GMC Terrain II 2.0 (252 HP) AWD Start/Stop Automatic

The GMC Terrain may be the automaker's smallest vehicle, but it still offers the distinct aggressiveness associated with the brand. Starting at $25,000, it is on the pricier side of the segment, but GMC makes up for this with sumptuous options including the brand's renowned Denali trim, adding a layer of luxury many in the compact crossover segment lack.

On the plus side, the Terrain has a comfortable suspension setup, an equally comfortable interior, decent safety levels, and a modern, frugal powerplant. However, its weak entry-level powertrain, below-par cargo space, and relatively high prices stand in the way of it ever achieving class leadership. Considering how competitive the SUV market is in the USA, does it have what it takes to stand out, especially in a segment made up of competition like the Mazda CX-5 and Acura RDX?

The most notable difference between the 2020 and new 2021 GMC Terrain is the lack of access to the 2.0L turbo four-pot, leaving buyers with no choice but to settle for the weaker 1.5L option. Pro Safety is now standard across the range. It consists of automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, a following distance indicator, front pedestrian braking, and IntelliBeam headlamps.

The Terrain SUV is easy to recognize thanks to the inclusion of various GMC design traits. It has a large grille with the famous red GMC logo, and distinctive LED daytime running lights. The base model is equipped with 17-inch painted aluminum wheels. The penultimate SLT upgrades to 18-inch machined alloy wheels, while the top-tier Denali gets aggressive, gloss black 19 inchers. The Denali is also the only model to get LED headlamps. GMC deep-tinted the rear windows to give it a floating roof profile. Chrome side mirror covers and a darkened front grille are available options on most trims, while the Denaly gets the chrome mirror caps and door handles as standard.

The Terrain's ride and handling characteristics are made clear before you even start the engine. Unlike most compact crossovers and SUVs that give you a gear lever with a manual override, the Terrain has five main buttons mounted below the center console's climate control. The options are park, reverse, neutral, drive, and low. The latter is the manual override, allowing you to toggle up and down the gear ratios via plus and minus buttons. It's awkward, silly, and the answer to a question nobody asked. Like Tesla's square steering wheel, it solves a non-existent problem. If you go for the all-wheel-drive model, you have to engage it manually. Every other competitor vehicle places the car in charge of selecting where the power should be distributed, making sense in this segment. When the front wheels start slipping, the rear axle engages. Easy, simple, and elegant.

Perhaps GMC tried to emulate Rolls Royce's spirit, giving you park, forward, and reverse. At least it suits the nature of the car perfectly, as the Terrain is unashamedly comfort-biased. We could complain about the steering that's devoid of feedback, but the truth is that the Terrain is a lovely, quiet space to spend time. Even with 18-inch rims, the Terrain remains composed and unwilling to let bumps and undulations interfere with the ride.

The cabin is wide enough for a three-seater rear bench. In the front, things are even better. Overall, the seats feel on the firm side but offer support in the right places. Driving 500 miles wouldn't be an arduous task. The front legroom is 40.9 inches, while the rear seating provides 39.7 inches. Headroom up front is 40 inches, and rear passengers get 38.5 inches. Adding the sunroof eats around two inches of headroom in both rows.

Seat adjustment is adequate, but only the top-tier models come with power seats. Visibility is poor, however. It's difficult to judge where the front is, while rear visibility is compromised by the dark tining. Thankfully, blind-spot monitoring is standard.

GMC doesn't offer a lot of options when it comes to interior trim. The base SL is only provided with Jet Black premium cloth upholstery. Moving a step up to the SLE, you get one color option, a mix of Ash Gray/Jet Black. Leather trim is standard on the SLT, with color choices including Jet Black, Medium Ash Gray/Jet Black, and Brandy/Jet Black. The top-of-the-range Denali upgrades to perforated leather embossed with the Denali logo. Color options here are Jet Black or Light Platinum/Taupe. GMC's Terrain falls just short of being luxurious, even though every model gets a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The materials do feel rugged, however.

Cargo volume behind the second-row is 29.6 cubic feet. It is reasonable but not as spacious as the Ford Edge's 37.5 cubic feet and the Honda CR-V's massive 39.2 cubes. Fold down the second-row in a 60/40 split, and the trunk space grows to 63.3 cubic feet. The front passenger seat can also fold flat, which is useful for the odd occasion you need to transport something particularly long.

Interior storage is a highlight. The button-operated shifter does free up some usable storage space for front passengers, while door pockets are standard at all four corners.

Price Range (MSRP): $25,000 - $37,500.