Let’s all hope that the bad news for General Motors has passed.

One of the possible small pieces of good news could be the all new GMC Terrain SUV. It joins the popular segment of “crossover” SUV models that provide the truck-like capabilities, and also offers a more car-like ride. The Terrian, and its sibling Chevy Equinox, will fill in for the former Envoy SUV that is now history.

There are three equipment levels and two engine choices; a base SE with front-wheel drive and a 2.4 liter direct-injection 4-cylinder engine at 182 horsepower. Optional is the 3-liter V-6 also with the much advanced direct-injection and delivering 264 horsepower. All start with front-wheel drive. An all-wheel drive is optional. The top of the Terrain lineup is the SLT-2. The only transmission is a new 6-speed automatic. Under the hood the engine sits sideways, which is typical of front-wheel drive vehicles.

The list of added cost optional accessories is short on the SLT-2, but gets longer the base model SL. All come with a rearview camera that is displayed in the left side of the rearview mirror. It is a much appreciated feature considering the lack of visibility backing up. I like the idea of also being able to see just a little of the rear bumper in the camera’s view. You see exactly how close you are to what’s back there.

I tested the SLT-1 with the standard 2.4 liter 4-cylinder engine and standard front-wheel drive. Added to the base price of $27,450 is the power sunroof at $795 and power programmable lift gate at $495, which are both useful. The cargo management package at $245 seems like a rip-off which gives the buyer a cargo cover, net and roof crossbars. It seems like an SUV should come with these. The Carbon Black Metallic paint was close to perfect but added another $195 to the final cost of $29,925, including the $745 delivery charge. But coming from the GM plant in Ingersoll, Canada, is a long trip. I’m old enough to remember accepting delivery of my new Pontiac right from the factory backdoor and no charge. Anyway, those days are long gone, as well as Pontiac.

If you like truck styling, the Terrain will give you a little tickle with its massive grille and huge wheel openings. A tall appearing and stand-up profile make the Terrian look bigger than it is. The 18-inch wheels don’t come close to filling the squared fender wheel openings, and that looks like too much. Usually, just the dirty wheels are showing most of the time.

Fog lamps were part of the standard equipment on the tested SLT-1. The remote start feature will be welcomed this winter if you park outside. The most enjoyed option on the test SLT-1 was the power opening lift gate. With a touch of the remote button the heavy cargo gate will yawn open and offer up the generous space for all of your vacation junk. There is a 12-volt outlet back there, too, if needed.

In the 4-cylinder Terrain, a large sub-woofer speaker is in one of the side panels that boosts up the music base, but also emits a frequency that dampens the 4-cylinder noise.

If ever a very tall person were to actually ride in the second-row split-bench seat they could slide the seat back a few inches for extra leg room. I can’t remember the last time I saw an adult in the back of one of their SUVs. Just kids and an optional DVD entertainment package is available if that’s what’s needed to keep them less annoying on long trips. I guess coloring books or reading or talking about the sights are not fashionable these days.

In the driver’s bucket seat there is little to complain about, starting with the attractive instrument cluster. An information digital message window is located in the middle of the analog tachometer and speedometer that provides vehicle condition readouts, including tire pressure and oil life. Trip and fuel consumption are also there. 

The factory says I should get 32 mpg on the highway, but the best I could do was around 25 to 27 mpg. I must confess that I was not going anywhere near the speed limit on a four-hour drive.

The stereo and climate controls are easy to use and a large digital display was easy to check at a glance.

The 2.3 liter 4-cylinder and six-speed tranny were adequate for most demands, but passing on a steep hill put all of the available 183 horses to work, and they were not happy some of the time. The STL will only tow up to 1,500 pounds and the V-6 at 3,500 pounds.

The ride quality was very good and the noise level was very low even on a very windy day.