The New XTS is Revealed

The Cadillac XTS will begin production this spring

Cadillac unveiled the 2013 XTS, the newest addition to the Cadillac luxury sedan lineup. It arrives in showrooms in the spring of 2012 as the most technologically advanced production car in the brand’s history.

Larger than the CTS, the new XTS delivers the space, elegance and dramatic presence that are Cadillac signatures, but with entirely new and technically advanced methods tuned for a new generation of luxury customers. It also marks the debut of CUE, a comprehensive in-vehicle experience that merges intuitive design with auto industry-first controls and commands for information and media data.

In addition to the CUE interface and connectivity, many other advanced technologies are integral to the new XTS. It will be the only luxury sedan with standard Magnetic Ride Control – the world’s fastest-reacting suspension. Advanced technologies that enhance vision are available as well.

Positioned directly above the centerpiece CTS family in Cadillac’s revamped lineup, the new XTS features a 3.6L direct injection engine and advanced all-wheel drive system, marking a shift to more-efficient performance in a spacious luxury sedan.

“The Cadillac XTS represents a new formula for luxury, driven by advanced technology,” said Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac Marketing. “XTS showcases the evolution of our Art & Science philosophy, merging the best technical ideas with the continued refinement of Cadillac design.”

Cadillac CUE is the highly customizable user interface that exemplifies XTS’ blend of advanced technology and artistic design. The heart of CUE, which stands for Cadillac User Experience, is the standard eight-inch (203 mm) screen in the “center stack,” the faceplate below the screen and the steering wheel controls. CUE features several industry firsts, including capacitive-touch control with proximity sensing, gesture recognition and natural voice recognition.

Available exclusively on the XTS is the 12.3-inch (312 mm) reconfigurable cluster. It features vibrant graphic displays showcased among four driver-selectable themes, ranging from minimal to extensive information. And while it is the prominent element in the XTS’ technological character, CUE is part of a more comprehensive and layered approach to the car’s design, capabilities and performance

“The more you look, the more layers you see in XTS,” said Butler. “They aren’t always apparent to the eye, but they build on one another in important ways to reinforce the car’s strength of design, comfort and driving experience.”

Highlights include:

• Advanced Haldex all-wheel-drive system with electronically controlled limited-slip differential
• Magnetic Ride Control, rear air suspension, HiPer Strut front suspension and Brembo brakes – all standard
• Standard 19-inch wheels and available 20-inch wheels
• Direct-injected 3.6L V-6 with lightweight features, including integrated cylinder heads/exhaust manifolds
• Capless fuel tank filler for easier, cleaner refueling
• Folding rear-seat headrests that enhance rear visibility
• Safety Alert Seat that vibrates to alert the driver
• Intervening braking system that lessens or avoids potential collisions

Short- and long-range radar systems that support:

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Front and Rear Automatic Brakes
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

The XTS is also the most-spacious Cadillac sedan, tailored to provide roominess in a more efficiently sized package. It offers more interior space than midsize luxury cars and comparable to full-size sedans, particularly in the rear seat area, where it has 40 inches (1,016 mm) of rear legroom. That’s about four more inches than the BMW 5 Series, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class and about two more inches than the Audi A6 – and comparable to larger sedans.

And when it comes to trunk space, the XTS is in a league of its own, with 18 cubic feet (509 L), exceeding both midsize and full-size competitors – more than Audi A6 and A8L, BMW 5 and 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz E- and S-Class. For XTS customers, the cargo advantage means room for five or more suitcases.

Technology reinforces multidimensional design philosophy

XTS’ hardware and spatial dimensions are the foundational layers that support a new level of surface detail. Multidimensional exterior and interior elements, including the grille, headlamps and new use of accent lighting, coalesce to give the XTS a presence and attention to detail unlike any Cadillac that has come before it.

“The XTS’ technology is woven into its design in ways that affirm the driving experience is of primary importance to a new generation of luxury customers,” said Clay Dean, design director and Cadillac brand champion. “This is the new expression of luxury at Cadillac and it shows in the multilayered details, authentic materials and unprecedented connectivity.”

CUE, for example, represents the pinnacle of technology, but it is being showcased using a subtle and sophisticated interior appearance that blends with other features to create a soothing and inviting feel. It offers more capability and driver-selectable choices than ever before from Cadillac, but the center stack has only seven buttons – four of them for the radio. That’s less than half the controls found on the center stack of the typical car.

“Technology helps the XTS deliver more with less,” said Dean. “Choreographed interior lighting and other unique features tailored to individual driver preferences complement CUE to create an exceptionally refined and advanced ambience.”

The XTS’ surface details also convey a more-nuanced design philosophy, with elements that support the long, sleek proportion that is a welcome return to Cadillac. They bring forward more beauty and elegance with refined, graceful forms and surfaces working harmoniously with established Cadillac linear forms. It is a car that conveys the next step in Cadillac form and surface vocabulary.

“It is a bold, elegant design and also very efficient in the ways it encompasses passengers and cargo,” said Dean. “It’s a new proportion for Cadillac and a new era in luxury.”

The XTS Platinum is the fullest expression of Cadillac’s multidimensional philosophy, with features that include a chrome/satin-chrome grille finish, polished 20-inch aluminum wheels with chrome inserts, a fully wrapped leather interior with Alcantara headliner and more.

Advanced safety features based on ‘control and alert’ strategy

The XTS’ technology fundamentally supports a suite of advanced safety features, based on a “control and alert” strategy that extends the vision around the vehicle. It helps drivers identify potential crash situations and even intervenes when a crash threat appears more imminent, employing layers of visual, audible and tactile (vibration) alerts, depending on the alert feature.

The alerts are designed to identify obstacles with sufficient warning to give the driver time to react and make changes – including the Safety Alert Seat feature, which vibrates either the left or right side of the driver’s seat cushion, depending on the location of the impending concern. The intervening features, including Automatic Collision Preparation, take over if the threat appears more immediate or the driver does not react to previous alerts.

Two levels of control-and-alert protection are offered in the XTS’ Enhanced Safety Strategy (ESS) packages.

ESS I includes:

• Lane Departure Warning
• Forward Collision Alert
• Safety Alert Seat
• Side Blind Zone Alert
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Reflected LED display.

ESS II includes all ESS I content plus:

• Head-up display (in color)
• Front and Rear Automatic Brake
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Automatic Collision Preparation

XTS also features OnStar as standard. OnStar service also includes myCadillac and OnStar myLink mobile apps, which offer vehicle information and OnStar services via the customer’s smartphone.

AWD and Magnetic Ride Control support new driving experience

A layered approach to the driving experience relies on new and established technologies – all rooted in a stiff structure. The body is infused with strategically placed ultra-high-strength steel for strength and crash protection and serves as the foundation for the advanced-chassis system.

A smart Haldex all-wheel-drive system – with an electronic limited-slip differential that splits torque between the rear wheels – complements an advanced HiPer Strut front suspension and standard Magnetic Ride Control real-time damping to give the XTS sure-footed, confident and comfortable ride and handling traits. A linked H-arm design with “air springs” comprises the rear suspension.

HiPer Strut is based on the MacPherson strut front suspension design and features dual-path top mountings that separate the transfer of spring and damper loads to the body structure. It improves ride-and-handling characteristics in four significant ways:

• Provides more linear and communicative steering through improved camber control
• Improves impact isolation on bumps and rough surfaces
• Reduces torque steer
• Improves vehicle sensitivity to tire irregularities and wheel imbalance.

Magnetic Ride Control delivers precise body motion control – “reading” the road every millisecond and changing damping in just five milliseconds. It replaces conventional mechanical-valve shocks with electronically controlled shocks filled with a magneto-rheological fluid containing minute iron particles. Under the presence of magnetic charge, the iron particles align to provide damping resistance almost instantly.

StabiliTrak electronic stability control is standard on all models, along with variable-effort steering and Brembo four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel antilock brakes – all features that add important layers of control to the driving experience. Like Magnetic Ride Control, XTS borrows the Brembo braking technology from Cadillac’s V-Series of high performance models.

Horsepower for the XTS comes from an advanced 3.6L V-6 that’s known by its “LFX” engine code. It is rated at an estimated 300 horsepower (224 kW). Lightweight features help reduce overall weight for greater efficiency and a more favorable front-to-rear weight balance. Examples include a composite intake manifold saves approximately 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg) over the weight of a comparable aluminum intake and an integrated cylinder head/exhaust manifold design that saves approximately 13 pounds (6 kg) per engine.

The LFX engine is matched with the Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed automatic transmission with tap-shift control.

The XTS will begin production in Oshawa, Ontario in spring 2012.

2012 Buick Enclave-Classy, Luxurious and Inviting

The 2012 Buick Enclave

The Buick Enclave is a vehicle that doesn’t allow itself to be easily defined. Its body style is like nothing else on the road, but not so different that it puts people off. It looks like and calls itself a SUV, but it also has features like third row seating, a large cargo area and car like driving dynamics that you find in a minivan. Most of all however, the Enclave has a classiness about it that some might see as arrogance.  Say what you may, the Buick Enclave is not just about looks, it is a great vehicle to move around town or the countryside in. First off, the interior of the Enclave is luxurious and inviting with three rows of seats that will allow you to transport the whole basketball team and coaches. The Enclave is powerful with a 3.6-liter V6 engine that pumps out 288 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, plenty of power for hauling cargo or people or a combination of both.  The 2012 Buick Enclave is a crossover SUV that comes in four different trim levels. All have a standard seven-passenger seating configuration via second-row captain’s chairs and a third-row bench seat. An optional second-row bench seat, available at no extra charge, increases capacity to eight.  The base model of the Enclave is nicely equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights, fog lamps, a power liftgate, heated outside mirrors, tri-zone automatic climate control and cloth upholstery. Other standard features include partial power front seats, a tilt-and-telescoping leather/wood steering wheel, keyless entry, cruise control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth, OnStar and a six-speaker CD/MP3 audio system with an auxiliary audio jack and satellite radio.  Stepping up to the Convenience Group trim level adds remote starting, rear parking assist and a rearview camera. The Leather Group tacks on leather upholstery, heated power front seats (eight-way driver, four-way passenger) and driver memory settings.  The top-of-the-line Premium Group has the above equipment plus 19-inch chrome wheels, adaptive xenon headlights, heated power-folding outside mirrors with built-in turn signal repeaters, heated and ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable steering column, a 115-volt household-style power outlet and a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system with USB/auxiliary audio input jacks and a pair of rear seat headphone jacks.  Individual options can be selected by trim level and include 20-inch chrome alloy wheels, a dual-pane sunroof, the second-row bench seat and a second-row center console. Electronics upgrades include the 10-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system, a rear-seat entertainment system and a navigation system.  The Premium Edition with all-wheel-drive and carries a base price of $45,080.  Optional Equipment on my tester included: Audio System with Navigation & DVD with Touchscreen Navigation, DVD Rear Seat Entertainment, XM Navigation & Traffic ($3,185). Power Sunroof with 2nd Row Skylight ($1,400). 20″ Chrome Clad Aluminum Wheels ($300). Carbon Black Metallic Trim ($195). Destination Charges $810. Total as tested price of my 2012 Buick Enclave Premium Edition with all-wheel-drive and options $50,970.    Fuel numbers are 16 miles-per-gallon city and 22 miles-per-gallon highway.

Come take a test drive of one today!!!!

Coulter Motor Company Supports Our Troops

3rd ANNUAL FOLDS OF HONOR FOUNDATION GOLF TOURNAMENT

Coulter Motor Company is proud to be a strong supporter of our US Troops and Military Veterans. We, along with The Az. Society of G.M. Parts Managers invites you to attend our 3rd Annual Folds of Honor Golf Tournament on Saturday, April 22, 2012 at the Wigwam Golf Resort. The opening ceremonies start at 7:45am with a shotgun start for the tournament starting at 8:00am. Please join us for golf, lunch, silent auction, raffle drawing, and our guest speaker Major Edward Pulido U.S. Army (Ret.) at the awards banquet to follow. Click here to hear Major Pulido’s story.

Folds of Honor is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a mission to empower deserving military families with educational support and opportunities. FHF provides post-secondary educational scholarships to the spouses and children of service members disabled or killed as a result of their military service to our great nation. Our unique scholarships can be applied to schooling now or held by Folds of Honor on behalf of young children until needed at the time of enrollment.

The Folds of Honor Foundation was founded in 2007 by Major Dan Rooney, a former F-16 pilot, golf course owner, PGA Professional and USGA member. A Major in the Air National Guard and a decorated military aviator, Major Rooney has served three combat tours in Iraq. After returning from his second tour, Major Rooney witnessed a profound situation that drove him to create the Folds of Honor Foundation.  Go to http://www.foldsofhonor.org/mission/our-story to read more about Major Rooney.

Please help us to make this a fun filled and memorable day while supporting the men and women of our military, and their families.

To inquire about how you or your company can help, see our sponsorship page or call Denny Yates at 602-370-6550 or Rod Martinat 602-206-0059.

Listed below are the various sponsorship levels:

Sponsorship Levels

 Partnering Sponsor (2 Available )………………………………………………$5,000

* Full day of golf for twelve players, including lunch, raffle drawing, and awards ceremony

* Company banner at the event

* Company name and logo used in all advertising and promotion of golf tournament

* Participation award

* Two Hole Tee signs at premium holes

Platinum Sponsor……………………………………………………………………$2,500

* Full day of golf for eight players, including lunch, raffle drawing, and awards ceremony

* Company banner at the event

* Participation award

* Hole Tee sign

Gold Sponsor………………………………………………………………………….$1,000

* Full day of golf for four players, including lunch, raffle drawing, and awards ceremony

* Participation award

* Hole Tee sign

Silver Sponsor (non playing sponsorship )……………………………………$500

* Participation award

* Hole Tee sign

Individual Play …………………………………………………………………….$125

From all of us at Coulter Motor Company, thank you for your support!

 

THE BUICK ACHIEVERS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

 

BUICK ACHIEVERS PROGRAM – Receive up to $100,000 over Four Years!

You are making a difference, in your classroom and in your community.  If you have the passion to succeed—especially in fields of study important to the automotive and related industries—the Buick Achievers Scholarship Program is looking for you. This year, we will award 1,100 scholarships, including 100 renewable scholarships of up to $25,000 per year.

The Buick Achievers Scholarship Program wants to reward students who have succeeded both inside and outside of the classroom—and who may not be able to attend college without financial assistance. It’s a reward for what you’ve made of yourself and the difference you are making for others.

The Buick Achievers Scholarship Program is offering:

Up to $25,000 per year for 100 first-time freshman or existing college students, renewable up to four years and one additional year for those entering a qualified five-year engineering program.

$2,000 one-time awards for an additional 1,000 students. It starts with good grades.  But goes beyond.

• A dedicated student.
•  A leader in school.
• A volunteer worker.
• A college-bound and community-minded individual.

1,100 students from around the country became Buick Achievers in 2011. Meet the 2011 Achievers. These exceptional individuals were rewarded with more than $4.2 million in total scholarship funds. Learn about five of last year’s scholarship recipients and their achievements as students, leaders, and volunteers. 1,100 students from around the country became Buick Achievers in 2011. These exceptional individuals were rewarded with more than $4.2 million in total scholarship funds. Learn about five of last year’s scholarship recipients and their achievements as students, leaders, and volunteers.

Buick and the General Motors Foundation are pleased to announce the 2012 Buick Achievers Scholarship Program.  This program is set to recognize and reward 1,100 college-bound high school seniors and current college undergrads nationwide who excel both in the classroom and in the community.

Designed to “Inspire…Celebrate…and Enable Human Achievement,” the Buick Achievers Scholarship is proof of Buick’s unwavering commitment to its Human Achievement pillar.  Here are some key points you should know about this program:

•             The Buick Achievers Scholarship Program is one of the nation’s largest scholarship programs dedicated to assisting outstanding students interested in Engineering, Technology, Design and Business, who lack the financial means to reach their goals.

•             The program will award 100 qualifying students with up to $25,000 a year, and 1,000 students with $2,000.  Applications will be accepted now through February 29, 2012 at buickachievers.com.

•             The Buick Achievers Scholarship Program is funded by The General Motors Foundation, a 501c(3) charitable organization, focused on Education, Health and Human Services, Environment and Energy, and Community Development Initiatives, mainly in communities where GM operates.

Please click here to access the materials to help you merchandise this program to students and their parents in your community.

Click here to apply and let us help you Make A Difference!

Coulter Motor Company is proud to be a part of this educational program that is helping shape the children of today, offering brighter futures, a higher level of learning and the ability to Make a Difference!

Coulter Motor Company Benefits Child Crisis Center with Thousands of Toys

December was a magical month and not because Santa Clause was coming to town, but because employees at Coulter Motor Company got to play Santa to some very deserving children for the 1st Annual Holiday Drive benefitting Child Crisis Center.

On December 16th, volunteers put on their Santa hats, loaded up their cargo vans and headed out to pick up donations collected we had collected. After the second stop of the day, one van was filled from floor to ceiling, leaving only room to sit and drive. Filled to its max,  the only thing to do was make an early delivery to the Child Crisis Center.

Teddy bears, dolls, stuffed animals, and even a car seat were unloaded by volunteers at the crisis center and taken to a class room inside the building. Cupboards, tables, and even the floors were decorated with boxes and bags of donations.

 

Santa's Helpers make this Christmas a Joy for Hundreds of Valley Children

 

Our goal was 3,500 and we began to realize as bag after bag and box after box were loaded into the vans that it would be impossible to count the thousands of items collected, but it was apparent that we went far beyond our goal.

Because of the overwhelming support we were able go above and beyond our intended number and achieved an even bigger goal, putting a smile on the face of a child.

 

How to Save Money on Gas

With gas prices on the rise, here are a few tips to pay close attention to that will help you save TIME…and MONEY at the pump.

1. Don’t fill up on the weekend.  Prices are always higher on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

2. Keep tires inflated to the maximum.  It can improve mileage by as much as 10%.

3. Go easy on the brakes.   Coast up to the stop sign so you don’t have to break very much.

4. If you’re stuck in traffic, or waiting for someone, turn off the engine.

5. Take heavy stuff out of the trunk.  Every 100 pounds reduces mileage by 2% according to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance.

6. Use a cash-back credit card.  Some offer as much as 5% back, while 1-2% is the common figure.

7. Consider gas efficient vehicles such as the GMC Terrain, Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, Buick Enclave or Cadillac SRX Crossover which offer better gas mileage without sacrificing the space that comes with the convenience of an SUV.  Come take a look at all the energy saving inventory we have to offer at Coulter Tempe…where getting the best deal is EASY!

New Cadillac ATS to Challenge BMW

General Motors Co. says it will unveil four new vehicles at the North American International Auto Show in January, including a new Cadillac that it hopes will take the fight to BMW.

The 2013 Cadillac ATS is an all-new, compact, rear-wheel-drive sedan, said Mary Barra, vice president of global product development for GM.

“The ATS is really a crucial part of our Cadillac strategy,” she told reporters on Friday at an Automotive Press Association luncheon.

“It enters one of the biggest segments in the global luxury industry, both from a volume and from an importance perspective. It’s a segment, it’s well-known, that’s dominated by German cars — including the BMW 3-series, the Mercedes C-class and the Audi A4. And we believe we’ve developed a compelling and convincing new challenger.”

The ATS will be built in Lansing at GM’s Grand River assembly plant. It is based on an entirely new rear-wheel-drive architecture that will also provide the foundation for other future products.

We are excited to showcase the Cadillac ATS and look forward to seeing it dominate on the road!

Roadtripping with the GMC Terrain

General Motors recently contacted a local mommie about driving their new 2012 GMC Terrain…here’s what she had to say about her experience with the sporty SUV.

I’m guessing that GMC chose the name “Terrain” for this vehicle, because it is a crossover SUV designed to handle different types of – um – terrain.  In all honesty, off-roading was not the first thing that came to mind when I first saw this vehicle.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s tough looking – like it could boss the other SUVs around on the playground – but it was stylish, both inside & out.  The model I received had a carbon black metallic exterior with chrome trim & chrome-clad aluminum wheels.  The interior featured jet black leather seats with red accents.  The red trim was very nicely done, I might add.  GMC could have taken it a little too far, making it gaudy, but they didn’t; red stitching and peeks of red on the door panel.

Of course one of my biggest concerns, as a mom, is safety.  As usual, the good folks at General Motors do not disappoint.  The 2012 GMC Terrain (SLT-2) comes with 6 air bags, anti-lock brake system, Stablitrak stability control system, rear child seat latch anchors, theft deterrent system and 6 months of On-Star (subscription service available after 6 months).

These are all fairly standard in new vehicles these days.  There are a few other safety features that really impressed me though, including the passenger sensing system that turns front air bags on and off, based on the weight in that seat.  Another feature my husband enjoyed was an improvement to the rear-view camera which, in addition to showing whats behind you, also shows your path of travel; I wish I would have snapped a picture of this because it’s very helpful.

One of the newest safety features of the 2012 GMC Terrain is the Forward Collision Alert & Lane Departure Warning system.  It’s a little technological wonder that kicks in, automatically, after you’ve reached 25 miles per hour.  It can sense if you are approaching another vehicle too fast, alerts you and pressurizes the brakes in preparation.  The lane departure warning uses a digital camera to detect the lane marking and beeps when you begin to veer.  Not only this a great safety feature, it also came in very handy for proving that I am a better driver than my husband. 

For comfort & convenience, the Terrain features a built-in color GPS with a 7″ screen, packaged together with a CD/MP3 player, AUX input & USB port, Bluetooth with audio control and power everything, including rear hatch.  With heated front seats & remote start, it’s winter ready too.

While we didn’t take it over particularly rough terrain, we did spend a good deal of time on the interstate system and was very impressed with how well the Terrain minimized being jolted across our famous potholes.  The lumbar support also helped make both the driver and passenger comfortable for the long trip.

The 2012 GMC Terrain starts at around $25,000 and seats up to 5 (2 in front; 3 in back).  It’s not a truck, but the cargo space was sufficient for my family of 4, including 2 teenage girls that have yet to discover the joys of packing light.

This is another General Motors car that gets a recommendation from a local Mommie.  Tops in safety, looks & comfort and packed with great features it makes the perfect road-trip vehicle.

Come see the 2012 GMC Terrain at Coulter Motor Tempe today, where getting the best deal is…EASY!

The 2012 GMC Terrain in Review

The 2012 GMC Terrain crossover SUV straddles the fence between a compact and mid-size SUV.  The Terrain displays a decidedly more truck-like appearance, an important link to its GMC heritage. The oversized wheel arches and massive grille make the 2012 GMC Terrain appear much larger in photos than it is in person. Yet, despite its compact SUV size, the Terrain offers an impressively large interior, as well as the best highway fuel economy in the segment (rated at 32 mpg for front-drive, 4-cylinder models). If the GMC Terrain SUV’s strong styling and narrow windows don’t offend your visual senses, there is a lot to fall in love with in this compact crossover SUV.

You’ll Like This Car If…
If you’re thinking you’d like a reasonably sized crossover SUV that gets great gas mileage, has room for five but also has a bit of an attitude, the 2012 GMC Terrain compact SUV deserves a spot on your shopping list.

What’s New for 2012
The 2012 GMC Terrain receives an updated 2.4-liter engine that is now E85-compatible. Later in the model year GMC will make available IntelliLink, a service that allows customers to customize the touch-screen radio and use voice commands to operate various functions. IntelliLink uses USB and Bluetooth to connect the user’s smart phone to the radio, making it possible to stream apps such as Pandora and Stitcher.

Driving It Driving Impressions
With the proliferation of Bluetooth-enabled devices becoming increasingly more commonplace, the 2012 GMC Terrain SUV’s impressively quiet cab is an unexpected bonus. Extensive use of acoustic laminated glass, active noise-cancellation technology, and triple-sealed doors culminate to create an interior that is nearly Lexus-like at highway speed. Powering the 2012 GMC Terrain SUV is a competent 4-cylinder engine admittedly better at impressing with its fuel economy than its passing prowess. For those more appreciative of power, a 3.0-liter V6 is available, delivering 264 horsepower yet still earning fuel-economy ratings in the mid 20s.

Favorite Features
Heated Cloth Seats
Heated seats aren’t often seen without a leather interior. The seats in the 2012 GMC Terrain can be programmed to begin warming when the vehicle is turned on via remote start, which always makes for a more comfortable start to the day on a cold winter morning.

Moveable Second Row
The entire second row can be moved forward or back eight inches, allowing for taller passengers to gain more legroom and for parents to pull kids in car seats significantly closer.

Vehicle Details Interior
If there is a place where the Terrain’s Chevy roots are exposed, it’s the nearly identical interior it shares with the Equinox. To differentiate the two models, GMC employs more high-quality materials and soft-touch areas, as well as satin metal trim. Compared to the Equinox, the Terrain offers more standard features, but retains the same available interior color schemes of black, gray and brown/black. GMC’s signature glowing red instrument panel looks particularly fetching in the Terrain, with backlighting for just about every conceivable switch or button. Even the USB port features a lighted surround making it easier to locate in the dark. There’s also a new touch-screen radio that uses smart-phone-like icons to operate the screen functions. Cool features we thought were above what most in this segment offer include an available power rear liftgate and a standard rearview camera.

Exterior
The 2012 GMC Terrain compact SUV shuns the rounded, wavy look so popular among small crossover SUVS today, opting instead for a rugged, almost Hummer-like profile. Strong angular wheel arches and a huge 3-bar grille with block GMC lettering and chrome cap are the first things that will catch your eye, but definitely not the last. Optional 19-inch wheels make a bold statement, as do the sturdy roof rail racks perfect for holding kayaks, bikes, skis, surfboards or a cargo carrier. The 2012 GMC Terrain isn’t terribly tall off the ground, making it easy to get in and out of, as well as to reach the roof. The long 112-inch wheelbase creates a more stable and comfortable ride, as well as opens up the interior for superior legroom both front and rear.

Notable Standard Equipment
The base 2012 GMC Terrain compact SUV comes equipped with features like a 182-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 6-speed transmission, 17-inch wheels, rearview camera, a USB port, six airbags, XM Satellite Radio, OnStar, and a sliding rear seat that can move fore/aft nearly eight inches. Inside, ambient lighting sets the interior’s mood, and Active Noise Cancellation – the usage of sound waves through the car’s speakers to counteract loud exterior noises – means that the car is also quiet.

Notable Optional Equipment
Want a little more oomph under the hood? Add a 264-horsepower 3.0-liter V6. Want larger wheels in those bold wheel wells? Upgrade to the 19-inchers. Looking to keep the kids quiet on a long trip or just while out running errands? Add the rear-entertainment system with two independent screens. Also available is a 7-inch touch-screen navigation system, a 10-gigabyte music storage hard drive, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, and a programmable rear liftgate that can be set to open to a lower height.

Under the Hood
Motivating the 2012 GMC Terrain is either a 182-horsepower in-line 4-cylinder or a 264-horsepower V6. Both benefit from direct injection and are mated to 6-speed automatic transmissions, and see excellent fuel-economy numbers.

2.4-liter in-line 4
182 horsepower @ 6,700 rpm
172 lb-ft of torque @ 4,900 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/32 (front-wheel drive), 15/22 (E85, front-wheel drive), 20/29 (AWD), 14/20 (E85, AWD)

3.0-liter V6
264 horsepower @ 6,950 rpm
222 lb-ft of torque @ 5,100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/24 (front-wheel drive, gasoline), 12/18 (front-wheel drive, E85), 16/22 (AWD, gasoline), 12/17 (AWD, E85)

Pricing Notes
The 2012 GMC Terrain SLE has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) close to $26,000, while the SLT runs closer to $30,000. Adding all-wheel drive will set you back $1,750 on either model. Competitors of the Terrain include the Dodge Journey, Honda CR-V and the Subaru Outback, all of which cost less than the Terrain, but come with less standard equipment. To ensure that you get the best price on the 2012 GMC Terrain SUV, be sure to check out the Fair Purchase price on kbb.com, which will give you an idea of what people in your area are paying for theirs at the local GMC dealership. A 2012 GMC Terrain will hold its value exceedingly well over the years, far better than the Journey and the Compass, but still well behind the segment residual leader, the Honda CR-V.

Buick Verano Takes on Lexus and Acura

The Buick Verano, which arrives in showrooms in December, will take on luxury  compact cars such as the Lexus IS 250 and the Acura TSX. But with a starting  price at $23,470, including shipping, the Verano goes for $6,000 to $10,000 less than those vehicles.

The basics: The Verano will be Buick’s third all-new or redesigned  entry to the U.S. market in the past three years, joining the Regal midsize sedan and LaCrosse sedan. GM already sells a version of the Verano in China as the Buick Excelle.

GM is emphasizing amenities and refinement to convince mainstream compact  buyers that the Verano warrants a price tag that starts above $20,000–and to  turn the heads of traditional import customers who would typically spend far  more.

“Quiet” is the watchword for Buick marketers. GM says the Verano, packed with  loads of noise-reducing features, has a quieter interior than the Lexus or Acura.

Notable features: A 2.4-liter Ecotec engine is combined with a  six-speed automatic transmission and will get an expected 31 mpg on the highway.  GM says a manual 2.0-liter turbo is planned for the 2013 model. The Verano is built on the same platform as the Cruze. Other standard features to set Verano apart include Buick’s new IntelliLink infotainment system with 7-inch,  high-resolution color display and a Bose sound system.

What Buick says: ”The goal from the beginning was a baby LaCrosse,”  Danowski says. “It’s for people who don’t need LaCrosse’s size but still want  the amenities and refinement.”

The market: Buick is targeting both ends of the buying spectrum:  20-something professionals, as well as empty nesters who may want to downsize  but still get a plush interior and smooth ride. But some Buick dealers worry  about overlap in a lineup that has three vehicles that start under $30,000.

The skinny: IHS analyst Aaron Bragman says the Verano “has the refinement and feel of a luxury car. It feels substantial.” He adds: “Its  success will depend on how well they can sell Buick as a luxury brand.”

The Buick Verano will arrive in December – be one of the first to test drive this new classic – call Coulter Tempe today.  480-940-6000.