With a lengthy list of features, excellent fuel economy, and a cabin lined with first-rate materials, the GMC Terrain certainly is well worth all the attention it is getting.
The 2019 has three turbocharged engine options and a smooth, comfortable ride. It even comes with a folding front-passenger seat that comes in real handy.
Although the base Terrain has a starting price of $25,000, my top-of-the-line Denali came in at just over $43,000 — including destination charges and extra option packages like Driver Alert, Advanced Safety, and the Comfort Suite.
That’s a little higher than most of its competitors. But this baby has a handsome interior and a decent number of standard features, including a Wi-Fi hot spot, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Denali also is the only trim that comes standard with the 252-horsepower turbo-four engine.
Inside, the Terrain seats up to five people on standard premium cloth upholstery — or in the Denali, on fine leather upholstery, with ventilated and power-adjustable seats (up front).
No matter what the trim level though, SL, SLE, SLT, or Denali, the cabin is spacious and comfortable up front, and the rear seats can seat two average-sized adults in moderate comfort — which is not a given in this class. On the downside, rearward visibility is limited by the roofline and thick roof pillars.
In terms of interior quality, this GMC has one of the nicest cabins in the class, and the Terrain Denali feels right at home alongside luxury vehicles. Even lower trims feature top-notch materials and attractive designs.
Cargo space-wise, the Terrain has 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, which is enough for a few large suitcases.
Folding the rear seats down expands the available space to 63.3 cubic feet. And another perk, as I mentioned, is that the Terrain’s front seat folds flat, giving you up to 81 cubic feet of space and enough room for long items like a surfboard or kayak.
The Terrain’s standard IntelliLink infotainment system comes with a seven-inch touch screen, voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, four USB ports (including one charge-only port), Bluetooth, a six-speaker sound system, and a built-in Wi-Fi hot spot.
Available features include navigation, an upgraded infotainment system with an eight-inch touch screen, HD radio, satellite radio, a seven speaker Bose premium sound system, a 110-volt household-style power outlet, two additional USB ports, and wireless device charging.
Now let’s talk performance. The Terrain Denali’s 2.0-liter turbo-four rewarded me with eager acceleration — and really held its own at highway speeds. A nine-speed automatic transmission is standard with all gas engines, while the diesel motor comes with a six-speed automatic.
With its base engine and front-wheel drive, the Terrain earns estimates of 26 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway — though my all-wheel-drive Denali came in lower at 21/26, which is still good for the class.
One thing is for sure — it’s is an enjoyable drive. With a cushioned ride, even over bumpy pavement, the Terrain has great maneuverable in tight areas and nicely weighted steering.
The Terrain is an excellent, well-rounded crossover SUV with many strengths. It’s a little pricier than some of its rivals, but its refined interior, decent fuel economy, and long list of features help make it a really good value. All in all, this GMC deserves a look from every shopper considering an SUV.
Grant Miller is the publisher of Miami’s Community Newspapers. He may be contacted by calling 305-662-2277 or via email at Grant@CommunityNewspapers.com.
