2022 GMC Terrain Road Test and Review

2022 GMC Terrain ・ Photo by GMC

The compact crossover SUV segment is growing like a weed on a hot summer’s day after a rainstorm. It seems like every week more entrants come on the scene, but there aren’t a lot of models in the class that could be described as “premium.” And that’s where the 2022 GMC Terrain comes in. It brings a renewed upscale exterior design, pleasant ride quality, and a quiet cabin to the category. Not only that, but its already very good infotainment system got even better for 2022. Wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and built-in Amazon Alexa capabilities have all been added to the mix. The GMC Terrain is available in a number of different trims levels, but it only offers a single powertrain. Front-wheel-drive is the standard configuration, and all-wheel-drive is widely available up and down the lineup. Here is our road test and review of the 2022 GMC Terrain.

Exterior design

Another example of the “professional grade” GMC brand, the GMC Terrain has the good looks to provide a premium experience.  For the 2022 model year, the Terrain has been the subject of a serious re-do. It isn’t a ground-up makeover, but the exterior changes, in particular, are serious. The Terrain features a new fascia and new series of grille designs that match trim levels. The grille changes are complemented by redesigned C-shaped LED headlamps. At the rear, new LED tail lights brighten its going-away aspect. Then there is the all-new AT4 model with unique off-road trim and a very obvious steel skid plate upfront. All Terrains have new 18-inch and 19-inch wheel designs. And there are three new exterior colors Marine Metallic, Cayenne Red Metallic, and Desert Sand Metallic. In all, the changes make a good-looking vehicle get even better.

Photo by GMC

Powertrain

If you are looking for a high-performance variant or a hybrid powertrain, the GMC Terrain will fall off your consideration set. The 2022 Terrain offers a single engine choice: a 170-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder matched to a 9-speed automatic transmission. Front-drive is standard on all but the all-wheel-drive-only AT4 trim. All-new for 2022, the Terrain AT4 continues the off-road theme that has become popular on other GMC vehicles in the past several years. The most noticeable change to the vehicle is the addition of a front skid plate. In addition to all-terrain tires, the AT4 also offers an AWD Traction Select system that enables the driver to choose from among front-drive, all-wheel-drive, and off-road modes. The off-road setting adjusts all-wheel drive to offer better traction and driving dynamics on dirt, gravel, and sand surfaces. The Terrain’s single engine provides adequate performance, but with all seats occupied and luggage aboard, you might appreciate more power.

Photo by GMC

Driving Impressions

With only 170 horsepower on tap, the GMC Terrain offers what might be described as moderate acceleration. At the same time, through the magic of turbocharging, a reasonably robust 203 lb-ft of torque is available between 2,000 rpm and 4,000 rpm. In conjunction with the sophisticated 9-speed automatic transmission, this means the Terrain feels punchier than you might guess based on its horsepower rating. Those seeking a performance compact crossover should look elsewhere. The Terrain has been tuned for excellent ride quality and interior quiet, not leading-edge handling. Based on the Terrain’s buyers’ preferences, that seems like a good call. While the AT4 model does a creditable job in light and moderate off-road situations, serious off-roaders are likely to pick a different brand. For long-distance runs to the ski chalet or the ice-fishing shack, the AT4 model is an excellent choice, however.

Photo by GMC

Interior Style

The 2022 GMC Terrain gets a revamped interior for the new model year. Though the changeover isn’t as marked as the exterior changes, the alterations still improve the vehicle’s accommodations. The most obvious changes are all-new interior trims and fabrics. The Terrain is a 5-passenger SUV with two front bucket seats and a rear bench. The seatback on the bench is split 60/40 for more versatility in carrying passengers and cargo. One of the Terrain’s most interesting features is its fold-flat front-passenger seat that allows the relatively short vehicle to transport objects up to 8-feet long. The new interior boasts real aluminum trim, a premium touch. A heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof are available on the SLE and SLT trims. The upscale Denali version kicks things up several notches with standard French-stitched leather front seats, heated outboard rear seats, heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and burnished aluminum accents. An 8-inch digital driver information center is standard on the Denali as well.

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Infotainment & Technology

The Terrain’s infotainment system is one of its best features. The standard 7-inch color touchscreen features large, easy-to-understand icons. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offer wireless connectivity for the first time this model year. The SLT, AT4, and Denali trims have an 8-inch touchscreen. Integrated navigation is available on SLE, SLT, and AT4, and it is standard on the Denali. An available 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot is free for the first 3 GB of data or one month, whichever occurs first. A 7-speaker Bose premium audio system is available on most trims and is standard equipment on the upscale Denali. Front USB data ports and an auxiliary input jack with an SD card reader are widely available across the lineup. Wireless device charging is only available on the Denali.

Photo by GMC

Safety & Driver Aids

The 2022 Terrain offers a variety of electronic active safety and driver-assist features. GMC Pro Safety is the standard driver assistance array. It includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, following distance indicator, forward collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane departure warning, and automatic headlights. The GMC Pro Safety Plus package available on the up-level trims includes lane change alert with side blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking assist. The safety package also includes adaptive cruise control and a safety alert driver’s seat that vibrates a warning when danger looms. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded both front-drive and all-wheel-drive versions of the very similar 2021 GMC Terrain 5-Star overall ratings in its 5-Star Safety Rating program.

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Fuel Economy

With its modest engine, one might expect the 2022 GMC Terrain to turn in excellent fuel economy numbers, but that isn’t the case. Instead, fuel economy is only so-so compared to its competitors. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a front-drive 2022 Terrain with the 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine will deliver an estimated 25 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. With all-wheel-drive, that drops slightly to 25 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The front-drive Toyota RAV4, a vehicle about the same size as the Terrain, is EPA-rated at 27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. The front-drive vision of the Honda CR-V is rated to deliver 28 mpg city driving and 34 mpg highway. With its 2.5-liter 4r-cylinder engine, the Nissan Rogue is expected to turn in 27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway.

Photo by GMC

Cargo & Towing

The 2022 GMC Terrain has more than 103 cubic feet of passenger volume. That’s more than the Toyota RAV4 compact crossover suv. But the Terrain doesn’t enjoy the same advantage in cargo space. It has 29.6 cubic feet of luggage area behind the second-row seats. The Toyota RAV4 has 37.6 cubic feet, and the Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue also offer more cargo space. With all rear seats folded, the cargo room in the Terrain grows to 63.3 cubic feet, again outdone by the RAV4 and others. But with the rear seatback and front passenger seatback folded down, the cargo area increases to more than 80 cubic feet. The GMC Terrain can only do light-duty (1,500-pound) towing. Again, competitors can tow more.

Photo by GMC

Trim Levels

The 2022 GMC Terrain is available in four trims: SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali. The AT4 trim is all-wheel-drive only while the other trims offer front-drive or all-wheel drive. The base SL was dropped at the conclusion of the 2021 model year, and the SLE, formerly a mid-line trim, is now the entry-level. As such, it is well-equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system plus wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto. Keyless entry and pushbutton start are standard. The AT4 is decked out for off-roading with all-terrain tires and skid plate. The Denali trim is the most luxurious of all the Terrains. The Tech Package available on SLT, AT4, and Denali includes surround vision, head-up display, plus front and rear park assist on SLT and AT4. The Denali adds automatic park assist and adaptive cruise control.

Photo by GMC

Pricing & Value

With a base price of around $28,000 plus the destination fee, the 2022 GMC Terrain is playing in the same territory as the mass-market Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Rogue. So it offers a premium nameplate at a similar price. When you skip across the lineup to the heavily equipped Denali, you will find it has a base price of about $37,000, again in line with the Toyota RAV4 Limited.  From a prestige point of view, most observers would say the GMC Terrain wins the battle. From a functional point of view, the loafer might be on the other foot. For those who really like the Terrain’s “big SUV” styling, the GMC is the right choice.

Photo by GMC