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- Highs Accommodating interior space, solid fuel economy, quick with the 2.0T engine.
- Lows Dowdy interior materials, nonintuitive pushbutton shifter, priced higher than the competition.
- Verdict A just-okay small crossover with too-ambitious pricing.
Overview
The 2020 Terrain, a slightly more upscale sibling of the Chevrolet Equinox, is a good small SUV. But good isn't good enough in the cutthroat compact-SUV segment, and the Terrain falls short of our favorites in terms of driving dynamics (the Mazda CX-5 is better), spaciousness (the Honda CR-V has more) and refinement (the VW Tiguan is quieter and has a nicer interior). Pricing is ambitious, but GMC is always running substantial discounts.
What’s New for 2020?
The changes to the Terrain for 2020 amount to a minor reshuffling of features. Additional safety content is now standard, including forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The diesel engine is no longer available in conjunction with all-wheel drive; it can only be had on front-wheel drive SLE and SLT models. Unfortunately, the only thing that set the Terrain apart from its competitors–a diesel engine–has been discontinued.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
To keep the Terrain's price from getting too out of hand, we'd stick with the entry-level SLE all-wheel-drive model, which starts at $31,195. To that we'd add the Driver Alert package and Driver Convenience packages, which are bundled together and add a host of convenience and driver-assist features for $2070 (including adaptive cruise, side blind-zone alert, remote start, automatic climate control, power and heated front seats, and many other items). Since Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability is standard, we don't see a need to pay another $895 for the upgraded infotainment package, which includes built-in navigation and a slightly larger 8.0-inch screen. We definitely prefer the more powerful 2.0-liter turbo engine, which makes the Terrain's performance genuinely quick, but that requires stepping up to the SLT trim. And an all-wheel-drive SLT with the more powerful engine and the driver-assist features costs a breathtaking $38,060, which is in line with a fully loaded Toyota RAV4 and thousands more than the most expensive Honda CR-V.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Terrain gets a choice of two four-cylinder engines, but only one—the larger turbocharged version—is a lively partner. The standard engine is generally apathetic. We haven't tested the base 1.5-liter in a Terrain but we have put that engine through our testing regimen fitted to its mechanical twin, the Chevrolet Equinox; it took 8.9 seconds to reach 60 mph. Expect slightly more sprightly performance from the GMC and its nine-speed gearbox, as the Chevy pairs the 170-hp engine with a six-speed automatic. The engine we like best is the effervescent 252-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder; it's available on SLE and SLT trims as an option and comes standard on the Denali. In our testing, the Terrain Denali sprinted to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds. Terrains equipped with the turbocharged 1.5-liter are limited to a maximum tow rating of 1500 pounds. Adding the more powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter pushes the compact crossover’s towing capacity up to 3500 pounds. The Terrain provides its passengers with a comfortable and cosseting ride. Although the softly sprung suspension is a boon on long highway drives, the comfort-oriented setup drains the compact crossover of driver engagement once the tarmac gets twisty. Likewise, the direct but syrupy steering, which provides effortless turn-in at low speeds, proves as uninformative as a mob boss in a police interrogation room.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Both of the Terrain's available engines offer class-competitive EPA fuel-economy figures. We've yet to put the 1.5-liter through our real-world highway fuel-economy test; however, the 2.0-liter Terrain equipped with all-wheel drive, outperformed its respective EPA highway fuel-economy estimates at 28 mpg.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
A spacious and accommodating interior is let down by subpar build quality and a middling mix of materials. Meanwhile, the Terrain's ergonomically challenged push-button shifter sprinkles salt in the compact crossover's interior wounds. It consists of several switches that look like power window controls, located low on the center console and less than intuitive to use. Although it's something that we think owners would grow accustomed to over time, we found the small buttons difficult to locate at a glance—especially when groping for reverse—making it difficult to pull off three-point turns quickly or operate the transmission's manual mode. The Terrain is an amenable partner for lugging large loads of various sizes. Credit a standard 60/40 split-folding rear seat, as well as an available fold-flat front seat. The Terrain's cargo area offers class-competitive space. In our carry-on-luggage test, the Terrain held 24 cases with the rear seats folded; those in search of the absolute maximum cargo room will be better served—albeit only slightly—by the Honda CR-V.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Easy to operate and quick to respond to commands, the Terrain's infotainment system benefits from clear graphics, logical menus, and the latest in-car connectivity features. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot are all standard. While the entry-level SL and SLE models come standard with a 7.0-inch touchscreen, higher-end SLT and Denali trims feature an 8.0-inch unit. An in-dash navigation system is standard on the top Denali and is available on SLE and SLT models. The SLE with navigation swaps the smaller setup for the 8.0-inch touchscreen.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)
The Terrain earns solid marks from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and performed well in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's crash tests. It missed out on a Top Safety Pick award from that agency, though, because its headlamps performed poorly in testing. A host of driver-assistance features can be added but none of them are standard. Key safety features include:
- Available automated emergency braking
- Available lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
GMC's warranty matches those of most of the Terrain's class competitors. Shoppers seeking more coverage ought to look at models such as the Kia Sportage and the Hyundai Tucson.
- Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for the first visit
