Terrain is a mid-size crossover offered by GMC from 2009. But then Acadia is also mid-size crossover offered by GMC from 2006. We all know that General Motors was prone to self-destruction through history, but this is not a typical type of it. Precisely, Terrain is more of a compact crossover despite that proportions are somewhere near mid-size ones, and since its price stayed in lower segment area, Acadia was left standing as properly sized and properly priced mid-size SUV. The fact that now extinct Pontiac Torrent and the older generation of Chevy Equinox were rebadged versions of it makes things even clearer about its proper segment affiliations. Anyway brand new 2018 GMC Terrain has just been shown in Detroit, and it is expected from us to see what has it brought to the table.
STYLING of 2018 GMC Terrain
Outgoing Terrain was on the market for eight years, and it was about time to be replaced. The new one is here, and it brings new styling era with itself. The chunky and extremely angular shapes are out of the equation, but besides that, the imposing style still remains, however, now it is infused with elegance and flavored with some peculiarities, mainly concerning the shape of lights.
Grille has quite a commanding proportions, and with carved hood, it preserves imposing part of the style, while the job of highlighting the elegance part is definitely in charge of floating roof, among other things. Its twin Chevy Equinox happens to be miles behind now, with its plain styling, looking pretty boring next to it.
CABIN
Both outgoing Terrain and previous Chevy Equinox shared same dull and highly unimaginative dash. New Equinox experienced quite progress in that field with visibly better materials and more design complexity.
And now new Terrain hasn’t been left out. Its cabin plays more on the robust card with styling cues, in a somehow similar manner as Jeep Renegade‘s one, and that usually appears alluring for many SUV buyers.
CORRECTION OF FLAWS
Second generation Terrain is going to be what it is supposed to be, and that is a compact crossover. No more extra metal for the same price, no more colliding with Acadia, as the new version is actually smaller, corresponding to the belonging class. That is going to lessen one the flaws of outgoing model and that would be not so praised weight figures. It lost 465 pounds, and you have to admit it is quite a number. You shouldn’t worry as a reduction in size hasn’t compromised interior space and due to the clever configuration thanks to the new D2XX platform, it even offers better figures than before, apart from cargo space which suffered slightly.
One more flaw of outgoing model was outdated technology, and changes are in store here also as the old stuff is going to be phased out with the new version of GMC’s IntelliLink infotainment system presented on 7 or optional 8-inch screen. This setup has the support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while also featuring OnStar with 4G LTE and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot.
UNDER THE HOOD
Everything is new here, as Terrain has stepped into the new epoch. Forget about big, thirsty 2.4-liter I4 and 3.6-liter V6.Fresh, modern and, first of all, efficient 1.5-liter making 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque is offered as a start, and it is followed by 2.0-liter rated at 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Interestingly there is also a diesel option as 1.6-liter unit delivering 137 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque is paired with a six-speed automatic. Both petrol engines are mated to 9-speed automatic.
SAFETY
The new platform brings 27% stiffer body, which along with ten airbags, 360-degree parking camera, lane keep assist, forward collision alert, side blind zone alert and rear cross-traffic alert definitely could count on high scores with federal authorities.
2018 GMC Terrain Video
CONCLUSION
2018 GMC Terrain is the pure example of what car maker can do if it takes its work seriously. GMC has done its job from scratch, as the platform and all engines are new, no styling cue is inherited from old model and cabin is a different story all around in the most positive sense. We really hope that this kind of effort will not go unnoticed with buyers and frankly it is nearly impossible.
