Road Test: 2016 GMC Terrain Denali V6
Story and photo by John LeBlanc
The GMC Terrain is a great example of how popular crossovers are these days. Despite an ageing platform, poor fuel economy and a slap-dash interior design, the Terrain remains a popular pick.
Replacing the Pontiac Torrent in 2009, the GMC Terrain is the mechanical twin to the similarly decrepit Chevrolet Equinox. The birth certificates of the pair of General Motors’ crossovers are actually older, dating back to a corporate front- or all-wheel-drive crossover platform that debuted on the departed 2002 Saturn Vue. Despite an influx of more up-to-date rivals like the Ford Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, Kia Sorento, Nissan Murano or Toyota Venza — to name just a few — GMC has only made minimal updates to the Terrain as it waits for an all-new model due in a few years.
Still, the Terrain sells.
After the bestselling GMC Sierra full-size pickup, the five-passenger, four-door Terrain midsize crossover is the GM brand’s second-most-popular vehicle in Canada. For 2016, a minor refresh sees the Terrain get restyled front and rear fascias with extra plastichrome, new interior colours, a revised centre dash and optional side blind zone alert and rear cross traffic alert safety tech.
To get a feel for the full 2016 Terrain menu in one vehicle, GM loaned me a top-of-the-line Denali version. Front-wheel-drive, four-cylinder Terrains start at $28,295 (not including freight and pre-delivery inspection fees); upscale Denali models begin at $42,245, with AWD, leather all around, “smoked mahogany” interior wood trim, a sunroof, power rear tailgate, navigation, the aforementioned safety kit — and most importantly — GMC’s signature Denali shaver-grille as standard fare.
Add another $3,065 for an optional V6, 19-inch alloy wheels, trailer towing package and some other bits, and my 2016 Terrain Denali ended up priced where luxury crossovers like the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz begin.
Just to be clear, though, the GMC crossover’s driving dynamics or interior accommodations do not come close to matching the level of sophistication and refinement those German utes possess. Primarily due to its old and heavy chassis, the aspiring Terrain Denali delivers poor fuel economy, mediocre steering, tepid handling and a less-than-premium interior.
The Terrain’s engine lineup is equally “old school.” Whereas many rivals now offer downsized and turbocharged mills, the 2016 Terrain’s standard powerplant is a naturally aspirated 2.4-litre four-cylinder with only 182 horsepower and 172 lb.-ft. of torque; the optional 3.6-litre V6 produces an extra 119 horsepower and 100 lb.-ft. over the base four. But when you put your foot down to take advantage of all that V6 power, subjectively, the GMC doesn’t feel all that lively.
It also isn’t very fuel efficient. With a relatively obese 1,907-kilogram curb weight and a tall-geared six-speed automatic transmission (the lone Terrain gearbox offering), the Terrain Denali V6 is rated at 14.9 L/100 km city and 10.1 on the highway. Unfortunately, my indicated average of 16.5 L/100 km never came close to those figures. The only positive is a respectable 1,588 kg tow rating with a $420 Trailer Towing Package.
The rest of the GMC’s driving experience is strictly below average. In cruising mode, the Terrain Denali is a relatively quiet vehicle. Just don’t expect any kind of feedback from the GMC’s numb steering. Even with the Denali’s exclusive “dual flow” shocks, the Terrain still has a hard time controlling its body motions when driven with any kind of verve. While the GMC corners like a football offensive lineman after a big meal, rivals like the Ford Edge and Kia Sorento offer more car-like handling.
The other area the GMC crossover is showing its grey hair is inside. At a time when fresher mainstream rivals offer near-luxury cabins, the Terrain — even in dolled-up Denali form — feels about $10,000 cheaper than its mid-$40K price.
Indeed, the 2016 Terrain’s central touchscreen interface has sharper graphics this year, yet the display is tiny and a long reach for both driver and front passenger. And yes, GMC IntelliLink offers trendy text messaging alerts, Apple Siri Eyes hands-free features and a standard built-in WiFi hotspot. But those same kids who will thank you for letting them connect to their Instagram accounts will also mock your Terrain for its 8-bit-quality pixelated graphics.
As well, all the mobile hotspots in the world won’t let you forget that the premium-priced GMC is still missing some features new car buyers expect in modern subcompact cars, let alone $45,000-plus midsize premium crossovers, like auto-up windows, keyless ignition and dual-zone climate control. And none of the latest in infotainment gear can hide the Terrain Denali interior’s mishmash of oddly placed controls and patches of plastic with large panel gaps.
In fairness, the GMC crossover offers a roomy interior, especially for those in the second row. However, beware of the Terrain’s 1,810 litres of rear cargo space rating — in reality, its wheel wells intrude noticeably.
Essentially the same vehicle that arrived in 2009, the 2016 GMC Terrain Denali V6 is quickly showing its age in one of the market’s most hotly contested segments. Step outside a GMC showroom, and you’ll find fresher competitors easily surpass the Terrain in terms of refinement, execution and drivability. I suggest you go buy one of those.