The GMC Terrain starting afresh in 2018

Frédéric Mercier

Friday, 22 September, 2017 15:10

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Friday, 22 September, 2017 15:10

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You are on the point of change of car and think you will turn to a compact utility vehicle? Good luck.

The choices are so many for the consumer that it is very, very easy to get lost. If the majority of buyers in the country set their sights on the Toyota RAV4, the Ford Escape and the Honda CR-V, there is a multitude of other options.

Among these is the GMC Terrain, the twin brother of the Chevrolet Equinox. Long in the shadow of the big names in its category, the Field is back in a whole new light to the year 2018, and GM does not intend to play second fiddle.

GMC Terrain 2018

Frédéric Mercier

Everything happens under the hood

For GMC, the strategy is clear. We want to offer the best possible choice to the customers, question their nets as wide as possible. It offers three choices of engines which, it is said, will appeal to a broad audience.

Exit the two atmospheric engine that was under the hood of the Land until this year. For 2018, the GMC adopted turbocharging for all its models, the SLE to Denali. We are left with three mechanical four-cylinder engine; a 1.5-litre, 2.0-litre and a third diesel of 1.6 liter.

Only available with version SLE, the engine of 1.5 litres serves as a motor base, and it shows. Its 170 horses are struggling to drag the carcass to the Ground, and the automatic transmission to nine reports does nothing to help, often hesitant to change their reports.

With the 2.0-litre engine with a power of 252 horsepower, however, the personality of the small GMC all change. The vehicle will never be a lack of juice, and its transmission is suddenly a lot more unglazed. Rather strange, when we know that it is exactly the same. The fuel consumption is obviously a bit higher, but at 11.2 L/100 km city and 9.0 L/100 km on the highway with the towing full, it’s still very reasonable for a vehicle of this size.

GMC Terrain 2018

Frédéric Mercier

With the 2.0-litre engine, the towing capacity goes also of 1500 to 3500 books. For those who have to tow, this is the option to prioritize.

And then, there’s the new diesel version, also turbocharged. His behaviour on the road does not disappoint, even if you always wonder why GMC has rigged up a box with six reports instead of one team the other versions of the model…

With the reputation of the diesel, one would also have expected more towing capacity at 1500 pounds. GMC defends himself, stating that we rather put the emphasis on fuel economy. And with ratings of 8.5 L/100 km city and 6.1 L/100 km on the highway with the train full, must admit that it is successful.

GMC Terrain 2018

Frédéric Mercier

A new look, inside and outside

It’s not under the hood where the GMC has gone to great lengths with the new generation of the Terrain. Finally, the SUV the united states offers a bouille worthy of the name. Somewhat rounded, the vehicle still retains a rugged look that does honour to the builder. The headlights in the shape of a “C” become his new trademark, and confess that it is rather cute.

GMC Terrain 2018

Frédéric Mercier

Inside, a new version of the infotainment system General Motors sits in the center of the dashboard. It plays the card of the technology with free Wi-Fi and four USB ports available standard.

On some versions, the roulette wheel allows you to manually choose between a train two-or four-wheel drive. Rather unusual, in a category where the motion in full is usually activated automatically when the vehicle is in need of it.

GMC has also cleared up a lot of space by replacing the traditional gear lever with buttons integrated into the dashboard.

GMC Terrain 2018

Frédéric Mercier

The optimization of the space seems to have been the watchword in the design of the new Field. Despite its size rather compact, the SUV offers the space of correct loading to 846 litres in the trunk. However, it increases to an impressive 2294 litres when the seats are folded down. Even the front passenger seat in the front folds down to provide a maximum of space. Had to think about it!

GMC Terrain 2018

Frédéric Mercier

A premium car, really?

The Ground, it is the equivalent of GMC Equinox Chevrolet. It is the same vehicle, outright. With a different logo and a few small details.

However, a 30-195$, the Terrain has a starting price of 2605$ higher than that of the Equinox. To explain this uneven number, the GMC insists on the fact that the Terrain is a vehicle above the range, the more “premium” than its brother Chevrolet.

GMC Terrain 2018

Frédéric Mercier

Yet, several finishing elements of the Field have nothing of top of the range. It is sometimes in the details, as the passenger-side window that has no option of automatic closing, where the hood must still be taken with a small metal rod to take a look at the engine.

To go play in the flowerbeds of premium brands, GMC has the nasty scabs to eat. In this context, it is difficult to justify such a high price.

Rest with an alternative to diesel, with a towing capacity of 3500 pounds and a look that’s frankly successful, the GMC Terrain finally has some cards up his game.

GMC Terrain 2018

Frédéric Mercier

Technical data sheet

Name : GMC Terrain 2018
Base price : 30$195 per
Configuration : Vehicle with two or four-wheel drive with engine at the front

Basic mechanical: Engine four-cylinder turbocharged 1.5 L
Power/torque: 170 hp/ 203 lb-ft
Transmission : Automatic nine reports
Towing capacity: 1500 lbs
Fuel consumption announced (FWD): 9.2 L/100 km (city) with 7.9 L/100 km (highway)

Mechanical optional: four-cylinder Engine turbocharged 2.0 L
Power/torque: 252 hp/ 260 lb-ft
Transmission : Automatic nine reports
Towing capacity: 3500 lbs
Fuel consumption announced (AWD): 11.2 L/100 km (city), 9.0 L/100 km (highway)

Mechanical optional diesel Engine with four-cylinder turbocharged 1.6 L
Power/torque: 137 hp/ 240 lb-ft
Transmission : Automatic six-speed
Towing capacity: 1500 lbs
Fuel consumption announced (FWD): 8.5 L/100 km (city) 6.0 L/100 km (highway)

Warranty basic : 3 years/60 000 km
Competition: Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape, Mazda CX-5

Forces

Choice of engines
Cargo area, impressive
Towing capacity of 3500 lbs (2.0 L)

Weaknesses

Engine base very shy
Visibility poor
High price