On Wednesday I'm packing up the family to visit the in-laws for Thanksgiving. It will likely be a pretty long trip as greater Los Angeles traffic the day before turkey day is always extra-terrible. But I'm finding myself fairly thankful that I'll be driving the GMC Terrain for the trip.
It's not like the Terrain is particularly powerful or overly luxurious, but it is great at just being what it is: a small crossover.
My only real complaints about the Terrain are its styling and underachieving fuel economy, but those won't impact this trip. Meanwhile, it's got a smooth ride, an easy-to-drive demeanor, comfortable and roomy seating, a long fuel range, plenty of storage bins, a nice-sounding sound system (with an iPod interface), a navigation system and plenty of cargo room for our luggage and gear.
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor @ 18,534 miles
zcalvert says:
01:53 PM, 11/22/10
well... sounds like you guys need to make sure you do a good job of buying a diverse mix of new LT cars in the upcoming months.
carguy622 says:
02:01 PM, 11/22/10
I'd venture to say that this loaded example of the Terrain is fairly luxurious.
bankerdanny says:
02:17 PM, 11/22/10
"Kizashi? Manual trans could be a drag in congested traffic."
Watch it Brent, an admission like that could get you fired. Everybody knows that a real enthusiast doesn't let such silly things as practicality deter him/her from buying a manual transmission.
bodyblue says:
03:02 PM, 11/22/10
"It's not like the Terrain is powerful or luxurious or even remotely desirable."
ROFLMAO
ed124c says:
04:18 PM, 11/22/10
Wait a minute. You dislike the Crosstour so much that you wouldn't take it on a trip--even though other editors have said it is a great road car? AND it doesn't cost you anything!
What you are saying is that the Terrain is better looking than the Crosstour, and you would rather plod along with the sluggish 4 cyl. Terrain than enjoy the comfort and the capable acceleration of the Crosstour.
This is not what I would expect from an Edmunds editor.
ms3fun says:
04:56 PM, 11/22/10
I thought IL wanted to keep the Flex until it hit 100K miles? The last post only showed 71K.
Did you guys change your mind on keeping it?
chirsch3 says:
05:05 PM, 11/22/10
I still like the steering wheel and the gauges they just look nicely finished.
But i would definitely pick the 528i although i'm sure your in-laws are tired of you driving BMW's and making them feel bad about what they drive
haha
super_ongoy says:
10:32 PM, 11/22/10
You should get the bimmer and start calling your in-laws peasants.
1487 says:
05:55 AM, 11/23/10
"Watch it Brent, an admission like that could get you fired. Everybody knows that a real enthusiast doesn't let such silly things as practicality deter him/her from buying a manual transmission."
LOL.
The Terrain certainly isnt less desirable than any competing crossover. If this isnt your cup of tea than the same could be said about any I4 powered crossover in the class. None of them are really exciting or lustworthy- but millions are sold every year so someone wants them.
"What you are saying is that the Terrain is better looking than the Crosstour, and you would rather plod along with the sluggish 4 cyl. Terrain than enjoy the comfort and the capable acceleration of the Crosstour."
The reality is that on the highway you spend most of your time cruising. While the V6 will give the Honda ample passing power when needed you can easily cruise in either vehicle at 80mph effortlessly. At constant speed more power really doesn't mean anything.