|
 When
we wrote about the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, we said we thought this
latest generation of General Motors' compact crossover utility vehicle
not only was a significant step forward that it offered Lexus-like style,
comfort and quality, but at a very unLexus-like price point. Base price
for the base Equinox was $23,185.
Fast-forward a few
months and GM's GMC division gets its own version of the vehicle, this
one, called the Terrain, comes with carved-from-granite styling cues and
with such standard features-at least when equipped with the AWD SLT-2
trim package-as remote starting (just push the button the key fob), a
power rear liftgate (again, just push the button on the key fob), ultrasonic
rear parking assist and a rearview camera, chrome door handles and chrome-capped
rear-view mirrors, leather seats (heated for the driver and front-seat
passenger and with a slide and recline feature for those in the second
row), automatic climate control, power sunroof, and an audio system that
includes Pioneer speakers, XM satellite radio and Bluetooth hands-free
mobile phone technology.
The price? A more
Lexus-like $31,000, or, in the case of the 2010 GMC Terrarin AWD SLT-2
we've been driving, an as-tested sticker of $36,885 because in addition
to all that standard equipment, ours was equipped with an optional V6
engine ($1,500), cargo management equipment (for $245 you get a net across
and a cover over the cargo area and a rack cross members on the roof),
a trailer-towing package ($350), 19-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels ($900),
and an upgraded audio system that includes navigation linked to the satellite
radio so you also know about things such as construction zones, etc. ($2,145).
If $36,885 sounds
like a lot for a compact crossover that seats five in leathery luxury,
consider that that figure is still less than the $38,500 base price on
the Lexus RX350.
 
On the other hand,
the Terrain costs much more than the Subaru Forester, which we still consider
to be the benchmark in this category -- and which had all-wheel drive
as standard equipment - and even more than the Ford Escape Hybrid which
comes with 35 city, 31 highway fuel-economy rating.
Equipped with the
optional V6 engine, the Terrain is rated at 17 city and 24 highway. Also
available is the standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder, which provides 22 city
and 32 highway ratings with a front-wheel-drive setup and 20/29 with all-wheel
drive.
The 3.0-liter V6
provides 264 horsepower and 222 pound-feet of torque, which you probably
want if you plan to tug, say, a jet ski and small trailer. But if you
don't need to tow, we'd encourage you to save the $1,500 and opt for the
standard 182-horsepower, 172-pound-feet producing four. Although the Terrain
we tested had the V6, we've driven both the four- and six-cylinder versions
of the Equinox and preferred the four, which despite being less powerful
makes the car feel lighter and more responsive.
We haven't changed
our mind since driving the Terrain. In fact, we found the V6 to be as
noisy as an old-fashioned four-banger.
And don't overlook
the fact that the four-cylinder, front-wheel driven Equinox/Terrain provides
even better highway fuel economy than the Escape Hybrid. However, the
Escape Hybrid gets double the mileage of the Terrain V6 in city driving
and beats the Terrain four-cylinder by 15 mpg.
But for those who
don't mind or can afford to be a little fuelish, the 2010 GMC Terrain
AWD SLT-2 provides a smooth and stable ride, lots of leathery comfort
- we really like the way the driver's seat back cradles our upper body
- and all the electronics needed to make the drive more than tolerable
in horrible commuter traffic and downright joyful on unclogged freeways
and country roads.
|