GMC Terrain - Going its own way

The GMC Terrain rolled into my driveway looking like a three-fourths scale armored car, but looks are somewhat deceiving when it comes to this new crossover. Sure, the quality and toughness that keeps GMC's customers loyal are built into it, but the Terrain is unlikely to be spending much time on jobsites.

This carlike do-all represents a new direction for General Motor's tough-truck brand. The Terrain is the second vehicle in the GMC stable to emphasize passenger comfort and fuel economy over towing capacity and payload. With the success of the full-size Acadia crossover, GMC has proven that it can do suburb-friendly trucks just as well as it can do working vehicles. The all-new Terrain offers similar dynamics in a smaller package.

Compact crossovers tend to be thought of as less durable vehicles; to combat this perception, the Terrain goes out of its way to look like a member of the GMC family. Big, square fender flares and a massive three-element GMC grille that cuts into the bumper give the Terrain a flat face and a burly look. The greenhouse is tall and surrounded by brightwork, and a choice of seventeen- or eighteen-inch wheels is offered. From the rear, the Terrain takes cues from the Acadia in the form of wrapped rear glass and beltline-level taillamps. It's a relatively simple design that gives the Terrain a purposeful, tool-like look without the cartoonish aspect of a Hummer or Jeep Compass.

The interior is angular and resembles that of GMC’s futuristic concept vehicles thanks to a “floating” center stack accented by amber LED lights and indirect ambient lighting. The high roof and a tall seating position prevent the view out from being claustrophobic, like in other brick-shaped vehicles, and seating front and rear is comfortable. Still, how do you say “Professional Grade” when the destination is the mall? With standard equipment and convenience features, of course. The Terrain has a long list, including a rear-vision camera that displays in the rearview mirror, Bluetooth phone connectivity, OnStar, XM satellite radio and a “MultiFlex” sliding rear seat that slides eight inches fore and aft to improve cargo-hauling capability or rear-seat legroom, depending on need. An oversized glove box and laptop-sized console provide ample room for stowing small necessaries. Other available equipment includes a remote start, USB-capable sound system for MP3 players, a navigation system with a seven-inch touch screen and a rear-seat entertainment system with dual screens. Underneath the skin, the Terrain is the first production vehicle to benefit from GM’s Active Noise Cancellation technology, which uses microphones to detect certain types of road noise and counteracts them with subtle sound waves, providing a quiet ride at all speeds. Considering my tester's sub-$25,000 sticker price, the equipment offered was impressive.

Under the hood, the Terrain features a choice of four- or six-cylinder power. Both engines feature fuel-saving direct-injection fuel systems and variable valve timing. A new 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine is in the base model, with 182 horsepower. The four-cylinder, which is also a member of GM’s Ecotec family of engines, offers a switchable “ECO” mode that lowers the torque converter’s lockup speed to improve fuel economy. With the ECO mode engaged, the Terrain can get up to 32 mpg on the freeway according to GMC; in both modes, the frugal four-cylinder offers adequate power. The engine's kind of whiny under power, like many large fours are, and acceleration is modest, but the Terrain gets the job done. I never found myself wishing for more power; this is a suburb-prowling do-all, after all, not a drag racer. For a more work-oriented Terrain, go for the optional 3.0 liter dual overhead cam V6, which gives up some mileage but will tow up to 3500 pounds thanks to the 264-horsepower engine. Six-speed automatic transmissions are standard across the board, and a choice of front- or all-wheel drive is available.

A four-wheel independent suspension and unibody construction provide a carlike ride. The Terrain goes and stops nicely, and it's easy to pilot in spite of the boxy body. Road manners are excellent, and though it feels more like a car than a truck most of the time, the Terrain's not afraid to climb over curbs or bounce down rough roads when necessary, either. GM's StabiliTrak stability control and a tire pressure monitoring system are standard equipment.

It's easy to dismiss the Terrain as another five-passenger crossover from GM that's too closely related to the Chevrolet Equinox and Cadillac SRX. In fact, GMC's done a great job of giving this vehicle its own personality and strengths, and accusations of badge-engineering are probably somewhat misguided. Platform sharing does offer the benefit of economies of scale, however: Terrain pricing starts at just $24,250 for a two-wheel drive, four-cylinder model like the one I drove.

All specs are for the 2010 GMC Terrain.

Length: 185.3 in.
Width: 72.8 in.
Height: 66.3 in.
Wheelbase: 112.5 in.
Curb weight: 3798 lb.
Cargo space: 31.6 cu.ft. (seats up); 63.9 cu.ft. (seats folded)

Base price: $24,250
Price as tested: $24,995

Engine: 2.4 liter DOHC sixteen-valve four-cylinder
Drivetrain: six-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel drive
Horsepower: 182 @ 6700
Torque: 172 @ 4900
Fuel capacity: 18.8 gal.
Est. mileage: 22/32

By Chris Jackson
MyCarData