How Long Will A Gmc Terrain Last? [ We Answered It’s Reliability ]

GMC Terrain is an SUV that was founded by General Motors (GM), which is an American automobile manufacturer. It is available with three rows of seats, with the cabin featuring soft-touch surfaces, available heated and ventilated seats, and a Bose sound system with 10 speakers.

How Long Will a GMC Terrain Last?

But how long will a GMC Terrain last? The Terrain has a 300,000-mile warranty, which means that it could last for the 20 years that you have it.  This longevity is contingent upon the car being well-maintained and regularly serviced. If this is not done, or if the car is driven insensibly, then the longevity will be greatly reduced.

How Many Miles Can You Expect from a GMC Terrain?

The miles that a GMC Terrain can go in its lifetime will solely depend on how you use your vehicle rather than what the vehicle can do. That being said, a well-maintained GMC Terrain can travel for 300,000 miles in its lifespan.

If you select a great car like the GMC Terrain, it could last you a lifetime. However, even the best cars will eventually break down and need to be replaced.

At more than 20 years, that is quite a long time for the Terrain to be on the road. The best part is that the Terrain could last even longer when properly maintained.

However, in order for your GMC Terrain to get to 300,000 miles, you should ensure that you keep up with the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule. If you have already purchased your dream car or truck, here is one tip to help you get the longest life possible from it.

When you go to a mechanic, use only the parts that are provided by the manufacturer. These parts have been specifically designed for your engine and may even be made by the manufacturer itself.

There are some generic parts that may be okay to use, but there are no generic engine parts. These parts are custom-designed to fit perfectly, so using generic parts can cause many issues.

How Soon Should You Expect Rust on a GMC Terrain?

The 2010 and 2011 GMC Terrain, a mid-size crossover SUV, has a common rust problem that many consumers experience around the two-year mark after purchase. While rust spots on vehicles are common, the ones on the Terrain are unique because of how quickly they appear (particularly the rear door bottom) and how severe they are.

Customers often complain that GMC Terrain rusts quickly because the vehicle’s wheel wells are made of plastic and are susceptible to rusting. However, the largest complaint surrounds the corrosion of the plastic clips that hold the wheel wells onto the vehicle.

These wheels’ well clips are susceptible to rusting and often become more brittle over time.

Generally, the SUV is a well-made vehicle, but it is not immune to rust. If you live in an area with high levels of acidity in the water or are not taking proper precautions when you wash your vehicle, rust may form quickly.

You can avoid this problem by washing your vehicle often but not washing it with a high-power pressure hose. You also should use a GMC-specific car wash, since their washes do not have high enough pressure to remove all the road grime.

Be sure to check your paint for rust within the first 2 years of your purchase or lease. According to the service department, this is a widespread issue with the Terrain.

There is a rust-through warranty however, be sure to keep all your original paperwork, and service records, and have the service department document the issue.

How Long Does GMC Terrain Last Compare to Other Small SUVs?

There are a lot of very good small SUVs on the market today and the GMC Terrain has to contend with all of them. It’s one of the newest members of this class, having been redesigned for 2016, and it looks more ambitious than some of its rivals.

So, how does the GMC Terrain compare to other SUVs in terms of longevity? Let’s take a look.

GMC Terrain vs. Honda CR-V

The GMC Terrain and the Honda CR-V have both been around for a number of years, and both are popular choices for people to drive for more than 300,000 miles. The CR-V has been in production for more than a decade, and there are more than 3 million of them on the road today.

The Terrain has been in production for about 8 years, and there are about 1.5 million of them on the road today. Both vehicles are known for their reliability and the ability to last for many years and many miles.

While each vehicle has its own set of strengths and weaknesses, they are both generally considered to be among the most reliable vehicles in their respective classes.

Both the GMC Terrain and the Honda CR-V are compact SUVs that can meet the needs of most American families. However, the two vehicles have some significant differences that can impact their durability.

For example, the Honda CR-V’s rear seats are easier to remove than those in the GMC Terrain, and its driveshaft is attached to the rear differential, which makes it less likely to break than the Terrain’s. The Honda CR-V also has fewer reported problems with its headlight bulbs and joint structures, so it’s more likely to hold up over time.

If you are looking for a vehicle that has few problems and requires little maintenance, either vehicle could be a solid choice. However, according to the data, the average cost to maintain and repair the CR-V is estimated to be $407 less per year than that of the GMC Terrain.

GMC Terrain vs. Toyota Rav4

The Toyota Rav4 first came onto the scene in the 1990s as a compact SUV that was hailed as a revolution in the segment. The Rav4 was a solid performer.

Over the years, the Rav4 has grown in size and has become more like a mid-size SUV. It is no longer a ‘compact’ SUV, but the Rav4 still maintains its popularity and is still the go-to family vehicle for many.

In most cases, the Rav4 is more reliable than the GMC Terrain. The Rav4 has the potential for more miles to be driven because it is a Toyota which means it is built to last.

However, there have been reports that the Rav4 has a shorter lifespan of between 200,000 to 250,000 miles. This is mainly because of transmission and electrical issues.

When it comes to maintenance cost, the Terrain is the only vehicle in its class that comes with the 2.4-liter inline-four engine, whereas the Rav4 has a 2.3-liter inline-four. However, the Terrain gets better fuel economy than the Rav4, with a rating of 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway versus the Rav4’s 19/25 mpg.

Terrain owners also pay $100 in vehicle registration fees and $100 in state fees annually.

GMC Terrain vs. Chevrolet Equinox

The average lifespan of a Chevrolet Equinox is about 200,000 miles. In contrast, average GMC Terrain lifespans are about 300,000 miles.

This discrepancy is because the GMC Terrain has a different suspension system from the Equinox, which means the GMC Terrain has more robust shocks and shocks are built to last longer.

The GMC Terrain vs. Equinox comparison is actually pretty interesting as there are some peculiarities about Equinox. The Equinox has a higher starting MSRP, but comes with a lower estimated annual cost of ownership.

This difference is mainly due to Equinox’s higher step-in height (which is a perk for some). The Equinox also comes with a V6, whereas the Terrain comes with a V8.

The Equinox also has a lower fuel economy, but with a higher maximum towing capacity (up to 6,200 lbs.).

GMC Terrain vs. Volkswagen Tiguan

It’s not a big difference, but over its lifetime, the Volkswagen Tiguan will have a bit less mileage. According to the company’s dealer advisors, the Volkswagen Tiguan will have between 150,000 and 200,000 miles of ownership.

The Volkswagen Tiguan is a bit longer than the Chevrolet Terrain, but the latter offers a lot more durability. In a 2016 comparison test by Consumer Reports, the Volkswagen Tiguan was found to be more reliable than the Terrain.

In an earlier test by Consumer Reports, the Volkswagen Tiguan had a better reputation for reliability than the Terrain.

When it comes to maintenance costs, the total cost of owning either is slightly higher for the Tiguan. This is primarily because the maintenance of costs of the Tiguan is $730 per year which works out to be $172 more than that of the Terrain.

GMC Terrain vs Mazda CX-5

When it comes to longevity, both the Mazda CX 5 and GMC Terrain are quite similar. They both began production within the same year, and they each have 7-year/100,000-mile basic warranties.

In fact, both vehicles are so similar that they’re eligible for this comparison.

The CX-5 is a compact SUV and the Terrain is a compact truck. This means both rides on the same suspension and has the same engine.

Both cars offer the same comfort and handling. That said, the Terrain has more standard features, a nicer interior, and a better-sounding stereo system.

Honda’s fuel efficiency is better than the Mazda’s, too.

How Reliable Is a GMC Terrain?

The GMC Terrain is a reliable vehicle. This is attributed to the fact that the SUV got a score of 3.5 out of 5.0 according to the RepairPal reliability test.

With this score, GMC Terrain was placed in position 22 out of 26 SUVs in its category.

That said, GMC Terrain models from 2013 and later tend to be much more reliable. However, there are still some complaints from owners of these older models who had to pay a lot of money to get their vehicles repaired.

For your GMC Terrain to be reliable, you should follow the standard maintenance schedule. If you don’t, you can expect to have issues later on. Keep in mind that a vehicle is only as reliable as the owner takes care of it.

Wrap Up

While most vehicles last for 100,000 miles, a GMC Terrain can last up to 300,000 miles. This is a very good longevity lifetime for the SUV category.

However, it’s important to remember that the Terrain’s reliability is dependent on its use, and individuals can face significant maintenance and repair expenses. The average Terrain customer spends about $1,000 for service and maintenance.