2021 GMC Terrain

Pros: Good selection of available comfort and safety features; composed, absorbent ride quality

Cons: So-so acceleration; price premium of optioned-up versions, especially topline Denali model

CG Says: The 2021 GMC Terrain adds standard safety features with blind-spot alert, rear parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic alert now standard on all models. The optional 2.0-liter turbo has been dropped. Terrain was redesigned and downsized for 2018. The current Terrain is about three inches shorter and up to 400 pounds lighter than the previous generation, which bumped it from the smaller side of our midsize SUV class to our compact SUV category. The Terrain shares its basic platform and powertrains with the Chevrolet Equinox, which was also redesigned for 2018. The sole powertrain is a turbocharged 170-horsepower 1.5-liter 4-cylinder paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard and all models except the base SL are available with all-wheel drive. Available safety features include forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Other available features include a surround-view camera, automatic parking assist, 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, heated and ventilated front seats, and hands-free power liftgate. The redesigned GMC Terrain now competes more directly with the likes of the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, and it boasts a slightly more upscale look and feel than the other vehicles in its class. You’ll pay a bit of a premium for that ambiance, but the Terrain’s pleasant road manners, user-friendly infotainment system, and generous passenger room also satisfy.