In the 2013 GMC Terrain Denali, the 3.6-liter V-6 engine makes 301 hp at 6500 rpm and 272 lb-ft of torque at 4800 rpm, easily besting the 2012 Terrain’s outgoing 3.0-liter rated at 264 hp at 6950 rpm and just 222 lb-ft of torque at 5100 rpm. Fuel economy for the 2013 Terrain Denali is said to equal that of the 2012 model with the outgoing six, which is EPA rated at 16/23 mpg city/highway with all-wheel drive and 17/24 mpg in front-drive form. The Terrain Denali is also available with the 2.4-liter engine for those who don’t want or need the extra power and are looking for more style and better fuel economy.
With the Denali trim somewhat popular on the larger Acadia crossover, it’s no surprise to see Denali migrate to the smaller Terrain.
“Denali is growing fast,” said Tony DiSalle, U.S. vice president of GMC Marketing. “With seven different models, sales for this brand within a brand increased 79 percent from 2010 to 2011.”
The 2013 GMC Terrain Denali also gets dual-flow dampers found on no other Terrain trim (yet). Four-cylinder Terrain Denalis get 18-inch wheels, while 19-inchers are saved for the V-6 model. Models with both powertrains get the honeycomb-style grille we’ve come to know from the Denali trim, plus satin chrome accents, slightly revised headlight and taillight designs, and chrome exhaust outlets (one on the 2.4L model, two on the 3.6L model).
So the crossover’s got a bit more curb appeal. Step inside and the Terrain Denali and you’ll be greeted with plenty of badges (including a Denali illuminated front sill plates), a leather-wrapped steering wheel with smoked mahogany wood accents, power front seats, and a soft-touch instrument panel with French stitching.
Features introduced in the 2012 model year to the Terrain like GMC’s IntelliLink touch-screen infotainment system that can stream internet radio apps, forward collision alert, and the lane departure warning system are standard on the 2013 Terrain Denali. A programmable power liftgate is also standard equipment, though the navigation and rear-seat entertainment systems are extra. Pricing will be announced closer to the crossover’s third-quarter 2012 on-sale date. A 2012 GMC Terrain AWD SLT-2 with a V-6 already runs $35,335 including destination while a base-model 2012 Cadillac SRX is $36,360.
