The 2021 GMC Terrain Denali will have late availability, GM Authority has learned. The late availability includes both FWD and AWD models. Orders are not expected to open up until a few months into the model cycle, with arrival expected for the winter of 2020, or possibly early in the 2021 calendar year.
The GMC Terrain Denali is the range-topper in the Terrain trim level cadence, offering a greater range of available packages, such as the Denali Premium Package, a new addition for the 2020 model year that includes camera-based Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Parking Assist, HD Surround Vision, ventilated front seats, and heated rear outboard seats.
The GMC Terrain Denali also comes standard with 19-inch Bright machined aluminum wheels with premium Dark Gray painted accents, a Hands-Free power programmable liftgate, LED headlamps, six-way power front passenger seat, a heated steering wheel, and a Bose premium seven-speaker audio system.
Compared to the previous 2020 model year, the 2021 GMC Terrain will have very few changes. The second-generation GMC Terrain debuted for the 2018 model year, with a refresh originally expected to drop for the 2021 model year. However, due to complications resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, General Motors delayed the refresh, instead pushing it back to the 2022 model year.
As we exclusively covered in July, the 2021 GMC Terrain will drop the optional turbocharged 2.0L I4 LTG engine, leaving the turbocharged 1.5L I4 LYX engine as the only powerplant on offer across the board. The 1.5L LYX produces 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, and mates to the nine-speed automatic MNH transmission.
Further changes for the 2021 model year include the deletion of one exterior color, deletion of the Chrome Package, and a few other minor updates.
The 2021 GMC Terrain will continue to ride on the GM D2 platform, with production taking place at the GM San Luis Potosi production facility in Mexico.
Will you wait to order a new 2021 GMC Terrain Denali? Let us know by voting in the poll, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more GMC Terrain news, GMC news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
It’s not like anyone will buy it with that puny 1.5 under the hood. The 2.0 gave this vehicle a big advantage.
I have to agree 2.0 best engine for that package
I own a 2018 SLT with the 2.0 and drove a 2020 SLE with the 1.5. Two different vehicles, 2.0 is far superior in all aspects. Has more power than my old 99 GP Supercharged GTP!
Huge mistake dropping the 2.0 especially in the Denali.
I have a 2017 Buick regal with 2.0 l also have a 2019 equinox with 2.0 wouldn’t buy anything less in power G M making big mistake with smaller engines
Jonathan- what’s the reason for the late availability? You’re reporting half a story and now many of the followers will have another reason to slam GM.
Still don’t remember getting a reason about why the 2.0 t version is cancelled either.
Start telling us why! As it is, you’re just creating gossip like a tabloid. If that’s your goal, tell me so I can get full information from a non-tabloid source.
GMC Fan – the minute we have something concrete on the matter, we will report it. Cheers!
These kinds of comments always take me aback.
The facts are these: GMC Fan is reading GM Authority content for free at his/her own will… it’s not like anyone is forcing GMC Fan to visit GMauthority to read the articles. And it’s not like GMC Fan is paying a subscription to visit this site.
More importantly, I don’t see any other site or magazine caring to research and report on the in-depth topics that GMauthority reports on (like this particular one about availability of the 2021 Terrain Denali). Through the years, I have noticed that GMauthority reports on a topic and follows that story all the way through to its conclusion. They are one of only a handful of auto outlets that actually do this while everyone else just copies each other.
And yet despite all that, people like “GMC Fan” still find a way to complain and call GMauthority nasty, slanderous names. So from one reader to another: GMC Fan – you are an entitled, bigoted fraud.
Keep fighting the good fight, GMA. I know that I and many, many others appreciate you.
Wow, you’re the only one spouting out hateful names at others. Someone piss in your Cheerios this morning?
As always, the GMA team follows up and provides some additional insight which is greatly appreciated.
Also think CJ provided some great insight that could be very reasonable. Unfortunately you’ve provided nothing useful but a bunch of hate.
I agree with LGX.
GMC fan – you called GMA “Tabloid” and “gossip”. Come on mate… wake up and smell the coffee… this is one of the only remaining auto outlets doing actual journalism, giving us the latest on GM that no one else does. And for that, I’m very thankful.
Yes LGX is right in saying that you visit GMA – a free site that is really good, and yet you still want to complain. Makes you sound like an entitled prick more than anything else.
Until you admit that your comment went overboard in accusing an awesome site like GMA, I’ll stick to the point of view that you crossed the line in your feeble attempt to smear the good name of GM A.
Edit: do you go after CNN or Fox for not reporting “why” a person or company did or didn’t do something in one of their stories? Of course you don’t.
Denali and AT4 are late availability likely with LSY power. This was the last application of LTG 2.0. Delay may be to retool LTG plant to produce LSY?
That’s been my thought all along – they’re simply switching the vehicles over to the new, worse, 2.0T, the LSY.
That said: LTG > LSY.
CJ – there is no AT4 for the 2021 model year. It got pushed to 2022, with the text of the refresh.
They should have eliminated the Denali trim for 2021 because without the 2.0T engine it will be a joke and underpowered, especially considering it’s 40K plus price point.
I have a 2018 Terrain Denali and was going to replace with a 2021 but without the larger engine they have lost a customer. Can’t go to the Buick Envision because they won’t have the larger engine either, as well as the Equinox, which I don’t care for anyway. I’m 67 and have never driven anything but a GM product. I guess I will be looking outside of the GM family now.
Agree. I also have a 2018 Denali but really not excited by the engine change.
I also may have to consider outside the GM box. I’m a retired GM dealer/employee for 30+ years and have drive GM since 1966.
My first vehicle was a ‘68 Nova. I have driven vehicles across all GM brands and it will be hard to change.
Tom, Lana, you may want to consider the Acura RDX? It has a 272hp 2.0T standard, a longer warranty (48/50K) and………………….It’s assembled in East Liberty, Ohio! Terrains are assembled in Mexico and Envision in China.
Tom. Lana- you never thought of keeping your vehicle? apparently it’s got everything you want & it’s only three yrs old!
Just get it detailed & save thousands-
I own a 2017 GMC Terrain Denali – this is the last model with the squarish fenders. One of the most impressive options in the vehicle is the glorious 6 cyl. engine under the hood. There is plenty of power when you need it, and when you don’t, gas mileage really isn’t that bad. Like Lana, I will be looking outside of the GM family for a personal size SUV with a top trim package (similar to Denali) BUT WITH A DECENT SIZED ENGINE. Wake up, GM; owners and potential owners want that GM “feel” and that means POWER under the hood and CHROME accents – another mistake (dropping the chrome package). There are plenty of new models made by other manufacturers that fill the bill. Good-‘bye GM after many, many years of buying GM and “Keeping my GM vehicle all GM” in the service department of my local GMC/BUICK dealership. What a shame!
I’m glad I bought the 2019 Terrain Denali. It’s a beautiful vehicle and peppy with the 2.0 L turbo. Without the major performance improvement of the 2.0 L Turbo over the stock 1.5 L Turbo, I would not have liked or purchased the 1.5 L model. Isn’t the Denali the top of the line performance and trim found on GMC trucks and SUV’s? Cheapening the Denali is a BIG mistake GENERAL motors!
Just for the record I would not consider Gen Motors “cheapening” the Denali because of an engine choice but it would be nice if they would continue to offer the choice both for the Terrain & Equinox. I purchased a 2018 Equinox LT & preferred the 1.5 over 2.0 mainly because of the recommended premium gas. I mean -the gift that keeps on taking away!
Waiting. For GMC YUKON DENIAL since May 18, 2020. Dealer informed us it might be ti Sept. can you email us and see why so late. Love GMCYUKON DENIAL’S.
Wanting to buy a 2021 GMC Terrain Denali but with the 1.5 engine power plant I don’t think so either I buy a 2020 with 2.0 litre or buy from different manufacture. gm what are you thinking. .
Yup no 2021,Terrain Denali 2..0 litre power plant gm not thinking !!!!
Yolanda
Well I was waiting on the 2021 Terrain Denali, after reading the negative comments, I guess I’ll have to shop elsewhere. I’m driving a 2017 sle terrain but always wanted a terrain denali. GM you ruined my dream car.
Yes Yolanda I was disappointed also when I read this info on GM Authority and I also called my local dealer and they confirmed also . But I did read on gm authority in 2022 they are bringing back the 2.0 litre engine . Question is do I really want to wait this long but it is the refresh for the year 2022.