Entry level and off-road trims usually don’t mix well. The 2022 GMC Terrain AT4 made that theory very wrong. My introduction the the AT4 trim was the flagship Yukon. That set the bar extremely high and to see it in the entry level SUV, I had my doubts. When I saw the fiery Cayenne Red, I started changing my mind. The black chrome grille added a great accent to the front. The only thing it was missing was the typical AT4 red front tow hooks.

The 17” wheels are wrapped in milder versions of the Goodyear Wrangler tire. That didn’t take away from the grip I was able to experience on unpaved roads. I would prefer a 16” wheel with a taller tire to give it better off-road styling. On paved roads, the wheel and tire combo performed excellent.

You get inside and this was the biggest surprise from the GMC Terrain. They didn’t water down the AT4 trim with the seats sporting the AT4 logo and the iconic gold/bronze stitching on them. They didn’t just look great, they were also extremely comfortable. It’s a shame that supply shortages caused this model to require a retrofit of the heating option. It would’ve come in handy when our temperature dropped down to 40 degrees. The infotainment had wireless Apple CarPlay that had great connectivity. It would’ve been nice to have a wireless charger to completely cut the cable.

The 1.5L inline turbocharged 4-cylinder delivered smooth power. The selectable AWD modes helped keep MPGs high on the X2 or front wheel drive mode, while the X4 mode allowed all 4 wheels to turn and make traction a priority in less than ideal conditions. Paired with the wheels and tires, the Terrain’s drivetrain was exceptional.

The 2022 GMC Terrain AT4 was a massive surprise at how deserving it was of the AT4 badging.  A week with it definitely pushed it up the list of possible SUVs to get for my needs.