Last updated: 2026-03-28
Honda HR-V vs Hyundai Kona: Reliability Compared
Honda HR-V
Hyundai Kona
Choosing between the Honda HR-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 subcompact suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Honda HR-V currently leads with an average score of 81/100 compared to 65/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Honda HR-V is more reliable than the Hyundai Kona, scoring 81/100 vs 65/100.
Key Differences
- 1Honda HR-V scores 16 points higher in reliability
- 2Hyundai Kona has 11 fewer total recalls
- 3Honda HR-V has 2.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Honda HR-V vs Hyundai Kona: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Honda HR-V | Hyundai Kona |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 81/100 | 65/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 27 | 16 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 11.3 | 13.4 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 8 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Honda HR-V and Hyundai Kona?
| Component | Honda HR-V | Hyundai Kona |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.5Low | 3.3Average |
| ENGINE | 0.1Very Low | 4.5Average |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2Low | 1.8Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 2.3Low | —None |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.4Very Low | 1.6Low |
| STEERING | 1.2Low | 0.3Very Low |
| VISIBILITY | 0.7Very Low | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.7Very Low | —None |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.3Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.3Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| WHEELS | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Honda HR-V vs Hyundai Kona Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Honda HR-V | Hyundai Kona | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 88/1001R / 26C | 74/1000R / 21C | Honda HR-V |
| 2024 | 83/1004R / 94C | 68/1003R / 50C | Honda HR-V |
| 2023 | 73/1003R / 673C | 66/1002R / 68C | Honda HR-V |
| 2022 | 83/1003R / 62C | 64/1002R / 115C | Honda HR-V |
| 2021 | 86/1003R / 52C | 63/1001R / 102C | Honda HR-V |
| 2020 | 80/1004R / 71C | 57/1002R / 140C | Honda HR-V |
| 2019 | 75/1006R / 185C | 55/1004R / 224C | Honda HR-V |
| 2018 | 78/1003R / 141C | 69/1000R / 66C | Honda HR-V |
| 2026(predicted) | 81/100(predicted) | 69/100(predicted) | Honda HR-V |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Honda HR-V scored 88/100 and the 2025 Hyundai Kona scored 74/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Honda HR-V vs Hyundai Kona: Common Questions
- Is the Honda HR-V more reliable than the Hyundai Kona?
- Based on our data, the Honda HR-V is more reliable with an average score of 81/100 compared to 65/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
- Which has more recalls, the Honda HR-V or the Hyundai Kona?
- The Honda HR-V has more recalls (27) 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 HR-V or the Hyundai Kona?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda HR-V has a lower complaint rate at 11.3 per 10,000 sold versus 13.4 for the Hyundai Kona. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Honda HR-V or Hyundai Kona safer?
- Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Honda HR-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 HR-V comparisons
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. 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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