GMC has created shift buttons on the 2018 Terrain Denali to clear room for cup holders and center stack storage.FAST FACTS
* Model: GMC Terrain Denali* Exterior color: Graphite Gray* Interior color: Jet Black* Engine: 2.0 liter, inline 4-cylinder, turbocharged* Horsepower: 252* Transmission: nine-speed automatic* Fuel economy: 26 mpg highway, 21 mpg city* Local Dealer: Integrity Buick GMC Cadillac* Price (as tested): $43,900
To the American consumer, the SUV has become an art form.
And no vehicle represents the pinnacle of small SUV design like the GMC Terrain Denali, the bold, top-of-the line compact crossover in the GMC fleet.
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Our tester, a 2018 GMC Terrain Denali, tickles the underside of $44,000, yet shares the dimensions and demeanor of SUVs costing many thousands of dollars less. In fact, a base plain-Jane Terrain can be purchased for $25,970.
But a plain-Jane Terrain thrives mainly on the plain. Our all-wheel-drive, blinged-out Denali is right at home in a creek bed or a boulder field; although, in the real world, most Denalis never veer off the blacktop.
A scan of the local Integrity Buick GMC Cadillac dealership showed 26 Terrains in stock this week including one Denali like our tester, which has an MRSP of $43,900.
DESIGN AND FEATURES
So where does the 18 grand go to lift the base Terrain to Denali status?
From its sumptuous leather seats, to its chrome-draped exterior, the Terrain aims to pack Cadillac-level charms into a smaller package. The multi-dimensional Denali grille announces the top-trim Terrain as a proud vehicle with Yukon DNA. The C-shaped LED headlights are a modern accent. The Terrain Denali's luxury sheen also shines through in its 19-inch, ultra-bright aluminum wheels.
Graphite Gray Metallic paint looks almost black in low light, and the Jet Black interior materials complete the masculine color scheme.
Inside, the newest design wrinkle is a row of electronic shift buttons for drive, neutral and park and reverse. This seems to be a trend. All the new Honda and Acura products we have driven lately, for example, have the same button set-up. We suppose it becomes intuitive after awhile, but it's awkward at first. The buttons eliminate the need for a shifter on the center stack, opening up room for expanded cup holders and bigger storage trays.
GM does a great job with its telematics system. A nine-inch display screen with an array of sound system and navigation apps houses the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto interfaces. It's very easy to navigate.
Some of the dash and door plastics do not reach the Terrain Denali's luxury aspirations, but the quality leather seats and soft-touch armrests are first-rate. GMC has designed the front passenger seat to fold flat (forward) creating an eight-foot cargo lane for those times when you simply must transport a ladder or stack of two-by-fours. The heated back seats also recline for comfort.
Under the hood is a 2.0-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine that makes 252 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The engine is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission that helps the Terrain get 26 mpg highway and 21 mpg city.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
The GMC Terrain has three engine variants, including a diesel option. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder in our Denali tester is the larger of two gas-powered engines. With a reported zero-to-60 mph time of 6.8 seconds, the Terrain Denali is deceptively quick for a 3,800-pound SUV.
All Terrains include start-stop technology to improve gas mileage. Whether you find this an advantage or a bother is largely a matter of taste. When it stalls your acceleration for a millisecond while merging it can be a nuisance.
The Denali offers an available advanced safety package that includes forward automatic braking, forward collision alert, lane-keep assist and lane departure warning. There's a rear-seat reminder monitor designed to prompt you to look over your shoulder before exiting in case you are carrying young children.
The Terrain Denali is built for comfort, and its suspension is tuned accordingly. It soaks up uneven pavement, creating a quiet, composed cabin environment.
BOTTOM LINE
Whether you are looking for a budget SUV or a luxury crossover, the Terrain offers a trim level that will fit your needs. While not as evolved as some of the luxury brands, the Denali trim offers premium design and plenty of high-tech options. Some costumers will cross-shop the Acura RDX and Audi Q5.
Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6645. Follow him on Twitter @TFPCOLUMNIST. Subscribe to his Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/mkennedycolumnist.