www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Tuesday, December 22, 2009 · 12 New crossover SUV is built right here in Canada Continued from page 10 Speaking of legroom, it is plentiful in the rear and with front-wheel-drive, the floor is flat, making long-distance travelling more pleasant for the middle passenger. The rear cargo area holds 894 litres (31.6 cu ft.) or 1,809 litres (63.9 cu ft.) with the rear seat folded. That's slightly less than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 but larger than many others in the class like the popular Nissan Rogue and Ford Escape. Among the standard features is an eightspeaker, 250-watt Pioneer AM/FM/CD audio system with XM satellite radio. Wheels are 17-inch painted aluminum with P225/65R 17 all-season tires. Also standard is a power sunroof, power rear liftgate, tilt and telescopic steering column, a variety of ambient lighting, remote starter, rear view camera system and rear park assist. My tester also had the upgraded audio system with navigation system ($3,345), taking the base price of $34,400 up a notch. On the safety front, standard features include traction control, electronic stability control, antilock disc brakes, six airbags, OnStar and tire pressure monitoring system. I haven't driven the V6 version, but the GMC Terrain with 2.4-litre I-4 moves out well enough from a standing start to get you where you need to go safely. During AJAC testing, the Terrain posted a 0-100 km/h time of 10.0 seconds. That's not in the class of many of its competitors-- the Audi Q5 had a 0-100 km/h time of 6.9 seconds, but in terms of fuel economy, the Terrain shines. It features an ECO mode (activated with a button on the console) that reduces fuel consumption by lowering the torque converter lockup speed. The 2.4L engine comes with a fuel efficiency rating of 9.2L/100 km (31 mpg) city, 6.1L/100 km (46 mpg) highway for a combined average of 7.8L/100 km (36 mpg). I found the Terrain a bit noisy on hard acceleration, however a noise cancellation system helps alleviate the cabin intrusion. Available on the four-cylinder models, the system uses technology similar to that of noise cancelling headphones and sends sound waves through the audio system that helps counteract the engine noise. Other noise absorbing features like laminated glass and absorbent materials throughout the cabin also help to reduce Above: GMC Terrain interior: The Terrain has an upscale interior with nice fit and finish. Right: GMC Terrain cargo: Cargo space in the GMC Terrain is somewhat less than in the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 competitors, however with the 60/40 split folding rear seats down, it has 1,809 litres (63.9 cu ft.) of cargo space. noise. At speed, the cabin is much quieter than one would expect with a four-banger under the hood. Four-wheel independent suspension and electric power steering help produce a comfortable, controlled ride under most road conditions. All in all, the Terrain provides a good package that has plenty to offer the consumer. The `edgy' looks may turn off some buyers and have them leaning towards the Equinox sibling, but for those who like their vehicles with a bold, tough, muscular face, this fits the bill quite nicely. It has lots of room for five passenger and cargo and gets best-in-class fuel economy with the four-cylinder model. There's a lot to like here.