Last updated: 2026-10-10
Honda CR-V vs Hyundai Kona: Reliability Compared
Honda CR-V
Hyundai Kona
Choosing between the Honda CR-V 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 Honda CR-V currently leads with an average score of 75/100 compared to 65/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Honda CR-V is more reliable than the Hyundai Kona, scoring 75/100 vs 65/100.
Key Differences
- 1Hyundai Kona has 30 fewer total recalls
- 2Honda CR-V scores 10 points higher in reliability
- 3Honda CR-V has 5.4 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Honda CR-V vs Hyundai Kona: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Honda CR-V | Hyundai Kona |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 75/100 | 65/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 46 | 16 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 8 | 13.4 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 8 | 1 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Kona?
| Component | Honda CR-V | Hyundai Kona |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 0.7Very Low | 4.5Average |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.9Very Low | 3.3Average |
| STEERING | 1.8Low | 0.3Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.3Very Low | 1.8Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.2Very Low | 1.6Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.4Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.4Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.6Very Low | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.1Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| SEATS | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| WHEELS | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Honda CR-V vs Hyundai Kona Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Honda CR-V | Hyundai Kona | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 83/1000R / 35C | 67/1002R / 4C | Honda CR-V |
| 2025 | 80/1006R / 201C | 74/1000R / 21C | Honda CR-V |
| 2024 | 77/1004R / 406C | 68/1003R / 50C | Honda CR-V |
| 2023 | 72/1007R / 578C | 66/1002R / 68C | Honda CR-V |
| 2022 | 76/1005R / 242C | 64/1002R / 115C | Honda CR-V |
| 2021 | 77/1003R / 241C | 63/1001R / 102C | Honda CR-V |
| 2020 | 74/10010R / 358C | 57/1002R / 140C | Honda CR-V |
| 2019 | 69/1007R / 996C | 55/1004R / 224C | Honda CR-V |
| 2018 | 65/1004R / 1960C | 69/1000R / 66C | Hyundai Kona |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Honda CR-V scored 77/100 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.
Honda CR-V vs Hyundai Kona: Common Questions
- Is the Honda CR-V more reliable than the Hyundai Kona?
- Based on our data, the Honda CR-V is more reliable with an average score of 75/100 compared to 65/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Honda CR-V or the Hyundai Kona?
- The Honda CR-V has more recalls (46) 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 Honda CR-V or the Hyundai Kona?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda CR-V has a lower complaint rate at 8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 13.4 for the Hyundai Kona. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Honda CR-V or Hyundai Kona safer?
- Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Honda CR-V 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 Honda CR-V and Hyundai Kona? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
How we score the Honda CR-V 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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