GMC Terrain Denali

Exterior

The 2013 Terrain Denali gets several upgrades on the outside, which, of course, include the signature Denali chrome grille, chrome accents, and Denali emblems on the front doors. Models with the 2.4L engine feature 18-inch chrome wheels wrapped in P235/55R18 all-season tires, while models with the new V6 engine get 19-inch chrome wheels wrapped in P235/55R19 all-season tires. The Terrain Denali also receives new headlamp and taillamp designs, body color front and rear fascias, and chrome exhaust tips. The resulting look is a much more refined and luxurious Terrain.

Interior

As you open the door on the five-passenger 2013 GMC Terrain Denali, the first thing you see is the word “Denali” illuminated in the sill plate. Interior updates are highlighted by Jet Black leather lining the door inserts and Denali embossed, eight-way power front seats. Smoked mahogany wood trim lines the dash, doors, and leather-wrapped steering wheel. Red contrast stitching and red accent lighting give the interior a high-end feel. In the back, you’ll find 63.9 cubic feet of cargo space (with second row folded down).

Standard Features

The Terrain Denali comes standard with many of GMC’s class-leading features, including a customizable color touch infotainment system that features IntelliLink, intuitive voice commands, Bluetooth smartphone integration, streaming internet radio apps like Pandora and Stitcher, and iPod controls. A programmable power liftgate comes standard. A memory function stops the liftgate at a chosen height to accommodate lower garage heights

The standard safety features include forward collision, side blind zone, and lane departure warnings. These visual and audible alerts add a new level of security to driving the Terrain. The Terrain Denali, like every new GMC, comes with six free months of OnStar’s Directions and Connections plan, which includes Automatic Crash Response, Turn-by-Turn Navigation, roadside assistance, emergency services link, stolen vehicle assistance, and remote door unlock.

There are only two options available on the Terrain Denali, which include color touch navigation and a rear-seat entertainment system.

Engine

The old 264 HP 3.0L V6 has been scrapped in favor of a new 3.6L V6 engine with direct injection and continuously variable valve timing that has 301 HP and 272 lb-ft of torque. The new V6 matches the fuel economy of its predecessor, getting 17-city/24-highway mpg with the 2WD model and 16-city/23-highway with AWD. Those customers who want all the luxury of a Denali and best in class fuel economy can go with the 2WD Terrain Denali with the 182 HP Ecotec 2.4L I-4 and get an amazing 32 highway mpg. Towing capacity on the new Terrain Denali is 3,500 lbs.

Pricing

Pricing and availability of the 2013 Terrain Denali will be announced closer to the release date, which will be in the third quarter of 2012.

Competition

The Terrain Denali’s key competitors are the Ford Edge, Mazda CX-7, Nissan Murano, and Hyundai Santa Fe. The Terrain has more horsepower and torque than all four of these small crossovers; the closest competitor being the Hyundai, which has a 3.5 Liter DOHC Lambda II V6 engine making 276 HP and 248 lb-ft of torque. There is really no comparison in the looks department either, with the Terrain having a more rugged, truck-like appearance compared to all the curvy, rounded small crossovers. Another plus for the Terrain Denali is the fact that not one of these vehicles can top the Terrain Denali’s 32 mpg, accomplished with the Ecotec I-4. The Terrain has been a little pricey compared to these vehicles in the past, but the standard features on the Terrain have always blown away the competition.

My Thoughts

The 2013 GMC Terrain Denali is a vehicle that was just waiting to happen. In my opinion, the Denali trim should have been the only option for the GMC Terrain since day one. The improvements totally change the vehicle from a small SUV to a small luxury SUV. The safety features alone make this vehicle worth buying, not to mention all the standard equipment. This is a great small SUV that is will lead the segment and set the bar for years to come.