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.

Is the Honda Pilot expensive to maintain?

The Pilot costs $542/year to maintain — $31 below the three-row segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 51% is well above the class average of 40% — the highest in the three-row segment. Reliability score of 7 and major repair probability of 13% both sit at the class average. Below-average cost but the most frequent unscheduled shop visits in the class.

What is the best year for a Honda Pilot?

Avoid 2016 (1,644 complaints — the third-generation debut, plagued by 9-speed transmission issues) and 2019 (843 complaints at the fourth-generation launch). The 2024 Pilot (93 complaints, 10/10 safety, 3 severe) is the strongest recent used pick. The 2022-2024 range has settled significantly from the turbulent 2016-2021 period.

How much does Honda Pilot insurance cost?

Pilot insurance averages about $2,147/year — roughly $179/month. The most affordable insurance rate in the three-row class.

Is the Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander cheaper to maintain?

The Highlander is cheaper to maintain by $53/year — $489 versus $542 for the Pilot. The Highlander also has a higher reliability score (8 vs. 7). Repair frequency data isn't available for the Highlander for a complete side-by-side, but on cost and reliability score, the Highlander holds the edge.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Honda Pilot?

Repair frequency of 51% is the highest in the three-row segment, meaning owners statistically average more than one unscheduled repair visit per year. For 2016-2021 models with documented complaint spikes, extended warranty is worth considering to contain those visit costs. For 2022 and newer, the profile is more moderate.

GMC Acadia vs Honda Pilot

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

// VERDICT

Our verdict

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

Buy the Honda Pilot — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	GMC Acadia	Honda Pilot
Annual repairs	$734	$542winner
5-year repair cost	$3,670	$2,710winner
Scheduled service (to 150k mi)	$9,180	$8,519winner
Reliability score	6 / 10	7 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	19%	13%winner
Cargo space	97.5 cu ft	111.8 cu ftwinner
Starting price (new)	$45,600	$45,400winner

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	GMC Acadia	Honda Pilot
RepairPal score	6 / 10	7 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	314.8	307winner
Strongest years	2011, 2013, 2015	2013, 2014, 2015
Weakest years	2014, 2017, 2018	2010, 2011, 2012
Value retained · 3 yr	71.6%	74.5%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	51.5%	55.9%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	38.2%	46%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	GMC Acadia	Honda Pilot
Engine	25.9%winner	37.5%
Electrical	14.1%winner	14.6%
ADAS	6.2%winner	11.7%
Brakes	3.5%winner	3.8%
Steering	9.9%	1.7%winner
Fuel system	2.1%winner	7.6%
Tires/Wheels	—winner	1.5%
Glass/Windows	—winner	2.4%
Airbags	17.2%	3.5%winner
Lighting	3.2%	—winner
Seatbelt	1.6%	—winner

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?

	GMC Acadia	Honda Pilot
Avg annual premium	$2,242	$2,147winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

GMC Acadia

$734/yr maint · 6 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Honda Pilot

$542/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

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.

How we calculated this. Repair costs, reliability scores, and maintenance schedules from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA and fuel prices from the EIA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →