MSU Red Cedar Message Board

Have had a 2012 Terrain for about a month. Compared it against a Subaru Outback (legally required to at least test drive one in Oregon). Went with the V6, SLT2 trim package. The interior and interior tech blew away the Outback. I enjoy driving it thus far but its still the honeymoon phase. Feels pretty powerful, but perhaps a little loud when really going at it. The Terrain was the coolest looking in the class IMO.

I have a 2011 escape, and am a huge fan of the escape. He 2013 is a little more futuristic body style though. Have u consedered jeep?

Go slightly bigger and look at the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Get the V6 if you're worried about fuel mileage. Nice vehicle.

The new Mazda cx5 gets 35 mpg, fully loaded is around $30k and you can use a Ford X discount. Drawback is a 4 cylinder and Japanese automaker.

I just read a review of this vehicle yesterday. Sounded like a good option.
Anyone have any first hand experience?

I'm starting to think about replacing an 08 Escape, one feature I like is the rear window can be opened without the whole liftgate, seems like a vanishing feature.
Aside from 4Runner and Jeep, who still offers this on a smaller platform?

Same here. We've got about 26K miles on it so far and it's been great. The interior with all of the available bells and whistles is fantastic. We got the V6 and have seen as much as 24 MPG highway. Plus it's still powerful enough to haul around our 2300 lb. trailer without breaking too much of a sweat. I had been a die hard GM guy but the Jeep was way nicer than the Terrain/Equinox IMHO, and $7K cheaper than a comparable Caddy SRX.

Yeah, you won't get that out of a JGC. Like I said above, I've seen 24 highway, and typically average 19-20 around town.

I see 10 when I tow.

If you really want to see 30, then you're going to give up some size and utility. Or wait for the new diesel JGC.

I love my Equinox. I have driven the Terrain when my car was getting maintenance done and the Terrain sits much lower to the ground.

The only thing that I would caution on with the Equinox is the reported fuel economy vs. actual. It doesnt matter to me because my employer pays for gas, but my mom has one as well and I think they say 33 mpg, but both of ours get almost exactly 24.5.

I do love the styling of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee. It's an awesome car and I believe it's, what, $36,000 with leather, back up camera, 4x4, etc.? Interior is definitely a huge step up from comparable models at that price range. Like you said, the Caddy SRX is $7K more.

That said, you're not comparing the right models here. The Terrain and Equinox are not the same kind of car as a Jeep. Neither is a Caddy SRX for that matter. A Jeep Cherokee is a midsize SUV. The Terrain, SRX, and Equinox are all compact SUVs.

Now, comparing the Terrain to the Jeep, even though they're different styles, will reveal that the Jeep actually only has about 4 cubic feet more cargo space than the Terrain if you look at the figures. Also, the Terrain is similarly equipped for less money overall. Back-up camera is standard in Terrain IIRC. But, because it's a compact SUV, you give up ground clearance, but gain fuel economy (big time). Not sure what kind of environment the OP is planning on driving in, but the Terrain is a great option IMO for most drivers. Also, the Terrain has sliding and reclining rear seats. The Jeep does not. This is a drawback as I've found that the rear seats in the Jeep aren't very comfortable as they are basically straight backs and cannot be adjusted.

Now, if you want to compare the Jeep to other cars in its category (midsize SUVs), you have to put it against the Ford Edge, Chevy Traverse, Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, etc. If you do that, it really comes down to preferences as to which one you like better. One downside of the Jeep in this category is that it really lacks cargo space when compared to those other vehicles and it doesn't offer 3rd row seating. The interior blows those other cars away though and I think the styling of the exterior is superior as well. But, from a practical standpoint, the Jeep may not be the best option for a lot of people. If you want something similar to the Jeep, with the features and cargo space of the others, look at the Dodge Durango. But, with the Durango, you've got to spend $41K to get leather seating whereas you can get the Jeep nicely equipped with the SelectTerrain, leather, back-up assist and camera, tow package, etc. for around $37,000.

The only thing I really don't like about the Terrain is the center stack, I feel like they got it from an early 90's Nokia.

Come on ballers...the OP needs this, or needs to GTFO!

Well, I compared the JGC to those vehicles because those were also the ones Mrs. TravelinMan liked. The elusive "Smaller than a Tahoe, AWD, sit high up, practical, lots if nice features, but still gets decent mileage" category!

The Traverse and it's brethren are BIG vehicles. Exterior-wise they are on par with our old Tahoe. They're nice, but they were bigger than we wanted. Same with the new Explorer, for that matter.

Agreed that if you wanted a third row, the Jeep isn't for you. I guess the Durango would be the Chrysler-family answer in that case.

Our Jeep's rear seat reclines. There's a little handle down on the side. I agree - if they didn't recline they'd be pretty miserable. I thought that was standard across the line?