Chevrolet Equinox 2LT and GMC Terrain Denali

2013 Equinox 2LT

2013 GMC Terrain Denali

Recently I was given the pleasure of driving both the Chevrolet Equinox 2 LT and the GMC Terrain Denali and considering they are on the same platform I thought I could compare what is different about them.

 
Let’s start with the physical appearance of these SUV's. They only share the same platforms, which mean that underneath they are virtually identical. But the way they look, you would never know that.

 
The Equinox has a very soft and appealing look to it with its nice curvy fenders and gentle face. While the Terrain has a more aggressive look, sporting the surly looking fender arches and some hard straight lines to grab your attention. What a great idea, I know I preferred the Terrain while my wife prefer the Equinox, this way GM can give the buyers what they want.

 
Now, the beauty of these two is more than just skin deep, they were designed to be some of the safest small SUVs on the market today. Because GM knows that safety is a key issue when you plan on carrying your most valuable cargo with you (your loved ones), and as far as crash test ratings go they don't get much better according to NHTSA. They gave them a 5 star-top of the class. I like to refer to these vehicles as driving a roll cage with pillows throughout...because if something happens all of the bad stays on the outside while you are wrapped in a cocoon of marshmallow softness.

 
GM went to town on this design. Also offered is a lane departure and forward collision alert system that helps out. This is about as safe as you get when you’re looking for a vehicle in this class.

 
Now, as we wander into the interiors you will note that they share similarities in the way things are laid out-from the center stack right through to the rear cargo area. The center stack is laid out almost perfect for most drivers.

 
Everything is pretty logical with the ChevyMyLink/GMCIntellilink sitting high atop with the 7" touchscreen that can show you everything from maps to your phone numbers to your choice of artist and radio stations. Best of all with the new systems is you can activate them by voice and keep your eyes on the road! The screen also serves as a backup camera, basically it is like your rear-view mirror just lower, but I was disappointed that there were no directional lines on it.

 
Below that you will find some very easy to use climate controls and a couple of buttons to heat up your tushy. At the very bottom are the driver control functions that can change everything in your readout on the driver information center located between the tachometer and the speedometer.

 
Below all of the buttons is a CD player that you can hardly see, I figure they are hiding it so people don't miss it when they disappear soon...who listens to CD's anymore?

 
Further down you will find a huge opening for whatever you might want, continue back from there and you find two cup holders and the shifter all right where you would want them. Wander back a bit farther and you find the mother of all storage bins, this thing can swallow a laptop if need be, also inside is the ports for your media player and a power supply is there too.

 
What I did find different between the two is the layout of the dashes. Although I really enjoyed the two tone in the Equinox with the Titanium/Jet-black combo it lost me when it came to the instrument cluster. The gauges were a bit difficult to read in the deep pods they were placed in. The Terrain had a great color accent stitching theme going on and the gauges were a lot better to read.

 
They both have some other unique differences such as the ambient lighting, the Chevrolet is done in a beautiful cool blue, and the GMC presents in a fiery red glow.

 
Passengers are treated to some very comfortable seating options as the front driver’s seat is an 8-way power adjustable, but the shotgun seat in the Equinox was not, it is available in the LTZ model though.

 

The rear seat slides fore and aft with a recline ability for the nappers. The space in both is great for four adults as all will enjoy plenty of room. Behind the rear seat you will find ample room again, and should you need a little more room the seats fold 60/40. Cover your cargo if you chose to, or put your grocery bags into a net that is provided so your milk doesn’t spill. They put a lot of thought into this. Right down to the power tailgate that you can program to go full or 3/4 height if you are in a lower garage are and need it open. You will also notice they have included a 12V plug in the rear for any tailgate parties you might be attending.

 
The power train in these compact crossovers were both the 3.6 L 301 HP and it was stout. I was able to run past just about everything but there was a few gas stations I needed to hit in the process. Although they are rated at 13.2 L/100KM (18mpg) city and 8.4 L/100KM highway I did about 12.9 L/100km and that was about half-city half-highway in both vehicles. To be fair, it was winter and they spent a lot of time warming up. I was thankful for the AWD system that worked quite well backed up by the 6-speed automatic transmission.

 
Over all, I don't think you could go wrong with either, I found the Equinox to be more like something I would buy my wife. I know that she found it quite charming and it was something that appealed to her.

 
For me, it was the Terrain, I liked the looks, I loved the red lighting inside, and I could see myself in one like this. What I didn't love was the price.

 

You can get into either for $26,900 but when you start putting options in them they shoot up fast. The Equinox will top out at about $44,900 whereas the Terrain Denali will take you even higher at $47,100....Ouch, quit it! That seems a bit steep for this market, but the consumers are buying them up so this may be the first time I am wrong in my life.

 In the end, they are both great SUVs and can do just about anything you ask. They are also some of the last small SUV's to offer a 6 cylinder engine. They are truly designed with the family in mind and I would have no problems recommending either of them.


Equinox was provided by Chevrolet Canada
Terrain was provided by GMC Canada