The all-new 2010 GMC Terrain has broken right in as a top contender in the small to midsize crossover SUV market with a nice balance of ride comfort and handling, an attractive design, a roomy and quiet interior and impressive gas mileage performance.
The new Terrain, powered by a fiesty base four-cylinder that combines competitive acceleration with the best fuel efficiency in its class, can be considered right along with perennial segment leaders such as the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4.
In addition, the available direct-injected 3.0 liter V6 is also power-competitive with excellent fuel economy. And in comparison to the cabins of its top rivals, the Terrain's is modern, attractive and imaginative, making others seem a bit outdated and status quo. Plus, a new noise-canceling system and plenty of insulation have made the Terrain one of the quietest compact crossovers available.
Trims, Standard Features And Options:
The 2010 GMC Terrain is offered in four trims: SLE-1, SLE-2, SLT-1 and SLT-2.
Even the base SLE-1 is well-equipped with standard features that include full power accessories, air conditioning, heated side mirrors, cruise control, power front seat height and lumbar adjustments, a back-up camera integrated into the rearview mirror, 17 inch alloy wheels, a trip computer, a tilt/telescoping steering column, a sliding and reclining backseat, OnStar and a 6-speaker CD audio system with satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack.
The Terrain SLE-2 then adds an 8-way power driver seat, 18 inch alloy wheels on V6 models, roof rails, automatic climate control, Bluetooth, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an 8-speaker Pioneer audio system.
The SLT-1 comes with leather upholstery, remote engine start, 18 inch alloy wheels and heated front seats, while the SLT-2 chips in with a sunroof, a power liftgate, driver memory settings, rear parking sensors, a unique grill and chrome exterior trim accents.
Depending on the trim, optional features include a rear entertainment system and a hard-drive-based navigation system featuring a larger rearview camera display and 40GB of music storage. In addition, some of the features of the higher trims can be added to the lower trims as stand-alone options.
Engines, Powertrain And Gas Mileage:
Under the hood of the 2010 Terrain is a 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine that produces 182 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. Also available on all models except the SLE-1 is a 3.0 liter V6 that delivers 264 hp and 222 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission, while both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models are offered on all trims. And a properly equipped V6 Terrain has a decent towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.
Gas mileage performance is also impressive. The EPA-estimated gas mileage for a front-wheel, four-cylinder Terrain is 22 mpg city and 32 mpg on the highway. The all-wheel drive models are rated at 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. For V6 Terrains, gas mileage for the front-wheel comes in at 17 mpg city and 25 highway, while the all-wheel-drive models are rated at 17 and 24, respectively.
Safety:
Standard safety features on all 2010 GMC Terrains include antilock disc brakes (ABS), stability control, front seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and OnStar. In addition, rear parking sensors are an available option.
In government crash testing, the Terrain was awarded perfect five-star ratings for both frontal and side-impact driver and passenger protection.
Interior:
The interior of the new GMC Terrain is stylish and attractive beyond what is typically expected in this segment. The dashboard is downright slick and quite similar to the related Cadillac SRX. This modern and upscale look and feel is further enhanced when adding the high-tech navigation and entertainment options.
Seating is comfortable and supportive. The backseat is spacious for this segment and both slides forward and backward as well as reclines. This also allows easier access to child seats and expandable cargo space. Storage room behind the backseat comes in at 31.4 cubic feet and can be increased to 63.7 cubic feet by folding the rear seats.
Drive:
The 2010 Terrain's combination of solid four-cylinder acceleration with a 32 mpg highway fuel economy rating is very appealing. While most consumers will be satisfied with this engine, those who value more power can opt for the optional V6, one of the strongest engines found in this class.
The Terrain provides a comfortable ride and is impressively quiet. Its overall handling is quite competent, while not standing out, and will likely satisfy most drivers.
Also, For 'Used' Car Buyers ...
Those of you in the market for a used car may want to check out this Lowest Price Used Car Buying Guide that details a super effective buying method, one that often beats down prices even to wholesale levels.
And somewhat related to this, here's another excellent method that identifies Price-Distressed Cars Right On Dealer Lots. These are vehicles they are so desperate to unload they would welcome your wholesale offer.
In addition, you can also try the Public Car Auctions in your own geographic area. While there can be a lot of junk vehicles at these auctions, there are often absolute gems sprinkled in as well. This article reviews what to expect at open-to-the-public car auctions and how to locate them in your own area.
