I still don't subscribe to the logic of selling two mechanically identical compact crossovers for the same price under two different brands, but I will admit that I like the Terrain a bit better than I did the Equinox. The beefy, blocky sheetmetal certainly has a more masculine image, which might appeal to people downsizing from something bigger and more truckish.
The Terrain, like its Chevrolet Equinox twin, feels considerably larger than other compact crossovers, attributable both to its actual size - six inches longer and roughly 300 pounds heavier than a Honda CR-V - and to its high beltline and thick A-pillars. The interior appears largely identical to the Chevy's, save for a darker color scheme, but is in any event more stylish and interesting than what you'll find in most non-GM competitors. I was a bit put off at first by the lack of a navigation screen for $33,840, but I soon remembered that with OnStar, one can get turn-by-turn directions beamed right to the radio without having to fuss with entering a destination while driving. Still an underrated feature, I think.
One feature I don't appreciate, unfortunately, is this 3.0-liter V-6. For the extra cost and whopping 5-mpg penalty in highway fuel economy versus the base four-cylinder, this light-on-torque V-6 doesn't provide all that much improvement in drivability and is thrashy to boot. The last-generation Equinox/Pontiac Torrent was available with the 3.6-liter V-6, which seems to make much more sense.
The V-6 provides some appreciable thrust in town and moving around in traffic. I do agree with Zenlea, though, that it's not quite worth the price. Additionally, there's not much grunt for highway passing, and the transmission seems just as busy as in the four-cylinder when you make throttle adjustments at those higher speeds. As in the four-cylinder Equinoxes I've driven, the brake pedal starts with a progressive feel and then stiffens up partway through the travel. You adapt to it quickly, but it seems like something GM could also easily fix.
This was my first time in an Equinox or Terrain without a navigation system. Just as the new General Motors navigation interface is one of the best, the smaller LCD neatly and intuitively displays song information and allows you to browse through satellite radio channels easily. There are still a lot of buttons to control the navigation, Bluetooth, audio, and vehicle settings, but I've quickly adapted to where the most-used functions are.
All-wheel-drive
Tire pressure monitoring system
Side airbags
Side curtain airbags
Automatic headlights
Remote start
1-year OnStar subscription
Power programmable liftgate
18-in. aluminum wheels
Fog lights
Projector beam headlights
Rearview camera
Sunroof
Leather seating surfaces
Heated front seats
Leather steering wheel
8-way power driver seat with memory
Auxiliary audio input
XM satellite radio with 3-month subscription
8-speaker Pioneer sound system
Bluetooth connectivity
Options on this vehicle:
Cargo management system - $245
Rear cargo security cover
Cargo convenience net
Roof rack crossbars
3.0L DI V-6 - $1500
Trailer towing equipment - $350
Key options not on vehicle:
19-in. chrome clad aluminum wheels - $900
Premium audio system with navigation - $2145
Rear seat entertainment system - $1295
Fuel economy:
(city/hwy/combined)
17 / 24 / 20 mpg
Engine:
Size: 3.0L DOHC DI V-6
Horsepower: 264 hp @6950 rpm
Torque: 222 lb-ft @ 5100 rpm
No comments:
Post a Comment