GMC Sierra 1500 vs. GMC Terrain
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the GMC Sierra 1500 and GMC Terrain contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the GMC Sierra 1500 and the GMC Terrain.
In comparing the GMC Sierra 1500's and the GMC Terrain's specifications and ratings, the GMC Sierra 1500 has the advantage in the areas of reliability, resale value and base engine power. The GMC Terrain has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the GMC Sierra 1500's and the GMC Terrain's specifications and ratings, the GMC Terrain is a better car than the GMC Sierra 1500.
Pricing: A used 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 ranges from $47,346 to $81,887 while a used 2024 GMC Terrain is priced between $26,492 to $40,893. For a new model, the GMC Sierra 1500's price is between $45,919 and $86,580, with the GMC Terrain priced between $28,237 and $42,677.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the GMC Sierra 1500 loses 38.1 percent of its value and the GMC Terrain loses 44 percent of its value. This means the GMC Sierra 1500 retains 6 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the GMC Terrain.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the GMC Sierra 1500 is 8.6 out of 10 while the GMC Terrain's quality rating is 8.6 out of 10. This results in the GMC Sierra 1500 being ranked 5 out of 11 Best Full-Size Trucks and the GMC Terrain being ranked 4 out of 19 Best Small SUVs.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the GMC Sierra 1500 is 8.8 out of 10. For the GMC Terrain the reliability rating is 8.0 out of 10. This gives the GMC Sierra 1500 a slight advantage in reliability compared to the GMC Terrain.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the GMC Sierra 1500’s base engine makes 310 horsepower, and the GMC Terrain base engine makes 175 horsepower. The Sierra 1500 is rated to deliver an average of 20 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 528 miles. The Terrain is rated to deliver an average of 26 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 432 miles.This gives the GMC Terrain the advantage in fuel efficiency and the GMC Sierra 1500 the advantage in maximum range. Both models use regular unleaded.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the GMC Terrain has higher safety ratings than the GMC Sierra 1500, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.40 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$45,919 - $86,580
Starting MSRP:
$37,700
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Full-Size Pickup Trucks)
$41,113
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Full-Size Pickup Trucks)
$36,770 - $52,850
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$28,237 - $42,677
Starting MSRP:
$28,700
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
$27,871
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
$23,860 - $30,300
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$63,218
Price Range:
$47,346 - $81,887
Category Avg Price:
(Full-Size Pickup Trucks)
$59,079
Category Avg Price Range:
(Full-Size Pickup Trucks)
$48,160 - $71,208
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
3,830
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
14,882
# Good or Great Deals:
863
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$32,911
Price Range:
$26,492 - $40,893
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
$33,244
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
$29,649 - $36,546
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1,695
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
18,840
# Good or Great Deals:
395
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$14,580
Depreciation %:
38.7%
Resale Value $:
$23,120
Residual Value %:
61.3%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Full-Size Pickup Trucks)
38.6%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Full-Size Pickup Trucks)
26.6% - 45.4%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$12,958
Depreciation %:
45.2%
Resale Value $:
$15,742
Residual Value %:
54.8%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact SUVs)
42%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact SUVs)
29.1% - 47.3%
GMC Sierra 1500 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.8 / 10
Retained Value:
8.1 / 10
Safety:
8.8 / 10
GMC Terrain Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.0 / 10
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for GMC Sierra 1500
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
11.8
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Full-Size Pickup Trucks)
12.1
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Full-Size Pickup Trucks)
11.3 - 14.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
48.1%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for GMC Terrain
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10.3
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact SUVs)
10.9
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact SUVs)
9.9 - 13.4
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
10.7%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Full-Size Pickup Trucks)
3.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Full-Size Pickup Trucks)
1.5 - 10.8
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.8 - 18.3
GMC Sierra 1500 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
2 out of / 11Ranking
2 out of / 11Ranking
2 out of / 11Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 11Ranking
3 out of / 11Ranking
4 out of / 11Ranking
4 out of / 11Ranking
4 out of / 11Ranking
5 out of / 11Ranking
5 out of / 6Ranking
7 out of / 11GMC Terrain Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 20Ranking
3 out of / 14Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
9 out of / 67Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 19Ranking
10 out of / 19Ranking
11 out of / 30Ranking
11 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 67Ranking
12 out of / 19Ranking
13 out of / 19Ranking
14 out of / 67Ranking
14 out of / 19Ranking
14 out of / 19Ranking
15 out of / 19Ranking
15 out of / 19Ranking
15 out of / 19Ranking
23 out of / 59Ranking
25 out of / 67Ranking
25 out of / 67Ranking
25 out of / 67Ranking
27 out of / 67Ranking
31 out of / 67Ranking
43 out of / 67Ranking
43 out of / 67Ranking
44 out of / 67Ranking
52 out of / 67Ranking
52 out of / 67Available Body Styles
Pickup Truck
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Cab Types
Crew Cab, Extended Cab, Regular Cab
Available Cab Types
Not applicable
Available Bed Length(s)
69.9 inches, 79.4 inches, 98.2 inches
Available Bed Length(s)
Not applicable
Available Drivetrain Options
Diesel, Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
GMC Sierra 1500 Trim Levels
AT4, AT4X, Denali, Denali Ultimate, Elevation, Elevation Standard, Pro, SLE, SLT
GMC Terrain Trim Levels
AT4, Denali, SLE, SLT
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.40 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
310 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:
430 foot-lbs @ 3000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.070 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
9100 lbs
Max Payload:
2230 lbs
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
175 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
203 foot-lbs @ 2000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
1500 lbs
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.7 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
4X2 / 4X4
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
18 / 22 / 20
Range (city/hwy):
432 / 528 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
24 / 29 / 26
Range (city/hwy):
358 / 432 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Front Bench Seats:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Massage Seats:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
43.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
44.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
66 inches
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.6 inches
Cargo Space:
29.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
63.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
132.8 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4440 lbs
Width:
81.1 inches
Height:
75.7 inches
Length:
211 inches
Wheelbase:
126.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.9 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3419 lbs
Width:
72.4 inches
Height:
65.4 inches
Length:
182.3 inches
Wheelbase:
107.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.9 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted steel
Tire Size:
255/70R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/65R17
Exterior Colors
Beige
Doeskin Tan
Black
Onyx Black
Blue
Downpour Metallic / Indigo Blue
Gray
Light Autumnwood Metallic / Pewter / Sterling Metallic / Thunderstorm Gray
Green
Green / Unripened Green Metallic / Woodland Green
Orange
Tangier Orange
Red
Cardinal Red / Dark Toreador Red
Silver
Silver Ice Metallic
White
Summit White
Yellow
Wheatland Yellow
Exterior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Ebony Twilight Metallic
Blue
Downpour Metallic / Riptide Blue Metallic
Gray
Sterling Metallic
Green
Not available
Orange
Not available
Red
Volcanic Red Tintcoat
Silver
Not available
White
Summit White
Yellow
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Jet Black
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Jet Black
Gray
Medium Ash Gray/Jet Black