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GMC Terrain vs Hyundai Tucson

2026 GMC Terrain vs 2026 Hyundai Tucson — two small SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

GMC Terrain

2026 GMC Terrain

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WD
VS3 – 3Tie: 3 categories each
Hyundai Tucson

2026 Hyundai Tucson

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Hyundai Tucson is more fuel-efficient: 38 vs 27 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $750 a year less in fuel for the Hyundai Tucson (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

Across all model years since 2005, the GMC Terrain has had fewer recall campaigns (22 vs 29).

The two cars

The 2026 GMC Terrain is a small SUV offered with a 1.5L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 181 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 107-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,598 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

The 2026 Hyundai Tucson is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (1.6L 4-cyl turbo and 2.5L 4-cyl), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. It measures about 182 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,468 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

Buying used? The 2024 Terrain and the 2021 Tucson have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2015 Terrain and the 2016 Tucson.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
1.5L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

27 MPG
Best combined MPG
38 MPG
26 city
City / highway MPG (best)
38 city
$2,500
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,750

Performance & space

–
Horsepower (most powerful)
187 hp
181.1 in
Length
182.3 in
74.4 in
Width
73.2 in
65.7 in
Height
64.2 in
3,446 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,340 lb

Safety & reliability

12
Driver-assist features standard
13
1
Recalls (2026)
6
22
Recalls, all years since 2005
29
33
Owner complaints (latest year)
99

Interest

6,767
Wikipedia views, 30 days
22,259

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2021
2015
Year to avoid
2016

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the GMC Terrain if…

  • You put reliability history first (22 vs 29 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Hyundai Tucson if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (38 vs 27 MPG)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option

Pros & cons of each

2026 GMC Terrain

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

2026 Hyundai Tucson

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 38 MPG combined — 47% better than the average 2026 small SUV (25.9 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Full 2026 GMC Terrain specs →Full 2026 Hyundai Tucson specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →