2022 GMC Terrain vs 2021 GMC Yukon

The 2021 GMC Yukon was a full-size SUV that balanced ruggedness with refinement, positioning itself between Chevrolet and Cadillac in the General Motors lineup. Available in various trims, including the new AT4 designed for off-road adventures, the Yukon offered a blend of substance and style. The Denali trim, in particular, stood out with its exclusive dashboard design, real wood trim, leather-wrapped panels, and unique interior stitching, making it more upscale than its Chevrolet Tahoe counterpart. However, the high price tag, especially with the Denali Ultimate option package, raised questions about the value of some of its premium features.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level featured a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels, and sport-terrain tires, aiming to appeal to those seeking a small off-road SUV. Despite its rugged appearance, the Terrain's interior quality and execution left something to be desired, especially given its price point. The pushbutton transmission controls and narrow storage tray were notable oversights, and the overall cabin did not fully reflect GMC's "craftsmanship at its finest" claim.

The 2021 GMC Yukon offered three engine options, with the Denali trim featuring a 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine. This engine provided robust acceleration and a satisfying V8 burble, but fuel economy was not its strong suit, averaging 14.4 mpg on a testing loop. The Yukon also featured an independent rear suspension and an available Four-Corner Air Ride suspension, improving ride quality and handling. However, the 22-inch wheels and 275/50 tires made pavement irregularities more noticeable. The Yukon Denali's Active Response 4WD system, with its electronic limited-slip differential and Traction Select driving modes, enhanced its cornering performance and traction.

The 2022 GMC Terrain, on the other hand, came with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. While this engine offered decent performance, it lacked the acceleration and towing capacity of the previously available 2.0-liter engine. The nine-speed automatic transmission helped keep the Terrain in its torque band, but the SUV struggled with rapid acceleration. The Terrain AT4's 7.9 inches of ground clearance and sport-terrain tires provided a good ride on pavement but fell short off-road. The Terrain's fuel economy was a bright spot, achieving 26.2 mpg on the evaluation loop.

The 2021 GMC Yukon benefited from a new independent rear suspension, significantly improving passenger and cargo space. The front seats, while heated and ventilated, lacked a massage function and became uncomfortable during long drives. The second-row seats slid and collapsed to fold flat, enhancing comfort and cargo room. The third-row seat offered actual thigh support, making it suitable for adults. Cargo volume was impressive, with up to 122.9 cubic feet of space in the standard Yukon and 144.7 cubic feet in the Denali XL.

The 2022 GMC Terrain provided a roomy interior for a compact crossover, with power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The back seat was spacious, offering good support and legroom. The Terrain's cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The front passenger seat could also fold down for longer items. However, the storage tray forward of the cupholders was disappointingly narrow.

The 2021 GMC Yukon Denali with the Ultimate Package offered a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system. The Rear Seat Media system with dual 12.6-inch touchscreen displays was a hit with kids, though it required some trial and error to stream content. The Yukon also featured a 15-inch color head-up display, a rear camera mirror, and multiple surround-view camera vantage points.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came with either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, depending on the trim. The larger screen included connected navigation, improved voice recognition, and a Bose premium sound system. The voice recognition system was particularly impressive, accurately responding to various prompts. The Terrain also offered a head-up display, front and rear park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system. However, the Bose speakers and the head-up display's clear plastic panel were less impressive.

The 2021 GMC Yukon came equipped with numerous advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. Starting with SLT trim, the Yukon added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Denali trim included adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The ADAS worked smoothly and subtly, making them more likely to be used rather than turned off.

The 2022 GMC Terrain featured the GMC Pro Safety Package as standard, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following distance indicator. The GMC Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, rear parking sensors, and a Safety Alert Seat. The Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from the IIHS, though it earned a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain's crashworthiness at the time of the review.