2021 GMC Terrain To Drop Optional 2.0L Turbo Engine: Exclusive
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The 2021 GMC Terrain will not offer the turbocharged 2.0L LTG gasoline engine, GM Authority has learned. The change leaves the turbocharged 1.5L LYX gasoline engine as the sole powerplant for the compact crossover. Both engines are four-cylinders with a Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) configuration, and feature Variable Valve Timing (VVT) and Spark Ignition Direct Injection (SIDI) technologies.
For the 2020 model year, the turbo 2.0L LTG engine – rated at 252 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque – was optional in the Terrain SLT and standard on the Terrain Denali. Meanwhile, the 2021 GMC Terrain will make the turbo 1.5L engine – rated at 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque – as the standard and only available engine for all models and trims. Both engines are mated to the new GM nine-speed automatic transmission and are available in either front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive.
The discontinuation of the boosted 2.0-liter motor represents a noteworthy change in the Terrain’s powertrain structure, which has been offered with a base engine and an uplevel engine throughout its two generations.
GMC says that it made the decision to stop offering the more powerful 2.0L engine based on customer demand.
“GMC’s 1.5L turbo engine is the most popular choice for Terrain customers, making up nearly 73% of sales volume today,” GMC spokesperson, Mikhael Farah, told GM Authority. “For the 2021 model year, GMC will exclusively offer the Terrain with the 1.5L turbo engine across all trims,” Farah added.
The loss of the turbocharged 2.0L for the 2021 GMC Terrain follows another engine discontinuation for the Terrain, when it lost the 1.6L turbo-diesel LH7 engine for the 2020 model year.
GMC Terrain sales have grown steadily since the model’s 2010 introduction. U.S. deliveries totaled 112,030 units in 2015 and 101,470 in 2019, noteworthy increases compared to the 60,519 units delivered during its first full year on sale in 2010. The crossover’s best sales year was 2018, when it recorded 114,314 deliveries.
The GMC Terrain is produced at the GM San Luis Potosi plant in central Mexico. The facility is the only one in the world to produce the small crossover utility, supplying the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Middle Eastern markets.
GM was originally planning to launch a midcycle enhancement (MCE / refresh) for the 2021 Terrain that would deliver updates to the exterior and interior, while also adding a new Terrain AT4 model. However, the refresh was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and is now expected to launch for the 2022 model year.
2021 GMC Terrain refresh has now been pushed back to the 2022 model year
We’ll have a lot more on the 2021 GMC Terrain shortly, so be sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more GMC Terrain news, GMC news, and around-the-clock General Motors news coverage.
Update: the Terrain’s corporate cousin – the Chevrolet Equinox – will also discontinue the optional 2.0L turbo engine for the 2021 model year.
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What’s the point again?, Why not just drop the 1.5 and have 2 tunes of the 2.0t instead.
The best part of all, the 2.0t is probably cheaper to make. I can’t believe how far GM continues to fall.
2.0 What da heck happened… the only upgrade worth the .new purchase
Ok, I’ve reread the 21′ MY is shortened because of the Covid Economy Crisis. However the 2.0 returns for ’22?.
Another stupid move by GM meat heads. Bravo!
Maybe the 1.5 is getting a significant powerboost to maybe 200 hp ? If not, no idea what their thinking !!
Thats highly unlikely. its GM after all
As a retired gm employee I have always bought gm. That just changed with the underpowered Buick encore gx and now the underpowered equinox. What a joke. Move on to Ford
the mazda cx-30 is smaller, cheaper and has 16 more horsepower. what happened to professional grade?
Maybe Professional means paper-pusher, not something or somone doing actual work, thus needing more power.
GM has a lot of work to do if they would like to keep my business in a few years. The Japanese and Korean subcompact, subcompact+, and compact sized vehicles priced around 25-30k are just infinitely better right now. It’s kind of sad 😢If GM is thinking that I’m gonna go spend 32k plus on a Cadillac CT4 they got another thing coming. I guess I should say not coming, cause I’m not going to a GM dealer unless they update and replace the Sonic or Cruze. It’s not even that hard. Just use the vss-f trailblazer, lower it a little, insert 2.0t, sticker price 27k and profit. Also remember when Chevy had a 100k mile warranty, just like 6 years ago?
Stupid…
horrible move by GM..wow… the 1.5 is crap compared to the 2.0
Shouldn’t the top engine be the 3.6, then the entry is the 2.0.
The 2.0L engine on the Terrain was literally one of its only advantage over competitors, so what did they do? Take it away! It’s getting tiring trying to defend the GM beancounters.
Maybe the 1.5 is getting a significant powerboost to maybe 200 hp ? If not, no idea what their thinking !!
So glad I have the 2.0 in my 2018 SLT. I drove a loaner with the 1.5 and it is a night and day difference.
The 2.0 was the only engine that should be considered by buyers.
The 1.5 is a real disappointment.
Guess I’ll have to look elsewhere if I replace my 19 Denali.
Can kiss those profit heavy Denali sales goodbye. Most of the competitors off a similar sized turbo offering as the range topping engine, some are going for hybrid performance. Ford, Hyundai, Toyota, even little dog Mazda has a 230hp boosted CX5
I wonder if this 2.0, which has roots going back over 10 years, is going to be retired and the new 2.7T to be the new hot shot
I was thinking the same. This is what made the Denali so desirable. The CX-5 Signature and the V6 Cherokee will eat its lunch. Big mistake.
The 2.7t may find it way into some transverse awd cuv’s, but I’m not sure what the transmission situation looks like. All the applications currently using the 2.7t are longitudinal. However wouldn’t hold my breath on GM retiring 2.0t. The LTG might be getting a little older, but the LSY is a brand new 2.0t. Also, was the Denali Terrain really that desirable with it’s hefty $40k price tag? Meanwhile, as you point out you can get a CX-5 with a more powerful 2.5t for $4k less, the Mazda 2.5t produces 250 hp, but substantially more torque than the 2.0t. The Cx-5 already outsells the Terrain, so now it’s not even going to be close.
The cx-5 is also a lot nicer than any GMC crossover. Cadillac too.
I went to the Cadillac dare to compare event to drive the xt 4 . Took it out around the course multiple times . The Mazda CX-5 drive was just as good or better at Way less .
Shame , always want to buy gm but the product is inferior at a higher price . I even had gm cars points to spend .
As for the terrain . Sat in the top of the line at the ny auto show. Seats reminded me of the over soft seats in my dads 91 Buick Regal gs that gave me back pain after a few hours behind wheel .
Plus the seats on the signature use a much higher grade leather . Better handling And not built in Mexico
So I’m at the light with my 2.0 turbo sle 2018 and some other old geezer pulls up in a Mini Cooper S the light turns and off we go I get him by about two car links in less than one quarter of a mile. Bye bye fun with that 1.5
Makes no sense to continue offering the 2.0 on the Equinox but not the Terrain. Wonder if GMC needs to boost their CAFE number and is doing this as an attempt too eek out a higher number?
They claim the take rate of the 2.0 models is low, but maybe they would sell more if they actually had more on the lots. Trying to find a 2.0 Terrain or Equinox can be a real headache. Most dealers have only 1.5 equipped units available. Hard to sell what isn’t really available.
I agree. I believe the only reason the 1.5t has more sales is that there were more available. It is tough to find a 2.0t on any lots.
It’s hard to believe that consumers want less power.. one has to wonder whether did anyone ask if the 1.3L 3-cyl turbo in the Chevy Trailblazer will be offered soon as the new base engine.
There’s some information somewhere on GMA about the next gen 2023 Terrain. They do speculate there that a 3 cylinder may find its way into that Vss-f vehicle. Seems like electric might be the way to go in a few years if GM continues to underpower their vehicles, or go to a different manufacturer.
I refuse to drive a 3 Cylinder anything.
Thank God EV’s are right around the corner. This downsizing of engines just to keep Big Oil going is utterly ridiculous. Why would anyone chose to drive a Dog of a vehicle is beyond me.
Just my opinion.
Just a heads up . Without “big oil “ as the leftest propaganda mill calls it . The USA will be functionally broke .
Ev uses raw material mined on indigenous lands in foreign countries
Subtract oil revenues from USA , add the cost of importing all your energy = USA in poverty
You May get the actual power from solar or wind . But if the resource needed to use the power is 100% imported , the power is imported .
Maybe all you GM die hards should read closer. The article clearly states the refresh has been pushed back until the 2022 model year. This dropping the 2.0 thing is on the 2021 model year, the last year of the current design. People can say sales of this crossover are up, but how does it fare with Chevrolet, Buick, and Cadillac versions? If it is only a model year away from replacement with the least sales of its stable mates, then why not only offer it with the base engine? This Covid-19 hocuspocus screwed a lot of manufacturing up. Trust me, the 2.0 will return for the 2022 model year because who is dumb enough to buy a brand new $40,000 crossover with less than 200hp?! The 2.0 is needed for the AT4 and Denali trims. What GM really needs to quit production of, is the whole damn GMC and Buick lineup. Does it really matter about the Terrain losing the 2.0 if you can get it in the exact same car, the equinox, the Envison, the XT4? Don’t give me some crap about how they are all different either.
Totally agree, but get ready for the die hard GMC and Buick fans to down vote you.
They can down vote all they want. Some of what i say is opinionated, but the rest is facts. When has GM NOT made the same engine available across their entire lineup unless it was a less than engine? In example, the 1.5 may never make it across the lineup, but 2.0 will always be offered across the lineup, because it can fit into every b.s. category. The 2.0 is only taking a small hiatus until refreshed 2022 model shows up in mid 2021. In fact how many 2020-2021 models are out there at all, for any manufacturers? 2020 will go down in history and and some 2020-2021 automobiles may be considered rare or of high value in the future. The only Corvette more rare than a 2020, may be a 1983 (sarcasm). Personally, I feel 2020-2021 build quality may be poor on any vehicle because who has had their minds on work this year?
You know people think I just like to bash GM, especially GMC and Buick, but the truth is GMC and Buick wouldn’t get under my skin if GM would give them some unique product that Chevrolet and Cadillac doesn’t have. Chevrolet is affordable. Cadillac is Luxury. Buick is…what? Pretend luxury? That’s why they were considered Grandparent cars in the first place. If you’re gonna “pretend” luxury, it’s better if an affordable brand like Chevrolet “pretend” because it gives a false sense of them moving up market. Anyone remember Bob Lutz stating that adding chrome to a car visually improves a car’s value? In that same sense, quit making the Chevrolets look so damn weird and just put Chevrolet badges on the good looking Buicks. Then you can quit the unnecessary Buick name, and Chevrolet can do pretend luxury like Hyundai.
If you want to get rid of Buick, there really isn’t anything worth moving over to Chevrolet.
I’d rather they gave Buick and GMC some real content than just rebadge what few things Buick has.
What would you keep? The Enclave? Surely Chevrolet doesn’t need another CUV.
I certainly don’t have the answers for how to solve GM’s problems other than they need new and more interesting products, which even with only 3 brands they somehow still can’t seem to manage.
I think we all know how this is going to end. The company is just going to get smaller and smaller until they collapse with a whimper, because by then nobody will realize they are still in business.
Chevrolet has all the size categories of crossovers covered for sure, you are right. Together GMC and Buick have a complete lineup of crossovers, alone they each do not, which was probably planned by GM for those that go into dealerships. Buick is set to gain more crossovers because they can’t sell any cars models in high enough quantities for them to remain a viable market segment, so they’re putting every effort into crossovers. Not sure how this will fare given that every manufacturer is spitting out crossovers at rapid fire and the market is nearly saturated with every segment imaginable.
As far as I’m concerned Buick is dead for NA. With an all crossover lineup starting with the outdated Frumpbobile and it’s slightly larger lawn mower engined cousin, the Chinese import and the rebadged Traverse Buick is on a roll to total irrelevance!
Josh you may want to not that 5he coming refresh is only a refresh not a new platform or model.
GM is not going to drop and bring back the 2.0. If they do anything it will be a 3 cylinder.
The coming Emissions are not being met now and some drastic moves are coming by many automakers.
The V6 is gone from most models. As it is going 3-4 and V8 models may be all we get.
It is not that people want this but that the laws force this. Trump was going to roll back the refs but the automakers are tired of the refs getting changed with each admin and now with many states. They no longer can afford to keep changing plans.
This is one major reason GM is going to EV models. They will be easier and cheaper to build and have less regulations that keep getting more expensive and difficult to meet.
If that were true, the 2.0 would be dropped from the equinox and the envision as well. People forget that back in 2013 GM quit their extended cab pickups until the new body style came out. I’m not buying what you’re saying, not because I think you’re wrong, but rather it’s too extreme and too far ahead. The 2.0T has taken the spot of the n/a v6, it is still much needed for 200+ hp. The Terrain is too big for an I3 right now. Maybe when hybrid I3 turbo engines come out that will change.
Give them time to announce it…….
Josh if you read all the news releases and look at all the new specs you will see that the 2.0 turbo is dropped in the 2021 Equinox and the new Buick envision also comes with one engine choice and it is not the 2.0 turbo.
Once again the 2.0 offered in the equinox and terrain is not the same engine in the XT4. The only similarity is displacement and cylinder count.
I can’t believe they think a 27% take rate isn’t worth it. Next they won’t even offer different trim levels or colors. GM is thinking way too much about cost cutting. Build quality products that appeal to a wide audience and profits will follow. They have a Henry Ford mindset of churning out black model Ts but that will not work the same 100 years later.
Dude, get a grip. It’s gonna only be gone for 9 months and then the refreshed 2022 that was supposed to be a 2021 before covid-19 will show up. The 2.0 is the only engine they can really offer on an AT4 or Denali trim Terrain. Take a breath…and think about it. Just think of the current gen GMC Terrain as purgatory, ok?
A vehicle line in “purgatory” means lost customers. Possibly lost from GMC and GM entirely. If a vehicle doesn’t offer what a customer wants when they decide to shop they will choose something different not say “well, hopefully in a little while they will offer the 2.0 again”. Possible loosing one out of four customers is a big gamble.
With 4 flavors of crossover, how can you resist good ole GM, huh? Just buy an equinox 2.0 and throw that GMC grille on there if you have to, that’s all GM does. Or if you want a Terrian 2.0, you can wait for Terrain 2.0. Get it, two point O? Who wants to buy a covid car anyway man? People are so worried about the guy working next them coughing, they probably forgot to tighten a couple nuts and bolts.
Some people actually still notice the differences yet subtle between brands. I have a Sierra and have never had any interest in looking at a Silverado. Some people stay with a brand because of the dealer, if I don’t like what GMC has and my friend is happy at the Ford dealer I may go there instead of the Chevy store with no endorsements. GM has to stop isolating large groups of customers hoping they will stay with them in some form.
The Nox and Terrain look nothing alike whatsoever!
What a lot of you GM guys don’t get is GM has too much pride to say, “Hey, production is slow during covid-19 so we’re gonna simplify production on this really short 2021 model because the refresh will probably start production early 2021 as a 2022.” It’s like GM guys are a bunch of Oliver Twists, “Please sir, I want som ore”. GM has good engineers that contribute to good products, but it’s not often enough that the bean counters let them out of thier cages. That’s why I jumped the GM ship a long time ago, because I got tired of waiting for good products that never happened, were short lived, or were ruined. Before it’s over, GM will quit the CT4 and CT5 and all of the GM fans will be holding their heads in their hands like they just caught their wife cheating. Then I’m really gonna lay it down about how GM offers nothing but 4 flavors of crossover and suv. I’m also wondering how long Lincoln lasts before Ford says, “Hey lets just make luxury trims on our crossovers to replace their Lincoln cousins the same way a Platnium F-150 replaced the Lincoln Blackwood/ Mark LT”.
If the reasoning was simplifying production then the equinox would also been affected since they are on the same line, I would think.
The equinox is getting a refresh as well? I didn’t hear about that one? It’s the same way Ram dropped the 3.0 Ecodiesel from Ram 1500 Classic, it’s not lasting much longer. Do you really think many of the 2021 Terrains are gonna be premium trims? How many people are dying to buy a $40,000 crossover with all that is going on in America right now? You guys make it sound like people are lining up to buy fully loaded Terrains. I wouldn’t buy a vehicle until mid 2021 2022 models show up. Everyone is being forced to wear masks, everyone thinks they are gonna die, everyone is being manipulated my media, and a lot of us may lose our jobs a 2nd time when flu season rolls around in October. GM is full of bean counters, they know the market is unstable and the Terrain is right around the corner for a refresh, so why pour so much into a previous generation vehicle. Just wait until the refresh hits as the market becomes more stable and you will see GM give the Terrain more options.
GM already charges for colors other makers offer at no charge.
Yep. The 2021 Colorado is only offering 5 color choices. Two of which are extra cost options !!
So the Denali Terrain will be a 1.5L, same as a base Terrain! Talk about premium powertrain.
Get a grip, it’s only for 9 months man. Who would buy a covid car anyway? Build quality is more than likely poor, regardless of any manufacturer.
I have not encountered anyone that produces subpar quality work because they are occupied by Covid. I believe my family, friends and neighbors that are working now, in whatever field, are doing the job as well as any other day in any other circumstance.
They probably are, but what about when someone pretends to have covid 19, and everyone has to stop work, for some b.s. safety stand down meeting. What about if your shift gets sent home because someone on your shift supposedly has the sickness? Then someone comes in behind you and finishes your work, not knowing where you left off? Dude, are you rich white collar, or just some airhead? Why would you even take what i say personal, thinking i know and am referring to your friends and neighbors? Do you know how manufacturing even works and all of the bull that we have to deal with? Now that I think about it, you may be elderly also. The elderly tend to get offended very easily without full comprehension of one’s point of view.
No one is offended on my side of the screen. I’m just sharing my opinion. You posts seem to be the ones on the hot under the collar offensive tone. Now in addition to the hardworking people in manufacturing you are belittling the elderly.
The only elderly im belittling is Buick owners, but thanks for walking into that one. I commenting on here because I find it funny how people complain about GM profusely, but continue to purchase from them. You do know what the definition of insanity is, right?
I’m 32 and my wife and I took delivery of an Enclave last weekend. Not my first Buick either. I’m not sure why people who purchase Buick’s are to be looked down upon in your eyes especially since you have suggested the Envision as a Terrain 2.0 alternative.
Because it’s pretend Luxury. Pretend luxury is why Mercury is dead. It’s like GM doesn’t realize the general public is educated. Look, I see why you got the Buick, because it looks better than the Chevrolet. But how hard is it for GM to slap the Chevrolet badge on the better looking vehicle? There is no reason to make Chevrolets ugly, and there is no reason to have an extra car company named buick that doesn’t make anything unique. Every Buick is a Chevrolet, but not every Chevrolet is a Buick. The same goes for GMC. Chevrolet and Cadillac are the meat and potatoes at GM. Chevrolet has trucks, vans, camaro, and corvette. Cadillac has luxury sedans. What is the reason to have the other 2 brands? What is so unique at GMC to make me purchase one over a Chevrolet other than style that should be on the Chevrolet to begin with? And so that’s why I left GM. Gm should have common sense and make one good looking truck with the name that tugs on buyers’ heartstrings the most.
There’s about two million people every year that don’t think Buicks and GMCs are better looking than the Chevrolet. The pricing isn’t that extreme to make someone settle for the ugly Chevrolet. They bought it because they like the design just as the Buick or GMC buyer liked what they chose.
the reason GMC and buick survived the bankruptcy was that GM showed the govt that they were big profit centers for the company.
This same topic had been brought up again and again. Is it so freakin hard to understand GM has different “brands” that cater to different clientele. Chevy is the base bargain bin vehicles, which is why they have the sporty cars for the youth. GMC is elevated as is Buick which is a premium brand offering a nicer vehicle that’s not marketed for kids while at the same time not costing as much as true luxury, ie Cadillac.
If you don’t like Buick, then don’t freakin buy one. Until the 200,000+ people in the USA stop buying them I doubt Buick is going anywhere
Like Kyle my money is where my mouth is. I own three,, 2017, and 2020 all purchased new.
I think it’s likely Buick will go away from our market in the next decade or so. By then your typical Buick buyers will all have died of old age.
They could prevent this. They could bring out interesting and competitive products.
I don’t seriously think they will.
Nate – your perception of Buick lags behind reality. Here are some facts to your fiction.
1. The average age of Buick customers has been decreasing every year for the past decade, invalidating anything related to Buick and old age.
2. “The could bring out interesting and competitive products.” Wait, you mean like the Encore, which is the second best-selling model in its segment? Or how about the Encore GX, which is probably the best model in its segment. Or what about the Enclave, a model that attracts non-GM customers from Lexus and Acura. Or how about the 2021 Envision? If you do not consider that vehicle “interesting” or “competitive,” then you need a reality check… or two… or more.
Again, time to reconsider the perspective.
GM is the only manufacturer that thinks by losing one sale it will gain 3. Whether it be today or tomorrow the longer you alienate your consumers with poor decisions the harder it will be to get them back.
GM is the Baskin Robbins of cuvs and suvs. How many people walk out of Baskin Robbins because they don’t have your favorite flavor in stock? A compromise that small isn’t worth mentioning. If you want a GM crossover, you’ll get the Terrain regardless of engine. If you are dying for a 2.0 and aren’t willing to wait, there is the Envison more than likely at the same lot as the Terrain. Or go up the street and there is an Equinox or XT4. You know i find the name Terrain ironic, because my brother has an Equinox, which is the same thing. When he took his GM cuv through some “terrain”, he busted his oil pan. So i ask GM, what kind of “terrain” exactly is the Terrain/Equinox/Envision/XT4 meant for other than pavement?
Nah, they aren’t the only ones. Ford got rid of almost all their cars and tried to pass off that third world Ecosport thing as an entry level car… at thousands more than a Fiesta or Focus were going for.
One thing I do hate is people talk about how GM is unique but turn around and say “well kill this brand because Chebby have a version” and beat you up with emotions and pass it off as “facts”.
Late to this thread, but I’ve tried to read all the comments above. My overall take? Is this really going to matter much? A few have commented on the short time before the new one comes out. But who knows what engines will be offered then. The other thought is the 1.5 seems to be a good engine and with such a high take rate, it must be doing the job. I don’t see sales taking a dive due to this. Maybe I’m wrong, but I’m also not a huge GMC fan personally.
But I guess what i want to say more than anything is how funny it is to see so many comments about Mazda. I sell them. Mazda is no GM. The CX5 has terrible ergonomics, uncomfortable seats, way outdated infotainment screen, sub-par build quality (just take a look at low miles cars after a couple years), and it’s impossible to take off smoothly from a stop. They either feel like it has an anchor behind it or it lurches forward nearly out of control. The CX3 is just a box of crap. Thank goodness it’s going away soon. The all new CX30 has already been burdened with recalls, the fit and finish are not good, you sit so low into the front seats that it becomes claustrophobic, the “rubber” dash and door pads are horrible, and it’s not very roomy. Take a look at where Mazda falls in the JDP reports year after year. Horrible leather seats that harden and the leather pulls apart at the seems. Inside windshield foam sticks out on nearly every one of them after a year. Interior plastic parts that break and fall off. Touch screens that are impossibly slow to respond. The all new (last year) Mazda 3 has been terrible with issue after issue. Shall I go on? If my boss wasn’t so good to work for and the dealership so close to where I live, I’d never choose to sell them. So for everyone who is talking Mazda above, do any of you have any real experience with them? Thank god for Toyota and Honda who make Mazda look better. But again I say: Mazda is no GM.
Maybe people don’t like having to put PREMIUM gas in the 2.0 turbo. My brother-in-law didn’t even read the manual until I told him what gas he needed. I already knew because my son has the 2.0 in his Terrain.
Stupid to get rid of it if they are still putting it in the Equinox.
Note premium fuel is recommended not required. The owners can choose what they want. It cost you 25 HP on average.n
No more 3500 pound tow rating with the 2.0 gone. Down to 1500 pounds. Dumb GM. I will never buy another Terrain.