Is the Honda HR-V more reliable than the KIA Soul?

Based on our data, the Honda HR-V is more reliable with an average score of 83/100 compared to 77/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Honda HR-V or the KIA Soul?

The Honda HR-V has more recalls (27) compared to the KIA Soul (10). 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 KIA Soul?

Adjusted for sales volume, the KIA Soul has a lower complaint rate at 6.4 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 11.3 for the Honda HR-V. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda HR-V or the KIA Soul?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda HR-V is cheaper to maintain at $301/year versus $437/year for the KIA Soul.

Is the Honda HR-V or KIA Soul 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 KIA Soul. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.

Last updated: 2026-07-17

Honda HR-V vs KIA Soul: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Honda HR-V

Excellent

KIA Soul

Good

Choosing between the Honda HR-V and the KIA Soul? 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 77/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Honda HR-V and KIA Soul Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Honda HR-V is in its third generation, which began in 2023. This makes it relatively early in its generation cycle. Newer platforms often face initial teething issues, so buyers might experience minor reliability concerns that typically get resolved in subsequent model years. The second-generation HR-V, which ran from 2016 to 2022, had a mid-cycle refresh in 2019, indicating a mature platform that tends to be well-sorted in terms of reliability. The KIA Soul is currently in its third generation, which started in 2020 and is nearing the end of its cycle, with a significant facelift in 2023. This maturity often translates to improved reliability, as most issues would have been addressed by now. The previous second-generation Soul, lasting from 2014 to 2019, also had a mid-cycle refresh in 2017, further refining its dependability.

Verdict

The Honda HR-V is more reliable than the KIA Soul, scoring 83/100 vs 77/100.

The Honda HR-V edges out the KIA Soul in terms of overall reliability with an average score of 81/100 compared to the Soul's 77/100. While the HR-V has a higher number of total recalls over nine years, it also boasts a lower estimated annual repair cost at $301 versus the Soul's $437. However, the KIA Soul has a lower complaint rate of 6.4 per 10,000 units sold compared to the HR-V's 11.3. Both vehicles have their common issues, but the HR-V's advantage in reliability score and repair cost make it a slightly more dependable choice.

Key Differences

1Honda HR-V costs $136 less per year to repair
2KIA Soul has 17 fewer total recalls
3Honda HR-V scores 6 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

5Honda HR-V

—

2KIA Soul

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Honda HR-V vs KIA Soul: Which Is More Reliable?

Honda HR-V vs KIA Soul at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Honda HR-V	KIA Soul
Reliability Score	83/100	77/100
Years Tracked	9	8
Total Recalls	27	10
Complaints per 10k Sold	11.3	6.4
Annual Repair Cost	$301/yr	$437/yr
Repair Frequency	0.1/yr	0.2/yr
Major Repair Risk	5%	9%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2025 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	5	3

What Are the Common Problems With the Honda HR-V and KIA Soul?

The Honda HR-V and KIA Soul exhibit distinct problem profiles, with each model facing different areas of concern. The Honda HR-V has notable issues with visibility and wiper systems, accumulating 265 complaints, and steering problems linked to 13 crashes. In contrast, the KIA Soul's most significant issue lies with the engine, which accounts for 410 complaints, including 2 crash-related incidents. Additionally, the Soul has a high number of airbag complaints, with a significant 24 out of 34 being crash-linked, highlighting a critical safety concern not as prevalent in the HR-V.

Honda HR-V vs KIA Soul common problem areas comparison
Component	Honda HR-V	KIA Soul
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	2Low	0.7Very Low
ENGINE	0.1Very Low	2.6Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	2.3Low	—None
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.5Low	0.5Very Low
STEERING	1.2Low	0.3Very Low
POWER TRAIN	0.4Very Low	1Very Low
VISIBILITY	0.7Very Low	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	0.7Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	0.3Very Low	0.2Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	0.5Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.3Very Low	0.1Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.3Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.2Very Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.2Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	0.1Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Honda HR-V or KIA Soul?

The Honda HR-V has a lower annual repair cost of $301 compared to the KIA Soul's $437, translating to a $136 difference each year, or $680 over five years. Additionally, the HR-V requires fewer visits to the repair shop, with a frequency of 0.1 visits per year, compared to the Soul's 0.2 visits. This means the HR-V is likely to need half as many repairs annually. The risk of major repairs is also lower for the HR-V at 5%, compared to the Soul's 9%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Honda HR-V offers better value in terms of maintenance and repair costs, with fewer repair visits and a lower likelihood of major repairs.

How Does Honda HR-V vs KIA Soul Reliability Compare by Year?

Honda HR-V vs KIA Soul year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Honda HR-V	KIA Soul	Edge
2025	88/1001R / 26C	85/1000R / 9C	Honda HR-V
2024	83/1004R / 94C	86/1000R / 23C	KIA Soul
2023	73/1003R / 673C	77/1004R / 45C	KIA Soul
2022	83/1003R / 62C	78/1001R / 78C	Honda HR-V
2021	86/1003R / 52C	72/1002R / 190C	Honda HR-V
2020	80/1004R / 71C	70/1001R / 338C	Honda HR-V
2019	75/1006R / 185C	76/1001R / 123C	KIA Soul
2018	78/1003R / 141C	73/1001R / 199C	Honda HR-V

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Honda HR-V scored 88/100 and the 2024 KIA Soul scored 86/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Honda HR-V vs the KIA Soul?

If you prioritize low running costs and long-term reliability, the Honda HR-V may be the better choice for you. It boasts a higher reliability score of 81/100 and a lower estimated annual repair cost of $301. With a repair frequency of 0.1 per year and a major repair risk of just 5%, the HR-V offers peace of mind for those who want to minimize maintenance hassles. However, it does have a higher number of recalls (27) and slightly more owner complaints per 10,000 sold (11.3), mainly related to visibility and electrical issues. On the other hand, if you're looking for a vehicle with fewer recalls and are less concerned about repair costs, consider the KIA Soul. With only 10 recalls and fewer owner complaints (6.4 per 10,000 sold), it might appeal to those who value a smoother ownership experience in terms of recalls and initial user satisfaction. However, be aware of its higher estimated annual repair cost of $437 and a major repair risk of 9%, indicating potential for more significant repairs.

Honda HR-V vs KIA Soul: Common Questions

Is the Honda HR-V more reliable than the KIA Soul?: Based on our data, the Honda HR-V is more reliable with an average score of 83/100 compared to 77/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Honda HR-V or the KIA Soul?: The Honda HR-V has more recalls (27) compared to the KIA Soul (10). 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 KIA Soul?: Adjusted for sales volume, the KIA Soul has a lower complaint rate at 6.4 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 11.3 for the Honda HR-V. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda HR-V or the KIA Soul?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda HR-V is cheaper to maintain at $301/year versus $437/year for the KIA Soul.
Is the Honda HR-V or KIA Soul 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 KIA Soul. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.

More Honda HR-V comparisons

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More KIA Soul comparisons

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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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