Last updated: 2026-10-10
Hyundai vs Mazda: Which Make Is More Reliable?
Hyundai
10 models tracked
Mazda
7 models tracked
Mazda comes out ahead of Hyundai on reliability, mainly because its owner complaints involve far fewer fires and recalls. Both brands rate good overall. Hyundai has the lower complaint rate and slightly lower average repair cost, so the gap is a clear edge, not a rout.
Is Hyundai More Reliable Than Mazda?
| Metric | Hyundai | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 70/100 | 75/100 |
| Models Tracked | 10 | 7 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 23 | 14 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 1001 | 480 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $492/yr | $500/yr |
Hyundai vs Mazda: The Verdict
The edge goes to Mazda, and it is a clear one. Severity is the biggest gap. Hyundai owners filed 126 fire complaints against 15 for Mazda, and Hyundai has more than twice the recalls. Mazda also does better on sedans and SUVs when the lineups are compared head to head.
Cost and complaint rate do not separate them. Hyundai's average repair bill is about $8 a year lower, and its complaint rate per sale is a little lower too. Problems spread across systems about evenly for both. Hyundai's trend is improving, while Mazda's is stable.
Where Hyundai and Mazda Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Hyundai | Mazda |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 61/100Good | 66/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 68/100Good | 72/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 76/100Good | 84/100Excellent |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 82/100Excellent | 82/100Excellent |
Mazda's advantage in recall impact (+8 points) is the main driver of the overall score difference between these makes.
Hyundai vs Mazda: Strengths and Weaknesses
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
Mazda
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (75/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reasonable maintenance costs ($500/year avg)
- 6 of 7 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
How Reliable Are Hyundai and Mazda Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Hyundai
Mazda
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Hyundai or Mazda?
Based on independent repair cost data, Hyundai is cheaper to maintain at an average of $492/year compared to $500/year for Mazda. The difference is relatively small, so maintenance costs shouldn't be a major deciding factor between these makes.
Hyundai Repair Cost Range
$426 – $573/yr
Average: $492/yr
Mazda Repair Cost Range
$433 – $581/yr
Average: $500/yr
Hyundai vs Mazda Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Hyundai | Mazda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedans(3 vs 2 models) | 75/100 | 78/100 | Mazda |
| SUVs(6 vs 5 models) | 67/100 | 70/100 | Mazda |
Mazda wins 2 out of 2 shared categories.
Common Problems: Hyundai vs Mazda
| Component | Hyundai | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 18%1,597 | 27%760 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 20%1,751 | 16%440 |
| POWER TRAIN | 15%1,289 | 11%307 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 12%1,095 | 12%333 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 8%745 | 6%179 |
| STEERING | 3%226 | 5%150 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3%272 | 3%92 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 3%254 | 4%110 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 3%260 | 3%87 |
| SEAT BELTS | 4%330 | — |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Hyundai vs Mazda Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Hyundai
407
Crash reports
126
Fire reports
342
Injury reports
Mazda
203
Crash reports
15
Fire reports
127
Injury reports
Every Hyundai and Mazda Model Ranked
Hyundai Models
Hyundai vs Mazda Reliability Trend by Year
Hyundai's reliability is improving — recent model years average 75/100, up from earlier years. Mazda's reliability has been stable.
| Model Year | Hyundai | Mazda | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 76/100(10) | 81/100(6) | Mazda |
| 2025 | 74/100(10) | 72/100(6) | Hyundai |
| 2024 | 72/100(10) | 69/100(6) | Hyundai |
| 2023 | 67/100(10) | 75/100(6) | Mazda |
| 2022 | 64/100(9) | 79/100(5) | Mazda |
| 2021 | 69/100(7) | 74/100(5) | Mazda |
| 2020 | 66/100(7) | 76/100(4) | Mazda |
| 2019 | 68/100(5) | 75/100(4) | Mazda |
| 2018 | 67/100(5) | 72/100(4) | Mazda |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
Hyundai vs Mazda: Head-to-Head Model Matchups
These are direct competitor models between Hyundai and Mazda. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:
Who Should Buy Hyundai vs Mazda?
If you want a compact SUV with the least drama, look at a 2022 CX-5. It has few complaints and no recalls. Skip the 2018 CX-5, where cracked cylinder heads leak oil onto the exhaust and put smoke and fumes in the cabin. Avoid early CX-90 years unless you can inspect the car closely. The 2024 has steering binding in long highway curves, plus sudden power loss on the plug-in hybrid.
If you want a sedan, the Elantra is rated excellent and Hyundai's best. Buy a 2024 and skip 2020 and 2022, because sudden engine failure after heavy oil burning is the main worry. Be careful with the Ioniq 5. Its rating is mixed, and owners report sudden loss of drive power tied to the charging control unit. The 2024 is the better used pick over 2022 and 2023. The Mazda 3 is the other strong sedan option.
The Bottom Line: Hyundai or Mazda?
Lean toward Mazda, especially if fire and recall risk matter to you. The CX-5 is the strongest single pick across both lineups, and the Elantra is the best Hyundai. Repair costs are close. Hyundai averages $492 a year against $500, so five years of ownership favors Hyundai by about $40. That is too small to outweigh Mazda's safer complaint record.
Hyundai vs Mazda: Common Questions
Is Hyundai more reliable than Mazda?
Which brand has more recalls, Hyundai or Mazda?
Which is cheaper to repair, Hyundai or Mazda?
Are Hyundai cars more likely to catch fire than Mazdas?
What is the most common problem on Mazda and Hyundai cars?
Comparing Hyundai vs Mazda? 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 Hyundai and Mazda 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.