Last updated: 2026-08-24
Chevrolet Equinox vs Hyundai Kona: Reliability Compared
Chevrolet Equinox
Hyundai Kona
Choosing between the Chevrolet Equinox 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 compact suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Chevrolet Equinox currently leads with an average score of 73/100 compared to 65/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Chevrolet Equinox is more reliable than the Hyundai Kona, scoring 73/100 vs 65/100.
Key Differences
- 1Hyundai Kona has 16 fewer total recalls
- 2Chevrolet Equinox has 9.7 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Chevrolet Equinox scores 8 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Chevrolet Equinox vs Hyundai Kona: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Chevrolet Equinox | Hyundai Kona |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 73/100 | 65/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 32 | 16 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 3.7 | 13.4 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 7 (1 tied) | 1 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Equinox and Hyundai Kona?
| Component | Chevrolet Equinox | Hyundai Kona |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 0.3Very Low | 4.5Average |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.4Very Low | 3.3Average |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.4Very Low | 1.8Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.4Very Low | 1.6Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.6Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.1Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.3Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| WHEELS | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Chevrolet Equinox vs Hyundai Kona Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Chevrolet Equinox | Hyundai Kona | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 82/1000R / 0C | 67/1002R / 4C | Chevrolet Equinox |
| 2025 | 72/1005R / 288C | 74/1000R / 21C | Hyundai Kona |
| 2024 | 76/1002R / 143C | 68/1003R / 50C | Chevrolet Equinox |
| 2023 | 76/1003R / 70C | 66/1002R / 68C | Chevrolet Equinox |
| 2022 | 71/1005R / 137C | 64/1002R / 115C | Chevrolet Equinox |
| 2021 | 74/1004R / 75C | 63/1001R / 102C | Chevrolet Equinox |
| 2020 | 70/1004R / 255C | 57/1002R / 140C | Chevrolet Equinox |
| 2019 | 71/1004R / 273C | 55/1004R / 224C | Chevrolet Equinox |
| 2018 | 69/1005R / 382C | 69/1000R / 66C | Tie |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox scored 82/100 and the 2025 Hyundai Kona scored 74/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Chevrolet Equinox vs Hyundai Kona: Common Questions
- Is the Chevrolet Equinox more reliable than the Hyundai Kona?
- Based on our data, the Chevrolet Equinox is more reliable with an average score of 73/100 compared to 65/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Equinox or the Hyundai Kona?
- The Chevrolet Equinox has more recalls (32) compared to the Hyundai Kona (16). 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 Chevrolet Equinox or the Hyundai Kona?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Equinox has a lower complaint rate at 3.7 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 13.4 for the Hyundai Kona. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Chevrolet Equinox or Hyundai Kona safer?
- Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Chevrolet Equinox has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Hyundai Kona. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Chevrolet Equinox comparisons
Decided between Chevrolet Equinox and Hyundai Kona? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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 via vehicles.dev. 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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