2018 GMC Terrain

The 2018 GMC Terrain ladles on premium features in Denali trim- The Car Connection

There are four trims levels available for the GMC Terrain. These include SL, SLE, SLT, and Denali. There are also two engine choices and two drivetrain options. The base-level SL starts just under $26,000, including a destination charge of $975, and gets you a decent list of comfort and infotainment features. From the safety point of view, GMC offers Driver Alert I and Driver Alert II packages, the latter being optional on the SLT and Denali.

The top-end Denali trim's base price is just under $40,000, destination included and when fully loaded, the Denali maxes out nearly at $44,000, which is an expensive price tag for a compact SUV. GMC offers a lot of optional and packages, especially for the SLE trim. Exclusive to this trim is the $995 Infotainment Package I that adds an 8-inch touchscreen, a 110V power outlet, enhanced gauge cluster, satellite radio, USB port, and an SD card reader.

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The SLE trim is worth considering as there are a lot of options available in this trim. This trim just adds a spare tire, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and cargo levers. Upgrade to the Driver Alert I package as it adds lane change alert, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safety seat alert, and rear parking sensors. Also opt for the $1,375 Driver Convenience package for heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, 8-way power driver's seat, remote start, and side rails. 

The Terrain's base 1.5-liter engine gets great fuel economy and has the lowest estimated fuel costs in this lineup- Cars.USNews

With the new powertrain, the fuel economy of the GMC Terrain has drastically improved. With the base engine equipped, it returns 26 MPG in the city, 30 MPG on a highway, and 28 MPG combined in FWD form. With AWD setup, mileage is sliced to 26 MPG combined. The FWD 2.0L version is rated at 22 MPG in the city, 28 MPG on a highway, and 24 MPG combined, which by the way is a huge 5 MPG increase over the previous V6 model.

The AWD models drop down the fuel economy by 1 MPG. Coming to the fuel tank, the 1.5L models get a 15.6-gallon fuel tank while the 2.0L versions replace it for a smaller 14.9 gallons. The less powerful 170-hp 1.5L engine offers a combined range of 417 miles, 405 miles in the case of AWD versions. The 2.0L model can drive up to 372 miles in FWD configuration and 367 miles if you opt for the AWD system. 

The Jeep Compass turns out to be the most fuel-efficient SUV in this competition. The Toyota RAV4's fuel efficiency is slightly less than the Terrain and delivers only 26 MPG combined. Meanwhile, the Ford Escape has the worst fuel ratings here. The Terrain's fuel estimates are good compared to its rivals. 

Inside, GMC paid extra attention to what the driver touches and interacts with- Automobile Magazine

2018 GMC Terrain Seating and Comfort

The redesigned interior is nicely finished. A leather-wrapped steering wheel and real aluminum trim are great to see. While some of the faux wood grain options are more believable than others, the overall look is upscale. In lower trims tough, you can expect more plastic and less leather. Both cloth and leather upholsteries are available depending on the trims. The front seats themselves look basic but they do a decent job of providing comfort and support.

The front seats are heated on higher trims but ventilated front seats and heated rear seats are available as options. Most drivers will find plenty of head and legroom in the front row. The Terrain has a slightly elevated driving position of most SUVs. The rear seats are even more basic and are a bit hard and flat but there is plenty of room all around. Overall visibility isn't bad but the rising beltline and basement-like third side windows make for abysmal rear quarter views. 

Both the Ford Escape and the Toyota RAV4 offer less rear legroom than the Terrain but the available space is adequate to accommodate adults. The Jeep Compass may have tidy dimensions but its overall passenger space is very good. When it comes to interior quality, the RAV4 and the Compass lose some points but the Escape's cabin feels upscale like the Terrain. 

2018 GMC Terrain Infotainment System

A 7 or 8-inch touchscreen display is available in the GMC Terrain, depending on the trims. It runs on the upgraded IntelliLink infotainment system and both the screens support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. GMC's interface is cleanly arranged and allows owners to add a range of apps. The home screen is customizable to give you quick control. The navigation interface has also been thoroughly redesigned. The map is more modern-looking and moving around is as seamless as on a smartphone.

The graphics are clean and the touch response is quick. The SLT and Denali trims get a 4.2-inch driver's display that shows car-related information. Having all physical buttons for climate and volume controls is much appreciated. Most of the other controls are fairly simple and easy to use. The system also offers over-the-air updates. The reimagined center stack and console are a lot less cluttered thanks in part to the push-button shifter. Overall, needless to say, it is a huge leap forward over the outgoing model. 

2018 GMC Terrain Interior Features

The main interior and infotainment features available in the Terrain's cabin are:

• Tilt & telescopic multi-function leather, heated steering wheel
• Power front heated seats
• Cloth & leather upholstery
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Hands-free power liftgate
• 110V rear power outlet
• 8-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 7-speaker Bose audio system
• Wireless device charging
• Voice-recognition navigation system

2018 GMC Terrain Cargo Capacity

The cargo space of the GMC Terrain is mid-space among its myriad competitors. A trunk volume of 29.6 cubic feet is offered in the Terrain. The rear seats go down super easy and nice and flat. With this, the cargo space expands to 63.3 cubic feet, which is below average in the segment but for most buyers, this much cargo space is more than enough.

If all that room isn't enough, the front passenger's seat can also be folded to increase the space to 81 cubic feet. Hence, the Terrain stands out in its segment. A shallow well rests beneath the cargo floor, which comes in handy to store items out of sight. A hands-free power liftgate is standard only on the top-end Denali and optional on other trims. 

The Toyota RAV4 offers the best cargo space behind the rear seats and is also one of the largest in the segment. The Ford Escape is close to it with 68 cubic feet while the Jeep Compass is the least practical SUV in this segment. Technically the Terrain's cargo space puts it at the bottom of the class but its trick is really useful. 

There’s no dispute that the 2018 Terrain is a good-looking crossover SUV- Kelly Blue Book

2018 GMC Terrain Dimensions and Weight

The new GMC Terrain doesn't bear even the slightest resemblance to the outgoing model, which may be a bad thing for those who prefer the boxy looks. The first thing you'' notice upfront is the updated GMC grille which adopts a more trapezoidal shape like the Acadia. There are three versions of this grille. The SL and SLE trims get a black grille, the SLT trim gets three chrome bars while the top-end Denali trim gets a signature chrome mesh grille. Coming to the headlights, there are HID on all models except for the Denali which are LED. Every model gets a unique setup with LED DRLs that form into a bracket shape.

The top two trims also add fog lamps on the lower fascia. The standard wheels for the Terrain are 17-inch alloy but 18 and 19-inch alloys are also available. The Terrain has a ground clearance of 6.9 inches, which is decent for an SUV. Also, its wide wheelbase translates to effective handling and a stable ride. From the side view, you will notice GMC's signature slightly squared-off fenders and floating roofline treatment around the back. The design continues to be modern and sophisticated at the rear. The taillights feature the same unique shape as the headlights and most of the unit is LED. 

The Jeep Compass sits 1.1 inches higher than the Terrain, which is great for off-roading. Event eh Ford Escape shares the same ground clearance but it weighs 3,552 pounds, the heaviest in this competition. The Toyota RAV4's wheelbase is nearly 3 inches smaller than the Terrain and therefore, its rear legroom is less. 

2018 GMC Terrain Exterior Features

Some cool exterior features of the Terrain include:

• HID & LED headlights
• LED DRLs
• LED taillights
• Front fog lamps
• Auto-dimming, heated exterior chrome mirrors
• Chrome roof rails
• Dual exhaust chrome tips
• Chrome grille
• Black window trim
• 17, 18 & 19-inch alloy wheels

Safety alert seat remains an innovation that we prefer to beeps and flashes- Edmunds

The GMC Terrain received four out of five stars for its safety by NHTSA. It also received 'Good' ratings in all the six crash tests and a 'Superior' rating for the front crash prevention conducted by IIHS. Yet, it didn't win the Top Safety Pick award as it got 'Poor' ratings for its headlights. Else, it would have garnered one. 

This year introduces a lot of safety equipment, none of which were previously available. Buyers can opt for the $500 Driver Alert II package and is only available on the top two trims. The Driver Alert I package is also available on all but the base SE trim. This package can be had for $890. The safety features available are:

• Safety alert seat
• Surround-view camera
• Automatic park assist
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Rear parking sensors
• Lane keep assist
• Low-speed forward automatic braking
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane change alert
• Forward collision alert
• Lane departure warning
• Teen Driver
• Rearview camera

2018 GMC Terrain vs 2018 Jeep Compass

The Jeep Compass is the cheapest option in this competition. Although its on-road performance is good, it is known for its off-road abilities. It is also more fuel-efficient than the Terrain. The Compass is roomy as the Terrain but its cargo capacity is subpar for the class and its interior quality feels less upscale. The Compass offers fewer safety features than the Terrain. 

2018 GMC Terrain vs 2018 Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 has a high initial cost than the Terrain. It offers lethargic acceleration and is less fuel-efficient but its towing capacity is on par with the Terrain. Inside, the RAV4's cabin feels cheap but it offers a spacious interior and great cargo room. In terms of safety, the RAV4 won the Top Safety Pick award and offers more standard safety features than the Terrain.

2018 GMC Terrain vs 2018 Ford Escape

The Ford Escape's engines aren't agile and fuel-efficient as the Terrain but it offers sporty handling. The Escape offers fewer standard features but its cabin is roomy and is more practical than the Terrain. Also, the Escape does not come with a standard touchscreen whereas the Terrain offers one. In view of safety, the Escape's list of safety features is shorter than the Terrain. 

The 2018 GMC Terrain, both inside and out, does give you the nicest styling and nicest features set than you might find in an equivalent Chevy Equinox. Both its engines are really impressive when it comes to fuel economy and drivability. Apart from its expensive price tag, if you're looking for a compact crossover but want something that's a little bit of a step up, then the Terrain is worth considering.