2020 GMC Terrain: Here’s What’s New And Different
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The GMC Terrain is getting a refresh for the 2021 model year, which we more or less saw a few weeks ago. But before that model actually begins arriving at dealers around the third quarter of 2020, we have the 2020 Terrain, which is getting a few updates and changes of its own. So, here’s what’s new and different about the 2020 GMC Terrain.
Model Line
As we reported previously, the Terrain does away with the 1.6L Turbo Diesel LH7 engine for the 2020 model year in both FWD and AWD formats. This results in the deletion of the SLE Diesel (3SB) and SLT Diesel (4SB) trim levels that hosted the diesel engine. No other changes to the model line take place for the 2020 GMC Terrain.
Exterior
On the outside, the 2020 Terrain gains one new exterior color while losing two others:
New color:
Deleted colors:
- Blue Steel Metallic
- Sedona Metallic
2019 GMC Terrain in White Frost Tricoat. The color is deleted for the 2020 model year.
The only other change to the exterior is that the bright rear bumper protector (an LPO-level item) is now available as Free Flow on SLE and SLT models. The part was previously only included and available with the Bright Accent Package on SLE and SLT models. In addition, the bright rear bumper protector remains part of the Bright Accent Package.
Interior
Inside, the 2020 GMC Terrain adds Front and Rear Park Assist as standard on Denali models. Rear Park Assist continues being available on SLE and SLT models.
The only other change is the deletion of the LPO-level Interior Enhancement Package, which for the 2019 model year included premium carpeted floor mats and embroidered front row headrests.
Safety
Arguably the most noteworthy change to the 2020 GMC Terrain is the addition of the equipment in the Driver Alert Package II as standard on all trim levels. The features are now bundled as part of the GMC Pro Safety package, and include:
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Forward Collision Alert
- Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
- Following Distance Indicator
- Front Pedestrian Braking
- IntelliBeam headlamps
Adaptive Cruise Control is the only feature that doesn’t become standard. Instead, it’s now included in the Driver Alert Package I available on SLE and SLT models and as part of the Advanced Safety Package on Denali models. For the 2019 model year, Adaptive Cruise Control was included and only available with the Driver Alert Package II, which was available only on SLT and Denali models.
In addition, the Driver Alert Package I is now available on SLE and SLT models, while also bundling the other packages (Driver Convenience Package on SLE and Preferred Package on SLT). The Driver Alert Package I now includes:
- Adaptive Cruise Control – Camera
- Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Rear Park Assist
- Safety Alert Seat
Finally, the Advanced Safety Package and Comfort Package are now included and only available with Denali Premium Package. For the 2019 model year, the Advanced Safety Package required the Driver Alert Package II, while the Comfort Package was free flow on Denali models.
Mechanical
Mechanically, the 2020 GMC Terrain deletes the aforementioned 1.6L Turbo Diesel LH7 engine option along with the 2.89 final drive ratio. This leaves the 2020 model with two gasoline engine choices:
- 1.5L LYX I4 – turbocharged DOHC engine rated at 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque
- 2.0L LTG I4 – turbocharged DOHC engine rated at 252 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque
The 1.5L is mated to GM’s six-speed automatic while the 2.0L pairs to the new GM 9-speed automatic transmission.
In addition, the 2.0-Liter LTG Turbo I4 engine is no longer available on the SLE (3SA) trim level. Instead, the up-level engine is only offered on SLT and is standard on Denali. The last change is related to the suspension: as GM Authority was first to exclusively report, the unique Premium Suspension on the 2020 Denali now includes an additional valve internal to the struts and shocks that delivers a more refined ride. This is in addition to the existing upgraded urethane spring isolators that reduce road noise over coarse roads.
Packages
The final changes to the 2020 GMC Terrain are related to packages. The changes are as follows:
- Black Edition has been renamed to “Elevation Edition”
- Available on SLE and SLT, package includes:
- 19-inch gloss black aluminum wheels
- Darkened front grille
- Black roof side rails
- Black GMC center caps with black GMC lettering
- Black exterior accents
- Black mirror caps
- Black exterior badging
- Available on SLE and SLT, package includes:
- Addition of Denali Premium Package
- Available only on Denali models, package includes:
- Advanced Safety Package content:
- Comfort Package content:
- Ventilated driver seat
- Ventilated front passenger seat
- Heated rear seats
- Available only on Denali models, package includes:
Looking Ahead
The current, second-generation GMC Terrain was introduced for the 2018 model year. The 2021 Terrain introduces a refresh (midcycle enhancement) that includes updated front and rear ends, the introduction of a rugged new AT4 trim level, and various other changes, like the addition of an engine auto stop-start defeat switch. We expect the current-generation Terrain to remain on the market at least through the 2023 model year, after which point it will likely be replaced by an all-new model.
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Please offer 1.6l diesel with its class leading fuel economy- actual mid 40’s highway fuel economy
I get 55mpg highway in my 2019 Cruze! The best diesel car I have owned going back to 1975
The 21 MY refresh looks good . Would like to see a new gauge cluster though and get rid of the 1980’s fake wood on the door panels and add carbon fiber or stainless to match the new trim around the air vents.
PLEASE bring back the wonderful boxy look for SUVs!
I had TWO GMC Terrains – before the design changed to the SOAP look.
(All cars now look the same – like a used bar of soap!)
Improved gas mileage or an attempt at a hybrid would also be nice.
LOVE GMC!
I agree that the Terrain can and should be the most fuel efficient SUV; GM should just bring back the whisper diesel engine used previously in the Terrain and Equinox. Then fuel economy will be in the low 40s making these two SUVs the most fuel efficient IC engine SUVs in the US.; avoiding the complexity and expense of a pure EV or hybrid powertrain.
Please don’t get rid of the 2.0 litre engine in the Terrain Denali perfect power plant the 1.5 engine I believe will hurt sales I want to buy a 2021 Terrain Denali with 2.0 l not 1.5 it would be ridiculous 170 hp vrs 252 wow give your heads a shake a 2.0 litre engine still small but adequate for vehicle. G.M bad decision might force my hand to go with competitors
GM should make the Equinox/Terrain the highest mpg suv s powered by a ice by bringing back the Whisper diesel engine, giving a terrific range and real world fuel economy in the 40s- but they need to promote this option for it to be successful. The diesel option was a best kept secret, some salesmen I talked to didnt even know about it
Totally understand about mpg and I agree but I just think In the gasoline version a 2.0 lite engine should remain considering the the 2013-2017 gmc had the 3.6 litre V-6 then in 2018 new body style they went to the 4cyl 2.0 l 252 hp which I though was perfect and going to remain in production in the Terrain . Considering other manufacturers have similar power plants and just though gm was above really don’t think in my opinion should change the engine in the Terrain in all trim keep the Denali with 2.0 litre after all it is a DENALI!!!
Does anyone know if 2021 GMC Terrain Denali coming also with a Diesel engine just curious???
i currently own a 2018 Terrain Denali and I wish these SUV’s would update the software and offer “driving mode” for your phone when paired with blutooth or even when using android or apple play so when it’s connected to the car and someone texts you it will auto reply with a message that you are driving and cannot text at the moment.
Kind of excited to see what the 2022 gmc terrain / terrain Denali is going to look like and what kind of provision and enhancement they are going to come out with for model year still undecided to purchase a 2020 or wait until 2022 Terrain denali . They say there will be a late 2021 terrain Denali just wondering is that going to be the same as 2020 or that going to be a 2022 new look and hope they don’t go away with the 2.0 litre LTG engine with 252 H P .