Test Drive: 2019 GMC Terrain Denali proves good things come in small packages

The 2019 GMC Terrain Denali has a chiseled presence.

The 2019 GMC Terrain Denali has a chiseled...

Photo by Contributed Photo /Times Free Press.

The 2019 GMC Terrain Denali is posh and polished.

In fact, we can't imagine a more refined compact SUV than the top-trim Terrain, with its commanding presence and sumptuous interior. After a fresh hand-wash, this is a vehicle you'll love driving to a steak dinner on Gunbarrel Road or to a soccer friendly at Camp Jordan.

Spoil sports might point out that you get what you pay for, and at $43,550, the Terrain Denali simply delivers on its hefty price tag. But there's always the option of buying a lesser-equipped Terrain with the same bones and fewer frills.

In Denali trim, the Terrain has become the 21st-century equivalent of a luxury car. Twenty years ago the same buyers might have sprung for an entry-level Lexus or Infiniti automobile. But the bias toward SUVs is so great today, that a tricked out crossover is the new luxury sedan.

Integrity Buick GMC on International Drive in Chattanooga had three 2019 GMC Terrains in digital inventory late this week, including one Denali. There were several remaining 2018 models at the dealership as well.

WHAT IS IT?

The 2019 GMC Terrain Denali is a five-passenger compact SUV that's a well-dressed cousin of the Chevy Equinox. It comes in four trim levels: SL, SLE, SLT and Denali. The Denali trim includes such upgrades as 19-inch wheels, a heated steering wheel, an 8-inch touch screen, LED lights and leather interior. The Terrain was last redesigned for the 2018 model year.

DRIVING IMPRESSIONS

Our tester, provided for a one-week test drive by GMC, has a 2.0-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine that makes 252 horsepower. A smaller, 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine (170 hp) is available in cheaper trims. Our tester pulls up to 3,500 pounds. A diesel engine option is also available.

We found the 2.0-liter to have plenty of pick-up for our daily, mountain commute. Also, we loved sinking into the deeply padded, leather-covered seats. GM has nailed that fact that seat comfort sells cars.

THINGS WE LOVED

Dual chrome exhausts, comfy back seats, platinum and taupe interior colors, the distinctive grille, the padded steering wheel, Bose stereo and 10-spoke wheels.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

We aren't fans of switches (instead of a gear lever) for reverse, neutral and drive. Some will object to the lack of a sun/moon roof.

WORTHWHILE OPTIONS

GM is being dinged in some quarters for making some safety tech features expensive options. For example, even on in Denali trim our Terrain has about $745 in safety upgrades including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward collision alert, surround vision and automatic parking assist. We'd suggest writing the check for these potentially life-saving upgrades.

BOTTOM LINE

GM sells 80,000 to 110,000 GMC Terrains per year, so it must be doing something right. We think customers appreciate the high-end features and bold styling available to them at a variety of price points.

Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6645. Follow him on Twitter @TFPCOLUMNIST. Subscribe to his Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/mkennedycolumnist.

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