We first saw it at the New York International Auto Show. Looking every bit the part of a cast member from the Mad Max movies, the GMC Terrain seemed like a futuristic armored car with hidden panels that would cover the tires and wheels in case of attack. Mr. Brinks, Mr. Wells and Mr. Fargo: Your vehicle awaits.
Really it’s not that stout, but GMC’s new 2010 Terrain is a crossover vehicle from the new General Motors that causes people to talk. As we mentioned in the Chevrolet Equinox review before, GM can’t seem to pull away from the mother’s milk that are the truck/SUV/Crossover divisions where the company is able to realize really big profits, but if they continue to build vehicles like this, the future may actually be bright.
What is it?
In the case of our test vehicle, the Terrain is a five-passenger crossover powered by a 3.0-liter direct-injected V6. Our tester was a sunbelt-friendly front-wheel-drive model with the midgrade SLE-2 trim package, which adds a few bells and whistles over the base SLE-1.
Essentially a rebadged and rebodied – on the outside – Chevrolet Equinox, the Terrain is aimed at a slightly more upscale audience, although all it really offers over its Equinox brother is a unique style of its own.
What’s it up against?
The Terrain aims its sights directly at the Hyundai Santa Fe, Ford Edge, Nissan Murano, Honda CR-V, the new Kia Sorento, as well as its corporate cousin, the Chevrolet Equinox, just to name a few. All are pretty basic in their missions to carry at least five people and their things.
Any breakthroughs?
For starters, how about a direct-injected version of GM’s 3.0-liter world engine, which manages to turn in mileage ratings of 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway – about what we saw in family sedans a few years back. Not bad.
How does it look?
The front appears as a combination Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome post-apocalyptic refugee, and the chrome receding hairline-equipped head of Transformer character Optimus Prime. Add to that, the ultra-wide, ultra-butch, square stampings over all four wheels. Their flare adds to the pure bulk and width of the Terrain.
Our test vehicle was equipped with 18-inch machined aluminum wheels. From a visual standpoint, we think the optional 20-inchers would be a better choice. Stacked headlights impart that “big-rig” feel, and black cladding around the car’s perimeter helps add to the vehicle’s visual mass. At 15-inches shorter overall than its GMC Acadia sibling, we think it is sized just right.
And on the inside?
Our Terrain sample was equipped with a black and grey woven “technical” fabric that acts to keep cooler than a more normal fabric would. It also feels cheaper and looks uglier, but we suppose that’s somewhat subjective.
High quality dash material is accented with single-needle red stitching for accent around what could have been a more mainstream interior. In fact, red accents, from the corporate logo in the center of the steering wheel to gauge needles to the color of the LCD displays in the radio head unit all do their part to brighten up a driver’s day. The same can be said of the faux brushed aluminum found in the cockpit as well. This is the GM of 2010 and we are impressed.
A typical gauge binnacle houses a tachometer, speedometer, gas, oil and temperature gauges for at-a-glance monitoring. To the right of that is the centerstack, which, in keeping with a theme, looks like the face of another Transformer movie character. Follow down the “face” and you will find your hand coming to rest on the transmission shift lever, which allows you to select your speed on the six-speed automatic transmission, by using the +/- buttons that naturally come to rest under your thumb on the lever. Other nice touches include a rear vision camera for backing up, a programmable power liftgate and Bluetooth hands free telephone controls.
The Terrain is a true five-passenger vehicle at a time when many others are offering seven-peep-rides. But that’s okay if that’s what you’re seeking. With a max of five passengers, there is room in the “way back” for 31.6 cubic feet of cargo. Fold the rear seat forward, and you’ll soon realize 63.9 cubic feet of total cargo space. As an added bonus, the rear seats recline slightly for those mid-afternoon power naps.
The interior essentially mirrors the Equinox; although there are subtle changes and not too many shared trim panels, it takes a trained eye to point out the differences.
But does it go?
As a former Alaska governor now on a book tour once said, you betcha! With the optional 3.0-liter direct injection V6 with variable valve timing underhood, this CUV is no slouch. With 264 peak horsepower at 6,950 rpm, and 222 lb-ft. of torque showing up at 5,100 rpm, the Terrain is good to tow a trailer load of 3,500 pounds. The unladen Terrain curbs in at 3,798 pounds. We saw the V6 provide effortless power to cruise at high speeds all day long with the FWD system and we averaged about the EPA estimates mentioned earlier.
The Terrain’s NVH is kept down way beyond that of a mild roar. With triple seals around the doors and other means of deadening the sound, the amount of road noise actually transmitted into the cockpit is minimal. As in the Equinox, the windshield has been scooted forward about three inches to cheat the wind, which also goes toward reducing road noise.
Another nice touch is the incorporation of the rocker panels into the lower door assemblies. This way, the ingress and egress process is not hampered by dirt and water that have collected in door sills just waiting to get mopped up by unsuspecting pant legs.
A MacPherson strut-type front suspension with coilover springs, and multi-link rear kit with coil springs, trailing arms and stabilizer bars at both ends, help to keep the Terrain firmly planted on the rather uninteresting South Florida roads that we ply on a daily basis.
We do appreciate the firm ride that the Terrain displayed. Through it came the confidence to execute quick lane changes and other maneuvers that allowed us to get by the spate of lolly-gaggers typical to West Palm Beach roads. GM is predicting this and the Chevy Equinox will become strangers at the pump, even in V6 mode with a range of around 500 miles per tank of fuel.
Why you would buy it:
You want to help the General out – and it’s a really, really good crossover to boot.
Why you wouldn’t:
Your idea of an SUV begins and ends with a vehicle that measures a block long and is brutish enough to pull a diesel locomotive.
Leftlane’s bottom line
The GMC Terrain is a thoroughly modern design representative of the new General Motors. If you need a combined people and cargo hauler, your vehicle has arrived, as long as you can stomach the rather unique styling. We’ll take an Equinox for its more balanced appearance, but you can’t really go wrong either way.
2010 GMC Terrain SLE-2 FWD base price, $25,850. As tested, $28.785.
Convenience package, $440; 3.0-liter V6, $1,500; 18-inch alloy wheels, $250; Destination, $745.
Words and photos by Mark Elias.
11/21, 12:14 PM
posted by:
netguru2000
Looks too odd. Equinox is way better. As subtle as the differences are, the Terrain has a nicer interior though.
11/21, 12:26 PM
posted by:
Smegley Wanxalot
Mad Max??
Sorry Elias, but neither Lord Humungus, Pappagallo, nor Max would be caught dead in this hideously uncool heap of crap. Wez perhaps, but certainly none of the real men.
11/21, 12:41 PM
posted by:
CowboyCountry
Saw one today at the mall. Looked freaking hideous. I thought Iron Hide had taken a dump in the middle of the mall. I think i’ll wait for the 2011 Edge and MKX.
11/21, 1:06 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
I don’t really get why they tried SO frikin hard to make this thing look like a box! Save yourslef the money and get the equinox…if you’re into gm…or get an edge!
11/21, 1:16 PM
posted by:
gta89mike
This vehicle looks completely different in person. Do yourselves a favor before bashing these pictures and go look at one and give it a test drive. You will be impressed.
11/21, 1:27 PM
posted by:
Dr.Martens
Am I the only one who thinks the interior looks like a Nissan/Pontiac interior?
11/21, 1:32 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
So who lent them all that money to stay afloat? Was it the governments of US and Canada or Warner Bros.?
11/21, 1:36 PM
posted by:
IIL Designs
Blah, get a murano.. Much better
11/21, 1:41 PM
posted by:
alsvw
Not a bad ride. Drove one a few weeks ago at a Buick test drive promotion. The front end looks a little to plastic, reminds me of a pontiac with all the plastic pieces. But, the car drove nice and had many options.
11/21, 1:42 PM
posted by:
Dr.Martens
Johnnycanuck,
I was thinking the exact same thing! At first glance this vehicle looks like batman got an Envoy and armor plated it to the core. At as a result you get the Terrain
11/21, 2:00 PM
posted by:
America on Track
Serious buyer for an American crossover. I have checked out and test driven both the Equinox and Terrain. Both drive great! Equinox a little girly in its appearance whereas the Terrain has a much more substantial look. If sales are any indication of public acceptance then the Terrain is a winner. My local dealer cannot keep one in stock. I had to make an appointment just to test drive one that was not sold.
11/21, 2:04 PM
posted by:
gabnmantha
The Terrain is a winner. Sales figures don’t lie. If some people insist on bashing the looks of it…just remember, some people think your wife is ugly, but hey, if she’s good enough for you…………………….?
11/21, 2:10 PM
posted by:
wideopenthrottle
Might be a great SUV, but the exterior styling is a little to over the top for me, and yes, I have seen several in person.
11/21, 2:15 PM
posted by:
netguru2000
@ gabnmantha
…Which is why I didn’t take my wife to market.
11/21, 2:20 PM
posted by:
Ring-Taxi
Whoever approved of those squared wheel fenders must have been smoking some good stuff. This is a puny crossover trying way too hard to look like a macho SUV.
11/21, 2:42 PM
posted by:
anyclearer
the only thing about these i dont like is, that there is very little ground clearance, or atleast thats how they look, If it only sat up off the ground just a little more, to make it look like its not just a boxy car
11/21, 2:43 PM
posted by:
sprockkets
Looks like a 70s year old man with his jaw hanging down. Wow.
Why don’t you test the 4 cyl engine and see if it gets anywhere near 32mpg on the highway?
11/21, 3:35 PM
posted by:
Mark Elias
Sprockkets:
We have requested one for test. When it becomes available, you’ll see it here!
Thanks for reading.
11/21, 4:31 PM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
sprockkets – there’s a review on youtube of the equinox from a mileage-focused reviewer and the mileage was as advertised…(their model was rated at 29 mpg highway, i think, and they got 29.6 mpg)…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsmym0WMqS4
have fun…
11/21, 4:44 PM
posted by:
gabnmantha
Not everyone likes McDonalds either. Opinions are like …well, you know….everyone has one. If you like it, buy it. If not…don’t. As of today, more people seem to love it rather than hate it. It’s all in the sales figures!
Geez, look at the frankenstein call a scion!
11/21, 5:11 PM
posted by:
tyler_is_aero_tt
sprockkets hit the nail lol. A 70 year old man who just saw a pair of hooters.
11/21, 6:37 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
I like the Ford Edge vs. this. It has an amazing sunroof, looks great, has a lot of space and well equipped for a good price.
But my biggest gripe with the Edge is fuel economy, which is 18-25 and braking, which is around 150 feet for 60mpg. They’ve improved on both of these since it’s original debut (from 16-24mpg, and braking from 60 in 160 feet) which I appreciate, but the Terrain does most of this (except for the Edge’s great exterior and amazing sunroof) at just a slightly higher price and with better performance.
For me, it comes down to the slight price difference, looks and who I would rather support- Ford or GM. I wouldn’t base my decision on “who to support” usually, but when it’s down to opinion I would support Ford. I’m not sure why and I have no hard proof to validate this, but I think the Terrain/Equinox will turn out being only average in reliability, so that may be another + point for the Edge.
And yet another Ford product that I like more, the Mazda CX-7. Good fuel economy (20-28 for the new NA 2.5L), great to drive and looks good as well. But a bit smaller and a little more cramped than this (I’ve sat in all three vehicles I’ve mentioned).
Once the updated Edge comes out…
11/21, 6:37 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
woops, 140 feet for 60mph.
11/21, 7:31 PM
posted by:
Zesty Honda
This is as ugly as sin in a trash can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wouldn’t be caught in it!
11/21, 8:04 PM
posted by:
03T4R
I’m contemplating buying either this, the Equinox, or a Forester sometime next year, but I also wanna wait to see the 2011 Explorer. I only wish the Forester had at least a 5 speed auto, hopefully they will for 2011.
11/21, 9:27 PM
posted by:
carstuff
o3t4r, why would you want a 5 speed over a 6 speed?
11/21, 11:25 PM
posted by:
Architect
IllDesigns – Murano? What a JOKE!
11/22, 2:34 AM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
ford doesn’t own mazda…and the cx7 isn’t based on a ford platform, it’s a new platform…it’s also built in japan…by…mazda…because it’s a mazda
i want to like the edge, it seems to get several things right, but performance ain’t one of them…the equinox will be very competitive in this market, i think…it’s got the least offensive styling, imo…the subaru outback was motortrend’s 2010 suv of the year, tho (although that’s a bit of a fudge since it’s pretty wagony)…
11/22, 3:39 AM
posted by:
j-dubb
yeah leftwingagenda
Ford basiclly stole all Mazda engineering from the 6 on down to the CX-9 for all you uneducated bloggers Ford stopped making their own cars years ago, so thats why I cant respect the Fusion, Edge, Taurus etc.
becasue they really belong to Mazda and Volvo This suv the GMC Terrain belongs to GM made by GM engineers with the help of GM owned Opel. truelly american in design a unique design for that unique individual, they tried to make a depature in design from the Equinox and they achevied that! u could barely tell they are on the same platform. a soild frame,solid value, solid engineering. like gta89mike said do yourself a favor and test drive one! and stop prejudging!!
11/22, 7:39 AM
posted by:
carstuff
The current Theta architecture was developed by US engineers based on the Epsilon I platform. Not really much is carried over to Theta though. And the Equinox/Terrain were actually engineered off the US developed Theta at GM’s Canadian Engineering center (which I believe is now pretty much gone).
GM is truly a global company with Global engineering.
11/22, 8:39 AM
posted by:
F50
Aside from trucks most of Ford’ products are based off a Mazda or Volvo design, even the Mustang(Partly) which is based off a cheapened Thunderbird/S-Type chassis.
11/22, 9:34 AM
posted by:
03T4R
I’d want a 6 speed, but I doubt Subaru would upgrade to 6 since they already say 4 is sufficient for the turbo motor. I think 5 would be ok to at least improve highway mileage a bit and make it a stronger contender in my book. I like the sportiness and reliability of the Forester over the Equinox/GMC now, but I hate that the Forester has such a crappy stereo system in premium models. You can’t beat the price of the Equinox for the features, I’d just like to see better mileage with the V6, a sportier ride, and reliability after a year or 2. Tough decision with competitive prices. It’s also hard to find a halfway masculine, sporty driving CUV in the current market.
11/22, 10:33 AM
posted by:
F50
The bottom part of the car and the wheel arches look like they were bolt-ons
11/22, 11:36 AM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
Too polarizing in pictures and in person. I never understand why disigners try to merge square wheelwells with round tires. Didn’t they learn anything as a kid playing with their Fisher Price toys?
It has been receiving decent reviews so quite a few people will probably buy it
11/22, 2:18 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
Looks like a HHR put on about 1000lbs.
11/23, 1:54 AM
posted by:
fordman
Hey everybody,Ford SUCKS! Is it any surprise Edge and Fusion are Mazda’s? How many of the other cars and trucks Ford builds resembles Toyota? Ford and Toyota even share that stupid 3 bar grill !
11/23, 7:38 AM
posted by:
carstuff
Just another badge engineered vehicle from GM. Looks identical to the Equinox except for they GMC badge.
11/23, 7:40 AM
posted by:
carstuff
Its just like the Malibu and LaCrosse, badge engineered. I cannot tell the difference between them either. Glad they have badges so I can tell them apart. And the Chevy and the Buick have the same buyers.
11/23, 7:55 AM
posted by:
easyrider
that’s because your an idiot. Having been up close and personal with this vehicle I can say pictures don’t do it justice.
11/23, 4:34 PM
posted by:
carstuff
12/23, 4:00 PM
posted by:
tHeWasTeDYouTh
The front appears as a combination Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome post-apocalyptic refugee, and the chrome receding hairline-equipped head of Transformer character Optimus Prime
that was the funniest thing ever, but why have this when you can by a TaHoe