Last updated: 2026-08-24
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 | 0.8Very 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 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.6Very Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.3Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | —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 2026 Honda CR-V scored 83/100 and the 2025 Hyundai Kona scored 74/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
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
More Honda CR-V comparisons
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 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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