GMC has been hard at work outfitting its lineup with the rugged AT4 trim, starting with its Sierra 1500 and Sierra HD trucks, and working its way down to the crossovers. The final vehicle to get the automaker's off-road treatment is the compact 2022 GMC Terrain. GMC has revealed the changes it has made to the 2022 Terrain which includes bolder styling on every Terrain trim (SLE, SLT, Denali, and new AT4), GMC's Pro Safety suite of advanced driver-assist features, and upgrades to the vehicle's interior and tech. Something shoppers won't find in the refreshed Terrain, however, is a more powerful engine.
The most notable addition to the 2022 GMC Terrain is the first-ever AT4 trim for the model. The goal of the GMC's AT4 lineup is to create distinct vehicles that blend premium refinement and comfort with a more rugged design to attract buyers that value the outdoor lifestyle. Exterior details across GMC's AT4 models include a black chrome grille, fog light surrounds, and rear appliques. Inside, AT4 vehicles get minor aesthetic upgrades like authentic aluminum decor and premium fabric colors.
Outfitted with the AT4 trim, the 2022 Terrain stands out with a front steel skid plate and Goodyear Sport Terrain tires for enhanced off-road capability. The rest of the Terrain lineup gets a bolder exterior with a redesigned front fascia, new grille, new LED headlights and taillights, and fresh 18" and 19" wheel designs.
Inside the 2022 Terrain, drivers will notice new interior trim and fabrics, standard Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and built-in Amazon Alexa. The AT4 trim, along with the SLT trim can be had with GMC's new Head-Up Display which also comes standard on the top-tier Denali. In addition to the new HUD, all Terrain models offer standard safety tech as part of GMC's suite of 6 advanced driver-assist features: Automatic Emergency braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking, Following Distance Indicator, and IntelliBeam.
As far as performance specs are concened, not much will change for the 2022 GMC Terrain. In previous model years, the Terrain had a peppy turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder which produced 252 horsepower as an option, but GMC axed it in 2021. The 2022 Terrain returns with just one engine, a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that's good for 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. This engine limits the SUV's towing capacity to a modest 1,500 lbs.
Although the 2022 Terrain is bolder and more tech-savvy, its engine could become its Achilles heel. Many competitors offer more engine options and horsepower, and some are also targeting outdoor enthusiasts. Take the Mazda CX-5 for example. The crossover's base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The CX-5 also gets an available 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with up to 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque.
The Toyota RAV4 which comes in rugged Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims has a 203-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood. The TRD Off-Road can tow over double the weight of the Terrain with a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs.
GMC says the AT4 trim has helped attract buyers to the brand and boost vehicle sales. The Sierra pickup showed a sales growth of 14% year-over-year in 2019 when the AT4 trim was introduced. Will the addition of the AT4 also give a boost to the 2022 Terrain? We'll have to wait for it to arrive at dealerships in the summer of 2021 to find out.
