2011 GMC Terrain Overview Change Vehicle

This 2011 GMC Terrain review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2011 Terrain, and includes GMC Terrain safety, reliability, and fuel economy information.

In its sophomore year, the GMC Terrain is equipped with a new OnStar 9.0 telematics system featuring improved speech recognition capability designed to work better with regional dialects. The optional V6 engine is E85-compatible this year, and the Terrain can be painted in new Summit White or Steel Blue Metallic colors.

No matter which trim level you choose, the 2011 GMC Terrain comes extremely well equipped. Take, for instance, the base SLE model, which comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, automatic headlights, power heated side mirrors, and dark privacy glass for the rear windows. Inside, a CD player, an auxiliary audio input jack, a USB port, and satellite radio are standard. Other features included in the base price include cruise control, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, floor mats, and air conditioning. The Terrain SLE is also equipped with a Multi-Flex sliding rear seat for maximizing cargo or passenger space as necessary, an auto-dimming mirror with a reversing camera display embedded in the glass, a driver information center with a trip computer and outside temperature display, and soothing ambient lighting at night. The standard OnStar 9.0 telematics system includes six free months of service and comes with Automatic Crash Response, Emergency Services, and Turn-by-Turn Navigation capability.

The Terrain SLE can be upgraded to SLE2 trim, which provides automatic climate control, an upgraded Pioneer audio system, an eight-way power driver’s seat, Bluetooth, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a roof rack. GMC requires SLE2 trim if the buyer is interested in options such as navigation, a power sunroof, heated front seats, a rear-seat entertainment system, or equipment for towing a trailer. Bigger 18- and 19-inch wheels are also optional on the SLE2 model.

If you want leather seats, you need to upgrade to the Terrain SLT, which also comes with machined-face 18-inch wheels and remote engine starting. A power sunroof, a power liftgate programmable to rise to a specific height, rear park assist sensors, driver setting memory, and lots of extra chrome trim are included in the SLT2 Package. Other features available on the Terrain SLT and SL2 include 19-inch chrome wheels, a navigation system, a rear-seat entertainment system, and trailer towing equipment.

A 2.4-liter, 182-horsepower four-cylinder engine is standard on all Terrains. A six-speed automatic transmission sends power to the SUV’s front or all four wheels, producing gas mileage ratings of 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive and 20-city/29-highway with all-wheel drive.

A 3.0-liter, 264-horsepower V6 engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission is optional, and is E85-compatible for 2011. The V6 is recommended for towing, bumping capacity to 3,500 pounds. However, as might be expected, fuel economy ratings take a hit. The Terrain V6 gets 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive, and those numbers drop to a fairly dismal 16-city/22-highway with AWD.

Six airbags, antilock brakes, StabiliTrak stability and traction control, and a reversing camera come standard on the 2011 Terrain. The Terrain also includes OnStar Automatic Crash Notification and Emergency Services. If the Terrain’s airbags deploy, an OnStar operator can send rescue personnel to the SUV’s location even if nobody inside the vehicle can respond. Sometimes emergencies occur without an airbag deployment, and for these the Terrain’s emergency button contacts OnStar’s Emergency Services department to get help. These features only work if the Terrain’s owner is subscribed to OnStar service, so when the free six-month trial subscription ends, be sure to sign up if you want these features.

For 2011, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has toughened its testing procedures, making it harder for vehicles to get 5-Star crash-test ratings. Despite the new, more rigid parameters, the Terrain receives a 4-Star overall performance rating, achieving individual 5-Star ratings for the driver in a frontal-impact crash, for the rear passenger in a side-impact crash, and for the driver in the side pole test. All other assessments came in with 4-Star ratings.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) says the 2011 GMC Terrain is a Top Safety Pick thanks to its top-rated performance in the offset frontal-, side, and rear-impact test evaluations. The Terrain also received the highest possible rating for roof crush strength.

While the Terrain turns in an impressive performance on the safety front, reliability is not a strong suit, at least according to Consumer Reports and J.D. Power and Associates. Both companies expect the Terrain to prove less dependable than average over time, and the Terrain receives a below average rating in J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study.

The GMC Terrain is a hit, which means sometimes style is more important than substance. Vehix cannot recommend the Terrain because of below-average reliability predictions from Consumer Reports and J.D. Power and Associates, however, the appealing crossover SUV certainly is safe, well equipped, and a strong value. All GMC needs to do is infuse it with greater quality, and we’ll have no trouble at all pointing consumers in the direction of the local dealer.

By Christian Wardlaw