If you have been thinking about buying a brand new SUV, there’s one sturdy-built model that deserves some serious consideration. The new 2020 GMC Terrain is a compact crossover that can carry five passengers with 29.6 cu.ft. of cargo room behind the back row.
Although it’s categorized as compact, that doesn’t mean that you won’t have enough space. Even with a full ride, you have plenty of room to load up groceries, luggage, or sports gear. If you need extra space for any reason, you can fold down the back row to access 63.3 cu.ft. of space. The Terrain cave doesn’t stop there. You can even go as far as to fold the front passenger seat down to expand the interior cargo up to 81 cu.ft. That’s massive! You can get the kids to school and extracurricular activities during the week and load up for the farmer’s market on the weekend.
Now that we’ve discussed the surprisingly roomy cargo space, let’s get into the nitty-gritty details of this impressive ride.
Exceptional Performance and Handling
If you’re thinking about buying a 2020 GMC Terrain, you should be aware that there are two engine options for this model.
The first choice is a 1.5L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 170 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque. It can tow up to 1,500 pounds and has an exceptional fuel economy set at 28 mpg combined (26 city/30 highway).
The second engine choice is a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged motor that generates 252 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. This one can haul up to 3,500 pounds and still manages to have an impressive fuel economy set at 25 mpg combined (22 city/28 highway).
Both engines use a dual overhead cam design with variable valve timing (VVT) and direct injection technology, which increases the overall fuel efficiency. So, if you were wondering how an SUV was getting such great gas mileage, there’s your answer. Both versions are also mated with a nine-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel-drive.
As for handling, all 2020 Terrain vehicles handle sharp turns and corners beautifully with the help of electronic stability and traction control. Absorbing the impact of bumps and potholes, the MacPherson front suspension provides you with a smoother ride. These models are also equipped with hill-descent control to glide down steep slopes without losing control. This feature helps with road trip adventures.
Advanced Safety Features
Since the 2020 GMC Terrain is mainly geared toward small families, it’s important to have numerous safety features to keep your loved ones protected on the road. That’s why this new model now comes standard with a slew of safety features including low-speed forward collision warning, front pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a rearview camera. Many of these operations are ideal for big cities with lots of foot traffic, and lane-keeping assist is great for keeping you in line during long trips.
Another innovative safety feature that comes on all versions of the 2020 Terrain is Teen Driver. This provides parents with a driving report card so that you can see where your young drivers are lacking or excelling. You can adjust their learning accordingly. It also mutes the stereo until the seatbelt is fastened.
If you opt for the SLT trim, extra safety features like adaptive cruise control, blindspot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, and rear park assist come standard along with all the other aforementioned features.
Stepping up to the top-tier Denali model will add another nifty feature known as the surround-view camera system. This system gives you eyes all around the vehicle so that you don’t miss anything. You won’t have to worry about fender benders or accidentally running over a toy your kid left in the driveway again!
The Well-Appointed Cabin
As previously mentioned, there is plenty of available or accessible cargo room in the 2020 GMC Terrain. There is also plenty of space for passengers to sit comfortably. In the front, it has headroom measuring 40 inches and legroom of about 41 inches. In the back, the headroom is about 38.5 inches, and the legroom is 39.7 inches.
If you purchase a base SL model, you will find some great infotainment features, including the voice-activated GMC interface that is displayed on a 7-inch screen and operates with Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling. A 4G LTE Wifi hotspot is also provided to keep you connected to the outside world no matter where you go. The vehicle’s 6-speaker stereo system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for a seamless music streaming experience. Multiple powerpoints are also provided throughout the cabin, including a 12-volt outlet in the cargo area.
The SLE version can upgrade the infotainment touchscreen to 8-inches and includes a SiriusXM Radio 3-month subscription for you to try. The rearview camera has also been enhanced to HD, and two extra USB ports have been added. Dual data ports with an SD card reader add more multimedia options, and the additional 100-volt outlet enables you to charge more mobile devices.
The SLT comes with heated front seats and an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support for comfort. Leather upholstery gives the interior a stately appearance, and the heated steering is ideal for the bitter winter months. Dual-zone climate control will keep everyone cozy, and ambient lighting throughout the cabin will set the mood.
The top-of-the-line Denali has all of those goodies plus ventilated front seats for the summer months.
An Assertive Exterior
The 2020 GMC Terrain gives off quite an assertive vibe. It stands approximately 65.4-inches (5.5-ft) tall and has a width (excluding side mirrors) of 72.4-inches (6 feet). The total overall length is 182.3-inches (just over 15 feet), and the wheelbase is measured at 107.3-inches (8.9-ft).
Available in a wide range of paint colors, you can choose from Ebony Twilight Metallic, Graphite Gray Metallic, Smokey Quartz Metallic, Satin Steel Metallic, Quicksilver Metallic, White Frost Tricoat, Summit White, Blue Emerald Metallic, and Red Quartz Tintcoat.
Exterior details and accents vary depending on the trim level. For example, the base SL rides on 17-inch aluminum wheels with all-season tires. It’s got heated/power-adjustable side mirrors for the winter and rear privacy glass to prevent passersby from peeking inside. You will also notice the LED accents on the signature C-shaped light fixtures, and that the liftgate is manual. The SLE is very similar, but it comes with a 16-inch spare wheel in the event of a flat.
The main exterior difference can start to be seen on the SLT trim. Rolling on 18-inch aluminum wheels with dark gray accents, it has added roof rails for more storage. The side mirrors have also been enhanced with integrated turn signal indicators.
The Denali has large 19-inch aluminum wheels and a bigger spare tire (17-inch). With this top-tier model, you will also get a programmable, hands-free liftgate. This feature makes it easy to load up the back without putting your bags on the ground. The SkyScape power sunroof can also be added to this model.
