Used 2023 GMC Terrain

The thing is, how many people want to go to that place? With compact SUVs as popular as ice cream during a heatwave, the Terrain hasn’t sold as well as, say, the Honda CR-V.

This leaning-toward-luxury aspect that traditionally differentiates GMC vehicles from their Chevrolet counterparts (the Terrain is related to the Chevy Equinox) is wearing thin, since other companies are raising the perceptible quality of their products. Like Hyundai and Kia, for example.

Which leaves the Terrain on a metaphorical side road while many rivals are progressing down the metaphorical freeway. And buyers who can afford to splash out for a plush Denali version might be thinking that they could stretch the budget by another couple of grand and give a Genesis GV70 serious consideration.

By all means, check out the 2023 Terrain. It definitely has some plus points. But casting a wider net might catch something more appealing.

Turbocharged or not, a 1.5-liter engine in a compact SUV weighing at least 1.7 tons doesn’t sound promising. That’s exactly how it turns out with the 2023 Terrain. Sedate swanning around the suburbs is one thing; getting a family up a mountain road is another.

If the 175-horsepower engine isn’t being worked hard, the Terrain’s cabin is nice and quiet, aided by standard-issue active noise cancelation. And the ride quality is mostly OK, apart from being upset by the occasional sharp bump. The Denali has its own suspension setup for optimum comfort.

As well as the engine gaining five more horsepower this year, GMC has added electronic brake force assistance, referred to as Eboost. Not that there was anything wrong with the braking system in the first place, but it’s good that GMC continues to improve safety in various ways.

It’s stressful enough trying to execute a 3-point turn when other vehicles are approaching. Trying to do that very maneuver in a 2023 Terrain with its push-button gear selection is even more stressful — at least for the first few times when you’re looking at that horizontal row, trying to figure which is Park, Reverse, Neutral and Drive.

Sure, it frees up stowage space in the center console, but other manufacturers have managed to make similar systems feel more intuitive.

The AT4 variant comes with all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard and has 7.9 inches of ground clearance, an inch more than the Denali (also with standard all-wheel drive). So it can handle some mild off-road conditions.

A few cheap plastics aside, the cabin of the 2023 Terrain SUV is generally pleasant, with the leather-clad Denali version topping the bill. To be fair, though, even the one-up-from-base SLT has perforated leather seating surfaces. Accents on each side of the center console echo the shapes of the headlights and taillights.

Our biggest complaint is the row of buttons taking the place of a conventional gear lever. The plastic steering wheel of the base SLE model is possibly our second-biggest gripe. The leather wrapping on the steering wheels of the other trims has been replaced this year by simulated stuff.

The SLE trim also comes with a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, the rest of the range has an 8-inch display.

No complaints about occupant space, though. The Terrain has 39.7 inches of rear legroom. Compare that with the indisputably accommodating Toyota RAV4, which has 37.8 inches.

This does come at the expense of cargo space, however. Behind the rear seats is a luggage area of 29.6 cubic feet, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet when those seats are folded. The RAV4 enjoys 37.5 and 69.8 cubic feet. The Terrain’s front passenger seat folds down as well, however, providing extra versatility.

The appearance of the 2023 Terrain compact SUV will change according to trim level. For example, the SLE and SLT grilles have chromed slats against a black background. The AT4 brings an off-roading character with a skid plate on the front fascia. And the Denali’s grille has an intricate chromed mesh.

Wheel sizes also differ. The SLE starts out with 17-inch alloys, with 19-inch rims fitted to the Denali.

The Elevation Edition cosmetics package for the SLE and SLT adds black accents and a new design of 19-inch alloy wheel. New colors this year are Volcanic Red Tintcoat, Sterling Metallic, and Deep Bronze Metallic.

Everyone has their own taste, of course, but we’d say the Terrain has a lot going for it looks-wise.

1. Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Cable-free smartphone integration is standard across the 2023 Terrain lineup. Perhaps one day all vehicles will be this convenient.

2. Wi-Fi
Another standard feature in the 2023 Terrain SUV. It has the potential to keep passengers occupied and quiet. It’s part of a user-friendly infotainment system that also includes USB-C ports and the ubiquitous Bluetooth.

3. Powered liftgate
Optional in the SLE, standard in the rest of the range, a liftgate that opens automatically can be a frazzled parent’s friend. It also has programmable heights.

4. 110-volt outlet
This can be useful for things like powering a small vacuum cleaner, charging a laptop, or perhaps running a small music system. It’s an option in the SLE, standard in the rest of the range.

5. Head-up display
By projecting vital information onto the windshield in front of the driver, a head-up display helps the driver maintain concentration on the road ahead. It’s optional in the SLT and AT4, standard in the Denali.

6. Black Diamond Edition
This new-for-2023 bundle is optional with the Denali trim, bringing things like a self-parking feature, 360-degree camera system, powered sunroof, and 19-inch alloy wheels with an After Midnight finish.

Five more horses are in the 2023 Terrain’s stable. Last year’s 170 horsepower becomes 175. Torque remains the same at 203 lb-ft.

This all comes out of a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. A 9-speed automatic transmission then delivers drive to the front wheels (FWD) or all four (AWD).

Maximum towing capacity is 1,500 pounds, at the low end of the compact SUV class, but no worse than some of the best sellers.

Regular gasoline is fine. EPA fuel economy has dipped slightly for 2023.

1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
175 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
203 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/29 mpg (FWD), 24/28 mpg (AWD)