The Garage is no stranger to the GMC Terrain, having reviewed one when it debuted in the fall of 2009. So what puts us back in the saddle of GMC’s crossover? Two years ago our Terrain was a four cylinder, and we were won over. Our question was how we would feel about the Terrain with the optional V-6? Read on to find out.

After two years being on the market, I am still won over by the Terrain’s brawny appearance. There is a toughness to the Terrain’s exterior design that is missing in other crossovers. The Terrain is distinctly American and proud of it (yes I know it is built in Canada). The bold styling and almost Tonka-truck like fender bulges may not be for everyone, but I will say this: show up at Johnny’s soccer game in a Terrain, and no one will think for a moment you’re driving a crossover your wife made you buy. Yet for its toughness, the Terrain does possess quite a bit of polish, with liberal use of chrome that would be declared garish on some cars, but on the GMC it actually works. Our test car’s 18″ chrome clad wheels were a little too bling for my tastes, and GMC does not give you the option of painted alloys on the trim level we had. The optional Carbon Black Metallic paint looked very slick, and drew many positive comments.

Inside, the Terrain is a pleasant place to rack on the miles. The amber displays and ambient lighting offered a premium and serious feel to the cabin. The all-black interior was a little somber, but the red stitching helped some. Though well-designed, I was put off slightly by the amount of hard plastics. That said, the Terrain was the Williams’ family ride for Christmas, which is about as busy and hectic a time of year as it gets, and the Terrain moved us and a full load of presents in perfect comfort.

As we mentioned, the first Terrain The Garage sampled was the standard four cylinder. Displacing 2.4L and pumping out 182hp, the four cylinder Terrain got around just fine, and would likely suit most buyers. Our mission was to see what a Terrain with the optional V-6 was like. For an extra $1,500 you can upgrade yourself to a 3.0L V-6 rated at 264hp paired to a six-speed automatic. Buyers can choose between front or all-wheel drive. A V-6 powered Terrain can tow up to 3,500 lbs, which is 2,000 more than the four banger. No surprise you do take a hit at the gas pump, with EPA figures of 16/23 MPG city/highway versus 20/29 MPG on the four cylinder we tested. The engine complimented the Terrain well, but did not stand out in any way. On a clear Christmas day the Terrain whisked us to the northeast corner of Connecticut to spend the day with family, and the car always had decent passing power on tap, and cruised effortlessly and quietly all along the way.

GMC provided The Garage with the top-spec SLT-2 trim package with all-wheel drive for a base price of $32,930USD. Standard features include rear park assist, remote start, sunroof, power rear liftgate, 7″ color touchscreen, 8 speaker audio with XM Radio, Bluetooth, rear vision camera, leather seats that are heated up front and a power driver’s seat. Our test car added the optional V-6 engine, Navigation, Trailer Package, Cargo Package, Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning, and Carbon Black paint which came to a grand total of $37,110, including destination.

The Garage has appreciated the Terrain since its debut. For the family who finds the RAV4/CR-V/Rogue a tad too small but has no use for an SUV or three-row CUV, the Terrain is sized just right. Our focus was on the optional V-6 engine, and here is my verdict. If you do the bulk of your driving in and around town, the standard four cylinder is really all you need. And it does just fine on the highway. But if you have a need for a crossover that can actually tow something, desire the refinement of six cylinders or just want the extra oomph provided, then the V-6 is for you.

Filed under: Hybrid, Technology, Crossover, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

General Motors is aiming to improve fuel economy performance on both the Chevrolet Equinox and the GMC Terrain by integrating the company's eAssist hybrid system, according to GM Inside News. The report cites multiple unnamed sources indicating that the hybrid crossovers will debut for the 2014 model year, and that they will utilize the same eAssist system found on sedans like the Buick Regal, Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Malibu. The system pairs a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a 15 kilowatt electric motor and a 115-volt lithium-ion battery pack.

So far, GM has priced its eAssist models identically to the company's V6 offerings. If that trend continues, buyers will have their choice of fuel-efficient crossovers without having to endure a price penalty. As you may recall, the Buick Lacrosse eAssist yields an EPA-estimated 25 mpg city and 37 mpg highway, which we're guessing wouldn't be too far off of what a front-wheel drive Equinox or Terrain eAssist would be capable of returning.

GM to add eAssist to Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, UAW/Unions, Canada

Automotive News is reporting that the Canadian Auto Workers union is concerned that General Motors may shift production of the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain from its current location near Toronto to the automaker's Spring Hill, Tennessee facility. GM recently agreed to open the southern plant as part of its agreement with the United Auto Workers, and CAW President Ken Lewenza says that the company won't tell him whether or not Equinox and Terrain production will continue to hang around his neck of the woods. GM, meanwhile, says that it won't comment on future production plans.

There is a chance that full-scale production of the two crossovers would remain in Canada while overflow production could land on the shoulders of the Spring Hill facility. That would retain jobs in both locations, and help GM alleviate its tight supply of the vehicles. Automotive News reports that currently, dealers are operating with a 33-day supply of Equinox models and a 42-day supply of Terrain vehicles. Those figures give the crossovers the distinction of having the thinnest supply of any of the automaker's high-volume vehicles.

Will GM shift Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain assembly to Spring Hill? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Canada

Continued strong demand for General Motors' new Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain has triggered the automaker to add extra production capacity for the crossovers at the its Oshawa, Ontario assembly plant. As you may recall, last year, GM added an extra shift of production at the Ingersoll plant that has always built the Equinox, but apparently that still isn't enough bandwidth. Thus, the body shop at Ingersoll will be expanded over the next several months to provide the extra stamping capacity needed to supply Oshawa. The bodyshells will then be shipped 120 miles east to Oshawa where a third shift will build the Equinox alongside the Impala.

With the new production capacity, all laid off employees at Ingersoll will be back at work and 70 workers will be hired. The Oshawa ramp-up will lead to the recall of 600 employees there, many of whom lost their jobs when full-size pickup truck production ended there last year. Production of the Equinox in Oshawa will start this fall.



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Continue reading General Motors adding Chevrolet Equinox production at Oshawa, move boosts GMC Terrain too

General Motors adding Chevrolet Equinox production at Oshawa, move boosts GMC Terrain too originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 18:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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