2012 GMC Terrain

Bolstered by its good fuel economy and new available features, the Terrain is a solid competitor in the small-SUV segment. The Terrain, which shares a platform with the Chevrolet Equinox, comes with a choice of two efficient but not exceptional direct-injected engines -- a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that gets 32 mpg on the highway in front-wheel-drive models and a 264-hp, 3.0-liter V-6 that can run on E85 fuel. The most notable change to the Terrain's lineup for the 2012 model year is the addition of IntelliLink, which could be compared to Ford's Sync system, in that it is a touch-screen interface for devices such as iPods and Bluetooth phones and enables them to be controlled via voice activation. Using a Bluetooth phone to connect to the internet, drivers can stream music from two audio services, Stitcher SmartRadio or Pandora. The Terrain's cabin is tastefully appointed and features plenty of cubbyholes for storage. It also has a second-row seat that slides fore and aft about eight inches so you can choose to have either maximum rear legroom or maximum storage in the cargo hold. Of course, it also folds flat. The Terrain is larger than many of its competitors, however, so storage shouldn't be an issue.