GMC Terrain Denali

The GMC Terrain Denali is the range-topping trim of the Terrain crossover SUV. It was first introduced for the 2013 model year, and currently spans three generations.

Quick Facts

	First-Gen	Second-Gen	Third-Gen
Model Years	2013-2017	2018-2024	2025 – Present
Platform	Theta	D2	D2-2
Engines	Atmospheric 2.4L I4 LEA, Atmospheric 3.6L V6 LFX	Turbocharged 1.5L I4 LSD, Turbocharged 2.0L I4 LTG, Turbocharged 1.6L I4 LH7	Turbocharged 1.5L I4 LSD
Transmissions	Six-Speed Auto	Nine-Speed Auto	Eight-Speed Auto, CVT
Production	GM CAMI Plant, Canada	GM San Luis Potosi, Mexico	GM San Luis Potosi, Mexico
Segment	Compact-Midsize Tweener	Compact	Compact
Availability	U.S.A., Canada, Mexico, Middle East

First Generation

Front-three-quarter view of GMC Terrain Denali.

First-Gen GMC Terrain Denali

Model Years	2013 – 2017
Assembly Location	GM CAMI Plant, Canada
Segment	Five-Door Crossover
Segment	Compact-Midsize Tweener
Availability	U.S.A., Canada, Mexico, Middle East
Layout	Front-Engined, Transverse
Engine(s)	Atmospheric 2.4L I4 LEA, Atmospheric 3.6L V6 LFX
Transmission(s)	Six-Speed Automatic
Drive Wheels	Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Platform	Theta
Refresh(es)	2016 Model Year

Making its debut for the 2013 model year – a few years after the introduction of the first-generation GMC Terrain for the 2010 model year – the Denali trim level became the range-topping model of the Terrain lineup. The first-gen Terrain Denali was highlighted by a bevy of premium features, including unique exterior and interior accents, along with many standardized features.

Exterior

Trim-specific chrome grille
Trim-specific body-colored fascias and rocker moldings
Trim-specific satin-chrome accent
Trim-specific headlamp and taillamp designs
Trim-specific 18-inch (2.4L I4) or 19-inch (3.6L V6) wheels

Interior

Soft-touch Jet Black leather upholstery
Contrast stitching and red accent lighting
Soft-touch instrument panel with French stitching
Leather-wrapped steering wheel with smoked mahogany wood accents
Embossed Denali logos on the front seatbacks
Smoked mahogany wood trim accents
Denali illuminated front sill plates
Eight-way power driver and passenger seat
Standard sunroof

First-Gen GMC Terrain Denali

For the 2016 model year, the first-generation Terrain received a mid-cycle refresh that brought several updates and new features to the Terrain Denali, including a new 19-inch wheel design and the Light Titanium / Jet Black interior colorway.

Year	Engine	Fuel	Aspiration	Transmission	Horsepower @ RPM	Torque @ RPM
2013 – 2017	2.4L I4 LEA	Gasoline	Turbocharged	Six-Speed Auto	182 @ 6700	172 @ 4900
2013 – 2017	3.6L V6 LFX	Gasoline	Atmospheric	Six-Speed Auto	301 @ 6400	272 @ 4800

Second Generation

Second-Gen GMC Terrain Denali

Model Years	2018 – 2024
Assembly Location	GM San Luis Potosi Plant, Mexico
Body Style	Five-Door Crossover
Segment	Compact
Availability	U.S.A., Canada, Mexico, Middle East
Layout	Front-Engined, Transverse
Engine(s)	Turbocharged 1.5L I4 LSD, Turbocharged 2.0L I4 LTG, Turbocharged 1.6L I4 LH7
Transmission(s)	Nine-Speed Automatic
Drive Wheels	Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Platform	D2
Refresh(es)	2022 Model Year

Introduced in conjunction with the second-generation Terrain for the 2018 model year (see more about 2018 GMC Terrain), the Terrain Denali once again stood as the range-topping model of the Terrain lineup. The model included a plethora of upgrades over lesser trims, including unique exterior and interior accents, along with many standardized features.

Exterior

Trim-specific chrome grille
Trim-specific body-colored fascias and rocker moldings
Trim-specific chrome roof rails, door handles, side mirror caps and body-side molding
Trim-specific standard LED headlights
Trim-specific 19-inch ultra-bright machined aluminum wheels

Interior

Aluminum trimming
Denali-specific logos
Standard heated steering wheel
Standard eight-inch infotainment system
Standard Bose premium seven-speaker sound system
Standard hands-free programmable power liftgate

Second-Gen GMC Terrain Denali

The range-topping Denali received some updates in conjunction with the second-gen Terrain’s mid-cycle refresh for the 2022 model year. This includes a new trim-specific grille, interior appointment and the GMC Pro Safety Plus pack as standard.

Year	Engine	Fuel	Aspiration	Transmission	Horsepower @ RPM	Torque @ RPM
2018 – 2021	2.0L I4 LTG	Gasoline	Turbocharged	Nine-Speed Auto	252 @ 5500	260 @ 4500
2022 – 2024	1.5L I4 LSD	Gasoline	Turbocharged	Nine-Speed Auto	175 @ 5600	203 @ 2000 – 4000

Third Generation

Model Years	2025 – Present
Assembly Location	GM San Luis Potosi Plant, Mexico
Body Style	Five-Door Crossover
Segment	Compact
Availability	U.S.A., Canada, Mexico, Middle East
Layout	Front-Engined, Transverse
Engine(s)	Turbocharged 1.5L I4 LSD
Transmission(s)	CVT For FWD, Eight-Speed Auto For AWD
Drive Wheels	Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Platform	D2-2
Refresh(es)	N/A

The third-generation GMC Terrain will debut during the third quarter of 2024 and will go on sale before the end of the 2024 calendar year as a 2025 model. The 2025 Terrain Denali has already been spied without any camouflage.