GMC Terrain vs Volkswagen Atlas

The 2022 GMC Terrain underwent a series of updates, including refreshed front styling, new wheel designs, and enhanced taillights and interior trim. The introduction of the AT4 trim level brought a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels with sport-terrain tires, and AT4 badges, emphasizing its off-road capabilities. However, despite these enhancements, the Terrain's interior materials and design did not fully meet expectations for a vehicle priced over $40,000. The pushbutton transmission controls, while freeing up console space, were not intuitive, and the storage tray was too narrow for a smartphone. Overall, the Terrain's cabin, though featuring caramel-coloured contrast stitching, did not reflect the high level of craftsmanship GMC claimed.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas carried over with minor modifications after significant updates in 2021. The Atlas was available in four trim levels in Canada, with pricing ranging from $41,595 to $57,695. The Execline trim, which we tested, featured R-Line design elements and 21-inch alloy wheels, enhancing its upscale appearance. The interior design was simple yet premium, though the use of low-cost materials, such as hard and shiny plastics, was disappointing for a vehicle nearing $60,000. The Atlas offered ample storage space, but unlined areas led to unwanted noise. Despite these drawbacks, the Atlas's design and spaciousness were appealing.

The 2022 GMC Terrain was equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. This engine, while adequate for most driving situations, lacked the acceleration and towing capacity of the previously available 2.0-litre engine. The 1.5-litre engine could tow up to 680 kilograms, and its torque was accessible between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm. The nine-speed automatic transmission helped maintain the engine within its optimal torque band, but the Terrain's performance was not particularly thrilling. The AT4 model offered FWD and AWD modes, with an Off-Road mode and Hill Descent Control, but torque steer was an issue in FWD mode. The Terrain's ride was smooth on highways and city streets, but off-road capabilities were limited by its ground clearance and tire grip.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and a 3.6-litre V6 engine. The turbo-four produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, but required premium fuel for optimal performance. The V6, standard on the Execline trim, delivered 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. Despite these figures, the V6's acceleration was leisurely, and its fuel efficiency was lower than the turbo-four. The Atlas featured Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, along with Active Control calibrations for different conditions. The 4Motion AWD system could decouple the rear wheels to save fuel, but the Atlas's ground clearance was modest. The Atlas's ride quality was generally comfortable, though the 21-inch wheels transmitted road imperfections to the cabin.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered a spacious interior for a compact crossover, with power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The AT4 trim featured perforated leather upholstery with caramel-colour contrast stitching, adding a touch of luxury. The rear seat provided ample legroom and support, and a rear USB charging port was available. The Terrain's cargo space measured 838 litres behind the second row, expanding to 1,792 litres with the rear seats folded. A large storage bin under the trunk floor and the ability to fold the front passenger seat added to its practicality.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in interior space and comfort, seating seven people with ease. The Trendline trim featured cloth seats, while higher trims offered V-Tex leatherette or genuine leather upholstery. The Atlas's low step-in height made entry and exit easy, and rear side-window sunshades were available. The Atlas provided numerous storage areas, though many were unlined, leading to noise. Cargo space was exceptional, with 583 litres behind the third row, 1,572 litres with the third row folded, and 2,741 litres with the second row down. These figures surpassed those of the full-size Nissan Armada.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems, with a 7-inch touchscreen on the SLE trim and an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Both systems included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and GMC Connected Services. The Infotainment Package II added connected navigation, improved voice recognition, and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was highly effective, though the Bose speakers were less impressive. The Tech Package included a head-up display, park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster as standard, with an 8-inch display on lower trims and a 10.25-inch display on higher trims. The Trendline trim had a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while other trims used the MIB3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Car-Net connected services. The Execline trim included a 12-speaker Fender audio system. However, the infotainment system was slow to load, and the user experience was cumbersome. Voice recognition was inconsistent, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable for navigation.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came standard with the GMC Pro Safety Package, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following distance indicator. The GMC Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, rear parking sensors, and a Safety Alert Seat. The Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from the IIHS, but a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the Terrain's crashworthiness.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including automatic post-collision braking, Front Assist, Side Assist, and Rear Traffic Alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, LED headlights, and a surround-view camera system. However, the Lane Assist technology had issues with pavement scars and exit ramps. The Atlas did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, and received four-star frontal-impact ratings from the NHTSA.