If it looks as if something is missing inside the 2018 GMC Terrain, your eyes are not deceiving you. No matter which trim you select, the 2018 Terrain arrives with General Motors’ first application of a push-button gear selector via its Electronic Precision Shift unit.
This means the familiar joystick unit is not present and buttons now adorn the lower portion of the center stack. It’s been a controversial design change, judging by responses both here and around the show floor here at the 2017 North American International Auto Show.
We spoke with one of the lead interior designers of the 2018 Terrain, and he stated the main reason to move any shifting duties away from the center stack was to fully utilize the space for customers. This means cupholder placement is incredibly convenient and ergonomics of other essentials are right in reach. GMC called the space “prime real estate.”
It’s not the prettiest execution of a push-button system, but there is no denying it works from an ergonomic standpoint.
Comments
Too bad. I hate those things. Shifters should be on the steering column if they don’t want to take up any space.
Along with push-button start now we have push button gear selector. IMO there are just some things that should be left alone and an actual shifter is one of them. GM of course probably looked at Lincoln who has been doing this now since the MKZ of 2013.
I understand the why of doing it but if they would just make the vehicles a bit wider you would have a lot more real estate as they put it. Or what the new Lacrosse and XT5 have done with the smaller electronic shifter is also doible. Otherwise I do think the interior is nice looking on this.
Honda also has one, too.
I’m sure you guys have sat inside the vehicle. How are the buttons positioned in respect to your arm reach? Do you have to lean forward to reach them?
This idea should go the way of the dinosaur and the sooner the better IMO.
The manual shifter is already a “dinosaur” over 140 years old.
I think they should be on the dash as to be out of the way so they don’t get bumped, spilled on etc…
I don’t like the idea of push button shifter at all!
I don’t either but if it is going to happen they should place it appropriately.
Agreed
Well, I’ll give GMC more points for uniqueness from its Chevy counterpart with this idea. The overall design in general is a strong departure from being just a “nicer Chevy!” I’ll definitely say one thing though, this push-button gear selector looks a whole lot more simpler than that BMW-like, electronic console shifter in the current LaCrosse and XT5!
To put it simply, GM you blew it. Push buttons went out in the sixties I think it was when Chrysler and Ford tried it. Remember the Edsel?
My first car was an old 1956 Dodge Coronet when I was in high school. It has a push button gear selector. Actually it was more convenient than this one as it was at the left of top side of the dash just left of the steering wheel. This placed it more at eye level for less distraction. Does anyone know how the Terrain can be manually shifted using this configuration? Don’t see any paddles.
I don’t hate the idea (I hate the placement so low in the dash). If they want to free up console space, why not just put it on the column like in the larger Yukon?
personally, I feel like if someone were to build car with all the modern technologies (backup cam, blind spot detection, Bluetooth, navigation) but leave out all the stupid stuff (large complicated media systems, electronic/no gear shift, digital gauges, push button start) they would be a millionaire. I’m not that old, but I hate that car are becoming so….. technological and computerized. I wish they still made cars that had decent sized side view mirrors and actual gauges, instead of having to scroll through a menu to see your battery voltage or trans. temp. All the new stuff on cars is cool, but once you use it for awhile, you learn how much of a pain in the ass it is.
Whether it’s on the column or on the floor console-give me a lever. Don’t like buttons or dials for shifting gears. Really hate Chrysler’s silly “dial a ride” idea.
So you like handling a hard rod in your hand?
Call me crazy…I don’t want it, but it does allow for some actual differentiation between Chevy and GMC.
Once again, much to do about nothing!
I have personally driven this car a few hundred times. At first it’s a bit confusing and you find yourself looking for a lever to slam into park. But after a few times it turns into second nature. I will say that if auto manufacturers could all agree on a general design and shift pattern for electronic shift it would help people adapt easier. With autonomous vehicles and parking assist we are bound to see electronic shift on everything at some point as the car must be able to shift to park or reverse etc. is it the best design. Eh. Not really. But it could be worse. Cough* FCA.
I think it’s absolutely fantastic ! I have never understood why we need these big shift levers anyway. On the steering wheel column, they were not in the way, but difficult to shift. On the floor, they take up space while the average driver touches it perhaps less than 1% of the time, probably less than the radio. So I’m thrilled to see this gone. Even though I was born in the 1970’s, I am still impressed whenever I see a 1950’s Chrysler pushbutton automatic or an Edsel Teletouch automatic. Good job GM!
Did GM put dual zone on the new Terrain?
Yes. Both the Terrain and Equinox offer dual zone. Might require a high end model, not sure.
So disappointed. I have been shopping for the perfect small SUV for awhile now and saw the 2017 and thought this is it!!!! Was so excited to walk in and get my 2018 at the end of this summer, but not anymore….. now I have to continue my search. Very bad move in my opinion…………………..
If you like the 2018 Terrain but not the push button gear selection, check out the 2018 Equinox. Same basic vehicle. Same engines. Same size. Same chassis. Has a conventional gear selection shifter.
Wasn’t this technology tried in the 1960’s. It didn’t fly then either
Chrysler used this technology from the mid-50’s into the 70’s. I wouldn’t call it a failure as it latest quite a while. But time changes everything.