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2018 GMC Terrain Denali: greater refinement, versatility, safety
Published 1:30 am Friday, March 2, 2018
The GMC Terrain compact sports utility vehicle has made the big time.
It has been around for 10 years and has successfully reached its second generation – which means it has been restyled, and now offers greater refinement and versatility along with advanced safety features.
But more than that, Terrain has been responsible for more than 25 percent of GMC’s sales volume and is responsible – in large part – for the brand’s resurgence.
Terrain is available in SL, SLE, SLT and Denali models. My tester was the Denali – which distinguishes itself from the rest of the lineup by including more features as standard equipment and a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, more than double the others.
“GMC’s strong growth over the past decade is due in large part to Terrain,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of global GMC Sales and Marketing. “The all-new Terrain builds on that success, leveraging GMC’s proven premium SUV experience to shake up the largest vehicle segment, with a strong blend of design, functionality and engineering excellence.
Terrain Denali is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged DOHC variable valve-timing engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Terrain seats five adults comfortably, with a generous cargo area behind. A new fold-flat front passenger seat and flat-folding rear seat help Terrain offer greater versatility for stowing longer items and make it easier to load cargo. There are also new under-floor compartments in the cargo area for more secure storage.
The engine generates 252 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and receives an EPA rating of 26 miles per gallon down the highway. When not towing, the engine delivers satisfying acceleration, with plenty of passing power, even on steeper grades.
Terrain Denali’s new design is highlighted by its signature chrome grille along with Denali-specific accents including body-color fasciae and lower trim, plus chrome roof rails, door handles, side mirror caps and body-side molding. Additionally, LED headlamps and 19-inch ultra-bright machined aluminum wheels are all standard.
The interior benefits from a unique trim tint color and Denali-specific logos and piping on the front seats. Owners are also spoiled with additional standard features including a heated steering wheel, navigation, Bose premium even-speaker sound system, and a hands-free, programmable power lift gate.
New safety technologies are designed to enhance driver awareness and even help make it easier to park and maneuver in low-speed situations. The features include radar- and camera-based adaptive technologies that can provide alerts to potential crash threats, allowing the driver to react and make changes to potentially avoid them, including: surround vision, forward collision alert with following-distance indicator, low-speed forward automatic braking, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, and lane change/side blind-zone alert.
Terrain also features GMC’s new rear-seat reminder and teen driver.
Base Price: $39,270
Price As Driven: $44,370
Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. List price may vary at local dealerships.