A Look at the 2014 GMC Terrain

We understand the role of the SUV better now. When they first came out, like most Americans, we thought bigger was better, as if quality came by the ton. We saw mammoth vehicles, like the Lincoln Navigator L built on truck chassis that weighed 6,200 pounds empty and stretched for 18 feet front to back. Big looks good until you have to pull into the gas station then that 13 mpg/city and 18 mpg/highway reaches into your wallet and empties it.

No longer. Now we choose an SUV for our lives based on how well it fits us, not how big it is. Most of us rarely take seven people on a trip. Five is more standard. We don’t tow 9,000 pounds either. That’s a big as a 30 foot fifth wheel trailer with a 2,000 pound boat behind it.

Now we understand the value of an SUV like the 2014 GMC Terrain that combines a wealth of interior features, a size midway between the big SUV’s and sedans and gas mileage we like.

The interior of the Terrain might sit inside a truck but it’s full of nice, luxury touches. A seven inch touchscreen display is bigger than some cars and most SUV’s. GMC did a fine job of insulating the interior with acoustic windshields and active noise cancellation technology for the four cylinder models. Tire and wind noise all but disappear inside the Terrain.

The standard engine in the 2014 Terrain is a 2.4 liter, four cylinder producing 182 horsepower and 172 pounds of torque. The next engine up is a 3.6 liter V6 that delivers 301 horsepower and 272 lb-ft of torque. Both send the power to the rear or all wheels through a six speed transmission. Gas mileage for the four cylinder is 20 – 22 mpg city and 29 – 32 mpg highway depending on whether it’s two wheel or four wheel drive.
The V6 gets 16 – 17 mpg city and 23 – 24 mpg on the road. The Terrain can tow 3,500 pounds

There are five different trim levels that include standard and optional items such as lane-departure warning system, rear park assist and forward collision alert and GM’s IntelliLink user interface that uses voice activated commands for some audio and phone functions. If you want people to know you chose the top-of-the-line model, get the Denali, which includes everything on the other trim levels plus special exterior and interior trim details.

The 2014 GMC Terrain comes standard with traction and stability control, front and side curtain airbags and a rear-view camera. OnStar, GM’ emergency communications system, is part of the package and will notify the nearest emergency operator in case of a crash or the need for roadside assistance. OnStar also helps you recover your vehicle if it’s stolen.

Driving the 2014 Terrain rests on the V6 engine. It’s 40 horsepower bigger than last years and gets the same gas mileage. GMC gave the Terrain excellent suspension capable of smoothing out road ruts and potholes. Special rear-shocks cushion the ride even more. This may be a truck, but it’s a very comfortable truck to live with.