What is the best year for a GMC Terrain?

The weakest years by those same measures are 2021, 2025, and 2026 — worth closer inspection before buying, not an automatic pass. Verdict: no standout year — any of the stronger years is a reasonable buy.

How much does GMC Terrain insurance cost?

Full-coverage insurance for the GMC Terrain averages $2,011 a year, about $168 a month (industry average). That is less than the compact segment average of $2,056. Actual rates vary by trim, location, and driving record — compare quotes before buying.

Is the GMC Terrain or Chevrolet Equinox cheaper to maintain?

Maintenance runs $558 a year on the GMC Terrain versus $537 on the Chevrolet Equinox. Reliability scores are 7.0/10 and 7.0/10. Unscheduled repairs average 0.26 versus 0.31 times per year. Verdict: the Chevrolet Equinox is the cheaper of the two to run.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a GMC Terrain?

The chance of a major repair in a given year is 17%, so roughly 83 in 100 owners will not face one — above the compact segment norm of 11%. Reliability sits at 7.0/10. Verdict: optional — worth it only if you want predictable costs.

Is the Mazda CX-5 expensive to maintain?

The CX-5 averages $447/year in maintenance — $74 below the compact segment average of $521. Its 9/10 reliability score is above the class average, major repair probability of 8% is well below the 11% norm, and repair frequency of 28% is below the 30% class average. One of the strongest ownership-cost profiles in the compact class.

What is the best year for a Mazda CX-5?

From available data, 2024 (38 complaints, 10/10 safety, 4 severe) and 2025 (22 complaints, 10/10 safety, 5 severe) are the cleanest years on record. Complaint data for 2015-2022 isn't available in our dataset, so those years can't be assessed directly. Early years 2013-2014 had higher complaint counts and are best avoided.

How much does Mazda CX-5 insurance cost?

CX-5 insurance averages about $1,947/year — roughly $162/month — the most affordable among compact SUVs with full data.

Is the Mazda CX-5 or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $18/year cheaper — $429 versus $447 for the CX-5. The CX-5 has higher reliability (9 vs. 8) and a lower major repair probability (8% vs. 10%). The RAV4 costs slightly less per year; the CX-5 carries a better long-term reliability profile.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Mazda CX-5?

Major repair probability of 8% — well below the class average of 11% — and a 9/10 reliability score make extended warranty unnecessary for most buyers. Self-insuring is the better financial decision.

GMC Terrain vs Mazda CX-5

Two compact SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the GMC Terrain if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

Buy the Mazda CX-5 — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	GMC Terrain	Mazda CX-5
Annual repairs	$558	$447winner
5-year repair cost	$2,790	$2,235winner
Scheduled service (to 150k mi)	$8,013winner	$11,470
Reliability score	7 / 10	9 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	17%	8%winner
Cargo space	63.5 cu ft	66.5 cu ftwinner
Starting price (new)	$32,200	$30,400winner

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	GMC Terrain	Mazda CX-5
RepairPal score	7 / 10	9 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	219.5	122.2winner
Strongest years	2016, 2017, 2023	2022
Weakest years	2010, 2011, 2013	2014, 2015, 2016
Value retained · 3 yr	74.3%	78.5%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	55.1%	62.1%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	44%	53.2%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	GMC Terrain	Mazda CX-5
Engine	43.4%	27.4%winner
Electrical	6.0%winner	14.6%
ADAS	5.6%winner	8.6%
Brakes	5.7%winner	7.2%
Steering	1.8%	—winner
Fuel system	3.8%	2.1%winner
Tires/Wheels	—winner	1.7%
Glass/Windows	14.3%	8.6%winner
Airbags	5.5%	2.3%winner
Lighting	2.7%winner	9.2%

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	GMC Terrain	Mazda CX-5
Avg annual premium	$2,011	$1,947winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

GMC Terrain

$558/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Mazda CX-5

$447/yr maint · 9 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The GMC Terrain averages $558 a year in maintenance. That is $37 above the compact segment average of $521. Owners bring it in for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.26 times per year, below the compact segment at 0.3. Its reliability score is 7.0/10. Verdict: costlier than the segment, budget accordingly.

How we calculated this. Repair costs, reliability scores, and maintenance schedules from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA and fuel prices from the EIA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →