Millennial Mom’s Review: 2022 GMC Terrain Denali (2024)

Albert Einstein said “Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler.”

The 2022 GMC Terrain is refreshed with a bunch of new technology — albeit not new to other vehicles — incorporated into this model, but it stays simple (more on that in a bit). Meanwhile, for those who have hesitations about sleeping in the great outdoors, glamping is the next best thing, providing a little more comfort, such as hydro and a bed, but still staying fairly simple — just not as simple as full-on camping.

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In other words, both the Terrain and glamping are as simple as possible, but not simpler, and as such, we put the two of them together for a road trip to Long Point Eco-Adventures.

Slightly over-packed (it’s hard to pack simply or lightly, due to unpredictable Canadian weather) and ready for a night of glamping, I headed out. The tested Denali is the top trim that starts at $41,598; it’s $1,000 more than the 2021 Denali but considering the refresh and some added features, it’s a fair increase in price (compare both model years). New-for-2022 is the added AT4 trim that starts at $36,198 and includes some off-road features such as a front steel skid plate.

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Despite over-packing for a one-night trip, the cargo space was way more than enough. By the numbers, it’s a bit less space than competing SUVs, but you wouldn’t be able to tell just by looking at it. The true test would be over-packing for a family of five, but I didn’t get the chance to do that this time around.

The driver’s seat was comfy for the long ride, and seating in the second row is spacious enough to squeeze in my three car seats. If you don’t need car seats, and don’t have a giant in the driver’s seat, a couple humans of average height will comfortably fit back there, with the option of a slight recline. For comparison, the Terrain’s 1,008 mm of rear legroom is a bit more than the Toyota RAV4, but a bit less than the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson. The 60-40-split back seats, as well as the front passenger’s seat, can be folded down flat for added storage space, or an IKEA-sized trip.

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Compare the specs of the GMC Terrain to the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V

The 2022 GMC Terrain Denali has a head-up display (HUD) that clearly displays a ton of details such as speed, navigation, and music info. I questioned why the HUD projects onto a little plastic pop-up screen rather than onto the windshield, especially since other GMC models use the windshield. Whether it’s a matter of cost or simplicity, GMC says customers will appreciate that the HUD does its job well, and to that, I can agree. I also appreciate that the HUD is really easy to adjust with a couple buttons to the left of the steering wheel, as opposed to other brands that have it several layers deep into a touchscreen menu.

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The HUD and a few other features are being showcased by GMC as new tech in the Terrain. It’s important to note that while it’s all pretty cool, it’s nothing ground-breaking, but rather, it’s just new to the Terrain. In fact, there are even many GMCs that use the same or similar features — such as OnStar.

GM and OnStar recently made headlines when customers in the U.S. were charged a mandatory fee of $1,500 for OnStar, despite it being an optional item. GM Canada has confirmed that’s not the case north of the border, unless you’re a Cadillac customer. It’s still an optional item for the Terrain and customers have the option of several packages, one giving access to wi-fi in the vehicle, which could come in handy on long drives with kids. It’s also simple to jump to a screen that allows you to change the wi-fi password. The mom in me is itching to change it as punishment for when a kid doesn’t listen.

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Many SUVs are given the title of “family vehicle” and size-wise, that’s generally a valid statement. However, every once in a while, an auto brand really understands the assignment, and in the GMCs, it’s the Teen Driver feature that gets an A+ for being a tattletale. Again, this isn’t new for GMC, but it’s still a really awesome and simple feature for families. There is a designated key fob that belongs to the teen driver, in which certain settings are activated, such as a volume limit, speed limiter, and a “buckle to drive” function. What’s more is that you can view a report card of the teen’s drive that will indicate distance driven, overspeed warnings, number of times the accelerator pedal was floored, and more.

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Another new feature in the Terrain, but again, not new to many other vehicles, is the adaptive cruise control. I tested it on Highway 403, which wasn’t too busy, but busy enough to really feel it in action. The drive is smooth when coasting at one speed, but when the flowing traffic stops, the SUV brakes rather oddly; it’s not quite jerky, but it isn’t as smooth as it could be. And if you’re trying to pick up speed quickly, don’t. It’s just not going to happen. On a wide open stretch, possibly the 407, adaptive cruise control might be great, but on this busier highway, anxiety quickly got the best of me when a car cut me off and I slammed on the brakes rather than giving the feature a true testing moment.

While the Terrain does have many new family-friendly features, it’s missing the heated and ventilated front seats — as are many GM vehicles, due to the microchip shortage. On the pricing summary, it’s clearly stated that GMC has credited the customer $50, which seems like a minimal amount in the grand scheme of paying over $40,000 for the SUV. GM has decided to continue selling its products without this feature, with the intention of retrofitting it free of charge when the chips are available. That said, if you buy a Terrain today, you likely won’t be getting those heated seats in time to keep your bum toasty during the coming winter months.

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Is there a hybrid or electric Terrain model coming soon?

GM’s goal is to go fully electric. There may not be any specific plans set in place to confirm a hybrid or electric Terrain in the next couple years, but if EVs are the future, then it’s safe to say some form of electric SUV will appear eventually — whether it’s the Terrain or something all-new is anyone’s guess.

Until then, the Terrain’s fuel consumption is a tiny bit higher than some of its competitors, but not significantly (unless there’s already a hybrid version, such as the RAV4). The Terrain has an average combined fuel consumption of 9.0 L/100 km, 8.3 highway, and 9.6 city.

5 other simple features in the 2022 GMC Terrain Denali

1. Wireless phone charger — I like that the charging area is small and takes up minimal room. GMC says it’s placed specifically to keep your phone in one place and away from being a distraction. Keep in mind, bigger phones won’t fit into the tight rubber squeeze.
2. Climate controls — I will always and forever love the climate controls, which I spoke highly of when I drove the Chevrolet Traverse! However, I fear that these buttons won’t be around for long, as they take up space and companies seem to be leaning toward a more minimalist look, meaning minimal buttons and a far more distracting screen. Kudos to GMC for not falling into that trap (yet).
3. Flip-down visor — Sure, all vehicles have this simple feature, most that house a mirror when flipped down. However, not all vehicles have one that looks like a cute little vanity mirror.
4. Sunroof — It’s huge and really has the ability to brighten up the entire space, but costs an extra $1,685.
5. Infotainment interface — The infotainment is extremely intuitive; I love how easy it is to jump from wireless Apple CarPlay to the vehicle’s main interface.

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The 2022 GMC Terrain is filled with simple features that make everyday routines a bit simpler. Another advantage is that it’s still relatively easy to find at dealerships, for now; shoppers looking for a Tucson or RAV4 may be in for a bit of wait, while the Terrain is a simple option that’s ready to go and get the job done.

Similarly, for non-campers like myself, glamping provides an alternative to camping, while still getting your fill of the night sky lit up with tons of stars, including a clear view of the Big Dipper, a campfire ready for s’mores, as well as a bed filled with pillows that’s almost as comfy as a hotel bed.

It’s as simple as possible, but not simpler.