Road test
GMC Terrain 2018
The luxurious cousin is more focused on comfort than cornering prowess
September 29, 2017
Pros and cons
Pros
- Flexible and powerful 2.0-litre engine
- Exemplary automatic transmission
- Good soundproofing
- Stable and comfortable ride
- Clear controls
- Generous equipment
Cons
- Light, numb steering
- Diesel engine expensive (SLE) and noisy when accelerating
- Tight rear headroom
- Just adequate cargo room
- Automatic emergency braking restricted to most expensive models
Overview
The 2018 GMC Terrain has undergone its first full remake in eight years, a few months after its close cousin Chevrolet Equinox. No longer relying solely on its silhouette to differentiate it from the Equinox, it now has its own distinct cabin and exclusive mechanical and features pairings. Like so many of its rivals, it has switched from a conventional V6 to a turbo engine, and it shares with the Equinox the only diesel engine available in the segment.
Another distinction is the fact that General Motors now builds the GMC Terrain in Mexico rather than at the Ingersoll, Ontario, facility that assembles the Chevrolet Equinox.
Verdict
Without stirring up driving enthusiasm, the 2018 GMC Terrain is a well-designed vehicle that outclasses its predecessor in terms of performance, refinement and comfort. It even offers the best nine-speed transmission on the market. That’s all good news, but is it enough to justify its high price in the face of ferocious competition? Nothing is less certain, especially with one of those rivals selling for much less in the same showroom.
Evaluation
Body and cabin
Having shed its squared-off shape, the 2018 GMC Terrain now displays more sculptured styling along the lines of the GMC Acadia, which was redesigned in 2016. As with the GMC Acadia, the Terrain has been downsized to bring it more in line with the competition, losing 5.5 cm of length and, more particularly, 13.2 cm of wheelbase.Despite these notable changes, the GMC Terrain’s cabin seems about as roomy as before. In other words, it would be a good fit for a family of two adults and two growing teens, with the caveat that rear headroom is barely sufficient for a person 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) tall. Honda CR‑V, Nissan Rogue and Toyota RAV4 all offer more room.
The same applies to the trunk, which is average for the segment. The sliding rear bench that expanded the cargo floor without folding the seats is gone, but there is a vast compartment under the floor. The front passenger seatback now folds flat, making it much easier to transport items up to 2.4 m (8 ft.) long.
The front seats seemed comfortable, but it will take a longer drive to evaluate support. The dashboard is more modern, better finished and more functional, compared to the outgoing model. Large hard buttons and knobs activate the main functions, including those of the standard automatic dual-zone climate control system.
The GMC Terrain’s automatic transmission now uses button controls, too. Placing the row of buttons under the fan controls frees up storage space on, and under the centre console. However, like all the other new electronic gear selectors on the market, it is less intuitive to use than a traditional shift lever.
The Terrain is inaugurating a new touch screen for GM. Even more convivial that the preceding iterations, the system can accept more than one mobile device at a time so that all occupants can access their music library. It offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility as well as four USB charging ports.
Generous standard features also notably include keyless start, power driver’s seat, Xenon headlights and aluminum wheels.
Safety
The 2018 GMC Terrain offers two advanced safety technology packages. The first suite pairs blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert with parking radar sensors. It is standard on the Denali model, and optional on the others. The second includes lane departure warning with automatic lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, forward collision alert and, a first for the Terrain, automatic emergency braking (AEB). Available only on the Denali and on SLT models ordered with the first package, it does not include adaptive cruise control at all.This policy greatly limits access to automatic emergency braking, an important feature that automakers have pledged to offer as standard equipment on all 2022 models. We would have wished for General Motors to follow the example of Honda, Mazda, Subaru and Toyota, which chose not to wait and to deliver AEB on a wide array of models.
Crash test results
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)Overall score: 4 / 5
Frontal impact: 5 / 5
Side impact: 4 / 5
Rollover resistance: 4 / 5
Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIHS)
Moderate overlap frontal impact: 4 / 4
Small overlap frontal impact:
- driver side: 4 / 4
- passenger side: 4 / 4
Side impact: 4 / 4
Rear impact: 4 / 4
Roof strength: 4 / 4
Mechanical overview
It is a well-known fact that the GMC Terrain is the upscale version of the Chevrolet Equinox. The two redesigned vehicles share the same platform, first used in 2016 by the Buick Envision as well as by the second-generation Chevrolet Cruze and Volt. This lighter, more rigid architecture allowed the Terrain to shed some 9 percent of its weight.The new, modern chassis arrives with a trio of new engines, all turbocharged and all smaller than the ones they replace. The three 4‑cylinder engines contribute to a significant improvement in fuel consumption ratings.
The GMC Terrain SLE’s 1.5L engine now uses up to 11 percent less gasoline than the former 2.4L 4‑cylinder. The 2.4L developed 12 hp more than the new engine’s 170 hp, but the latter makes up for it with significantly higher torque (203 lb‑ft vs 172), all available at 2,000 rpm. It easily meets the needs of the majority of buyers.
Terrain SLT and Denali models come with a 2.0L engine that makes 252 hp and 260 lb‑ft of torque. The former 3.6L V6 offered more power but it was only accessible at higher RPMs. The difference is unnoticeable in daily driving, with the 2.0L proving to be flexible, linear and quiet. What’s more, the promise of a 20-percent improvement in fuel economy easily compensates a slight loss of high-RPM power.
Also optional on the SLE, this 2.0L turbo engine delivers improved flexibility and depth in relation to the small 1.5L. It is the engine of choice in the lineup, especially for trailer towing. From 680 kg (1,500 lb), it increases towing capacity to 1,588 kg (3,500 lb), a maximum load it easily handled during our test in the Lac‑Beauport area near Quebec City.
With its smooth shifts, ideal gearing and prompt response, the new nine‑speed automatic actively contributes to the good performance. No other nine-speed comes close, including the prestige makes.
If you’re looking for maximum fuel economy, think about the optional diesel engine on the SLE and SLTs. The only diesel available in the compact SUV segment, this 1.6L 4‑cylinder announces a combined fuel consumption of just 7.4 L/100 km (Natural Resources Canada). That’s compact-car territory… for an all-wheel-drive SUV. Its 137 hp won’t set any records, but its 240 lb‑ft of torque at 2,000 rpm is amply sufficient to keep up with traffic.
Be aware, however, that the diesel engine makes a lot more noise when accelerating than the two gasoline engines. If you like the traditional clatter of a diesel, you’ll really like this one, especially as its six‑speed transmission holds on to the gears much longer than the nine‑speed of the other models.
Thanks to its smooth 2.0L engine, faultless nine-speed transmission and very quiet ride, the 2018 GMC Terrain displays a level of refinement that was missing in GM’s former compact SUVs. It is a settled vehicle, much more oriented towards comfort than cornering performance. Be forewarned: the suspension provides good road holding, but there is a bit too much body lean and steering numbness for sporty driving.
Drivers in search of a more dynamic experience will have to turn to Ford Escape, Mazda CX‑5 or, for that matter, Toyota RAV4. The Terrain’s placid approach should please everyone else.