Last updated: 2026-10-10
Honda HR-V vs Mazda CX-30: Reliability Compared

Honda HR-V

Mazda CX-30
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
- 1Mazda CX-30 has 17 fewer total recalls
- 2Honda HR-V scores 16 points higher in reliability
- 3Mazda CX-30 has 5.6 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Honda HR-V vs Mazda CX-30: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Honda HR-V | Mazda CX-30 |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 83/100 | 67/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 7 |
| Total Recalls | 27 | 10 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 11.3 | 5.7 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 7 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-30?
| Component | Honda HR-V | Mazda CX-30 |
|---|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2.2Low | 0.7Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 2.2Low | 0.3Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.5Low | 0.8Very Low |
| STEERING | 1.2Low | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.1Very Low | 1.2Low |
| VISIBILITY | 0.7Very Low | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.7Very Low | —None |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.4Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.3Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.3Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.4Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| WHEELS | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SEATS | —None | 0.1Very 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?
| Year | Honda HR-V | Mazda CX-30 | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 100/1000R / 5C | 72/1000R / 0C | Honda HR-V |
| 2025 | 88/1001R / 26C | 68/1001R / 22C | Honda HR-V |
| 2024 | 83/1004R / 94C | 68/1002R / 23C | Honda HR-V |
| 2023 | 73/1003R / 673C | 68/1001R / 20C | Honda HR-V |
| 2022 | 83/1003R / 62C | 67/1001R / 28C | Honda HR-V |
| 2021 | 86/1003R / 52C | 60/1002R / 94C | Honda HR-V |
| 2020 | 80/1004R / 71C | 64/1003R / 31C | Honda 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.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Honda HR-V comparisons
Decided between Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-30? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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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