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 Tucson expensive to maintain?

The Tucson averages $426/year in maintenance — $95 below the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 26% is below the class average of 30%. Major repair probability of 12% is slightly above the 11% segment average. On balance, it's a below-average cost ownership with a near-average repair risk profile.

What is the best year for a Hyundai Tucson?

Avoid 2016 and 2017 — those model years logged 1,605 and 1,065 complaints respectively during the Theta II engine recall era. The 2021 Tucson stands out as the cleanest mature year at 67 complaints and a 10/10 NHTSA safety score. The 2022 new-generation launch had 356 complaints, settling to 116 in 2023 and 81 in 2024. For the current generation, 2024 is the strongest pick.

How much does Hyundai Tucson insurance cost?

Tucson insurance averages about $1,975/year — roughly $165/month. One of the more affordable rates in the compact class.

Is the Hyundai Tucson or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The Tucson and RAV4 are nearly identical in maintenance cost — $426 versus $429, a difference of $3 annually. Both carry a reliability score of 8. The RAV4 has a slight edge in major repair probability (10% vs. 12%); the two match on repair frequency (26% each). Effectively a tie on ownership cost.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Hyundai Tucson?

Major repair probability of 12% is slightly above the class average. The 2016-2017 engine recall history is the biggest risk factor for used buyers in that range — warranty coverage is worth taking seriously for those years. For 2021 and newer, the risk profile is much more moderate.

GMC Acadia vs Hyundai Tucson

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 Tucson — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	GMC Acadia	Hyundai Tucson
Annual maintenance	$734	$426winner
5-year total cost	$3,670	$2,130winner
Reliability score	6 / 10	8 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	19%	12%winner
Cargo space	—	80.3 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$43,800	$31,300winner
Best years to buy	—	2020

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	GMC Acadia	Hyundai Tucson
RepairPal score	6 / 10	8 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	89.6winner	284.9
Years to avoid	2014, 2017, 2019	2011, 2012, 2016
Value retained · 3 yr	71.6%	76.3%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	51.5%	57.7%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	38.2%	47.3%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	GMC Acadia	Hyundai Tucson
Engine	12.4%winner	38.3%
Electrical	13.2%	6.0%winner
ADAS	5.8%winner	10.5%
Brakes	3.4%winner	8.9%
Steering	10.5%	0.9%winner
Fuel system	2.3%winner	2.8%
Tires/Wheels	1.5%	0.8%winner
Glass/Windows	—winner	1.4%
Airbags	19.3%	1.4%winner
Lighting	3.6%	1.0%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 Tucson
Avg annual premium	$2,242	$1,975winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

GMC Acadia

$734/yr maint · 6 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Hyundai Tucson

$426/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 →