Is the Buick Envista more reliable than the Hyundai Kona?

Based on our data, the Buick Envista is more reliable with an average score of 79/100 compared to 65/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Buick Envista or the Hyundai Kona?

The Hyundai Kona has more recalls (16) compared to the Buick Envista (1). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Buick Envista or the Hyundai Kona?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Envista has a lower complaint rate at 7.1 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 13.4 for the Hyundai Kona. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-07-26

Buick Envista vs Hyundai Kona: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Buick Envista

Good

Hyundai Kona

Good

Choosing between the Buick Envista and the Hyundai Kona? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Buick Envista currently leads with an average score of 79/100 compared to 65/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Buick Envista and Hyundai Kona Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Hyundai Kona is in its second generation, which began in 2024. The first generation, introduced in 2018 and facelifted in 2021, provided a well-established platform by its end. The second generation is still early in its cycle, which might mean potential first-year issues as Hyundai refines new features and technologies. In contrast, the Buick Envista is in its first generation, which debuted in 2024. Being in its early years, the Envista may also experience teething problems typical of new models. Generally, mature platforms like the late first-generation Kona tend to be more reliable, while newer models might require initial adjustments.

Verdict

The Buick Envista is more reliable than the Hyundai Kona, scoring 79/100 vs 65/100.

The Buick Envista demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Hyundai Kona, with an average reliability score of 79/100 versus the Kona's 65/100. The Envista also has a significantly lower owner complaints rate at 7.1 per 10,000 units sold, compared to the Kona's 13.4. Additionally, the Envista has faced only one recall over three years, while the Kona has encountered 16 recalls over nine years. These metrics highlight the Envista's stronger performance in reliability, particularly in terms of fewer recalls and complaints.

Key Differences

1Buick Envista has 15 fewer total recalls
2Buick Envista scores 14 points higher in reliability
3Buick Envista has 6.3 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

3Buick Envista

—

0Hyundai Kona

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Buick Envista vs Hyundai Kona: Which Is More Reliable?

Buick Envista vs Hyundai Kona at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Buick Envista	Hyundai Kona
Reliability Score	79/100	65/100
Years Tracked	3	9
Total Recalls	1	16
Complaints per 10k Sold	7.1	13.4
Year Wins	3	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Envista and Hyundai Kona?

The Hyundai Kona exhibits a higher volume of complaints, particularly in the engine and electrical system categories, with 264 and 193 complaints respectively, and a notable number of crash-linked incidents in both areas. In contrast, the Buick Envista has significantly fewer total complaints, with the majority centered around its electrical system at 33 complaints and minimal issues reported in other categories. The Kona's vehicle speed control and service brakes show a concerning number of crash-linked complaints, totaling 9 in these categories alone, indicating potential safety concerns. Meanwhile, the Envista's issues appear less severe, with only one crash-linked complaint in the service brakes category.

Buick Envista vs Hyundai Kona common problem areas comparison
Component	Buick Envista	Hyundai Kona
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2.9Low	3.3Average
ENGINE	0.4Very Low	4.5Average
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.2Low	1.8Low
POWER TRAIN	0.3Very Low	1.6Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.4Very Low	0.4Very Low
STEERING	0.3Very Low	0.3Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	0.5Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY	0.2Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.2Very Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.2Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	0.2Very Low
AIR BAGS	—None	0.2Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	0.2Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	0.1Very Low
STRUCTURE	—None	0.1Very Low
WHEELS	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

How Does Buick Envista vs Hyundai Kona Reliability Compare by Year?

Buick Envista vs Hyundai Kona year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Buick Envista	Hyundai Kona	Edge
2026	82/1000R / 3C	67/1002R / 4C	Buick Envista
2025	80/1000R / 28C	74/1000R / 21C	Buick Envista
2024	75/1001R / 49C	68/1003R / 50C	Buick Envista

Best years to cross-shop: The 2026 Buick Envista scored 82/100 and the 2025 Hyundai Kona scored 74/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Buick Envista vs the Hyundai Kona?

If you prioritize reliability and fewer headaches, the Buick Envista might be your preferred choice. With a reliability score of 79/100, significantly fewer recalls (only 1), and a lower rate of owner complaints at 7.1 per 10,000 sold, the Envista presents itself as a dependable option. This makes it especially appealing if you want peace of mind and minimal disruption from visits to the repair shop. On the other hand, if you are drawn to a model with a distinct design or specific features unique to Hyundai, the Kona might still catch your eye. However, be aware of its lower reliability score of 65/100, higher number of recalls (16), and more frequent owner complaints (13.4 per 10,000 sold). This suggests that the Kona may require more attention and potential repairs, particularly concerning issues with the engine and electrical system. Choose based on your tolerance for potential maintenance needs and your preference for vehicle characteristics.

Buick Envista vs Hyundai Kona: Common Questions

Is the Buick Envista more reliable than the Hyundai Kona?: Based on our data, the Buick Envista is more reliable with an average score of 79/100 compared to 65/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Buick Envista or the Hyundai Kona?: The Hyundai Kona has more recalls (16) compared to the Buick Envista (1). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Buick Envista or the Hyundai Kona?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Envista has a lower complaint rate at 7.1 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 13.4 for the Hyundai Kona. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

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More Hyundai Kona comparisons

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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