The GMC Terrain is well-rounded and likable with a stylish exterior and modern, spacious cabin. Drivers will appreciate its strong fuel economy and user-friendly features, while passengers have plenty of space to stretch out and more than enough cargo room. Both engine choices are quiet and fuel-efficient, and the 2.0-liter turbo accelerates quickly. The Terrain’s handling doesn’t feel as car-like and agile as rivals, and the suspension is tuned more for comfort than driving fun. Many features come standard, like easy-to-use technology and driver safety aids. While some cabin materials could be nicer, the Terrain’s low price makes the strengths mentioned above hard to dismiss and, for the right buyer, worthy of a test-drive.
The NEW Terrain is here and GMC has some changes for 2022 (SEE VIDEO BELOW). On the outside you will discover a new grill, front fascia, headlights, and rear bumper. On the inside there are changes to the center console, and cloth seats. Under the hood is a 1.5L turbocharged inline-4 that produces 170 HP mated to a 9-speed automatic. Is the 2022 GMC Terrain the BEST new compact SUV to BUY?
The GMC Terrain comes in four trim levels: SL, SLE, SLT, and Denali. Front-wheel-drive is standard on all trims, while all-wheel-drive is optional for about $1,500 extra.
Pricing starts around $25,000 for the Terrain SL trim. Notable exterior and safety features include automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, pedestrian detection, an alarm, automatic headlamps, power heated mirrors, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Interior convenience items include cloth upholstery, a split-folding rear seat, keyless entry/ignition, air conditioning, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, a six-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, a 7.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and front/rear USB inputs.
The SLE adds upgraded styling, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and more for about $28,500.
Stepping up to the SLT costs about $32,500. It has fog lights, memory side mirrors, a hands-free power liftgate, leather upholstery, heated power-adjustable front seats, driver’s seat memory, remote engine start, dual-zone climate control, and a heated steering wheel. It gets the larger 8.0-inch touchscreen, which includes satellite radio functionality.
Estimated pricing for the top-of-the-line Denali trim is around $39,000. Shoppers get parking sensors, LED headlights, a Bose premium audio system, navigation, and more. It comes standard with a significantly more powerful engine, which is optional on the SLT.
Practical options include roof rack cross rails and assist steps—the available Dark Accent Package blacks-out exterior accents like the mirror caps, grille, and bumpers. The SLT is available with the fancy Bose sound system and navigation.
The standard Terrain engine is a fuel-efficient 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo. It runs on regular unleaded gas and produces 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission shifts the gears, and front-wheel-drive is standard. All trims are available with all-wheel-drive for a small bump in price, improving traction in bad weather. The EPA estimates fuel economy at 26/30/27 MPG city/highway/overall.
The Denali comes with a much quicker 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo. It also runs on regular gas and produces 252 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The EPA estimates it’ll return 22/28/24 MPG.
Compact SUVs are trendy these days, and the American-made GMC Terrain brings significant value to the category with many amenities and a low starting price. Built on a smooth and refined platform, it provides a choice of economical engines. The quiet five-passenger interior includes safety tech, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The quality of some cabin materials lags top rivals, but the Terrain’s huge cargo capacity makes it a practical choice.
