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 Mitsubishi Outlander expensive to maintain?

The Outlander costs $519/year to maintain — $2 below the compact segment average of $521, an essentially negligible difference. Repair frequency of 26% is below the class average of 30%. Reliability score of 8 and major repair probability of 11% are both at segment averages. Solid average-cost ownership with slightly better repair frequency.

What is the best year for a Mitsubishi Outlander?

The 2025 Outlander (13 complaints, 8/10 safety, 2 severe) is the cleanest year in the model's history. The 2023-2025 window represents the settled third generation. Avoid 2015 (231 complaints) and 2022 (206 complaints — new generation launch year). For used buying, 2023 or newer is the safest range.

How much does Mitsubishi Outlander insurance cost?

Outlander insurance averages around $2,676/year — roughly $223/month. This is notably above average for a compact SUV and the highest insurance rate in the compact class, likely reflecting parts availability and repair costs for a lower-volume brand.

Is the Mitsubishi Outlander or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $90/year cheaper — $429 versus $519 for the Outlander, about $450 in savings over five years. Both carry the same reliability score and major repair probability. The RAV4 holds a clear maintenance cost advantage.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Mitsubishi Outlander?

Major repair probability and reliability are both at class average, and repair frequency is below it. The outsized insurance premium already adds meaningfully to total ownership cost — factor that before adding extended warranty cost. For 2023+ models, warranty coverage isn't strongly warranted.

GMC Terrain vs Mitsubishi Outlander

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 Mitsubishi Outlander — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	GMC Terrain	Mitsubishi Outlander
Annual repairs	$558	$519winner
5-year repair cost	$2,790	$2,595winner
Scheduled service (to 150k mi)	$8,013winner	$8,636
Reliability score	7 / 10	8 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	17%	11%winner
Cargo space	63.5 cu ft	64.3 cu ftwinner
Starting price (new)	$32,200winner	$32,900

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	GMC Terrain	Mitsubishi Outlander
RepairPal score	7 / 10	8 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	219.5winner	258.7
Strongest years	2016, 2017, 2023	2017, 2018, 2020
Weakest years	2010, 2011, 2013	2011, 2014, 2015
Value retained · 3 yr	74.3%winner	72.4%
Value retained · 5 yr	55.1%winner	52.5%
Value retained · 7 yr	44%winner	41.5%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	GMC Terrain	Mitsubishi Outlander
Engine	43.4%	29.0%winner
Electrical	6.0%winner	7.5%
ADAS	5.6%winner	10.5%
Brakes	5.7%winner	7.5%
Suspension	—winner	2.7%
Steering	1.8%winner	2.5%
Fuel system	3.8%	2.5%winner
Glass/Windows	14.3%	4.2%winner
Airbags	5.5%winner	9.2%
Lighting	2.7%	—winner

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	Mitsubishi Outlander
Avg annual premium	$2,011winner	$2,676

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

GMC Terrain

$558/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Mitsubishi Outlander

$519/yr maint · 8 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 →