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 Subaru Outback expensive to maintain?

The Outback costs $607/year to maintain — $86 above the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 37% is above the class average of 30%. Reliability score of 7 is below the class average of 8. Major repair probability of 12% is slightly above the 11% norm. Above-average cost and repair profile across all metrics.

What is the best year for a Subaru Outback?

The 2023 Outback is the strongest used pick — 84 complaints, 10/10 NHTSA safety score, 9 severe issues. Strongly avoid 2018-2020, which generated 799, 1,025, and 889 complaints respectively, driven by widespread oil consumption and EyeSight system issues. The 2021-2022 range remained elevated. 2023 marks the clear turning point.

How much does Subaru Outback insurance cost?

Outback insurance averages about $1,964/year — roughly $164/month. One of the lower insurance rates in the compact class despite above-average maintenance costs.

Is the Subaru Outback or Honda Passport cheaper to maintain?

The Honda Passport is $86/year cheaper — $521 versus $607 for the Outback. The Passport also has a higher reliability score (8 vs. 7) and lower repair frequency (28% vs. 37%). The Outback's differentiators are its standard AWD and wagon body style, which are meaningful depending on use case.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Subaru Outback?

The 2018-2020 generation's documented complaint history makes extended warranty strongly recommended for those model years. Major repair probability of 12% and repair frequency of 37% are both above compact class averages. For 2023 and newer, the profile improves considerably — but the Outback's overall cost premium makes a repair fund or warranty worth planning for.

GMC Terrain vs Subaru Outback

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

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the GMC Terrain to minimise 5-year ownership cost.

Buy the Subaru Outback if long-term reliability matters most.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	GMC Terrain	Subaru Outback
Annual repairs	$558winner	$607
5-year repair cost	$2,790winner	$3,035
Scheduled service (to 150k mi)	$8,013winner	$15,250
Reliability score	7 / 10	7 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	17%	12%winner
Cargo space	63.5 cu ft	80.5 cu ftwinner
Starting price (new)	$32,200winner	$34,100

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	GMC Terrain	Subaru Outback
RepairPal score	7 / 10	7 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	219.5winner	304.1
Strongest years	2016, 2017, 2023	2012, 2014, 2025
Weakest years	2010, 2011, 2013	2011, 2017, 2018
Value retained · 3 yr	74.3%	79.2%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	55.1%	61.4%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	44%	48.8%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	GMC Terrain	Subaru Outback
Engine	43.4%	14.6%winner
Electrical	6.0%winner	23.6%
ADAS	5.6%winner	6.8%
Brakes	5.7%	3.5%winner
Steering	1.8%winner	3.3%
Fuel system	3.8%	1.3%winner
Glass/Windows	14.3%winner	24.9%
Airbags	5.5%	4.3%winner
Lighting	2.7%	2.5%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	Subaru Outback
Avg annual premium	$2,011	$1,964winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

GMC Terrain

$558/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Subaru Outback

$607/yr maint · 7 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 →