Behind the wheel of the 2010 GMC Terrain

Posted on Sep 18, 2009 by Zane Merva in Road Tests

Think of it as the bold alternative to the Chevy Equinox- We’re behind the wheel of the new (and surprisingly great) 2010 GMC Terrain.

A few days ago we had the opportunity to test out the new 2010 Terrain through the winding roads of Michigan in the suburbs of Detroit. Sampling both the V6 and I4 variants in SLE and SLT trim levels. After spending the good part of a day in and around the Terrain- here’s our first impressions. We’re scheduled to test out the Terrain in full here at the office in just a few weeks, so stay tuned for a more in depth road test.

Strengths

Extremely solid and well composed ride soaks up bumps and always feels in control
Well designed seats are extremely supportive and comfortable
Four-cylinder/front-wheel-drive fuel economy (32mpg) is good enough to make this a replacement for a car

Weaknesses

Exterior styling that’s not for everyone
Base price is over $2k more expensive than the Equinox

We also appreciated

Noise canceling technology in the four-cylinder model makes it a quieter ride than the V6
Rear view camera is standard across all trim levels
USB audio / iPod interface - standard
Brownstone interior treatment (seen below) looks rich and upscale
Three highly textured cloth seat options

Conclusion

Move over Toyota, Ford, & Honda- a new competitor has hit the small/midsize SUV landscape and is every bit worth a look. Featuring a solid drive, premium interior materials, and shockingly great fuel economy(I4/FWD), the 2010 Terrain is sure to make some converts out of people who had previously sworn off American automobiles. Amazingly well executed.

Specifications

Base Price: $24,995 [SLE1/FWD] - includes destination
Engine: 2.4L Direct Injection I4 or 3.0L Direct Injection V6
Power: [I4] 182-horsepower/172lb-ft torque , [V6] 264-horsepower/ 222lb-ft torque
Transmission: 6-speed automatic (standard)
EPA Estimated Fuel Economy (city/highway)
I4/FWD: 22/32mpg
I4/AWD: 20/29mpg
V6/FWD: 17/25mpg
V6/AWD: 17/24mpg