Do a little reading on the forum and for the size and weight of the Terrain and Equinox, the V-6 is the better choice.
The 3.6L is pretty much bullet proof and comes with a heavy duty transmission and a long list of upgrades.
l have seen many 4 cyl forum members post that they wish they got the V-6.
Your call.

 

If you want good MPG, get the 2.4L. For any other reason, get the 3.6L.

 

Hey

Looking for a 2017 Terrain maybe. Have conflicting reports on which motor is better the 4 cylinder or the V6. Amy other info as well would be appreciated.

Thanks!

63K miles on our '17 Equinox Premier V6 AWD, and no issues other than consumaables (air, oil, and cabin air filters; tires at 59K; slight warpage on front rotors - will replace with front pads soon). Ditto on the I4 for fuel economy - my experience with ours is that the V6 can be coaxed up to about 27 MPG max (23 combined) with judicious use of the accelerator pedal, but can much more easily get down into the mid-teens if routinely driven agressively. I'm not sure if the I4 can get below 23 MPG at all. I still think the V6 is the better choice overall because ours has been trouble-free and provides the option of real power on demand. That said, I haven't heard of many folks with nearly as many problems with the later I4 powered vehicles as with the earlier ones.

 

The majority of engine complaints on here are 2.4 related, not so much with the late model 3.6 engine.
The money you save on gas with the 2.4 you better be large return investing so you can pay for repairs versus getting the 3.6 .

 

147K miles on my ‘15 Equinox V6 so far with no issues…I personally wouldn’t consider buying the 4 cylinder mainly for its reliability issues, but I must admit I went with the V6 for its 300+ HP!

 

Hey

Looking for a 2017 Terrain maybe. Have conflicting reports on which motor is better the 4 cylinder or the V6. Amy other info as well would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Well. . my first question would be. . . you have (had?) a 2.4L in your 2016. Ever determine what the "White smoke" and "bubbling" in the coolant was?

Most here would say get the 3.6L V6. The fuel efficiency has been better than GM specified for me.

Just going by what I recall after almost 8 years here the 2.4L problems are frozen PCV system with engine main seal blow out causing instant oil loss and engine damage. . . . oil consumption due to inadequate piston ring design and coating, and several other issues. There were one or two here who went long miles with a 2.4L engine . . . but it was only with early oil changes and many maintenance items and repairs.

Further. . if you have any doubts. .. view through these 426 posts and see how many are about issues:

LINK: - Search results for query: 2.4L doing

 

Well. . my first question would be. . . you have (had?) a 2.4L in your 2016. Ever determine what the "White smoke" and "bubbling" in the coolant was?

Most here would say get the 3.6L V6. The fuel efficiency has been better than GM specified for me.

Just going by what I recall after almost 8 years here the 2.4L problems are frozen PCV system with engine main seal blow out causing instant oil loss and engine damage. . . . oil consumption due to inadequate piston ring design and coating, and several other issues. There were one or two here who went long miles with a 2.4L engine . . . but it was only with early oil changes and many maintenance items and repairs.

Further. . if you have any doubts. .. view through these 426 posts and see how many are about issues:

LINK: - Search results for query: 2.4L doing

Hey thanks. The smoke stopped for some reason. I burped the coolant system and haven't seen bubbles return. Also new rad cap and overfill cap.

 

There was something like a $1500.00 price bump for the 3.6 V6 in 2016 when I dumped my 2014 2.4 that was adding gas to the oil with less than 20,000 miles. Best $1500.00 spent to get the more powerful & RELIABLE engine and heavier transmission. Average local driving for me on summer gas is just over 20 MPG which is a lot of in town driving and highway at 70 MPH. If I drove more highway at 55-60, it would help my MPG a lot. I'm only at 36,000 miles as I use my Ford F-150 Crew Cab 4X4 as my daily driver with a 2.7 V6 with Twin Turbos. That also gets about the same MPG IF I stay out of the turbo boost. The Equinox is so much more practical when going shopping as it is so much easier to park than the big ol truck. The Equinox & Terrain vehicles have a lot of room in the back for both people and baggage.

 

Like @BandDirector , my 2011 is closing in on 170,000 miles and no real problems (yet). Yeah, I've got a wheel speed sensor and/or hub I need to replace, but that's par for the course at this point. Other than that, just a $35 Purge Valve and the rest is just regular maintenance items: 1 battery (~$100), 4 tires ($700), brake pads on all 4 wheels ($100?), 24 quarts of transmission fluid (~$100), and about 42 oil changes (@ ~ $15/each).

Would I purchase a 2017 2.4L Equinox or Terrain? It would depend on the deal, I guess. I mean ... if it was given to me, I'd surely take it, so what would the price difference have to be between comparable 2017 2.4L and 3.6L Equinox/Terrains? Off the top of my head ... probably at least $5,000 less for the 2.4L ... to give me a hedge against all the bad stuff that might happen.

But you know what (??) ... for every V6 Equinox/Terrain I see out on the roads, I see probably 50+ I4's. And every time I run across an owner of one and ask them if they've had any problems, they always say "no ... no problems!" ... so they can't all be bad. And a 2017 would be a full 4 model years removed from the "hot zone" of 2010-2013, so you would think GM would've corrected all the problems by then ... you'd think ...

 

I have 62,000 miles on my 2015 V6 Equinox. Maintenance has been:

1 Battery
1 blower motor
OEM Tires replaced at 42,000 miles
Replaced leaking rear hatch struts
Rear rotors and pads once
Front rotors twice (first time under warranty, the 2nd time at my expense)
Front pads once
Purge valve
Drain/refill transmission fluid
Drain/refill rear differential
Oil/filter changes (11 so far)
Cabin air filter twice per year
Engine air filter annually
A few rear wiper blades and a replacement rear wiper blade cover
A few sets of front wipers

Biggest upcoming expense will be getting the rear lower control arms replaced. They are rusting (driver's side is severely corroded/cracked/flaking, passenger side has surface rust but replacing it anyway.) I have GM Genuine replacements in transit and will be having a local independent shop remove the old ones and install the new ones. I am just not set up here at home to do that kind of job, unfortunately. $180 total for both arms shipped, $400 for install and 4-wheel alignment afterwards. Not pleased that they rusted so quickly on a 6.5 year old vehicle, but stuff happens as cars get older.

I saw a figure one time that GM put out. They said the take rate on the V6 Equinox/Terrain was only 20%. The one I bought had been sitting on the dealer's lot for 5 months before I purchased it (and I had been watching it for at least 2 months on their website before finally driving over to look at it.) Got 20% off of MSRP since it was "aged inventory". Those days are over hahahahaha.

 

Not ce

 

On my 2013 3.6.
Im nearing 104,000.

Items I replaced because they failed.
2 batteries- changed myself
1 water pump- changed myself
1 vent actuator- changed myself
1 tailgate exterior switch- changed myself (thanks to wifes nails tearing the rubber shield)
1 PCV purge valve

 

Thank your.
What were your water pump and vent actuator symptoms?

 

Hmmm, my '16 3.6 is at 80k miles now has had zero issues, knock on wood. Brakes, tires, battery, filters and fluid service are normal maintenance. No issues other than the dealer performing a center stack software update when it was new.

 

Sounds like the 3.6 all day.
Something I found out about my 2016 2.4l AWD Equinox LS is there is no pcv valve. There is apparently a pressure release valve somewhere else.
Anyway thank you all so much

 

Sounds like the 3.6 all day.
Something I found out about my 2016 2.4l AWD Equinox LS is there is no pcv valve. There is apparently a pressure release valve somewhere else.

If you are still trying to decide between a 2.4L or 3.6L V-6, read the thread started today by xTina "Excessive oil consumption 2012 Terrain"

 

Nice. Now I need to get 20 percent off mine too.Lol

 

I'll be the first 2017 2.4L reply, I guess. Just over 4 yrs old now, but only 40K kms, and not a single issue. Only cost so far was air/oil filters, oil changes and a vented oil fill cover. The 2.4 L does everything you want for a driving around town running errands vehicle and is great on gas. That said, I would pick the V6 for the extra power when needed.

 

How many miles on that 2.4L?

BTW: You should consider adding a Signature with your vehicle info by clicking on your Avatar icon at the top right corner, then click on "Account Settings", then "Signature". You can cut/paste then modify mine if you like, then try to keep it up to date (if you put the mileage in there). Come to think of it, I need to update mine right now!

 

We test drove a '16 2.4 AWD before buying the '16 3.6 . Hot day, A/C on and the 2.4 AWD couldn't get out of it's own way pulling out into traffic. My wife was driving and I asked her is it nailed and she said it's been LOL. We had recently sold her '07 Mustang GT 3 pedal car so she's not your average female driver.

 

Kudos to the rest of the forum, 3.6 or walk. This is the type of vehicle where most people are actually concerned with mileage. This is why the 2.4 outsells (outsold) the V6 three to one. The 3.6 was too close in mileage to the 4 cyl for me to pass up. Knowing what I know now from various posts regarding 2.4 issues, performance, headaches I wouldn't touch it. You would be much happier in the long run with the power from the 3.6 V6, it's served me well!.

 

Thank you guys.

 

Hey

Looking for a 2017 Terrain maybe. Have conflicting reports on which motor is better the 4 cylinder or the V6. Amy other info as well would be appreciated.

Thanks!

We have a 2013 Terrain with the V6 and couldn’t be happier. It’s quick and powerful and gets up steep inclines better than a 4cyl. Absolutely no problems with the engine or transmission since the date we bought it.

 

2015 GMC Terrain 2.4l at 91k miles here. It's been very reliable but I do wish I had more power. I bought mine for the AWD (which does surprisingly well in the winter) and the expected better mpg, which isn't that great but I drive with a lead foot. Plus it was in my budget at the time.

Had issues with the transmission not wanting to shift when I first bought it but that seems to have worked itself out. I drive 85% highway which does seem to make a difference.

Maintenance Ive done so far (I did buy it used at 2 years old so some stuff is missing)-

-Transmission flush- under warranty
-Variable timing solenoid- under warranty
-Regular oil changes
-Tires at 66k miles
-2 rear wiper blades
-Front brakes and rotors
-2 or 3 sets of front wiper blades
-Coolant temperature sensor. Replaced myself
-Battery 3 days ago, it was OEM and roughly 7 years old! Replaced myself
-Rear differential fluid flush at around 60k miles
-4 cabin and 3 air filters. Replaced myself
-Sparks plugs I'll do myself here shortly since it's nearing 100k.

I feel like there should be more but can't think of anything else. I also upgraded my headlights to LED since the OEM ones suck.

 

I've only had my 2015 Terrain since April but I've noticed that everybody here changes their cabin filter a lot any advice on that? I know where it's at I've just not checked it yet I don't want to get off topic sorry if I did I'll have real report soon. I just had my first oil change a couple of weeks ago at 108,300 and I would also like to say I really like this forum I learn new things everyday.

Be seeing you...

 

I change all my cabin filters yearly. Usually after the spring pollen season dies down. I want the A/C to perform at it's best in the summer.
Cabin filter is the most neglected filter, when you pull out yours you'll see how bad it is unless prev. owner did proper maint. .

 

First oil change at 108k miles ? Don't expect another 108k miles.

 

I'm guessing he's not the original owner......

 

Yep, my bad.

 

Yep, my bad.

 

2.4 seems to have a problem with condensation and poor flow that can freeze and blow the rear seal, it appears to have been happening since 2010, it happened to my 2015. the Bulletin 14882 was posted the year mine was built. Seems this problem remains a problem.

 

I have 80,000 on my 2017 2.4 terrain. Zero issues so far. Its actually been perfect. The 2017 is the last year of the first gen, and alot of kinks are worked out by the time a vehicle comes closed to end of life. I change oil and filter every 5000 with full synthetic and automatic trans fluid every 30000 so timely routine maintenance has been completed. I have new rotors and pads, just need the weather to warm up a bit so I can get them changed.

 

Nice! Yeah, I have the same mileage on my 2017 Equinox AWD 4cyl. Best part is this gas crisis has barely affected me.lol If you drive these things gently, they literally sip and can run off of fumes.

 

My 2017 Equinox 4cyl awd has about 80,000 and she's still in great shape. I offroad and overland nearly every weekend since I got her. They did work out most of the kinks with the Equinox by 2017. I absolutely love mine, and I'm not horsepower obsessed. I enjoy keeping my gas bill low and still being able to go anywhere I want.