The GMC Terrain is up for a mid-cycle refresh, and that’s exactly what our spy caught undergoing testing today.
The prototype for the 2021 GMC Terrain refresh has camouflaged front and rear ends, suggesting that the nose and tail will be reworked to get the latest GMC styling. Like on the 2020 GMC Acadia refresh, most of the updates to the 2021 Terrain will likely be to the front end. Expect a new grille, LED headlamps, and various other details. Notably, the overall shape of the grille seems consistent with those seen on the 2019 Sierra and 2020 Acadia, with lower “fangs” at each outer edge.
The rear end is a bit trickier, as this prototype of the 2021 GMC Terrain facelift seems to be wearing placeholder rear taillamps. Even so, we can see that the placeholder lights take the general formation of GMC’s C-shaped lighting elements, though the units will likely be updated for the refresh.
Another curious element is the quad exhaust out back. Much like on the 2021 Chevy Equinox refresh we spied earlier this month, the treatment suggests a higher-performance variant of the compact crossover is on its way. It’s unclear which engine will be breathing through the quad pipes.
Besides the potential high-performance variant, powertrain changes will likely include the replacement of the turbocharged 2.0L LTG engine with the all-new LSY unit. GM could also opt to replace the 6-speed automatic transmission with its new 9-speed gearbox when paired with the 1.6L turbo-diesel engine LH7 motor.
In addition, the 2021 GMC Terrain facelift will bring very minor changes and updates to the interior, mostly in the form of the latest infotainment systems and perhaps the inclusion of GM’s innovative Rear Camera Mirror.
Expect the GMC Terrain refresh to be announced in late 2019 or early 2020, and launch in the 2020 calendar year to continue the model’s successful performance in the highly competitive compact crossover space.
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About GMC Terrain
The GMC Terrain is a compact crossover that currently is GMC's smallest crossover slotting below the midsize GMC Acadia.
The first-generation Terrain ran from the 2010-2017 model years and was based on the Theta 2 platform. The vehicle was a "tweeter" model that straddled the compact and midsize CUV segments in size. The second-generation Terrain was introduced for the 2018 model year. It rides on the GM D2 platform shared with the second-generation Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Cruze, and Chevrolet Volt and, unlike its predecessor, is positioned squarely in the compact segment.
The second-generation, 2018 and newer Terrain features an all-new exterior and interior, while being slightly smaller inside and out compared to the outgoing model. It also offers an all-new engine lineup and an all-new lightweight architecture that enables a weight savings of over 400 pounds compared to the first-gen model. As a result, the new Terrain gets better fuel economy while also delivering improvements in ride, handling, packaging, and safety.
The 2019 model year Terrain sees one new color, various technology updates such as the addition of full-speed Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop/Go, Front Pedestrian Braking, HD Rear Vision Camera, and HD Surround Vision, as well as the introduction of various packages, including the Terrain Black Edition.
The second-generation GMC Terrain is built by GM Mexico at the GM San Luis Potosi factory.
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Comments
High performance based on quad exhaust? Hahah did you see those pedestrian tires on Equinox? If it was performance then you would see at least something more sportier than bycicle tires.
Safety equipment std. That’s what’s needed in this and most other GM vehicles. GM is on the wrong side of history on this.
They signed an agreement to make AEB standard on every vehicle by MY22…Beyond that, who knows…
Terrain is the biggest piece of trash ever assembled..i know from personal experience.. buyer beware!!
Made in Mexico by Mexicans
I sure hope they addressed all the engine concerns those terrains are having… I’m having a 2011 GMC terrain towed from the dealership back to my house because GM doesn’t want to back up their product and take responsibility for their mistakes on that motor for having the excessive oil consumption issue along with everything else! I had to put a complaint in with the nhtsa so hopefully they do something about it. GM has gone down in my book and to put people’s lives at risk and not want to recall all these motors they should be ashamed of themselves….I’m wonder if they put their kids, mother, dad, sister, or brother behind the wheel of these vehicles and put their lives at risk I’m thinking that though….it’s unsafe to be driving 75 miles an hour on the freeway and have your Pistons blow through your motor!!! Don’t you think GM????
They don’t even use the oil burning, piston replacing, timing chain stretching, VVT failing 2.4 Ecotec anymore, that alot of was brought about by GM and the OLM.
Three totally new engines as of 2018 in the new Terrain.
That’s good to know, because those older engines are a danger. I haven’t came across this information yet; I will be looking that info up?
Take a look!
https://www.classaction.org/chevy-equinox-lawsuit
Thanks for the update Bob!!!!! I have been following that class action lawsuit as well. I was actually told today by the GM executive that is in charge of my case, that investigations are pending on a couple of the special service warranty bulletins that I made a complaint about to the department of Transportation national highway traffic safety administration… I’m hoping to hear a resolution shortly…. When I say shortly I’m still assuming it’s going to take a month or two… Thanks for the support!
according to “simpletons” like Joe, there isn’t
or wasn’t a widespread problem?
That’s a good one Clifford, Hopefully Joe will learn to educate himself before he starts attacking people…he must be one of those people that get so excited they put the cart before the horse ?
what about the battery draining issue????
my 18 year old was recently driving our terrain and the piece of garbage car died WHILE HE WAS DRIVING… i just put a new battery in it.. he could have been killed..
i would never buy a GM product ever again as they will not stand behind it..
i tell everyone i can to stay away from GM vehicles.. absolute garbage!!
A battery dying will not stop a car from running that has to be something else. I have no issue with my 2019 Terrian. And those complaining about a 8 year old product sorry GM has no reason to do anything. Its out of warranty and its your responsibility unless the offer a extended warranty.
You guys act like other manufactures don’t do this. Nobody is going to fix a 8 year old car that has problems for free.
That’s not true, because it happened to me as well, and it took a diagnostic to tell me it was the battery!!! I guess you have been blessed….lucky you!!! You are obviously unaware of all the problems with the GMC Terrain from 2010-2015, you should probably educate yourself before you speak on something you don’t know nothing about. GM has issued special bulletin warrantys due to their product failure, after the NHTSA investigates them, however, GM doesn’t want to stand by all the warrantys issued or issue recalls because they are shady!!! My truck had the Pistons and Rings replaced under one of the Special warrantys in 2016, THANKS GM?, but when the Pistons gave out this time (3 years later) when they blew through the motor while driving on the freeway GM wants to hide behind the warranty and lie and refusing to fix this time because it’s going to cost them 7600.00….thank GOD I was able to dodge the semi’s on the freeway when my engine failed!!!?
yes under special warranty which many manufactures have. And many other manufactures don’t fix products that are that old. Unless its a true safety issue like the air bags. I heard of the issue with the old Terrains. The new one is not having those issue. You need to state what years you were talking about. Also there are many happy owners of older Terrains. So maybe you did poor maintenance which in most cases is the issue. I bet your engine is filthy and not cleaned I bet you didn’t change your oil on time. You say you did but many techinicians can see through BS from owners. NHTSA is not going to do investigation when there are only a handful of people complaining. Nobody does. If your pistons were replaced and then went out again you should have took it up with the dealership and a lawyer
The Elevator Doesn’t Go To The Top Floor Joe! Please get down off of your high horse for a minute. There are more bulletins for just one year, and there are technical bulletins and then special warranty bulletins but you don’t see that because you failed to fully educate yourself or you simple just don’t get it. There is more than a handful of complaints on the older models. This is why I said “I hope GM addressed all the engine concerns with their new models!” Also, I did specify the year of my Terrain, in my first post. I absolutely loved my terrain, hence the reason I kept it, but if I would have did my research before I my engine failed, I would have gotten rid of it, and I am sure all the other terrain owners in my situation would have too… You sound young and ignorant to accuse me of not taking care of my motor. I have many receipts; GM took three days going through them. GM could not use poor maintenance as cause and a lot of my oil changes were at the dealership! I can see that your too arrogant to even understand anything so informing you more is a waste of everyone’s time. Has anyone ever said to you “Somewhere there’s a village missing its idiot.” There is no need for you to get all up tight like you own GM or something. People are just voicing their opinions on their bad and good experience with the terrains or 2.4L motors. The Safety Defects Engineer, from the Department of Transportation, at NHTSA, located in Washington DC, has advised me that this will be investigated, and that I should hear something in a couple of months, due to the paperwork and required meetings. You need stop being so defensive when you know nothing about the situations with these older Terrain’s, and for you to say take it up with the dealership and lawyer tells me that you are a idiot and you don’t know any about all these issues we are speaking of. Good luck with your endeavors!
Here are some links to the federal website that receives complaints…I wish they would receive all consumer complaints, because tlit speeds up the investigation process. You might want to look up the current complaints for your 2019 model?
https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/GMC/TERRAIN/SUV/FWD
https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/GMC/TERRAIN/4%252520DR/FWD%25252F4WD
https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/GMC/TERRAIN/SUV/FWD
Joe, I owned the terrain for several years..I am much more qualified to speak on actual facts that have happened with this garbage that GM calls a vehicle.. try educating yourself.. here, I’ll even help you out.. there is a KNOWN problem with the terrain regarding a parasitic drain on the battery that causes the car to shut off. you’re welcome
https://www.terrainforum.net/29-1st-gen-equinox/10969-battery-drain-issue-may-affect-alot-us-especially-onstar-xm.html#/topics/10969
That’s only for one year and its not the that wide spread. Just because there is a technical bulletin does not make it widespread. If you knew anything about electronics the chips are not made by GM or any car manufacture they buy the same ones that go in your computer and cell phones. Looks like they had some bad chips that caused the power draw. It happens, it happens to other items in your house to that are electronic and other manufactures.
I’ve owned 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019 Equinoxes and Terrains. All have been O.K. vehicles. My 2016 Equinox had a bad fuel pump when new. All the others were perfect keeping in mind, I traded every three years at the 25K mark.
All my vehicles had the 2,4 4cyl engine…………..a real dog! My mileage averaged between 20-21 around town. I liked the size and ride and comfort………..excellent marks.
My 2019 Equinox Premier has the 1,5 Turbo…………so far so good…………way more power than the other models. I absolutely hate the START-STOP and have just trained myself to put it in low and advance the shifter to 6th gear.
For the money………the TERRAIN and NOX aren’t the best but does the job.
I just cant get over how ugly it is. The C wrap tail lights and LED fronts are just gaudy. Won’t age well. The car just looks all out of proportion and scale.
BTW………..I bought the 2019 EQUINOX that has a real gear shift handle…………….the button shift on the TERRAIN was a definite NO-GO for me!
For me why is the Terrain and Acadia not a hybrid yet aka half electric half gas I myself have a 2011 GMC Terrain and had the motor rebuild at 83000 miles but now at 200000 i have to put new timing chains in it all because the plastic crappy parts that are inside the engine. Vehicles now days are made shiter and shiter I’m thinking about a Nesson Pathfinder hybrid next time I look for another one I’m going over seas
Don’t think getting a Nissan will help with what you’re after. The GM engines are developed to higher standards.
go with the Nissan everyday of the week and twice on Sunday… higher standards for GM????? LOLOLOLOLO.. thanks for the laugh Alex
Nissan Is absolute garbage. Last week I had a rogue as a rental. Right as we got on to the highway going 55MPH, the car started shaking like crazy. Everyone was bouncing so much they couldn’t speak right so we took it bak immediately. It was also a very cheap car, cheapest interior ever. Then we got moved to had a rental pathfinder, mid trim level. It was probably the cheapest and crappiest three row crossover I’ve ever been in. Everything about it felt cut rate. The doors felt rattly, all door handles felt like plastic, and the trunk did not even open high enough for me to stand under and I am not a tall dude. Materials were awful, engine and transmission awful and slow. Ive been in many rental subs, and these two were by far worse than any other, let alone any gm rental I’ve been in. Nissans are absolute garbage.