The Subaru Forester is more affordable, more spacious, and more fuel efficient than the GMC Terrain compact SUV—but can the Terrain make up for its deficits? Spoiler alert: not really.
Both the Subaru Forester and the GMC Terrain are rugged-looking compact SUVs that offer drivers a spacious interior, above-average fuel efficiency ratings, and stellar safety ratings. But which of these compact SUVs reigns supreme for the 2022 model year?
Here to help determine whether the Subaru Forester or the GMC Terrain is the objectively “better” SUV, is Jerry
—the top-rated comparison shopping super app
for car insurance
savings. We’ve created this side-by-side comparison of the two models to help drivers determine which model is the better choice. We’ll even end with some insurance tips! Forester vs.Terrain: which is more expensive?
Let’s start with the basics: the price tag. Take a look at how the Subaru Forester and GMC Terrain compare at each trim level.
The bottom line: a Subaru Forester model is about $3,000 to $4,000 cheaper than a comparable GMC Terrain trim.
Ownership costs
That being said, when considering how much it's going to cost to own—not just finance—a new vehicle, we need to take a closer look at the associated costs of ownership, such as maintenance, insurance, and fuel costs.
Edmunds estimates that the average five-year ownership costs for a 2022 Subaru Forester add up to around $36,830, compared to the actual cash price of the model, which is approximately $5,795 cheaper at just $31,032.
Meanwhile, the five-year cost to own a 2022 GMC Terrain (according to Edmunds) ranges from $39,061 to $45,556—partly due to higher GMC maintenance costs. That’s between $6,000 and $8,000 more expensive than the Terrain’s initial price tag.
Insurance costs
Similarly, the average annual cost of Subaru Forester car insurance
is lower than GMC Terrain car insurance
coverage. The average Subaru Forester owner should expect to pay approximately $2,076 a year on their car insurance coverage. Meanwhile, annual insurance costs for a GMC Terrain are slightly higher at $2,509 a year.
You can lower your annual insurance costs by comparison shopping with Jerry
, but the Forester will likely get slightly lower rates no matter what. Winner: Subaru Forester
Every step of the way, the Subaru Forester is more affordable than the GMC Terrain for the 2022 model year. From the MSRP to the five-year cost to own and insurance costs, the Subaru Forester is always the less expensive of the two SUVs.
Now that we’ve considered the differences in price between the two, let’s get into how the Subaru Forester and the GMC Terrain match up in terms of features, performance, and safety.
Subaru Forester vs. Terrain: in-depth comparison
Body style and size
Both the GMC Terrain and the Subaru Forester have a rugged, boxy exterior that makes them seem similar on the street. That being said, when it comes to the details of the interior of the two models, the Forester offers more passenger and cargo capacity than the Terrain.
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Engine and performance
When it comes to power and performance, the 2022 Subaru Forester is powered by the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. That engine is married to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD).
The 2022 GMC Terrain, on the other hand, is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and either front- or all-wheel drive.
In the end, neither of the SUV’s engines is showstopping, but they get the job done. Side by side, there’s little difference between the two engines, apart from the Forester producing an additional 12 horsepower while the Terrain offers an additional 27 pound-feet of torque.
Fuel economy
When it comes to fuel efficiency, the Forester is slightly more efficient than the GMC Terrain—but not by much. The Forester offers drivers 26 mpg for city driving, 33 mpg on the highway, and 29 mpg combined. The Terrain offers the following fuel-economy ratings: 25 mpg for city driving, 30 mpg on the highway, and 27 mpg combined.
Keep in mind, however, that switching to an all-wheel drivetrain on the Terrain will lower your fuel efficiency to 28 mpg on the highway.
Safety
Both the Subaru Forester and the GMC Terrain received perfect five-star safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) thanks to their suites of safety and driver-assistance features. Standard tech on both models includes automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection and lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist.
Looking to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2022 Forester was named a Top Safety Pick+ selection, while the 2022 Terrain received a “good” overall crash test rating.
All in all, we’d have to give the crown to the Forester here due to its accolades from the IIHS.
Tech
Finally, looking at the standard and available technology features of our two compact SUV competitors, they are essentially neck-and-neck.
The Forester comes standard with an intuitive 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities. On-board navigation is available for an additional cost, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot is standard on all but the entry-level trim.
Looking to the GMC Terrain, you’ll find a similar touchscreen display equipped with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and onboard Wi-fi. Similar to the Forester, in-dash navigation and a head-up display are available for an added cost or on higher trims.
Winner: Subaru Forester
All in all, the Subaru Forester gives drivers more bang for their buck when it comes to price, space, power, safety, and fuel efficiency. In fact, when comparing the two models, there’s no category where the GMC Terrain sweeps the Forester.
How to save on Subaru insurance costs
Now that you know that the 2022 Subaru Forester is the better compact SUV, it’s time to think about getting reliable and affordable Subaru car insurance
. Thankfully, it’s easier than ever before to find just that when you download Jerry
, the #1-rated car insurance comparison shopping super app. As a licensed insurance broker, Jerry brings users custom competitive quotes on car insurance from 55+ of the top insurance providers across the nation, all in as little as 45 seconds. No phone calls or duplicate forms necessary. Plus, Jerry users save an average of $800+ per year on car insurance!
“After signing up with Jerry
, I went from $199/month to $97/month for my car insurance. My 2019 Subaru Forester now has full coverage for a great price!” —Rhonda H.
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