Is the GMC Terrain more reliable than the Hyundai Ioniq 5?

Based on our data, the GMC Terrain is more reliable with an average score of 72/100 compared to 52/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.

Which has more recalls, the GMC Terrain or the Hyundai Ioniq 5?

The GMC Terrain has more recalls (19) compared to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (18). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the GMC Terrain or the Hyundai Ioniq 5?

Adjusted for sales volume, the GMC Terrain has a lower complaint rate at 4.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 63.4 for the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

GMC Terrain vs Hyundai Ioniq 5: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

GMC Terrain

Good

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Mixed

Choosing between the GMC Terrain and the Hyundai Ioniq 5? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The GMC Terrain currently leads with an average score of 72/100 compared to 52/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the GMC Terrain and Hyundai Ioniq 5 Generations Compare?

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is currently in its first generation, introduced in 2022, with a facelift in 2024. Being early in its generation cycle, the Ioniq 5 might experience typical first-year issues as manufacturers work out initial production kinks. However, the 2024 facelift could address early concerns, enhancing its reliability profile. The GMC Terrain is in its second generation, which started in 2018 and was refreshed in 2022. This mature platform benefits from years of development, likely offering more consistent reliability. As it nears the end of its cycle, the Terrain's design and engineering have been well-sorted, potentially making it a safer bet for reliability compared to a newer model like the Ioniq 5.

Verdict

The GMC Terrain is more reliable than the Hyundai Ioniq 5, scoring 72/100 vs 52/100.

The GMC Terrain demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Hyundai Ioniq 5, with an average reliability score of 76/100 versus the Ioniq 5’s 44/100. The Terrain also has a significantly lower owner complaint rate at 4.8 per 10,000 sold, compared to the Ioniq 5's 63.4. Despite both vehicles having a similar total recall count, the Terrain's issues are less frequent relative to its sales volume. Additionally, independent repair cost estimates show the Terrain incurs an annual repair cost of $558, while the Ioniq 5 lacks available data in this area, further highlighting the Terrain's reliability advantage.

Key Differences

1GMC Terrain has 58.6 fewer complaints per 10k sold
2GMC Terrain scores 20 points higher in reliability
3Hyundai Ioniq 5 has 1 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

2GMC Terrain

—

1Hyundai Ioniq 5

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

GMC Terrain vs Hyundai Ioniq 5: Which Is More Reliable?

GMC Terrain vs Hyundai Ioniq 5 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	GMC Terrain	Hyundai Ioniq 5
Reliability Score	72/100	52/100
Years Tracked	9	5
Total Recalls	19	18
Complaints per 10k Sold	4.8	63.4
Year Wins	4	0

What Are the Common Problems With the GMC Terrain and Hyundai Ioniq 5?

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 exhibits a significant number of complaints in the electrical system category, totaling 554, with 5 of these linked to crashes, which is notably higher compared to the GMC Terrain's 92 electrical system complaints and 1 crash link. In contrast, the GMC Terrain's most reported issue lies with the service brakes, registering 146 complaints and 8 crash-linked incidents, a concern not as prominent in the Ioniq 5, which has only 18 service brake complaints. Both vehicles show similar concerns in the power train category, with the Ioniq 5 having 182 complaints and the Terrain 135, each with 2 crash-linked cases. The Ioniq 5 also has a higher incidence of complaints related to forward collision avoidance and vehicle speed control, suggesting potential safety concerns in these areas.

GMC Terrain vs Hyundai Ioniq 5 common problem areas comparison
Component	GMC Terrain	Hyundai Ioniq 5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.6Very Low	36.8High
POWER TRAIN	1Very Low	12.1Above Avg
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.5Very Low	2.9Low
SERVICE BRAKES	1Very Low	1.2Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.2Very Low	1.5Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	1.3Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	1.4Low
STEERING	0.1Very Low	0.9Very Low
ENGINE	0.4Very Low	0.4Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	0.4Very Low
TIRES	—None	0.4Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.3Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	0.3Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	—None
PARKING BRAKE	—None	0.1Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None
SEATS	—None	—None
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)	—None	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: GMC Terrain or Hyundai Ioniq 5?

The GMC Terrain's annual repair cost is estimated at $558, with a repair frequency of 0.3 visits per year and a 17% risk of major repairs. While specific data for the Hyundai Ioniq 5 isn't available, electric vehicles like the Ioniq 5 typically have lower maintenance costs due to fewer moving parts and no need for oil changes. The Terrain's repair frequency suggests occasional shop visits, and the major repair risk implies that nearly 1 in 6 owners might face significant expenses. For cost-conscious buyers, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 could offer better long-term value. Despite the lack of explicit repair cost data, the nature of EVs often translates to lower maintenance and repair expenses compared to traditional SUVs like the Terrain.

How Does GMC Terrain vs Hyundai Ioniq 5 Reliability Compare by Year?

GMC Terrain vs Hyundai Ioniq 5 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	GMC Terrain	Hyundai Ioniq 5	Edge
2025	78/1000R / 8C	53/1008R / 158C	GMC Terrain
2024	77/1001R / 29C	58/1002R / 134C	GMC Terrain
2023	75/1002R / 21C	50/1003R / 311C	GMC Terrain
2022	72/1004R / 65C	46/1003R / 349C	GMC Terrain
2026(predicted)	77/100(predicted)	54/100(predicted)	GMC Terrain

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 GMC Terrain scored 78/100 and the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 scored 58/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the GMC Terrain vs the Hyundai Ioniq 5?

If you prioritize reliability and a lower risk of issues, the GMC Terrain might be the better fit for you. With a reliability score of 76/100 and only 4.8 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, it stands as a more dependable choice. The estimated annual repair cost of $558 and a repair frequency of 0.3 per year make it a sensible option for those looking to minimize unexpected expenses. However, be mindful of potential issues with the service brakes and power train. On the other hand, if you're drawn to innovative electric vehicles and are willing to accept some reliability trade-offs, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 could be appealing. Despite its lower reliability score of 44/100 and higher complaints rate, it offers cutting-edge technology and eco-friendly benefits. Keep in mind its top issues related to the electrical system and power train, which may impact ownership satisfaction.

GMC Terrain vs Hyundai Ioniq 5: Common Questions

Is the GMC Terrain more reliable than the Hyundai Ioniq 5?: Based on our data, the GMC Terrain is more reliable with an average score of 72/100 compared to 52/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
Which has more recalls, the GMC Terrain or the Hyundai Ioniq 5?: The GMC Terrain has more recalls (19) compared to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (18). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the GMC Terrain or the Hyundai Ioniq 5?: Adjusted for sales volume, the GMC Terrain has a lower complaint rate at 4.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 63.4 for the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

More GMC Terrain comparisons

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More Hyundai Ioniq 5 comparisons

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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