What’s New for the 2018 GMC Terrain?

GMC has made its reputation with its excellent selection of trucks and SUVs, so the release of an all-new model of the GMC Terrain – one of its popular and longstanding models – warrants excitement from American SUV enthusiasts. First introduced in the 2010 model year, the Terrain was GMC’s first foray into the midsize SUV segment following the success of the Chevrolet Equinox. Now, with the complete redesign for the 2018 model, it will now be GMCs first compact crossover SUV as well. The new vehicle differs from the previous generation in almost every aspect, but, just as you would expect from a GMC SUV, it is poised to fulfil the new role with both effectiveness and style.

So What’s New?

The short answer is “almost everything”. While the general feel of the vehicle remains the same, almost every detail has been changed, adjusted and improved. The outside of the new model is bolder thanks to the large new grille and with chrome details and futuristic C-shape headlights. The interior is likewise going to make the fans of the old Terrain very happy. Despite the class downgrade – from midsize to compact – the new Terrain is only a few inches shorter than the previous version and the interior passenger and cargo space remains almost the same, making it one of the most spacious compact SUVs on the market. Very visible is the improvement in material quality, with quality accents and soft touch materials present everywhere you look even on the entry-level models, while the Terrain Denali is downright luxurious.

Also new is the range of available engines: the four-cylinder EcoTec and the High Feature V6 give way to three turbocharged four-cylinders in the new model: a 170-horsepower 1.5-liter that serves as the replacement for the old four-cylinder as the entry-level engine, a 2.0-liter turbo with 252 horsepower as the performance-oriented engine and a 1.6-liter turbodiesel for those seeking to maximize their torque and mileage. The suspension has also been adjusted and a new all-electric steering system introduced for improved performance and road feel, making the new Terrain feel more agile and responsive on the road.

While the major safety testing agencies have not had a chance to test out the 2018 Terrain for crash resistance and survivability, it is expected to perform just as well as the previous model, which has received top marks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety since its introduction. The 2018 model brings with it some of the most modern active safety technologies as well, from a surround-view camera to blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist and forward collision warning with automatic braking.

An Exciting New Chapter

With the compact crossover SUV segment being one of the most popular ones in the country over the last several years, it was inevitable before GMC would contest it with one of its upscale SUVs. The 2018 GMC Terrain has all the trappings of a successful modern compact crossover, from a set of powerful and compact engines to a spacious and comfortable interior and what promises to be a class-leading safety ranking. We are looking forward to seeing more of this exciting compact crossover.