Introduced last year, the new generation 2018 GMC Terrain is not the award-winner some were expecting, as it has several major problems.
Taking it for a short drive, Consumer Reports found that first of all, it doesn’t negotiate turns that well. There’s also significant body roll, and the vague steering won’t earn it any positive points either.
The cabin is criticized for the hard plastic, and some of the trim like the “tacky wood” reminds of cars from the 1980s, says CR. Soundproofing is another drawback, as there is a significant amount of wind and engine noise coming inside. All of its competitors, including the Honda CR-V and Ford Escape are quieter.
Read: 2018 GMC Terrain Priced From $25,970, Terrain Denali From $38,495
The reviewer was left with no alternative than to call it “a mediocre vehicle” that’s also overpriced. Its corporate sibling, for example, the Chevrolet Equinox, is more than $2,000 cheaper, and the Denali version, which accounts for about 20 percent of all new GMC Terrain sales, starts from $38,495, with front-wheel drive. Even worse, that’s only around $2,500 less than the BMW X3, and about $1,500 less than the entry-level Mercedes-Benz GLC.
When all these flaws come together and combine with the unattractive pricing, will steer many buyers towards other, more affordable, SUVs. And with the high-riding vehicle segments booming, there’s definitely something out there that suits every taste and need.