By Charles Donaldson
I have been toying with the idea of replacing my sedan with a crossover SUV. I do have a few vehicles at the top of my list, yet, after driving the all-new GMC 2018 Terrain, I find that my favorites have changed. The areas important to me are reliability, power, space, technology features, comfort, gas mileage, and price, however, not always in that order.
The 2018 GMC Terrain is all-new and addresses the issues of the last generation that weren’t measuring up with the technology features and interior quality of its competitor vehicles. The folks at GMC took note and redesigned and restructured the Terrain to elevate it to a compelling small 5 passenger compact crossover SUV.
Interestingly, GMC managed to shrink the 2018 Terrain by over 3-inches in length without sacrificing much head and legroom. The weight also dropped by 400 pounds which contributes to its improved fuel MPG. The new sheet metal allows the Terrain to finally standout and turn heads.
Pricing and Trims
For 2018, GMC Terrain is available in four trim levels, but I will break it up into six to share some Diesel engine prices. The base is the SL FWD ($25,990), is followed by the SLE FWD ($28,815) and AWD ($30,565), SLT FWD ($32,315) and AWD ($34,065). The top of the line Denali is priced at FWD ($38,515) and AWD ($40,265), The SLE and SLT are also available with a Diesel engine and priced at FWD ($32,585) and AWD ($34,335), and FWD ($35,160) and AWD ($36,910) respectively.
What’s new for 2018?
The 2018 GMC Terrain has been completely redesigned for its 2nd-generation. It offers a new turbo-diesel engine and new 9-speed transmission. Stop/Start technology is featured on all systems. The 2018 Terrain is dressed in an all-new interior including an expanded center console with pass-through storage. A new fold-flat front passenger seat with flat-folding rear seat offers more loading options. Additional active safety technologies are designed to assist the driver.
Interior Highpoints
The base Terrain comes with cloth seats. Our model, the Denali, had leather seats that were very comfortable. Both front and rear seats were enjoyable to ride in. The dash is clean, and the center console was easy to operate. GM upped the game with its IntelliLink infotainment system that includes a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The Terrain Denali model has an upgrade 8-inch touchscreen with two additional USB ports. A wireless charging system is also available. With the front passenger’s seat folding flat creates a notable 81 cubic feet of storage. More and more manufactures are getting away from the typical gear shifter. The Terrain elected to go with a push-button shifting system on the console that I must admit did take a little time to get used to. I do appreciate the extra storage space created due to the lack of a center shifter.
Exterior Highlights
The exterior is bold with sharp-edged lines and flat fender wheel wells. The Terrain has a unique look that manages to scream tough, yet, sophisticated. As noted earlier, the 2018 Terrain is shorter and lighter than Gen One. Improved handling was conceived by pushing the wheels a bit more towards the corners of the vehicle. At the front is a big powerful grille with wishbone-gazing headlamps. The rear quarter panels raise high into the rear-side glass making an impactful look, while, at the same time, manifesting a challenge to see out of.
Performance Specs
The 2018 Terrain is offered with 3 engine choices. The SL, SLE, and SLT come with a 4-cylinder 1.5-liter gas engine. The Denali is equipped with a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 252 hp and 260 lb.-ft of torque. All gas engines are mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. The SLE and SLT are also available with a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder Turbo Diesel (137 hp, 240 lb.-ft of torque) and paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Cool Features:
Safety Integrity
The 2018 Terrain filled the safety option list with blind-spot monitoring system, lane-departure warning, and rear parking sensors. Six standard air bags, including frontal driver and passenger, roof rail-mounted head curtain and thorax side-impact air bags, collapsible pedal assembly, standard rear-vision camera, Rear Seat Reminder alerts when the second-row doors are opened before the vehicle is started, Driver Alert Package I is available on SLE and SLT and standard on Denali. Content includes Side Blind Zone Alert with Lane Change Alert, Rear Park Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Safety Alert Driver Seat. Driver Alert Package II is available on SLT and Denali. Content includes Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Following Distance Indicator and IntelliBeam headlamps. The Advanced Safety Package is available on Denali and includes Automatic Parking Assist and Surround Vision.
In Summary – The All-New 2018 GMC Terrain is an impressive generation change. All areas of improvement were made, and the Terrain stands out in the crowd. Its size and category might have shrunk, but its overall quality and functionality has increased. It is a fun-to-drive vehicle that is capable and has style. The 2018 Terrain is the right size for families looking to seat 5 and have a flexible amount of cargo options. Its price may be higher than others, but in most cases, it’s worth it. Take it out for a test drive and see if the Terrain will entice you to take it home.
Specifications.
|
Base price:
|
$39,270 as driven: $44,370 (including destination & optional features)
|
|
Engine:
|
4-clyinder, 2.0 Liter Turbo Charged
|
|
Horsepower:
|
252 hp @ 5500 RPM
|
|
Torque:
|
260 lb.-ft. @ 2500 RPM
|
|
Transmission:
|
9-speed automatic
|
|
Drive:
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
|
Seating:
|
5-passenger
|
|
Cargo space:
|
63.3 cubic feet
|
|
Curb weight:
|
3,636 pounds
|
|
EPA mileage:
|
City 21/Hwy 26/Comb 23 MPG
|
|
Fuel Capacity:
|
14.9 gallons
|
|
Turning Circle:
|
41.6 ft.
|
|
Wheelbase:
|
107.3 inches
|
|
Warranty:
|
3 years/36,000-miles
|
|
Also consider:
|
Ford Escape, Chevrolet Equinox, Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, Toyota Rav-4
|