After the debut of the refreshed 2016 Chevrolet Equinox at the Chicago Auto Show last month, it was not expected to be long before the vehicle's corporate cousin received a similar upgrade. Expectations were true as the 2016 GMC Terrain also received a refresh, with the crossover expected to make its debut at the upcoming New York International Auto Show.
The Terrain and Equinox are slightly bigger compared to their rivals in the compact SUV space, with the two vehicles straddling the line separating small SUVs and midsize SUVs. However, the two price and features of the two vehicles place them into the small SUV category.
The Terrain will come in five different trims, namely the SL, the SLE-1, the SLE-2, the SLT and Denali trims, and is expected to be released to dealerships in the fall season. The pricing for the vehicle will likely be determined as the launch date of the Terrain draws nearer.
According to GMC, the revised bumpers of the Terrain now feature chrome bracketing to make the SUV look wider. Other changes to the vehicle's visual design make it look a bit squarer, though the Terrain retains its fender-flared style. The Sle-1, SLE-2 and SLT trims come with a new grille that features concentric frames, and the textured grille of the Denali trim also has a new design.
There are fewer changes in the interior of the Terrain, starting off with the CD player in the center controls being replaced by a small shelf. Denali trim Terrains feature a special steering wheel and more dashboard stitching. The Terrain offers a power front passenger seat, which is rare among SUVs in its type, but the common dual-zone climate control found in small SUVs is not available.
The Terrain kept the MultiFlex adjustable rear seat of GM. The seats are capable of sliding either forward or backward, but do not allow cargo to get caught in gaps due to a floor panel attached to it. The volume of the cargo space behind the seats is 31.6 cubic feet, with a maximum of 63.9 cubic feet of storage space if the back seats are folded away.
The choices of engine for the Terrain are either a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower or the more powerful 3.6-liter V6 engine with 301 horsepower. The Terrain comes with standard front-wheel drive, with all trims except the SL offering an optional all-wheel drive.
The Terrain has options on warning systems for forward collision and lane departure, though no auto-braking is present. Formerly Denali-exclusive safety options blind spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert are now options for most of the Terrain's trims.
The 2016 GMC Terrain will make its debut in the New York International Auto Show, which will begin on April 3.
