhead mirror.
While the Equinox represents a new and much-improved generation for the Chevy crossover, the Terrain is making its debut in GMC showrooms. It sells alongside the larger Acadia and big daddy Yukon, while the Envoy is no more.
GMC offers two engines for the Terrain, a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder plant rated at 182 horsepower and a speedier 3.0-liter, 264-hp V-6. Both are matched to an automatic six-speed transmission with manual override.
While 4-cylinder engines often fall short on sport utilities, that is not the case with the Terrain. Not only does it have plenty of spunk, but it delivers impressive fuel economy, up to 32 miles per gallon on the highway with front-wheel drive, 29 with all-wheel.
I see no reason for upgrading to the V-6, unless you need to beef up towing capacity from 1,500 to 3,500 pounds. Plus it adds at least $3,200 to the tab.
Standard features include side airbags and curtains, one year of OnStar safety service, antilock brakes, tire-pressure monitor, traction and stability control, remote locking, cruise control, audio system with CD/DVD player, MP3 playback and three months of XM radio, and driver-seat power adjustment for lumbar support and height control.
And it scored perfect fives in government crash testing.
Terrain falls at the top end of compact-size crossovers. There’s plenty of legroom and elbow room up front. Rear seats can be moved forward and back by 8 inches to achieve either more legroom or more cargo space. No third row is available so the cargo bay has a decent amount of space even with the rear seats pushed back.
The interior looks very polished, drawing a number of compliments. A week behind the wheel revealed a few parts that feel cheap to the touch as well as some handy features such as a storage compartment under the center armrest deep enough for a laptop computer.
Like most SUVs, the Terrain isn’t a sporty driver, but it is very pleasant with comfortable seating and a quiet competent ride. My passengers, however, informed me that they bounced around a bit in back over speed bumps in the neighborhood.
The Terrain and Equinox are important vehicles for GM as it reinvents itself to succeed in the changing auto industry. The crossover twins show Detroit has what it takes and the word is starting to get out. I had numerous people stop to check out the Terrain, particularly interested in the 4-cyclinder engine and mileage claims. Styling inside and out also got thumbs up from these prospective buyers.
GMC Terrain
- Crossover sport utility
- Base price: $24,995
- Mpg range: 22/32 to 17/24
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: 5 of 5 stars for front impact; 5 for side impact; www.safercar.gov
- Web site: www.gmc.com
- Competitors: Chevrolet Equinox, Dodge Nitro, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Kia Sorento, Mazda CX-7, Mercury Mariner, Nissan Rogue, Saturn Vue, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4, Volkswagen Tiguan
- Bottom line: Just like its twin, Chevrolet Equinox, a bright spot for GM and worth checking out before you buy one of the segment staples such as Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4
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