Right now I wish I was sitting the in 2014 GMC Terrain’s lovely heated seats. I think the car would be warmer than my house! We test drove the SLT-2 model of the compact crossover that doesn’t feel compact at all. For a 5-seater it is very roomy, even with a car seat and we had no complaints from the kids. However that might have been due to the headrest DVD screens that this model has.
Granted our family does require the size and versatility of the likes of the Acadia, but the Terrain is a great alternative and I found it great on gas with its four cylinder engine that did not give up on speed and energy. I was frankly surprised that this serious looking vehicle had such a small engine. You can upgrade to a V6, which would suit the styling of this blocky ‘Hummeresque’ design. I tested the car on the highway and city streets and no issues.
I was fortunate to test the all-wheel drive SLT-2 package which gives you all the extras like the heated seats, ambient lighting and power everything. But as a “mom” driver, safety features are what I notice and loved the Terrain’s Forward Collision Alert and the Lane Departure Warning systems. Add that to the integrated blind spot mirror and the rear camera, this was a comfortable and SAFE car for me to transport my family in in all road conditions and surrounded by crazy drivers.
To be honest there are a LOT of similar vehicles to this size and style on the road. I have test driven a few of them already. When it comes to compact crossovers, I think it boils down to the nitty gritty details that make the car work for you and why you would choose the Terrain over another similar model. Comparing what is included in the various model choices and find the package that works for you, your needs and your budget is crucial.
Safety and comfort for myself and my passengers is important to me. Extras like DVD players are welcome additions but realistically only if they fit into my budget. While silent kids make for a far more pleasant driving experience, I would rather my car budget went toward safety over luxury. The basic 2014 GMC Terrain comes standard with features like the rear camera, touch screen stereo, heated mirrors and Bluetoooth…..which are extra in many of the similar crossovers, so this helps me lean again towards the Terrain if I was shopping for this style of vehicle. I think if we are sticking with GMC, the family loved the Acadia Denali the best so far.
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