Pickup trucks have not really gone out of style for one simple reason: they are practical and more or less dependable to get the job done, never mind the fact that it might not look the part. The ends justifies the means in this case, right? The 2018 GMC Terrain is a ride that certainly does not epitomize the pinnacle of beauty and design, but does that make it any less of a pickup truck? So far, we do know that the current generation GMC Terrain has seen some pretty robust sales figures for General Motors over the years. However, the 2009 model is in need of a long-awaited refresh, which is where the 2018 GMC Terrain comes in.
Making its debut at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, the 2018 GMC Terrain will look a wee bit like that of the more generously sized GMC Acadia crossover. All of the changes will not be mere cosmetics, as there must be alterations made underneath the hood in order to have it be relevant in this day and age, too. For instance, the 2018 GMC Terrain will sport a whole new range of turbocharged gasoline and diesel engines, throwing in additional technology to boot. Hopefully these new features and engine choices will help the latest Terrain model gain a competitive edge in the SUV market.
Do take note that the 2018 GMC Terrain might actually be a car-based crossover, but GMC has put in their fair share of work in order to have it resemble that of a traditional truck-based SUV. It is like a huge brick on wheels, sporting slab-like sides and more or less a flat grille. This makes the new Terrain look fierce with its imposing presence, and some might even be tempted to nickname this as the Acadia Mini. In summary, you can say that the 2018 GMC Terrain is a ride that owners will come to love in due time, if it was purchased solely based on performance alone. While the brick-like design might seem to work against it in terms of performance, GMC touts otherwise, claiming that they placed a great emphasis on aerodynamic efficiency during the design phase. You might also grow to appreciate the front headlights in due time if the design does not tickle your fancy at the beginning.
Underneath the hood, the new Terrain will come with the engine choices: turbocharged four-cylinder engines of the 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter variety, and a 1.6-liter diesel. The inclusion of the latter makes it the first engine of its kind that will see action in the Terrain range. The gasoline engines will be on the receiving end of nine-speed automatic transmissions, which should provide it plenty of punch in navigating all kinds of terrain. Depending on your budget and needs, the Terrain is available in standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive.
For those with a little bit more cash to spare, there is the high-end Denali trim level from GMC as well which will throw in more accessories and a bodykit that makes it look more stylish. Some of the creature comforts that come with this trim include navigation support, a heated steering wheel for those cold, cold days, and a Bose 7-speaker audio system. Standard features for the 2018 GMC Terrain include 7.0-inch and 8.0-inch touchscreens, an integrated Wi-Fi hotspot, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
There is no word on pricing yet as at press time though.
