No question about it, GM went the extra mile to develop their compact SUVs into competitive vehicles. The
Chevrolet Equinox,
GMC Terrain and
Cadillac SRX can hold their own in their respective categories, and the public has rewarded the General with impressive sales increases.
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| We find the Terrain’s broad-shouldered looks attractive. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
The Terrain is particularly interesting. It carries many of the Equinox’s virtues, but its styling is more adventurous. Personally, I’m not too crazy about the squared-off wheel openings, but the broad shoulders and hips, which seem inspired by the departed Hummer H3 as well as the armoured-truck stance provide the Terrain with a standout look.
A 264-hp V6 is available, although many customers are opting for the 2.4-litre inline-4, which develops 182 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. The 6-speed automatic with manual mode is the only transmission available, however the shift rocker switch mounted on the gear selector doesn’t feel very racy.
All-wheel drive is also available with either engine; our tester drives its front wheels only, although standard traction and stability control systems compensate nicely for those who don’t need four-wheel traction all the time.
One aspect about recent GM products is their weight. Our Terrain tester tips the scales at 3,853 pounds, which is heaviest among compact SUVs alongside its Equinox cousin. Zero to 100 km/h takes 9.5 seconds, which isn’t shamefully slow, but as always, weight is the enemy. Unless you’re planning on towing, the 2.4L engine does a good job.
Fuel economy is also interesting despite the vehicle’s heft. The 4-cylinder and 6-speed auto combine to boast a highway rating of 6.1 L/100 km, better even than the Ford Escape Hybrid. Our average over the course of the week is 9.7 L/100 km, which we think is very good.
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| The 2.4-litre 4-cylinder develops 182 horsepower and is connected to a 6-speed automatic. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
