Last updated: 2026-10-10

Honda HR-V vs Mazda CX-30: Reliability Compared

Choosing between the Honda HR-V and the Mazda CX-30? 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 67/100. 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 Mazda CX-30, scoring 83/100 vs 67/100.

Key Differences

  1. 1Mazda CX-30 has 17 fewer total recalls
  2. 2Honda HR-V scores 16 points higher in reliability
  3. 3Mazda CX-30 has 5.6 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

1Honda HR-V
—
2Mazda CX-30
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Honda HR-V vs Mazda CX-30: Which Is More Reliable?

Honda HR-V vs Mazda CX-30 at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricHonda HR-VMazda CX-30
Reliability Score83/10067/100
Years Tracked97
Total Recalls2710
Complaints per 10k Sold11.35.7
Safety RatingNHTSA overall
2026 NHTSA
2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins70

What Are the Common Problems With the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-30?

Honda HR-V vs Mazda CX-30 common problem areas comparison
ComponentHonda HR-VMazda CX-30
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2.2Low0.7Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER2.2Low0.3Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1.5Low0.8Very Low
STEERING1.2Low0.1Very Low
ENGINE0.1Very Low1.2Low
VISIBILITY0.7Very Low—None
FUEL SYSTEM0.7Very Low—None
POWER TRAIN0.4Very Low0.3Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES0.3Very Low0.4Very Low
AIR BAGS0.3Very Low0.3Very Low
STRUCTURE0.4Very Low0.1Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL0.2Very Low0.2Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE0.2Very Low0.2Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM0.3Very Low—None
SEAT BELTS0.1Very Low—None
LANE DEPARTURE—None0.1Very Low
SUSPENSION—None0.1Very Low
WHEELS—None0.1Very Low
SEATS—None0.1Very Low
TIRES—None—None

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

How Does Honda HR-V vs Mazda CX-30 Reliability Compare by Year?

Honda HR-V vs Mazda CX-30 year-by-year reliability scores
YearHonda HR-VMazda CX-30Edge
2026100/1000R / 5C72/1000R / 0CHonda HR-V
202588/1001R / 26C68/1001R / 22CHonda HR-V
202483/1004R / 94C68/1002R / 23CHonda HR-V
202373/1003R / 673C68/1001R / 20CHonda HR-V
202283/1003R / 62C67/1001R / 28CHonda HR-V
202186/1003R / 52C60/1002R / 94CHonda HR-V
202080/1004R / 71C64/1003R / 31CHonda HR-V

Best years to cross-shop: The 2021 Honda HR-V scored 86/100 and the 2024 Mazda CX-30 scored 68/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Honda HR-V vs Mazda CX-30: Common Questions

Is the Honda HR-V more reliable than the Mazda CX-30?
Based on our data, the Honda HR-V is more reliable with an average score of 83/100 compared to 67/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
Which has more recalls, the Honda HR-V or the Mazda CX-30?
The Honda HR-V has more recalls (27) compared to the Mazda CX-30 (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 Mazda CX-30?
Adjusted for sales volume, the Mazda CX-30 has a lower complaint rate at 5.7 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 11.3 for the Honda HR-V. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Honda HR-V or Mazda CX-30 safer?
Both the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-30 received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Decided between Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-30? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-30

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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