Skip to main content

Is the 2024 Hyundai Tucson a better value than the GMC Terrain? The Tucson includes an impressive standard package of great features, but the GMC Terrain is made to be a rugged, premium SUV that should offer more. When looking for long-term value, only one of these two compact SUVs makes sense.

2024 Hyundai Tucson vs. GMC Terrain: starting prices

To determine the expected value after five years and see the long-term expectations, we must start with the base MSRP of the two SUVs being put against each other. The starting price of the Tucson is $27,250, compared to the base MSRP of $30,300 for the Terrain.

This puts the Tucson ahead of the Terrain right out of the gate, but will that remain after five years of ownership?

What is the expected five-year ownership cost of these two compact SUVs?

Edmunds provides what they call the ‘True Cost to Own’ a vehicle. This calculation is based on several factors, including:

  • Depreciation
  • Interest on financing
  • Taxes and fees
  • Insurance premiums
  • Fuel costs
  • Maintenance Costs
  • Repair costs
  • Federal tax credits

Edmunds uses an average driving distance of 15,000 miles per year to determine the True Cost to Own (TCO) any vehicle.

In side-by-side comparisons of the 2024 Hyundai Tucson and GMC Terrain, the Tucson has a TCO of $36,715, while the TCO for the Terrain is $48,080.

Some of the key factors contributing to the difference between these two compact SUVs are depreciation, fuel, maintenance, and repairs. Here is a breakdown of the estimated cost of these categories for each SUV:

 2024 Hyundai Tucson2024 GMC Terrain
Depreciation$12,516$18,962
Fuel$9,135$10,226
Maintenance$3,430$4,658
Repairs$515$883

It’s easy to see how much value the 2024 Tucson has over the 2024 Terrain after five years, but the Hyundai might have even more going for it than a lower CTO.

2024 Hyundai Tucson vs. GMC Terrain: which SUV offers a better warranty?

Hyundai continues to add America’s Best Warranty to every new vehicle. GMC is stuck in the old days of the basic warranty with only a few added benefits. The warranties of these two compact SUVs are:

 2024 Hyundai Tucson2024 GMC Terrain
Basic5 yr/60,000 miles3 yr/36,000 miles
Drivetrain10 yr/100,000 miles5 yr/60,000 miles
Roadside Assistance5 yr/Unlimited miles5 yr/60,000 miles

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson has a much better warranty package than the GMC Terrain, adding more value to the mix.

Does the Terrain beat the Tucson in any category?

When comparing the base SE trim of the Tucson with the base SLE trim of the Terrain, the GMC SUV has more standard tech features than the Tucson. Both SUVs come standard with Bluetooth, but the Terrain includes additional features like:

  • Navigation
  • Satellite Radio
  • Keyless ignition
  • Optional parking assistance
  • Premium cloth upholstery
  • Optional heated seats
  • An optional sunroof

None of these features are available in the base trim of the 2024 Tucson. This gives the Terrain a clear advantage in terms of standard features.

Which compact SUV has more power and cargo space?

The powertrain for the 2024 Hyundai Tucson is similar but much larger than that of the GMC Terrain. The Tucson uses a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. The Terrain has a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine making 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque.

The naturally aspirated engine of the Tucson has more horsepower, but the turbocharged engine in the Terrain delivers more torque. In addition to delivering more torque, the 2024 Terrain has standard AWD, which enables it to handle some off-road trails. The Tucson only has an FWD setup for the base model.

Regarding cargo space, the 2024 Hyundai Tucson has 38.7 cu-ft of space behind the rear seats compared to 29.6 cu-ft for the Terrain.

2024 Hyundai Tucson vs. GMC Terrain: the final verdict on long-term affordability

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson offers much better long-term value than the GMC Terrain. The Tucson starts out as the more affordable choice and continues to be a better overall value after five years of ownership. The Terrain offers a few more features and has standard AWD but falls short in terms of horsepower, cargo space, and warranty coverage.

Of course, it is important to remember that the ownership costs are all estimates. Categories like repairs and insurance will vary widely from person to person. The best way to ensure long-term affordability for any new car is to take care of it, drive safely, and keep up with regular maintenance.

Related

3 Areas the GMC Terrain Needs to Improve