2016 GMC Terrain vs 2016 Hyundai Tucson
Two compact SUVs, compared on what actually matters when you're buying used:
what breaks, when it breaks, and what it costs you.
2016 GMC
Terrain
4/10
Great cabin space and depreciation-fueled bargain pricing, undermined by a 2.4L Ecotec that has a real shot at eating its own timing chain before 100k.
VS
2016 Hyundai
Tucson
5/10
Great space and features for the money, but the 1.6T/7DCT combo and Theta II engines make this a car you inspect like a detective, not a shopper.
Milo scores the 2016 Hyundai Tucson higher — 5/10 against 4/10.
By the numbers
Green is the better number — higher on every score, lower on failures, complaints and recalls.
| GMC Terrain |
Hyundai Tucson |
| Known failure points | 6 | 6 |
| NHTSA complaints | 152 | 1616 |
| Safety recalls | 2 | 5 |
| Service bulletins | 12 | 12 |
| Reliability | 38 | 45 |
| Cheap to own | 35 | 40 |
| Fun factor | 30 | 38 |
| Holds value | 32 | 42 |
| Enthusiast cred | 10 | 15 |
The most expensive thing that goes wrong
2016 GMC Terrain
2.4L Ecotec (LE9/LEA/LTG) timing chain stretch/failure — chain, guides, and tensioners wear prematurely, sometimes snapping outright and destroying the engine
$1,500–$6,00040k–80k mi
2016 Hyundai Tucson
Theta II 2.0L/2.4L engine bearing wear leading to rod knock, excessive oil consumption, or complete engine failure
$4,000–$8,00060k–100k mi
If you buy one, buy this one
✅ 2016 GMC Terrain
A 2016 Terrain SLT-2 or Denali with the 3.6L V6 (RPO LFX), AWD, and full dealer service records — the V6 sidesteps the timing chain/oil consumption saga entirely and the extra trim level usually means a more pampered previous owner.
✅ 2016 Hyundai Tucson
A 2016 Tucson Limited or SE with the naturally aspirated 2.0L or 2.4L engine and conventional 6-speed automatic — skip the 1.6T Eco/Sport trims entirely. AWD adds real usability in snow states.
Narrowed it down? Get the full report
This comparison is model-level.
Milo's report goes car-level — the one you're actually looking at:
- A line-by-line negotiation script
- The pre-purchase inspection checklist
- VIN-specific open recalls
- What it's really worth right now
- Your next 15,000 miles, forecast
- Hidden features & money-savers
Run my free report →
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Scores and findings blend documented NHTSA recalls and complaints with
patterns synthesized from owner communities. Always inspect the specific vehicle and
verify open recalls by VIN before buying.