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Hot Or Not: 2018 GMC Terrain

General Motors brought two very important product debuts to the 2017 North American International Auto Show: the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse and the 2018 GMC Terrain.

As for the 2018 Terrain, GM is betting big on the compact crossover segment with both the Terrain and 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, both of which move to the D2XX platform to fill out each brand’s portfolio. At GMC, there was a major focus on differentiating the 2018 Terrain from its Equinox sibling, and that meant trying to move it in a more premium direction.

So, inevitably, we’re here to ask if the 2018 GMC Terrain is hot or not.

2018 GMC Terrain SLT exterior 002

We will say the new Terrain looks much better in person. Its chiseled lines don’t seem to photograph nearly as well as the presence it possesses in person. Up front, plenty of angles and character lines a present to represent GMC’s “Precision” motif, and the rear wears new, angular taillamps.

The entire profile looks nothing like the 2018 Equinox, especially from the side. A floating roofline plays with intriguing C and D-pillars for a unique look we haven’t seen from GMC.

2018 GMC Terrain Denali exterior 003

Overall, we actually think the 2018 Terrain is quite a looker. It looks upscale and doesn’t borrow too heavily from what other designs currently are on the market.

But, we shall turn it to you. Vote in our poll and talk to us in the comment section below.

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. InterestedObserver

    This is everything GMC needs to be: forward thinking, bold styling, premium interior. A compelling reason to move up from a Chevy. I have never considered a GMC until the recent Acadia, and now this vehicle is on my short list.

    Reply
  2. Steve

    Beautiful, but aside from the grille this looks like an Opel/Buick: We see the same issue with Bolt as it closely resembles Astra.
    The General must be careful not to blur design languages. Each marquee must have its own ethos. Nonetheless, this is a good Jeep fighter.

    Reply
  3. Gino Ceffallo

    good for what it is…but calling a CUV “hot”, that is comical.

    Reply
    1. Raymondjram

      After a long highway run, it will be “hot”!

      Reply
  4. GM PDT

    GMC did a good job in the design as to not look like its twin . Both should sell well , and the Terrain doesn;t really look like the others in the segment . It may have some similarity to a few but over all its unique .
    GMC did a better job than Chevy did with the Traverse which looks identical to the Acadia , atleast in the pics I’ve seen .
    Is the interior dimensions the same in the new Terrain as the old one ? Like front legroom and headroom ?

    Reply
  5. John Hart

    Design wise I’d say it’s too bland to review this way. That in person will give you the real answer. Via photos I’m voting MEH — especially compared to previous design which simply spoke to me.

    THE REAL STORY HERE IS THE PUSH BUTTON TRANSMISSION. The design SUCKS and is going to dealbreak sales once word gets out. Lawyers everywhere are lining up.

    I get that if a physical shift is no longer needed it needs to go. However the shift paradigm is still a good idea. One ‘thing’ that moves in intuitive directions. This car eliminates the ‘one’ thing and changes it to four separate buttons. FOUR.

    I promise you these buttons will make normal shifting annoying and emergency shifting impossible. Go to youtube and watch The Fast Car Lane’s preview of this ‘shift’. After the 3 minute mark you’ll see this looming fiasco.

    Reply
    1. John Hart

      Look at the comments field in YouTube. Those buttons are being massacred. Cat out of bag already.

      Understand I’m not arguing for a classic shift. Buttons can be cool if designed right. This ain’t. Need no hands on to tell.

      The beauty of a classic shift is that EVERYTHING is in the same place. If you must break that design make FORWARD and REVERSE and PARK and NEUTRAL the same button.

      Push it one way and a downward arrow illuminates. Push it the other and a forward arrow illuminates. Both in the dashboard and on the button.

      The button would toggle. It’s start position would be PARK. Start the car with your foot on the brake and you’d now be in NEUTRAL. Push the top of the toggle inward and you’d click into DRIVE. Push the bottom of the toggle inward and you’d switch to REVERSE.

      Something like that. But not this.

      Reply
      1. John Hart

        oh crap. the timer screwed me. ignore above comment

        Reply
  6. Pudnucker

    The previous gen looked ridiculous to me with those huge boxy shoulder pad wheel wells. I will wait to see how looks in person for final judgement, but the styling looks very competent in photos.

    I’m not ready to hate the shifter before I use it, or hear about people having actual problems using it, but I am concerned about the ergonomics.

    Reply
  7. John

    I would totally take this over the current Terrain in a heartbeat. A total design win for GMC, bravo.

    Reply
  8. D Brady

    Are they planning an Acadia XL? New Acadia is too small and new Traverse is disappointing looking. They should have taken the Tahoe/Silverado front instead of it looking like an Equinox. And why is the word Traverse so high up on the door?

    Reply
  9. Jonathan

    Good product; but the new Traverse is a bit more beautiful

    Reply
  10. J Mac

    Design looks great. Much better than current. I don’t understand the flap about the push button shifter and I think all the extra room in the console is great. You put the thing in drive and go. No one is off roading these things and if you need to downshift for a downhill it’s just a button away. The only thing you lose if the extra armrest better known as the shift handle.

    Reply
  11. Tony

    Definitely “ugly”, especially the front nose. The headlights look like a sockpuppet’s mouth or a can opener blade – either way they’re pretty aesthetically unpleasant. Would’ve looked much, MUCH better with something like GMC Canyon’s front design (which doesn’t have ‘YUGE gaps between headlights and grille). And the “floating roof” side profile looks shamelessly stolen from Nissan Murano. Pretty lazy design, though people will still buy those in droves just because of all discounts that will be available for 2019+ model years of this thing.

    Reply
  12. gpart

    No big, boxy fenders = WIN!

    Reply
  13. m

    Have any of these “Hot or Not” polls ever swung to the ‘ugly” side? Or even the “i’m not sure” choice?

    I’m beginning to wonder if you could put anything in front of a person and they’ll find it hot.

    The new Terrain is “meh” at best.

    Reply
  14. m

    Should have been a baby Acadia.

    Reply
  15. Miath

    Like the Acadia they screw the front end ,,I was at the dealer the Oder day the salesman said the same thing ,,

    Reply
  16. Emmy

    Is anyone here in a position to recommend Wireless Vibrators? Cheers xox

    Reply

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