If you need three rows without Tahoe money, the current Acadia delivers space and features at a competitive price, but you're buying into a nameplate with serious baggage. The 2010-2016 models earned their terrible reputation with timing chain grenades and transmission failures before 100k, while the 2017+ redesign is genuinely improved, especially the 2020+ turbo-4 versions most owners find solid. The catch: that turbo-4 sounds like it's working overtime to haul this thing around, droning loudly enough in the cabin that multiple owners specifically mention it, and nobody knows yet if it'll hold up long-term under that load. The newest generation also inherits recurring thermostat and electrical module issues that plague all Acadias. Buy current if you need the space and can live with the noise, but skip anything pre-2017 unless you enjoy surprise service appointments.
If you're shopping used, know that 2017-2022 Compass models have a documented pattern of auxiliary batteries dying every few years, head gaskets failing before 100k miles, and cooling systems that can strand you days after purchase. The 2023 redesign swapped in a 2.0L turbo and appears to have fixed the major gremlins, but there's no long-term proof yet. Even owners who've had decent luck admit a Mazda CX-5 or Honda CR-V costs about the same and won't keep you up at night. The Trailhawk trim offers real off-road chops if you need that, but multiple mechanics in these threads won't touch the brand themselves. Buy new if you must, avoid the Tigershark era entirely.