What is the best year for a Chevrolet Blazer?

The 2022 and 2023 Blazer are the standout used picks — 39 and 35 complaints respectively, both with 10/10 NHTSA safety scores and only 4 severe issues each. After a rougher launch window in 2019-2020 (181 and 204 complaints), the Blazer stabilized quickly. The 2022-2025 window is consistently clean.

How much does Chevrolet Blazer insurance cost?

Blazer insurance averages around $2,570/year — roughly $214/month. On the higher end for midsize SUVs, despite favorable maintenance costs.

Is the Chevrolet Blazer or Ford Edge cheaper to maintain?

The Blazer is cheaper to maintain by $90/year — $521 versus $611 for the Ford Edge. The Blazer also has a higher reliability score (8 vs. 7), lower major repair probability (11% vs. 13%), and lower repair frequency (28% vs. 33%). The Blazer is the better value across all maintenance metrics.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Chevrolet Blazer?

Major repair probability of 11% and repair frequency of 28% are both well below the midsize segment averages. Extended warranty isn't warranted for most buyers — the data supports self-insuring.

Is the GMC Acadia expensive to maintain?

The Acadia costs $734/year to maintain — $161 above the three-row segment average of $573. Major repair probability of 19% is the highest in the three-row class. Reliability score of 6 is below the segment average of 7. Repair frequency of 37% is slightly below the class average of 40%. Above-average cost and the highest major-repair risk in the segment.

What is the best year for a GMC Acadia?

The 2023 (38 complaints, 10/10 safety, 4 severe) and 2022 (45 complaints, 10/10 safety, 3 severe) Acadia are the cleanest years on record. Avoid 2017 (689 complaints — the second-generation launch) and 2014 (464 complaints). The 2022-2025 window is significantly better than the model's historical average.

How much does GMC Acadia insurance cost?

Acadia insurance averages around $2,242/year — roughly $187/month. One of the lower insurance rates in the three-row class.

Is the GMC Acadia or Chevrolet Traverse cheaper to maintain?

The Traverse is cheaper to maintain by $78/year — $656 versus $734 for the Acadia. Both carry a reliability score of 6. The Traverse has a slightly lower major repair probability (18% vs. 19%), while the Acadia has a slightly lower repair frequency (37% vs. 43%). Neither is a standout value — the Traverse holds a modest cost advantage.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a GMC Acadia?

Major repair probability of 19% is the highest in the three-row segment. Extended warranty is worth considering for most used Acadia models, particularly those from the pre-2022 era. The 2022-2025 window carries lower risk, but the class-high repair probability still warrants careful consideration.

Chevrolet Blazer vs GMC Acadia

Two midsize SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Chevrolet Blazer — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

Buy the GMC Acadia if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Chevrolet Blazer	GMC Acadia
Annual maintenance	$521winner	$734
5-year total cost	$2,605winner	$3,670
Reliability score	8 / 10winner	6 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	11%winner	19%
Cargo space	—	—
Starting price (new)	$37,095winner	$43,800
Best years to buy	—	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Chevrolet Blazer	GMC Acadia
RepairPal score	8 / 10winner	6 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	135.2	89.6winner
Years to avoid	2019, 2020, 2021	2014, 2017, 2019
Value retained · 3 yr	71.6%	71.6%
Value retained · 5 yr	52.8%winner	51.5%
Value retained · 7 yr	40.5%winner	38.2%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Chevrolet Blazer	GMC Acadia
Engine	24.3%	12.4%winner
Electrical	15.8%	13.2%winner
ADAS	9.0%	5.8%winner
Brakes	6.7%	3.4%winner
Suspension	1.1%	—winner
Steering	7.7%winner	10.5%
Fuel system	2.3%	2.3%winner
Tires/Wheels	3.8%	1.5%winner
Glass/Windows	0.8%	—winner
Airbags	1.5%winner	19.3%
Lighting	—winner	3.6%
Seatbelt	—winner	1.6%

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Chevrolet Blazer	GMC Acadia
Avg annual premium	$2,570	$2,242winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Chevrolet Blazer

$521/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

GAS

GMC Acadia

$734/yr maint · 6 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Blazer costs $521/year to maintain — $52 below the midsize segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 28% is well below the class average of 40%, and major repair probability of 11% is well below the 13% norm. Combined with a reliability score of 8 above the class average of 7, it's one of the stronger ownership-cost profiles in the midsize segment.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →