GMC Terrain: 2018 Motor Trend SUV of the Year Contender

We Like: Nine-speed auto and 2.0-liter engine combo; interior space and amenities.

We Don’t Like: PRNDL controls; manually activated AWD modes.

“They got a lot of the fundamentals right on this one,” Scott Evans said of the improved GMC Terrain with a more spirited chassis, quiet cabin, and nicely appointed interior.

The bone of contention: reimagining the gear shifter as a row of buttons on the center stack, which you pull for drive or reverse but push for neutral, park, and low. Christian Seabaugh applauded the move to be different. Mark Rechtin and Evans felt it was reason enough to disqualify the SUV. Evans predicted it won’t survive a midcycle refresh. The 252-hp 2.0-liter I-4 paired with GM’s new nine-speed automatic transmission drew appreciation for nice power delivery and quick shifts, though.

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The interior also got mixed reviews. “It’s quite elegant, almost European,” Ed Loh said. Frank Markus also liked the selection of colors and materials, but Angus MacKenzie called it “faux luxe to the max” and described the fake wood as “Walmart luxury.” The Terrain was praised for comfortable seats and how well it treats second-row passengers with heated, reclining seats, armrests, cupholders, air vents, USB ports, and power outlets. The rear seats also fold flat, and it has underfloor storage.

The Terrain has off-road capability, but you must manually select the proper drive mode; the knob can be confusing, and the icons are hard to decipher.

At its heart, the Terrain doesn’t have enough extra value to justify its average $1,400-$4,600 price increase over a Chevy Equinox, and although the GMC is better than its predecessor, it was not better than the top of the field.

Read about other 2018 SUV of the Year contenders:

• Audi Q5
• BMW X4
• Buick Enclave
• Buick Encore
• Buick Envision
• Chevrolet Equinox
• Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
• Jeep Compass
• Maserati Levante
• Mazda CX-5
• Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe
• Mini Countryman
• Nissan Rogue Sport
• Toyota C-HR
• Volkswagen Tiguan
• Volvo V90 Cross Country

2018 GMC Terrain AWD Denali
BASE PRICE	$40,245
PRICE AS TESTED	$43,900
VEHICLE LAYOUT	Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV
ENGINE	2.0L/252-hp/260-lb-ft turbo DOHC 16-valve I-4
TRANSMISSION	9-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST)	3,848 lb (58/42%)
WHEELBASE	107.3 in
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT	182.3 x 72.4 x 65.4 in
0-60 MPH	6.8 sec
QUARTER MILE	15.4 sec @ 89.0 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH	130 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION	0.79 g (avg)
MT FIGURE EIGHT	27.5 sec @ 0.64 g (avg)
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON	21/26/23 mpg
ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY	160/130 kW-hrs/100 miles
CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB	0.84 lb/mile

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