Let's get the lingering question out of the way: Is there any difference mechanically? In a word, no. The only difference as far as the vehicle is concerned is the suspension tuning required for the 19 inch wheels not available on the Equinox. Other than that the Equinox and Terrain are identical. Same engine packages: 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 HP mated to a six speed auto with an electric power steering rack and shockingly achievable 32 MPG; same 3.0 liter DI V6 good for 264 HP and mated to a six speed transmission, etc. The same all-wheel-drive system as the Equinox can be had with both engines.
The options list includes leather, navigation, dual pop-up rear-seat DVD players, power programmable lift-gate, sunroof, a 40 gig hard drive, iPod integration, and 17, 18, or 19 inch wheels, based on trim level.

Those big wheels are at the root of one of the only dynamic differences in the vehicle as well. Like the Equinox, the Terrain is competent over all road surfaces and handles well on corners of all shapes and sizes. Understeer is moderate when you overcook a corner, but if you're so inclined you can induce oversteer by lightening up the rear end with the brakes. Of course there won't be a lot of soccer moms hitting the track with this car, but in daily use it's just a little stiffer over bumps with the big wheels than the Equinox. Acceleration is the same; the 2.4 liter can squeal the tires off the line but loses pep through the mid range, though it's adequate for the vast majority of appliance drivers. The V6 does offer some decent grunt, but we'd be lying if we didn't want to see the 2.0 liter turbo Ecotec dropped in that engine bay. Since this is a GMC, we'd be remiss in leaving out the tow ratings of 1500 lbs and 3500 lbs for the I4 and V6, respectively fine for most weekend jobs, but bigger loads will require bigger trucks.

Feeling the deja vu? You should. There's no equipment you can get on the Terrain that you can't get on the Equinox. What the Terrain offers has more to do with its personality. First and foremost is that exterior-that massive grille is the first full implementation of the new GMC face, first seen on the GMC Denali XT concept at last year's Chicago Auto Show. It's certainly polarizing, drawing equal parts love and hate, but it's definitely distinctive. The controversial styling extends down the sides as well, with extremely squared off wheel-well arches and pronounced, almost cartoonish fender flares. However, the side glass is something we think everyone can get behind, with sharp chrome surrounds giving the glass a clean, defined look. We have to admit to liking it when done up in the black with the 18 inch polished wheels, but the chrome wheels are a little much.

Inside there's not much in the way of unique styling. The dash gets considerably higher-quality soft-touch material that's stitched together with nice contrasting red thread, complimented by the red accent and interior lighting, all differentiated from the blue of the Equinox. Seats are shared between both models, with the excellent mid-level cloth seats again taking the cake for comfort, grip, and styling. Rear seat passengers enjoy limo-like leg room with the sliding rear seat in he back position, and the bench is plenty comfortable for even the longest trips. There is a bit of news, as GM representatives let us know there was a Denali version coming along, so expect a garish front grille, a significantly upgraded interior with wood and aluminum trim, and unique wheels and exterior trim pieces.

And that's kind of the modus operandi of the Terrain: appealing to a different buyer than the Equinox. Where the Chevy is sort of soft-looking and inoffensive, the Terrain is a louder, more look-at-me vehicle. It can be had with more chrome than any GM vehicle in recent memory, and decked out in a suit of black, it looks pretty dang sharp. Just because it might not be our flavor doesn't mean it won't find a strong audience of buyers. Add that it's base price is only $1800 higher than that of the Equinox primarily due to standard backup camera, floor mats, tint, fog lights, and USB integration, it's not that bad of a deal either. If this product came out first, we'd be shouting its merits as we did with the Equinox, but while it has everything which makes that product so good, it's only claim to fame is styling and a softer dash. The value proposition is still there, but the necessity is hard to argue. It's a great compact SUV, no question there. It's just not any greater than the Equinox.

DETROIT - GMC has announced that its all-new Terrain five-passenger crossover will arrive in showrooms in September sporting a starting price of $24,995 for the front-wheel drive model. An all-wheel drive model starts at $26,745. Both prices include a $745 destination and freight charge.

"The Terrain allows us to build on the evolution we started with the Acadia, applying the distinctive styling and capabilities that have always been a part of the GMC DNA to smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles that customers are seeking in today's rapidly changing market," said Susan Docherty, GM North America Vice President, Buick-Pontiac-GMC. "We think Terrain is a bold statement of GMC's key role within the reinvented General Motors."

The base SLE1 model comes standard with GM's new 2.4L direct-injection engine and six-speed automatic transmission that delivers EPA-estimated highway fuel economy of 32 miles per gallon while offering a unique MultiFlex rear seat configuration that can optimized for either class-leading passenger legroom or nearly 64 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats. The base price also includes unexpected standard features, such as an integrated rear-view camera system and six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with USB connectivity and XM satellite radio service, along with a full suite of safety equipment, including six airbags, StabiliTrak vehicle stability control, and OnStar.

The top-of-the-line SLT2 trim level, which features leather seating, a premium Pioneer sound system, a power liftgate, sunroof and a special chrome appearance package, starts at $29,995 (including DFC). The Terrain also offers a powerful 3.0L direct injection V6 engine and a host of optional features like integrated navigation system and a rear-seat DVD infotainment system.

The GMC Terrain will be built at the CAMI assembly facility in Ingersoll, Ontario.

The 2010 GMC Terrain is little more than a reskinned 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, and where we normally see the two brands share a lot of styling and different badges, the Terrain is an entire redesign and shares no sheet metal with its bow-tie brother. The Terrain shoots for a much more aggressive look, even going an inch wider in the track width and dons traditional boxy truck shapes for the compact platform. The huge grille up front is flanked by squarish headlights which can be optioned with HID projectors. Down the side the character lines are limited to accentuating the side glass, and the uniquely styled C-pillar further separates the Terrain from the Equinox.

Mechanically, the Terrain is identical to the Equinox, with each powertrain option available on every trim level. The base model engine is also the fuel economy leader, a direct injection 2.4L four-cylinder engine with 182 HP mated to a six speed auto delivering 30 MPG in front-wheel-drive only trim. The other engine option is a 3.0 liter direct injection V6 rated at 264 HP, which also brings along dual exhaust tips rather than the hidden single tip. Each can be optioned with all-wheel drive with the subsequent drop in fuel economy, and rise in capability. Towing rating for these "Professional Grade" SUV's is 1,500 lbs for the I4 model and 3,500 lbs for the V6.

Inside, the Terrain is differentiated largely unique door panels and by color choices and quality of the materials. There are two leather and two cloth trims with contrast stitching on the seats and door inserts. Well, the front door inserts, rear seat passengers aren't so lucky. Speaking of rear-seat passengers, they're treated to the same comfortable and supportive seats which can more fore and aft as well as recline, and two flip-up seatback DVD players. Front seat passengers get red GMC lighting in the gauges and the accent lighting and another differentiating feature of standard rear backup camera system. On vehicles not optioned with the seven inch touch screen and 40 gig hard drive, the backup image shows up in the rearview mirror.

The value proposition on the GMC Terrain presents might be a bit hard to justify, considering the big selling point is standard rearview camera and love-it of hate-it styling, but it does look pretty cool, and we suspect that'll go far for a 30 MPG soft-roader. Look for the live reveal next week at the New York Auto Show.

While we too have someone at the embargoed briefing this morning on the 2010 GMC Terrain, we didn't expect we'd have anything to report on it until the embargo drops on April 5th. That is until we received Annalisa Bluhm's re-tweet from Adam Denison of Chevy PR this morning letting us know she's "reviewing GMC Terrain this AM - 5 passenger crossover w/ 30 mpg - more to come April 5." This is truly a tremendous day for Twitter — it's the first time it's broken an automotive embargo. Yes, it's one small step into poop for GMC, but one giant leap for Twitter-kind.

Who knew 140 characters could cause so much trouble? Interestingly, we just read a piece last night by Julia Roy about the importance of remembering this new-yet-short communication medium is still public despite the fact you may think your "followers" are all your "friends." She titles it "Don't Be an Idiot on the Social Web". In this case, it's quite appropriate.

The reality is there's a clear and bright line between what is and is not appropriate on this burgeoning new communication method — so try and hold back from posting real-time updates on Twitter — especially with embargoed vehicles.

GM's Fourth Theta Variant Spotted on the road—Shows Some GMC Acadia Design Cues

The GMC Terrain has now hit the road giving us our first all-angles look at GM's latest Theta-based crossover for the first time. We spotted it last week in a holding pen, but we were lacking the confirming look at the prototype's grille. The blocky grille looks appropriate for a GMC, and the mesh grille design actually looks like this particular model could possibly be a Denali version.

This prototype gets further separation from its platform-mates (current Saturn Vue, next-gen Chevy Equinox, and the Theta-premium Cadillac BRX and Saab 9-4x), thanks to its blocky wheel arch design. This wheel well design is very similar to its GMC Acadia big brother.

While the upgraded Theta premium models for Cadillac and Saab show signs of a sloping, somewhat "coupe-like" roofline, the standard Theta-based Chevy Equinox and this GMC prototype maintain a flat roofline. Cargo capacity and functionality are clearly a higher priority for GM's volume brands. GMC's Terrain will supplant the Pontiac Torrent in GM's lineup, leaving Pontiac to focus on passenger cars, while playing to the strengths of the GMC lineup. The Terrain is expected to reach the market in mid-2009 as a 2010 model.