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:

    Antilock Brake System (ABS)
    This vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS), an advanced electronic braking system that helps prevent a braking skid. When the engine is started and the vehicle begins to drive away, ABS check ...

    Power Liftgate 3/4 Mode
    To program the liftgate opening height: 1. Turn the liftgate switch to either the MAX , or the 3/4 mode position and power open the liftgate. 2. Stop the liftgate movement at the desired height by ...

    Extended Cab
    On vehicles with a sunroof, the sunroof only operates when the ignition is in the ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN or the Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is active. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP) on page ...