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 Kia Sportage expensive to maintain?

The Sportage averages $462/year in maintenance — $59 below the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 19% is well below the class average of 30% — owners visit for unscheduled repairs far less often than most rivals. Major repair probability of 11% is at the class average. Low cost and low visit frequency make it a strong ownership value.

What is the best year for a Kia Sportage?

The 2022 Sportage (42 complaints, 10/10 NHTSA safety, 6 severe) is the standout used pick — the mature end of the fourth generation before the 2023 redesign. The new fifth-generation launch in 2023 had 177 complaints but settled quickly to 62 in 2024 and 46 in 2025. Avoid 2012-2013 and 2017, which saw complaint spikes tied to the Theta II engine recall era.

How much does Kia Sportage insurance cost?

Sportage insurance averages around $1,997/year, or about $166/month.

Is the Kia Sportage or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $33/year cheaper — $429 versus $462 for the Sportage. Both carry the same reliability score and major repair probability. The Sportage's repair frequency of 19% is significantly lower than the RAV4's 26%, meaning fewer unscheduled shop visits despite the slightly higher annual maintenance figure.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Kia Sportage?

Major repair probability of 11% at the class average, repair frequency well below it. Low-risk ownership. Extended warranty isn't strongly warranted for 2021+ models. For 2012-2013 and 2017 used models with documented engine recall history, coverage is worth taking seriously.

GMC Acadia vs Kia Sportage

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 Kia Sportage — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	GMC Acadia	Kia Sportage
Annual maintenance	$734	$462winner
5-year total cost	$3,670	$2,310winner
Reliability score	6 / 10	8 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	19%	11%winner
Cargo space	—	73.7 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$43,800	$30,900winner
Best years to buy	—	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	GMC Acadia	Kia Sportage
RepairPal score	6 / 10	8 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	89.6winner	176.6
Years to avoid	2014, 2017, 2019	2010, 2012, 2013
Value retained · 3 yr	71.6%	75.7%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	51.5%	56.8%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	38.2%	45%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	GMC Acadia	Kia Sportage
Engine	12.4%winner	55.6%
Electrical	13.2%	6.1%winner
ADAS	5.8%winner	5.8%
Brakes	3.4%winner	8.5%
Steering	10.5%	1.5%winner
Fuel system	2.3%	1.1%winner
Tires/Wheels	1.5%	0.5%winner
Glass/Windows	—winner	2.7%
Airbags	19.3%	2.5%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	Kia Sportage
Avg annual premium	$2,242	$1,997winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

GMC Acadia

$734/yr maint · 6 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Kia Sportage

$462/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 →