Last updated: 2026-10-10
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 | 0.3Very Low | 1.8Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.4Very Low | 1.6Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.6Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.3Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.5Very 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 |
| WHEELS | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —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 2024 Chevrolet Equinox scored 76/100 and the 2018 Hyundai Kona scored 69/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.
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
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Decided between Chevrolet Equinox and Hyundai Kona? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
How we score the Chevrolet Equinox and Hyundai Kona
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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