Rugged is a vibe, and these days it’s a popular one. Between blackout packages and adventure-inspired trims, it seems every automaker is tapping into our newfound post-pandemic desire to get outdoors.
GMC’s hat thrown into this proverbial ring is the Terrain, its compact SUV and the smallest vehicle in its line-up, which gets a mid-cycle refresh for 2022.
The highlight of this facelift is the brand’s AT4 trim, which joins the Terrain line-up for the first time, making this the last GMC product to get this off-road oriented treatment that started with the Sierra pick-up in 2019. Joining the SLE, SLT, and Denali to round up the line-up at four trims, the AT4 starts at $38,198, including a $1,900 destination charge and fees. It adds a steel skid plate for the engine compartment, unique 17-inch gloss black wheels, drive mode selection with three settings, contrasting interior stitching in a tan colour, and an AT4 logo embroidered on the headrests. These are mostly aesthetic upgrades; there are no changes to the suspension, ground clearance, or otherwise. But at this price point and in this segment, this will likely please the buyers going for the outdoorsy look.
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
GMC also says the refresh brings a “bolder” Elevation Edition for the SLE and SLT grades. These grades, with the Elevation Edition package added ($995), are the best-selling Terrains in Canada. For 2022, they come with 19-inch gloss black aluminum wheels and black centre caps with GMC lettering, a darkened front grille, and black roof rails, mirror caps, and exterior accents and badging.
Regardless of trim, 2022 Terrains come with a new front fascia and larger grille that visibly adds presence, as well as redesigned LED headlights and taillamps that are now standard, four new available colour options, and updated wheel designs.
All 2022 Terrains are powered by the same unchanged powertrain, featuring a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. This is the same engine found in the Chevrolet Equinox, but here it’s matched with a nine-speed automatic transmission. On the SLE trim, front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard ($32,598 including fees), while all-wheel drive (AWD) is available for $2,400 more. From the SLT grade, AWD is standard ($37,598), and as is typical for GMC products, the Denali grade tops the line-up ($43,598). On the SLE and SLT grades, these prices represent a price drop of between $600 and $800 from 2021. Denali goes up by $1,000, but it also gets more standard feature content including features such as blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, a surround-view camera, parking assist sensors, and more. At this price point, having these features included as standard is the expectation, so it’s likely Denali buyers won’t mind the base price increase to avoid the sensation of nickel-and-diming.
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
While the 1.5-litre engine starts off well with a sense of energy at city speeds, this power tapers off as the truck merges onto the highway or heads up inclines. Being that this is a mid-cycle refresh, it’s not surprising that powertrain configurations haven’t changed, but it would be a welcome upgrade to see the Denali trim offered with a more powerful engine. On the other hand, it could be that the 1.5-litre is hanging on because GM has a plan to offer some sort of electrified powertrain, given how its brands and the market are going. Time will tell.
Fuel consumption, on paper and in short testing at least, is typical for the class. With FWD, the Terrain consumes 9.2 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving, 7.8 on the highway, and 8.6 combined. Add AWD, and those figures go up to 9.6 city, 8.3 highway, and 9.0 combined. This is roughly average for a non-electrified powertrain, though there are more economical options out there for those who seek them out, electrified or otherwise.
On the other hand, Terrain is one of the few compact SUVs left that still includes manual toggling between front and all-wheel drive. Some people don’t want to think about which wheels are receiving power, and there are plenty of vehicles for those drivers. But if you’re among the group who cares to know which wheels are being driven, the Terrain checks that box.
Regardless of trim, there are no mechanical changes for 2022. The Terrain’s ride comes across as a little on the rough side relative to its competition, and the interior lets more noise through than is typical. The button-and-trigger setup for the shift-by-wire system may be a hard sell for some drivers, but it’s a reasonably intuitive solution that addresses the overall direction the industry is headed.
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
While the glossy wood-look Denali inserts and the AT4’s stitching are nice touches, the interior is somewhat dark despite the presence of a sizeable available panoramic sunroof, and there’s plenty of hard black plastic to be found throughout the interior. On the upside, the centre console is deep and large enough to hold a small handbag, which is a nice find in this segment.
Technology updates for the Terrain for 2022 include standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and standard SiriusXM satellite radio integration with a trial subscription. The screen is smaller than average, but infotainment operation is smooth and intuitive. The same head-up display that’s standard on Denali, which is the flip-up style that displays graphics on a small plastic panel, is also optional on SLT and AT4. Also new on Denali is an 8-inch digital driver information centre positioned between the analog instruments.
2022 GMC Terrain Photo by Stephanie Wallcraft
On the vehicles we tested, the heated and ventilated seat buttons were present, but both features were omitted. This is due to the semiconductor shortage; GM is currently offering a $50 rebate to customers for the inconvenience of having to return to the dealer later to have these features activated once chip supply recovers, which will be completed at no additional charge. This is allowing Terrain supply to keep up with demand, and GM says 2022 models are arriving steadily at dealerships, though they’re largely being presold thanks to pent-up demand.
Our overall impression of the 2022 GMC Terrain: the automotive industry moves at a blistering pace these days, and in some ways the Terrain is striving to keep up. Still, for traditionalists looking for a mid-premium compact SUV with a rugged edge, this right-vibe SUV would be a good fit.
Keyword: First Drive: 2022 GMC Terrain