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Quick Drive review of the 2013 GMC Terrain Denali

Car Reviews

Quick Drive review of the 2013 GMC Terrain Denali

2013 GMC Terrain Denali review by txGarage

2013 GMC Terrain Denali review by txGarage

The Terrain has been a great success for GMC in the past few years, and now GMC is ready to up the anti. They’re bringing the prestige of the Denali nameplate to the Terrain in hopes to carry over the luxury name’s success with many other products. For GMC, the Denali brand makes up anywhere from 30% up to 45% of sales. This is an outstanding number as Denali is a relatively new brand within a brand.

We had the chance to jump into the 2013 GMC Terrain Denali during the media rounds before the State Fair this year, and we quite liked the touches that Denali has brought to the already great Terrain. So how much bang do you get for your extra buck?

For 2013, if you opt for the Denali trim, you get unique and exclusive 18-inch and 19-inch wheels, an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, side-blind zone alert and rear cross traffic alert – guided by radar technology, and lots of unique styling and interior touches.

On the outside of the Terrain Denali, you get a premium chrome grille, body-color fascias and rocker moldings, satin-chrome accents, specific headlamp and taillamp design, and dual chrome-finish exhaust outlets.

Inside, you’ll expect a more upscale cabin that includes highlighted soft-touch leather and contrasting stitching. You also get the red accent lighting that matches the Denali branding theme. Trim throughout the cabin is now an smoked mahogany wood. You’ll have Denali logos embossed into the front setbacks, Denali illuminated front sill plates, and a sunroof comes standard in Denali trim.

The Denali Terrain also comes with more technology and safeties, including a forward collision alert system and a lane departure warning system. These are radar-guided systems that provide the driver with some of the most advanced safety technology at a more affordable price.

Under the hood in the 2013 Terrain, you’ll also find what was lacking with the previous models; power. You now have the option of GM’s 3.6-liter V6 pushing 301-horsepower and 272-lb ft. of torque. This makes for a much more competent SUV that can get up and go when needed. GMC had some fun with this new engine as they drag-raced it in the parking lot of their plant against a V6 Dodge Challenger. Needless to say the Terrain won. Not that this is what the consumer would want to utilize this power for, but it really proves a point when considering a maneuver on a busy highway, or passing someone on a country road here in Texas.

When Toby Marlow reviewed the 2011 GMC Terrain last year and took it on a road trip to Port Aransas, he was more than pleased with its overall characteristics. Now in Denali trim, you get what’s great about the Terrain in a more elegant and luxurious package.

Adam was one of the founding members of txGarage back in 2007 when he worked for a Suzuki dealership in Dallas, TX. He is now our Publisher and Editor-in-Chief. He's always been into cars and trucks and has extensive knowledge on both. Check Adam out on twitter @txgarage.

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