General Motors presented The Garage with a unique opportunity-to review their newest crossovers, the Chevy Equinox and the GMC Terrain back to back. I jumped at the chance, but I was skeptical of the Terrain. After a week with the Equinox, I couldn’t understand why there was even a need for the Terrain. When GM picked up the Equinox and handed me the keys to the top-spec Merlot Jewel Metallic SLT2 with all-wheel drive, I thought for certain the only thing the GMC would do was eat sales from the Chevy.
After a week with the Terrain, my first instincts proved false. A good Merlot needs time to breathe for the full flavor and characteristics to bear themselves out, and my Merlot-hued Terrain proved to be no exception.
I hate badge engineered cars, and I blame the practice of slapping different grilles and taillights on the same car as one of the chief reasons why GM wound up in bankruptcy court. I asked GMC point blank if they were after a different buyer than someone interested in an Equinox. GMC is seeking buyers who prefer a stronger styling statement, and more standard features than the Chevy. Mechanically, yes, the Equinox and Terrain are identical. This is not a bad thing, and a read of my Equinox review will show this is a very competent vehicle. All that is good about the Equinox is present and accounted for.
The break from the Equinox comes in appearance. The two cars share only the roof and windshield-each car has completely unique bodywork. While the Chevy favors soft curves and organic, swoopy contours, the GMC is more aggressive. GMC expects the Terrain to appeal to buyers wanting a bolder look, something closer to modern SUVs, rather than a softer CUV. Tasteful use of chrome mirrors, door handles and roof rails lent a premium feel to the Terrain that was lacking in the Equinox.
Inside, the differences are far more subtle. Though they share the same architecture, the Chevy/GMC have different instrument panels, but I actually had to look at pics from both cars side by side to note the differences.  The Terrain has ambient lighting on the center stack in a cool red amber, and the main gauges have a more upscale look to them. Otherwise, the interior is the same, which is good; the well-bolstered seats do a great job of holding you in place, not  something you would expect in a CUV.
In the span of a week, my attitude toward the Terrain did a 180. Having spent equal time with both the Equinox and Terrain, given a choice, I would opt for the GMC. For driving dynamics and packaging, you cannot go wrong with either car, but the bolder styling and more premium feel of the Terrain won me over.
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Francesca says
November 14, 2009 at 6:35 pmI am anxiously waiting for my Terrain to show up. I fell in love with this car back in July, BEFORE it was even available. I have had a chance to drive it, and I love the look of it. The Equinox is fine, but I really don’t want a Chevy. I am trading in my Saturn, and wanted to stay with OnStar. I feel safer with it in the car.
This review was great! Thanks!
jim says
November 17, 2009 at 5:12 pmANOTHER AMERICAN MADE VEHICLE THAT CAN’T BE TOWED WITH ALL 4 WHEELS ON THE GROUND.
CATHY says
March 14, 2010 at 5:44 pmI purchased the GMC Terrain in Jan. 2010. I am very pleased with my SUV. I was very impressed on the price and the value for the money. I love the back up camera. The free on star for a year is great and we will probably keep it after the year. It has its own moble phone in the on star. There is a couple of small things I am not pleased with. One is the engine is more noisey than I am used to. When you first start it up in cold weather, it acts like a car that needs new spark plugs but it goes away in about 10 seconds. You hear and feel bumps in the road more than usual. But overall, this is a great car and it is American made. This is the first GMC vehicle we ever purchased. I like this much better than the escape.