Last updated: 2026-10-10
Buick vs Hyundai: Which Make Is More Reliable?
Buick
7 models tracked
Hyundai
10 models tracked
Buick comes out ahead of Hyundai on reliability, with a clear edge. Owners file about half as many complaints per car sold. Both brands rate good and both are improving. Hyundai does average lower yearly repair costs, and its lineup has the single strongest model.
Is Buick More Reliable Than Hyundai?
| Metric | Buick | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 77/100 | 70/100 |
| Models Tracked | 7 | 10 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 6 | 23 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 129 | 1001 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $543/yr | $492/yr |
Buick vs Hyundai: The Verdict
On reliability, Buick has a clear edge. It beats Hyundai on complaint severity and recall impact, and owners file 0.7 complaints per 1,000 sold against 1.4. Buick also has fewer crash, fire, and injury complaints, though it tracks fewer models too.
Cost points the other way. Hyundai averages $492 a year in estimated repairs, against $543 for Buick. Problems are spread across systems about evenly, and electrical trouble tops both lists. In sedans the two brands are even. In SUVs, Buick is stronger.
Where Buick and Hyundai Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Buick | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 70/100Good | 61/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 73/100Good | 68/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 90/100Excellent | 76/100Good |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 82/100Excellent | 82/100Excellent |
Dig into the components and recall impact stands out — Buick outscores by 14 points there, which carries significant weight in the final number.
Buick vs Hyundai: Strengths and Weaknesses
Buick
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (77/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reasonable maintenance costs ($543/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 7 of 7 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
Hyundai
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (70/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Very affordable maintenance ($492/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 9 of 10 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- 126 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
How Reliable Are Buick and Hyundai Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Buick
Hyundai
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Buick or Hyundai?
Based on independent repair cost data, Hyundai is cheaper to maintain at an average of $492/year compared to $543/year for Buick. The difference is relatively small, so maintenance costs shouldn't be a major deciding factor between these makes.
Buick Repair Cost Range
$466 – $573/yr
Average: $543/yr
Hyundai Repair Cost Range
$426 – $573/yr
Average: $492/yr
Buick vs Hyundai Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Buick | Hyundai | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUVs(5 vs 6 models) | 77/100 | 67/100 | Buick |
| Sedans(2 vs 3 models) | 75/100 | 75/100 | Tie |
Buick wins 1 out of 2 shared categories.
Common Problems: Buick vs Hyundai
| Component | Buick | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 22%163 | 20%1,751 |
| ENGINE | 14%105 | 18%1,597 |
| POWER TRAIN | 18%134 | 15%1,289 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 14%107 | 12%1,095 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 12%86 | 8%745 |
| SEAT BELTS | 1%6 | 4%330 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1%11 | 3%272 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0%2 | 3%260 |
| STEERING | 4%31 | 3%226 |
| AIR BAGS | 4%28 | 2%135 |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Buick vs Hyundai Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Buick
42
Crash reports
5
Fire reports
37
Injury reports
Hyundai
407
Crash reports
126
Fire reports
342
Injury reports
Every Buick and Hyundai Model Ranked
Buick Models
Hyundai Models
Buick vs Hyundai Reliability Trend by Year
Buick's reliability is improving — recent model years average 81/100, up from earlier years. Hyundai's reliability is improving — recent model years average 75/100.
Both makes are trending improving in recent model years — neither is pulling away.
| Model Year | Buick | Hyundai | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 81/100(4) | 76/100(10) | Buick |
| 2025 | 80/100(4) | 74/100(10) | Buick |
| 2024 | 76/100(4) | 72/100(10) | Buick |
| 2023 | 78/100(3) | 67/100(10) | Buick |
| 2022 | 76/100(4) | 64/100(9) | Buick |
| 2021 | 76/100(4) | 69/100(7) | Buick |
| 2020 | 74/100(5) | 66/100(7) | Buick |
| 2019 | 76/100(5) | 68/100(5) | Buick |
| 2018 | 76/100(5) | 67/100(5) | Buick |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
Buick vs Hyundai: Head-to-Head Model Matchups
These are direct competitor models between Buick and Hyundai. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:
Who Should Buy Buick vs Hyundai?
If you want an SUV, lean Buick. Target the Encore, and look for a 2022 if you can. Know that owners report turbocharger failure on it, and some report front air bags that did not deploy in crashes. For a sedan, the 2020 Regal is the year to favor. Watch for a false "Shift to Park" message that can drain the battery.
If you want a sedan and a lower repair bill, lean Hyundai and target the Elantra. Favor the 2024 and skip the 2020 and 2022, where sudden engine failure is the worry. Skip the 2022 and 2023 Ioniq 5, which collect the most complaints about sudden loss of drive power. A 2024 is the better pick, but its overall standing is still mixed. Other Hyundai SUVs, including the Venue, Tucson, and Santa-FE, all rate good.
The Bottom Line: Buick or Hyundai?
Pick Buick for the safer bet, especially in an SUV, and Hyundai if lower running costs matter more. The Elantra is the strongest single model across both lineups, as long as you buy a 2024 and avoid the 2020 and 2022. Hyundai's lower average repair cost adds up to about $255 over five years, a small gap.
Buick vs Hyundai: Common Questions
Is Buick more reliable than Hyundai?
Which brand has more recalls, Buick or Hyundai?
Which is cheaper to repair, Buick or Hyundai?
What is the biggest problem with the Hyundai Elantra?
What goes wrong with the Buick Encore?
Comparing Buick vs Hyundai? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
Related Make Comparisons
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How we score Buick and Hyundai models
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.