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 Hyundai Santa Fe expensive to maintain?

The Santa Fe averages $515/year in maintenance — $58 below the midsize segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 24% is well below the class average of 40%. Major repair probability of 10% is well below the 13% norm. Reliability score of 8 is above the midsize average of 7. It outperforms the segment average on every ownership-cost metric.

What is the best year for a Hyundai Santa Fe?

Avoid 2013-2014 (604 and 492 complaints) and especially 2017 (929 complaints), which coincides with the Theta II engine recall era. The 2021 Santa Fe (158 complaints, 10/10 safety, 5 severe) is the strongest mature used pick. The current generation is consistent: 2024 (121, 8/10, 11 severe) and 2025 (112, 8/10, 6 severe) are solid options for buyers wanting newer.

How much does Hyundai Santa Fe insurance cost?

Santa Fe insurance averages about $2,430/year — roughly $203/month.

Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is cheaper to maintain by $86/year — $429 versus $515 for the Santa Fe. Note the RAV4 is a compact SUV while the Santa Fe is a midsize, so they serve somewhat different buyers. Both carry the same reliability score and major repair probability (10%); the Santa Fe has a slightly lower repair frequency (24% vs. 26%). The cost gap is real, but so is the size difference.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Hyundai Santa Fe?

Major repair probability of 10% and repair frequency of 24% are both well below midsize segment averages. Extended warranty isn't needed for 2021 and newer. For used models in the 2013-2014 and 2017 range, the documented engine recall history makes coverage worth taking seriously.

GMC Acadia vs Hyundai Santa Fe

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 Hyundai Santa Fe — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	GMC Acadia	Hyundai Santa Fe
Annual maintenance	$734	$515winner
5-year total cost	$3,670	$2,575winner
Reliability score	6 / 10	8 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	19%	10%winner
Cargo space	—	—
Starting price (new)	$43,800	$35,050winner
Best years to buy	—	2011, 2018

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	GMC Acadia	Hyundai Santa Fe
RepairPal score	6 / 10	8 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	89.6winner	251.5
Years to avoid	2014, 2017, 2019	2017, 2019, 2023
Value retained · 3 yr	71.6%	72.5%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	51.5%	54.4%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	38.2%	42%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	GMC Acadia	Hyundai Santa Fe
Engine	12.4%winner	45.2%
Electrical	13.2%	5.1%winner
ADAS	5.8%winner	8.8%
Brakes	3.4%winner	5.7%
Steering	10.5%	4.5%winner
Fuel system	2.3%	2.0%winner
Tires/Wheels	1.5%winner	2.3%
Glass/Windows	—winner	2.9%
Airbags	19.3%	2.1%winner
Lighting	3.6%	1.2%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	Hyundai Santa Fe
Avg annual premium	$2,242winner	$2,430

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

GMC Acadia

$734/yr maint · 6 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Hyundai Santa Fe

$515/yr maint · 8 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. 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 →