Last updated: 2026-10-10
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 83/100 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 83/100 vs 65/100.
Key Differences
- 1Honda HR-V scores 18 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 | 83/100 | 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 | 9 | 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 | 2.2Low | 1.8Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 2.2Low | —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 |
| STRUCTURE | 0.4Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.3Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.3Very 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 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 100/1000R / 5C | 67/1002R / 4C | Honda HR-V |
| 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 |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2021 Honda HR-V scored 86/100 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 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 83/100 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 vehicles sold versus 13.4 for the Hyundai Kona. Normalizing by sales 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
Decided between Honda HR-V and Hyundai Kona? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
How we score the Honda HR-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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