General Motors pulled the sheets on the refreshed 2022 GMC Terrain last March, introducing a number of critical changes and updates. Among these is a new standard urethane steering wheel.
Note: 2022 GMC Terrain SLT pictured here.
Previously, the 2021 GMC Terrain was equipped as standard with a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Now, however, the 2022 GMC Terrain features a new urethane steering wheel as standard for the base-model SLE trim.
Notably, similar updates were put in place with the 2021 GMC Acadia and 2021 Chevy Blazer, both of which replaced the standard leather steering wheel of the previous 2020 model year with new urethane units for the 2021 model year.
Note: 2022 GMC Terrain AT4 pictured here.
The GMC Terrain nameplate was originally set for a refresh for the 2021 model year, but due to delays stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, the model refresh was pushed back to the 2022 model year. Now, the 2022 GMC Terrain introduces a long list of changes, starting with the deletion of the base-model SL trim level, making the SLE the new base-model trim for the 2022 model year. The rest of the trim level lineup (listed from low to high) includes the SLT, the off-roader AT4, and the range-topping Denali.
The 2022 GMC Terrain is also notable for the introduction of a disable switch for the model’s automatic engine stop-start feature. Automatic engine stop-start reduces fuel consumption and emissions by automatically stopping the engine when the vehicle is stopped, then restarting the engine when the driver removes their foot from the brake. However, some critics complain that the feature is disruptive.
Note: 2022 GMC Terrain AT4 pictured here.
The 2022 GMC Terrain also features a host of technology goodies, such as SiriusXM Satellite radio as standard, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The crossover also comes with a new head up display.
The 2022 GMC Terrain starts at $29,095 in the U.S., including a $1,195 destination charge. Production takes place at the GM San Luis Potosi factory in Mexico.
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Comments
Nothing says cheap pos like a urethane steering wheel. Typically reserved for vinyl seat work trucks.
No GMC outside a base 2wd work truck with no options should have a urethane wheel. Gm continues to cut costs, disappoint and lose market share.
youre correct except on the very last point.
I haven’t seen them gain market share. Their market share is going down, but they are still making profits due to the savings of cheaping out on their vehicles. That will bite them in the future. They used to fight for 1st place in truck sales, now they’re fighting for 2nd place.
It fascinating to me how everybody so biased against GM that nobody even considers that it might be just the another consequences of the numerous supply chain problem.
This is not the place to save money. On the 2021 Acadia you don’t get the leather wheel until you go the the SLT. If they want to cheap out at least make the leather wheel a stand alone option.
it’s not for the economy, but for the respect of the animals
If it was respect for the animals they would offer a high quality synthetic wheel, not leather on high trims and cheapo urethane on all other trims.
I’m sure they’ll try to spin it that way because it’s cheaper than actually putting a quality part in.
Most cars and trucks that are not anything but the base model has them. Most people won’t probably notice it because from what i have seen most people don’t take care of the leather on the steering wheel. Many i seen even my friends steering wheels are shinny and dirty. ILeather steering wheels should not be shinny it means they are dirty or have a wax on them which is bad.
Agreed. Plus urethane hides scratches and wear a lot better than leather.
I have a urethane wheel in my work vehicle. It’s acceptable because it’s a work vehicle, but it’s very obvious how cheap they are. It’s basically the only thing you touch while driving your vehicle and I assure you, it’s very noticable. Cheaping out on the lower half of a door panel isn’t that noticeable. The steering wheel is always right in front of you in your line of site and you’re basically always holding it and using it.
⁷50k vehicle with plastic steering wheel! What’s next , steel wheels and solid axles? I can hardly wait for crank down windows and vent windows ( remember those?) Instead of ac. They’ll claim it’s ecofriendly.
Most people ( and manufacturers) don’t think about it, but the steering wheel is such an important touch point. It’s essentially the first thing people touch besides the door handle and urethane steering wheel says cheap to the average person. Dropping the leather wheel is a big mistake. Never realized the importance of a wheel until one of my salesman made that statement. The wheel sets the tone for the vehicle.
GM’s urethane steering wheels are garbage. My 2006 Chevrolet Impala LT had a urethane wheel. It started showing wear and fading in the 10 and 2 positions after only 2 years. Finally covered it with a black leather Wheelskins stitched steering wheel cover and it was much better.
This is another pointless cost cutting measure by GM and just shows they are heading in the wrong direction. If they are doing this kind of thing in the areas customers can visibly see, imagine what they are probably doing in the areas you cannot see.
they’re dropping the base models all over to focus limited production on more profitable models, so there shouldn’t have been a need for the base urethane wheel. My guess is this is another one the accountants won over the customers – probably had a lot of leftover inventory, or maybe some contracts with the urethane supplier that, sadly, they felt was more important. Especially sad they’re doing this from GMC, which is marketed as a step-up from Chevrolet, shouldn’t even be a base model.
Getting less for your dollar. Great strategy!
Welcome to the Automotive Industry in 2021.
Especially the American ones.
Pay more and get less.
We seriously need 20% Interest rates to make a return and crash this corrupt party.
It’s more a GM thing than the other manufactures. The list of GM models I’d buy gets shorter and shorter every year. I’ve never owned a Ford but I’ve been really impressed with them lately.
If you can find a dealer that even pays lip service to honoring the Ford factory warranty, good luck.
Not that I don’t mind the increase in gas mileage of my 2020 SLE due to a reduction of 400 lbs. of car starting in 2018 now they cheapen the car more by dropping the leather wheel. I wish that the savings to GM by dropping 400 lbs. of materials used in producing the car was passed on to the consumer, greed kicks in more by giving us a cheap steering wheel. I love my Terrain but am losing respect of GMC for its roughshod respect to consumers. Like most automakers now charging extra $500 for paint options making only one color as a suggested list price! Thank goodness white is my favorite color so no extra charge. Figures don’t lie but liars do figure GMC! I will keep my lease at end of term rather than possibly moving into a cheaper made Terrain!
Were the professional grade as advertised on the GMC tv commercials!!! Oh I forgot it’s in the other manufacturers!!!
Wow, how exciting, I’m gonna rush out and get one today! Must be a slow news day at GM A, when this topic seems to be news worthy. Yawn.
It’s almost like GM is trying to kill off the Terrain. First they delete the 2.0t, then they replace the leather steering wheel on the most popular trim. What next? Will they delete the aluminum wheels?
⁷50k vehicle with plastic steering wheel! What’s next , steel wheels and solid axles? I can hardly wait for crank down windows and vent windows ( remember those?) Instead of ac. They’ll claim it’s ecofriendly.
I agree gm is doing a good job I always thought the terrain was popular specially in Denali trim and 2.0 l nice vehicle best of both worlds 3500 lbs towing capacity and still nice looking cross over now 1.5 for 2022 1500 towing capacity well it still looks nice dont want to be to negative
HAS EVERYONE forgotten the 90’s and 2000’s ? GM and FORD built THE UGLIEST interiors on their cars and wrapping a steering in leather did absolutely NO good. At least the interiors on today’s cars have some flair and style. YEAH it’s a cheap maneuver dropping the leather wrapped steering wheel but that’s an easy fix. AT LEAST the rest of the interior looks great. GO BACK 20+ years and you almost don’t even want half the cars, leather wrapped steering wheel or not !
Honestly how much are they saving and is it worth. Premium brand to offer a polyurethane steering wheel,doesn’t shout premium!
Is it too much to ask to see a picture of this new steering wheel? Maybe beside the leather wrapper version.
Sad and pathetic but so typical of lower case gm. All they are doing is setting this and the Equinox to be future rental queens. There is nothing special about them and gm has taken away the few perks they had like the 2.0t engine, optional diesel power, std leather wheel in all trims and the sliding second row rear seat. I’ll bet they don’t even have the sense to bundle the leather wheel in the convenience package. The current Equinox LT bundles the leather wheel that way so did they eliminate it there too?
After seeing that the 2022 GMC Terrain is still using the same ugly looking body from 2018, I prefer keeping my 2015 GMC Terrain SLE (which has a longer 112.5″ wheelbase, a nice floor shift instead of push buttons to go forward and reverse) and does not need a switch to disable the automatic engine stop/start feature (which I don’t want in the first place) .