The 2019 GMC Terrain is out and drivers are getting excited about its new tech features and promised luxury at non-luxury prices. The GMC Terrain has a standard body type for all of its versions, but there are four different trim levels to be chosen from: these include the SL, SLE, SLT, and Denali. All versions of the Terrain come standard with Front-Wheel Drive, though any can be upgraded to All-Wheel-Drive for just $1,700. Each trim level can be enhanced with added features for safety, performance, and entertainment. It’s the second year that the GMC Terrain has been counted a compact SUV after losing 400 lbs for its 2018 full remodel. Now into its second-year post remodel, the GMC Terrain remains GM’s second most popular vehicle, right behind the GMC Sierra. Let’s take a look at what the 2019 GMC Terrain has to offer!
Performance
All versions of the 2019 GMC Terrain come standard with a turbocharged, 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine. This engine produces 170 horsepower and will keep your vehicle flying on everyday commutes and city driving. For drivers who do a lot of highway traversing, it’s recommended that they upgrade to a turbo-four engine which is available on SL, SLE, and the SLT trim types for about $1,750. This optional 2.0-liter engine brings 252 horsepower, which is more than enough for anyone desiring faster acceleration on the highway. Unlike many rival SUV brands, the 2019 GMC Terrain is available in a diesel option. You can upgrade the SLE or SLT models with a turbodiesel engine that delivers 137 horsepower and 240-pound feet of torque. For the gas engine, a nine-speed automatic transmission is standard, the upgraded diesel option comes with six-speed automatic.
If you’ve selected the base version of the engine and standard Front-Wheel-Drive, your Terrain is likely to earn 26 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. Both of these numbers are excellent for an SUV of this size and power. If you’ve opted for All-Wheel-Drive, your Terrain will get slightly fewer miles per gallon, but only by two. If energy efficiency is your thing, upgrading to the turbodiesel engine might make sense for you. The turbodiesel gets 28 mpg in the city and a whopping 39 mpg on the highway!
Interior
In terms of luxurious interiors, the GMC Terrain is hitting the mark for any SUV, especially one not considered a “luxury SUV.” The high-end Terrain Denali especially is on the edge of being rated a luxury vehicle due to its top-shelf materials and quality of construction. The midrange Terrain SLE is well equipped with a sleek interior too and can be upgraded with a number of premium packages which boost convenience, entertainment, and comfort for its drivers.
Up to five people can be seated in the GMC Terrain’s spacious cabin at a time. If the standard premium cloth upholstery doesn’t quite do it for you, there are options to upgrade to leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, power-adjustable front seats, ventilated front seats, and even a heated steering wheel. I know that heated seats are a must-have here in New England, so I’m sure this is a much sought-after option for the GMC Terrain. And for those of us with little ones, the GMC Terrain has two full sets of LATCH car-seat connectors on the rear seats, making it easier for care-takers to transport their kids.
Besides transporting families with kids, the Terrain is built to haul all your sports equipment as well. This vehicle sports 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seats. This can easily accommodate most of your needs when traveling or hauling goods, though isn’t unusual for an SUV. To add additional functionality and more cargo space, the rear seats fold down to extend your available hauling space to 63.3 cubic feet. Fold down the front seat too and bring the total space up to 81 cubic feet! This should be plenty of space if you need to hit the lumber yard, stash your kayak, or bring your skis to the mountain for a weekend trip with your family.
Safety
Speaking of your family, if you’re planning on getting a 2019 GMC Terrain to transport your family places, safety is probably on the top of your list. And even if you aren’t, safety is still really important. The 2019 GMC Terrain was rated a total of five of five stars by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This is in part because of its five-star side and front crash test ratings.
Concerning safety features, the 2019 GMC Terrain has upped the ante regarding technology. Right off the bat, a rearview camera comes standard with the Terrain, meaning you’ll be warned when your dog decides it’s smart to take a stroll behind your car without you noticing, or when the curb you’re backing up to actually juts out unexpectedly. Additional safety features which can be added to the Terrain include Teen Driver, which is a safety feature which allows a second “profile” to be set up for someone who needs speed maximums enforced. Other additional features include safety alert seats, automatic park assist, blind spot monitoring, low-speed forward automatic braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, lane change alert, adaptive cruise control, surround-view parking camera, and rear cross traffic alert. These high-tech features will keep you and your family safe in all kinds of conditions.
Entertainment
For entertainment features, the 2019 GMC Terrain is keeping up with trends and expectations of drivers everywhere. The SUV comes with a customizable touchscreen installed within easy reach of the driver in the center dashboard. This touchscreen can be integrated directly with your smartphone so that you can have access to your favorite navigation app, music, and hands-free calling functionality while you’re on the road. You can even upgrade to get a wireless hotspot right in your Terrain as well. This will help keep you and your passengers connected on longer road trips. Of course, there are even additional options for power outlets so that you will never be hindered by dead technology while you’re out and about!
Cost
With a base cost of $25,000, the 2019 GMC Terrain has only a slightly larger price tag than other SUVs in its class. What you get for your extra cash is a sleek interior, a good number of standard features, decent gas mileage, and some fun entertainment features. It’s also a trusted model of GMC which drivers have rated highly in the past. If you’re planning to spend a bit more, but don’t want to go all out on a luxury category vehicle, the base price for the luxurious Terrain Denali is only $37,800. With the Terrain Denali, you will get many more of the entertainment and navigation packages already included.
2019 GMC Terrain – The Verdict
The GMC Terrain has historically been a favorite of drivers and a fast seller for GM. The 2019 model is shaping up to be just as well received, with its good gas mileage, a great safety rating, and luxurious interior. Add in additional safety features like a surround-view parking camera and you’ll be sure to keep your family safe. And to keep them entertained, add in a Wi-Fi hotspot so that they can stay occupied on long road trips.
This SUV might be the right one for you if you frequently have a lot of passengers or need to haul sporting equipment like skis to-and-fro. For a compact SUV, the Terrain stands out in its class because of its various options for engines. Anyone looking for a great family vehicle should check out the new GMC Terrain!
