Terrain = Family Vehicle?

8079 Views 14 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Nukedog, Jan 30, 2011

boddah4

Discussion Starter · Jan 21, 2011

I am getting ready to upgrade from a Pontiac Aztek and was looking into the Terrain. I have a 5 and 1 year old and was wondering if the Terrain is a good family vehicle. I probably would not get the built in DVDs. We like to go camping and I was wondering if anyone would know how the cargo area compares to other vehicles.

I really like the looks and features of the Terrain, just need to convince the wife that it is what we want.

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TerrainSLT2

· #2 · Jan 21, 2011

Terrain is nice for small family but the cargo is kind of small especially if you have a lot of things to load…if you want bigger, then get either Acadia or Ford Explorer 2011. You need to look at it first before you buy.

TheCrow1994

· #3 · Jan 21, 2011

boddah4 said:
I am getting ready to upgrade from a Pontiac Aztek and was looking into the Terrain. I have a 5 and 1 year old and was wondering if the Terrain is a good family vehicle. I probably would not get the built in DVDs. We like to go camping and I was wondering if anyone would know how the cargo area compares to other vehicles.

I really like the looks and features of the Terrain, just need to convince the wife that it is what we want.

I'm pretty sure GARYD had a Pontiac Aztek and now has a Terrain, so he's probably the best person to help you with these questions. He's usually on here every day, so you'll get an answer soon.

Jeremiah

· #4 · Jan 21, 2011

keep in mind the rear seats slide forward, but depending on how your baby seat is configured you might not have space to slide them up. my daughter just turned 1 and we're keeping her rear-facing for as long as possible and i had to actually move the passenger front seat UP to get the rear-facing seat at the right level...we're planning on having another in the not-so-distant future so i don't think i'll be sliding those seats forward anytime soon for extra cargo

GARYD

· #5 · Jan 21, 2011

I just sent a looong post, what happened to it? Maybe I forgot to hit the send button.
Yes, we had an '01 Aztek, loved it, wished I could have kept it. The cargo area is just a smidgeon smaller then the Aztek. Wife was instrumental in getting the Aztek and she also liked the Nox, but slowly leaned toward the Terrain because, as she said, it looked more masculine.
The only time we use the DVD entertainment system is when the boys come with us to family activities. They have their own cars, but want to save gas money by riding with us.

If I had smaller children I would definately get the entertainment system.
I think you will love the Terrain......or even the Nox. ;D

boddah4

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 21, 2011

Thanks for all the great information so far. I am glad to hear that the cargo area isn't a whole lot smaller than the Aztek.

My sister has an Equinox and I prefer the looks of the Terrain (as said, more masculine.)

I don't like to have the DVD player permenently attached because the 5 year old would watch TV even on a 2 minute trip to the store. We save it for special occasions and long trips.

We have the baby seat forward facing.

Also, is a sunroof an option on an SLE1?

Thanks again.

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Terra-Nox

· #7 · Jan 21, 2011

Our Terrain will also be replacing a Tek, although I would condsider it an upgrade, more like an update , a vehicle that does not have 120,000 miles on it. This like won't copy nicely but here is what I have found for volume on the Tek:
EPA passenger volume (cu ft / liters) 105.1 / 2976
Front interior volume (cu ft / liters) 54.6 / 1546
Rear interior volume (cu ft / liters) 50.5 / 1430
EPA volume index (cu ft / liters) 150.4 / 4256
Cargo volume (cu ft / liters) behind rear seat: 45.4 / 1282
with rear seat removed: 93.5 / 2669

and for Terrain:

EPA interior volume (cu ft / L): 127.2 / 3602
Passenger volume (cu ft / L): 99.6 / 2820
Cargo volume (cu ft / L):
Maximum behind rear seat:
Maximum behind front seat:
31.6 / 894
63.9 / 1809

That would seem to indicate the Terrain has 1/3 less cargo room behind the rear seats (without going into removing/moving them). First thing I noticed when te back was open in a visit to dealor was the appearent lack of space in the rear. You will have to look and decide.

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NoobNox

· #8 · Jan 21, 2011

I have a Equinox which is essentially the same so I think I can answer your question...yes it is a family vehicle. Having said that, it would be for a family with smaller children and no more than 2. As already mentioned, the rear seat slides forward 8" to open up a bit more cargo room, and kids will still have plenty of legroom. I've been married less than 2 years and haven't started the baby business yet so I didn't spring for the rear entertainment...but the good news is that there is a a/c outlet on the back of the console that you could easily plug in a cheap portable dvd player for the kids. If you still don't have enough cargo room with the seats all the way up (or one side folded down if you only have one kid) then you still have a roof rack for extra luggage/gear...or you could get one of those small lightweight luggage trailers that even the 4cyl could easily handle.

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GARYD

· #9 · Jan 21, 2011

We haul about the same amount of groceries in the terrain as we did in the Aztek, the thing I noticed is the Aztek looked bigger because of the tailgate being down so it looked bigger. I think the cubic area is larger in the Aztek because it was higher, but I believe the floor area is about the same. I love not having to reach over that tailgate to get stuff out, which was a PITA. The Terrain is so much easier to load/unload.

And you're right that a portable DVD player would be cheaper, but could get lost or damaged easier. ;D

boddah4

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jan 21, 2011

Thanks again everryone. Just waiting for Spring, because I don't want to get a new vehicle in the middle of winter.

GARYD

· #11 · Jan 21, 2011

Afraid of getting it durty? ;D ;D

Solrak69

· #12 · Jan 22, 2011

I think you'll be just fine with it. It's a great vehicle, I really love it... we pile in the kids in the back, the dog in cargo area and everyone's comfy.
I just purchased mine in late Oct and the AWD has come in mighty handy, I can't complain... we're off to a very bad start this winter here in NYC/NJ, it's been years since we've seen this much snow so early into winter, all started with that 2 feet of snow Blizzard right after Christmas. Seems to snow every 3-4 days now with temps in the teens, last night 5 more inches, my Terrain hasn't let me down once. They're calling for another blizzard Tuesday, a Nor'easter... hope the groundhog doesn't see it's shadow on Feb 2nd!! :

boddah4 said:
Thanks again everryone. Just waiting for Spring, because I don't want to get a new vehicle in the middle of winter.

gearhead

· #13 · Jan 22, 2011

Two teens (one has her own car), two tots (baby seats) and two small dogs.
We can get 3 adults and two tots, or 4 adults and one tot, plus two dogs in no problem.
Cargo area is great and there's always the roof rack, don't forget about that option.

INNOCNT

· #14 · Jan 24, 2011

Family Vehicle?? Yes!!! We have a 5yr old and two Mini Dachshunds (they go in the cargo area, when travelling). The terrain is very spacious, IMO.

The rear entertainment system is the absolute best to have when you have small children. No hearing "are we there yet?" and two minutes later again "are we there yet."

Much easier on parents when travelling long distances... lol .

Good luck with your decision,

OnxBear [/color]

Nukedog

· #15 · Jan 30, 2011

THere are 5 people in my family. Plenty of room for all of us while still getting decent mileage. Would like a bit mor storage but overall the vehicle does its job well.

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