Is the Buick Regal more reliable than the Hyundai Sonata?

Based on our data, the Buick Regal is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 68/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Buick Regal or the Hyundai Sonata?

The Hyundai Sonata has more recalls (20) compared to the Buick Regal (8). 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 Regal or the Hyundai Sonata?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Hyundai Sonata has a lower complaint rate at 3.7 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 14.5 for the Buick Regal. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-07-26

Buick Regal vs Hyundai Sonata: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Buick Regal

Good

Hyundai Sonata

Good

Choosing between the Buick Regal and the Hyundai Sonata? 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 sedans.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Buick Regal currently leads with an average score of 74/100 compared to 68/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Buick Regal and Hyundai Sonata Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Hyundai Sonata is in its eighth generation, which launched in 2020 and received a facelift in 2023. This places the Sonata in the latter part of its generation cycle, where many initial issues have typically been resolved, suggesting improved reliability. In contrast, the Buick Regal's sixth generation concluded in 2023, indicating it is no longer in production. The Regal's last significant redesign occurred in 2018, with a facelift in 2020. Generally, vehicles later in their generation, like the current Sonata, tend to be more reliable due to refinements made over the production cycle.

Verdict

The Buick Regal is more reliable than the Hyundai Sonata, scoring 74/100 vs 68/100.

The Buick Regal edges out the Hyundai Sonata in reliability with a higher average reliability score of 74/100 compared to the Sonata's 68/100. Despite having fewer recalls, the Regal exhibits a higher owner complaint rate at 14.5 per 10,000 units sold, versus the Sonata's lower rate of 3.7. However, the Regal's estimated annual repair cost of $563 provides a clearer picture of potential ownership expenses, which is not available for the Sonata. Overall, while both vehicles have their issues, the Regal's better reliability score and defined repair costs make it a slightly more dependable choice.

Key Differences

1Buick Regal has 12 fewer total recalls
2Hyundai Sonata has 10.8 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Buick Regal scores 6 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

2Buick Regal

—

1Hyundai Sonata

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Buick Regal vs Hyundai Sonata: Which Is More Reliable?

Buick Regal vs Hyundai Sonata at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Buick Regal	Hyundai Sonata
Reliability Score	74/100	68/100
Years Tracked	3	9
Total Recalls	8	20
Complaints per 10k Sold	14.5	3.7
Year Wins	3	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Regal and Hyundai Sonata?

The Hyundai Sonata presents a significant number of complaints in the engine category, with 239 issues and 2 linked to crashes, suggesting a potential area of concern compared to the Buick Regal, which has no engine-related complaints. Additionally, the Sonata exhibits a notable number of electrical system complaints (161), including 2 crash-linked, whereas the Regal only reports 7 such issues. The Sonata also has a higher number of crash-linked complaints in the "unknown or other" and vehicle speed control categories, with 7 and 9 respectively, indicating potential safety risks. In contrast, the Buick Regal's most severe area is service brakes, with 5 complaints and 2 linked to crashes, but overall, it has significantly fewer total complaints across all categories.

Buick Regal vs Hyundai Sonata common problem areas comparison
Component	Buick Regal	Hyundai Sonata
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2.6Low	0.6Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	1.9Low	—None
POWER TRAIN	1.5Low	0.4Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.5Low	0.4Very Low
ENGINE	—None	0.8Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.7Very Low	0.1Very Low
SUSPENSION	0.7Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	0.2Very Low
STEERING	—None	0.1Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	0.1Very Low
AIR BAGS	—None	0.1Very Low
STRUCTURE	—None	0.1Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	0.1Very Low
SEAT BELTS	—None	—None
SEATS	—None	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Buick Regal or Hyundai Sonata?

The Buick Regal has an estimated annual repair cost of $563, with an average of 0.2 repair visits per year and a 12% risk of major repairs. While specific data for the Hyundai Sonata is unavailable, industry estimates suggest that Hyundai models generally have lower repair frequency and costs. Considering these factors, the Sonata may be the more cost-effective option for budget-conscious drivers, potentially saving hundreds over five years compared to the Buick Regal. Additionally, the lower repair frequency of Hyundai vehicles often translates to fewer disruptions and lower long-term maintenance expenses, making the Sonata a potentially better value for those prioritizing affordability.

How Does Buick Regal vs Hyundai Sonata Reliability Compare by Year?

Buick Regal vs Hyundai Sonata year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Buick Regal	Hyundai Sonata	Edge
2020	75/1002R / 2C	62/1005R / 163C	Buick Regal
2019	73/1003R / 18C	71/1000R / 144C	Buick Regal
2018	74/1003R / 19C	61/1003R / 353C	Buick Regal

Best years to cross-shop: The 2020 Buick Regal scored 75/100 and the 2019 Hyundai Sonata scored 71/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Buick Regal vs the Hyundai Sonata?

If you prioritize a higher reliability score and fewer recalls, the Buick Regal might be the better choice for you. With a reliability score of 74/100 and only 8 recalls, the Regal stands out as a more dependable option. It does come with a higher owner complaint rate of 14.5 per 10,000 sold, but its estimated annual repair cost is $563, and its repair frequency is relatively low at 0.2 per year. If you're willing to accept some minor issues in exchange for overall reliability, the Regal is worth considering. On the other hand, if you are more concerned about fewer owner complaints, the Hyundai Sonata could be more appealing. It has a lower complaint rate of 3.7 per 10,000 sold, though it comes with a slightly lower reliability score of 68/100 and a higher number of recalls at 20. While specific repair costs and frequencies are not available, the Sonata's top issues include the engine and electrical system, which may be significant for some buyers. If minimizing complaints is your priority, the Sonata might be more aligned with your needs.

Buick Regal vs Hyundai Sonata: Common Questions

Is the Buick Regal more reliable than the Hyundai Sonata?: Based on our data, the Buick Regal is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 68/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Buick Regal or the Hyundai Sonata?: The Hyundai Sonata has more recalls (20) compared to the Buick Regal (8). 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 Regal or the Hyundai Sonata?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Hyundai Sonata has a lower complaint rate at 3.7 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 14.5 for the Buick Regal. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

More Buick Regal comparisons

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More Hyundai Sonata 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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