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- Backseat legroom
- Smooth ride
- Towing capacity (V6)
- Estimated fuel economy
- Styling gets mixed reviews
- Smaller cargo space than competitors
- Slow-to-downshift transmission
- Numb steering
- Tested fuel economy not as high as EPA estimates
Free Price Quote for 2010 GMC TerrainThe new 2010 GMC Terrain isn't recommended as often as its sleeker sibling, the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox (Base MSRP: $22,615 to $29,970), but the two are identical except for their styling, and experts say either is a good choice among small SUVs -- just not quite as good as the top-rated 2010 Honda CR-V (Base MSRP: $21,545 to $27,745).
The Terrain comes with a choice of engines. The base powerplant is a 182-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder that delivers good fuel economy for a nonhybrid SUV, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. With front-wheel drive, the EPA estimates gas mileage of 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway/26 mpg combined. With all-wheel drive, it's 20 mpg city/29 mpg highway/23 mpg combined. However, in one major test the AWD Terrain delivers 2 mpg less than that, putting it on the same level or just behind four-wheel-drive versions of the Honda CR-V, 2010 Toyota RAV4 (Base MSRP: $21,675 to $27,985) and 2010 Subaru Forester (Base MSRP: $20,295 to $28,495).
The base engine has its drawbacks, reviews say; acceleration isn't exactly brisk, and it can tow only 1,500 pounds. An optional 3-liter, V6 engine produces 264 horsepower and can tow up to 3,500 pounds, but it's thirstier, at 20 mpg combined (17 mpg city/25 mpg highway with front-wheel drive, or 1 mpg less on the highway with AWD). A six-speed automatic transmission is the only choice, and testers say it tries way too hard to maximize fuel economy. "Unless your foot is more or less jamming the accelerator pedal clean through the fire wall, the transmission just relentlessly upshifts," Car and Driver says.
Handling is secure in tests but not agile like the Honda CR-V, and although critics concede that some buyers may like the boxy shape, some hate the big pillars and bulky feel. Motor Trend lists the "butch" styling as a con and says it's "a bit heavy -- on the eyes, that is." As with the Equinox, lifeless steering is a common complaint.
Inside, testers say the Terrain's five-passenger cabin is roomy and well finished -- even better than the Equinox's, ConsumerGuide.com says, with more standard features and better optional upholstery. The sliding, reclining rear seats offer more legroom than the Honda, Toyota or Subaru models (which testers say are already roomy enough), but they steal space from the cargo bay. The Terrain offers about 31 cubic feet behind the backseats or 64 with them folded, versus roughly 36 and 73 cubic feet, respectively, for the Honda CR-V.
The 2010 GMC Terrain comes in four trim levels. Reviews say the Terrain SLE-1 (Base MSRP: $24,250 to $26,000) comes well equipped with a backup camera, CD stereo with audio jack, satellite radio and more. The SLE-2 (Base MSRP: $25,950 to $27,700) adds an upgraded stereo, automatic climate control, Bluetooth and roof rails, among other features.
The Terrain SLT-1 (Base MSRP: $27,750 to $29,500) adds heated leather seats, remote ignition and bigger 18-inch alloy wheels. The SLT-2 (Base MSRP: $29,550 to $31,300) tops out with a sunroof, power liftgate, rear parking sensors and special trim. Options include hard-drive navigation and a backseat entertainment system.
Crash ratings are very good as is performance in recent rollover roof-strength testing. The Terrain earns the highest scores in all tests at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, earning a 2010 Top Safety Pick rating. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash tests are similarly good, but it scores 4 stars out of 5 in the government's rollover-resistance tests. Standard safety features include antilock brakes, traction and stability control, and front, front-side and curtain airbags.
Reliability data is not yet available for GMC's new crossover SUV. The 2010 GMC Terrain is covered by a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, with a five-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty.
The 2010 GMC Terrain competes in head-to-head SUV shootouts at Car and Driver and Motor Trend. Experts at Edmunds.com, ConsumerReports.org, TheTruthAboutCars.com and ConsumerGuide.com also fully test the Terrain and compare it with its rivals. A review at the tech site CNET measures how technologically advanced the Terrain is. FuelEconomy.gov posts official fuel-economy estimates, and SaferCar.gov and the IIHS post separate crash-test results.
Our Sources
1. Car and DriverDetails/Subscribe
The GMC Terrain places sixth (out of eight) in this small-SUV comparo. It seems solid, but testers say it's no fun to drive, with a bulky body, lifeless steering and a transmission that insistently upshifts.
Review: Terrain vs. CR-V, RAV4, Tiguan, Mariner, Outlander, Forester, Grand Vitara -- Comparison Tests, John Phillips, January 2010
2. Motor TrendDetails/Subscribe
"Butch styling" separates the GMC Terrain from its Chevy Equinox counterpart, and Motor Trend testers don't like it. They also find the Terrain's acceleration wimpy. They do praise the Terrain's high estimated fuel economy, but it's not good enough to win this Sport/Utility of the Year contest.
Review: 2010 Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year: The Contenders: GMC Terrain, Edward Loh, October 2009
3. Motor TrendDetails/Subscribe
The GMC Terrain again lags behind, placing third in this four-SUV comparo. Testers find some features to like, but overall it's too slow, heavy and pricey compared with the others.
Review: Comparison: 2010 GMC Terrain vs. 2010 Honda CR-V vs. 2010 Hyundai Tucson vs. 2010 Subaru Forester, Ron Kiino, January 2010
4. Edmunds.com
Edmunds.com likes the GMC Terrain just as much as its sibling, the Chevrolet Equinox, which is one of Edmunds.com's top picks among small SUVs. The Terrain shares all of the Equinox's mechanicals, which editors say make it capable of competing with the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.
Review: 2010 GMC Terrain Review, Editors of Edmunds.com
5. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
The all-new 2010 GMC Terrain has no reliability or owner-satisfaction history, so its ConsumerReports.org ratings are not complete. However, editors do thoroughly test both the four-cylinder and V6 versions.
Review: GMC Terrain, Editors of ConsumerReports.org
If you like the GMC Terrain's chunky styling, it's just as good a pick as the similar Chevrolet Equinox, says Michael Karesh, who tests them both. Despite the "lackluster" powertrain, the Terrain/Equinox will likely satisfy the average SUV buyer, Karesh says.
Review: Review: GMC Terrain, Michael Karesh, Nov. 16, 2009
More standard features and better optional upholstery make the GMC Terrain "notably upmarket of its sibling," the Chevrolet Equinox. Both are Recommended choices, based on expert tests here.
Review: 2010 GMC Terrain: Road Test, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
8. CNET
With a full array of cabin-tech options, the GMC Terrain is judged "thoroughly modern" despite its rugged SUV looks. It gets a Very Good rating of 3.5 stars out of 5, although CNET notes that the Bluetooth system lacks a phone book and the transmission is "a little clunky."
Review: 2010 GMC Terrain, Wayne Cunningham, Nov. 30, 2009
The 2010 GMC Terrain beats all nonhybrid SUVs for overall and highway fuel economy (in its four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive guise), according to this government website. Most SUVs on the market are ranked here according to estimated fuel economy.
Review: 2010 Sport Utility Vehicles, Editors of FuelEconomy.gov
10. SaferCar.gov
The GMC Terrain is one of several small SUVs to tie for first place in government crash tests. It earns perfect 5-star ratings in front- and side-crash tests, with 4 stars for rollover avoidance.
Review: 5-Star Safety Ratings, Editors of SaferCar.gov
11. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
The IIHS considers the GMC Terrain a midsize SUV. Like most others in its class, it earns the highest rating of Good in front-, side- and rear-crash tests, and its performance in roof-strength evaluations puts it over the top, earning it a 2010 Top Safety Pick designation.
Review: Midsize SUVs, Editors of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
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