Noise, Ride & Handling

A defining attribute of GM's latest crossovers is improved noise insulation. Road and wind noise are hushed, leaving the cabin exceptionally quiet — at least until you hit a bump. The suspension isn't a particularly quiet one — it responds to potholes and expansion joints with loud, echoing noises — and, as we noted in the Equinox review, some may find the ride too firm overall.

The steering wheel turns with light effort at low speeds; it firms up progressively as you reach highway speeds, but I still found it a bit loose at 70 mph. Take an off-ramp quickly, and the Terrain has carlike resistance to body roll. Unfortunately, patches of rough pavement belie any cornering confidence: Steering response becomes sloppy, giving the Terrain a floaty sensation of being disconnected from the road. It reminds me more of traditional truck-based SUVs than car-based crossovers, to which the Terrain and its Chevy cohort belong.

    See also:

    Underbody Maintenance
    Use plain water to flush dirt and debris from the vehicle's underbody. Your dealer or an underbody car washing system can do this. If not removed, rust and corrosion can develop. ...

    Heated Mirrors
    For vehicles with heated mirrors: (Rear Window Defogger): Press to heat the mirrors. If the vehicle has a towing mirror, only the upper glass of the mirror is heated. The lower convex part of the to ...

    Tire Rotation
    Tires should be rotated every 12 000 km (7,500 mi). See Maintenance Schedule on page 11‑3. Tires are rotated to achieve a uniform wear for all tires. The first rotation is the most important. ...