GMC Terrain Denali

PREVIEW

FAST FACTS

1. Introduced on the Denali trim for 2013 is a more powerful 3.6L V6 with 301 hp and 272 lb-ft of torque, with the same EPA-rated fuel economy as the previous 3.0L V6. 2. Denali trim include signature badging, chrome accents and black leather interior trim with sporty red stitching. 3. An available Safety Package adds Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning and Rear Park Assist as well as Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. 4. Pricing for the Denali trim starts at $35,350.

Sharper and more unique, the new Denali luxury trim available on the truckish GMC Terrain for 2013 is an almost nostalgic throwback to the American luxury SUV days of a decade ago. And yet the Terrain Denali is a notably modern interpretation, from its technology, to the fact that this chiseled and chunky truck is actually an efficient crossover.

It’s everything you would expect from a GMC truck – thick, brawny and imposing. With the Denali badging and chrome accents, the Terrain no longer looks like the stubby little brother of the Yukon and Sierra but an SUV of its own breed.

The new outer upgrades feature stylized satin chrome 18-inch wheels (19 with the V6), exhaust tips, a honeycomb front grille, side mirrors and door handles. The lighting treatments are impactful with large headlamps, bumper-integrated fog lights and muscular tail lamps. Spirited body-color fascias and rocker moldings set the Denali apart from other SUVs on the road, tying together what already looks good. Standard is the signature Denali script displayed prominently on the outside of each front door, while paint finishes come in exclusive color coats such as Quicksilver Metallic, Crystal Red Tintcoat, Carbon Black Metallic, Summit White and Iridium Metallic.

INTERIOR

Unfortunately, while buyers can choose from varied metallic paint finishes outside, black leather is the only interior trim available.In Denali trim, the Terrain features premium materials and includes equipment such as a standard sunroof, soft-touch leather, mahogany wood in the steering wheel, illuminated badged sill plates and distinctive red stitching on the seating and dashboard console. Seating is attractive with 8-way power driver and passenger seats embossed with Denali logos.

Rear seat room is spacious thanks to the Terrain’s MultiFlex sliding second row, that can move forward and back by up to 8-inches. When pushed all the way back, the Terrain offers best-in-class second row legroom – making the space even more enjoyable to enjoy the independent dual 8-inch seatback-mounted screens for movies and video games.

Standard on the Denali trim is a power liftgate, giving easy access to the 31 cu-ft of rear cargo space – which expands to 64 cu-ft with the rear seats folded flat. More than a luxury touch, it’s a great piece of functional technology, especially for shorter stature drivers.

DRIVING FASHION AT HIGH SPEED

The standard engine in Terrain and Terrain Denali is the Ecotec 2.4L four-cylinder with power rated at 182 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque. Those familiar to the compact crossover segment should find this perfectly suitable, although anyone from a truck background will likely desire more torque.

To satisfy their needs GMC is introducing an all-new V6 engine for 2013 in the Denali trim. Up from the old 3.0-liter V6, this larger displacement 3.6L unit with direct injection delivers 301 horsepower and 272 lb-ft of torque. An increase of 14 percent more horsepower and 22 percent more torque than the previous 3.0L V6, it delivers the same 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

Both front and AWD drivetrains are available for either engine, while the tow rating is set at 1500 lbs for the four-cylinder and 3,500 lbs for the V6.

The overall drive feeling of the Terrain Denali is "repose." While the engine power with the V6 is more than sufficient, the throttle is sluggish. There’s a transmission shifting option located within the shift lever, but it’s not a joy to use. The plus/minus toggle switch on the side of the lever is uncomfortable because your arm is resting in unnatural position and after a while the discomfort will force you to abandon the choice of choosing your gears. Paddle-shifting would have been ideal and brought a little more meat to the drive – particularly on a luxury truck.