Is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 more reliable than the Mazda CX-50?

Based on our data, the Mazda CX-50 is more reliable with an average score of 67/100 compared to 52/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.

Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or the Mazda CX-50?

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has more recalls (18) compared to the Mazda CX-50 (6). 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 Hyundai Ioniq 5 or the Mazda CX-50?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Mazda CX-50 has a lower complaint rate at 27.4 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 63.4 for the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs Mazda CX-50: Reliability Compared

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Mixed

More Reliable

Mazda CX-50

Good

Choosing between the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Mazda CX-50? 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 compact suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Mazda CX-50 currently leads with an average score of 67/100 compared to 52/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Mazda CX-50 Generations Compare?

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is in its first generation (NE), introduced in 2022, with a facelift occurring in 2024. Being in the early stages of its generation cycle, potential buyers should be aware that newer platforms can sometimes exhibit first-year issues as manufacturers iron out early production kinks. In contrast, the Mazda CX-50 is also in its first generation (VA), launched in 2023, and is set to receive a facelift in 2025. As both models are early in their respective cycles, it's important to consider that while they offer cutting-edge technology and design, they may not yet have the reliability track record of more mature platforms.

Verdict

The Mazda CX-50 is more reliable than the Hyundai Ioniq 5, scoring 67/100 vs 52/100.

The Mazda CX-50 demonstrates higher reliability with an average score of 66 out of 100 compared to the Hyundai Ioniq 5's 44. It also has a significantly lower owner complaint rate of 27.4 per 10,000 sold versus the Ioniq 5's 63.4, and fewer recalls, with only 6 over four years compared to the Ioniq 5's 18 over five years. While both vehicles have some issues with their power train and electrical systems, the Ioniq 5's more frequent recalls and higher complaint rate make the CX-50 the more reliable choice.

Key Differences

1Mazda CX-50 has 36.0 fewer complaints per 10k sold
2Mazda CX-50 scores 15 points higher in reliability
3Mazda CX-50 has 12 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

0Hyundai Ioniq 5

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3Mazda CX-50

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs Mazda CX-50: Which Is More Reliable?

Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs Mazda CX-50 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Hyundai Ioniq 5	Mazda CX-50
Reliability Score	52/100	67/100
Years Tracked	5	4
Total Recalls	18	6
Complaints per 10k Sold	63.4	27.4
Year Wins	0	3

What Are the Common Problems With the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Mazda CX-50?

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 exhibits a significantly higher number of complaints, particularly in the electrical system, with 554 complaints, including 5 linked to crashes, indicating a major area of concern. In contrast, the Mazda CX-50 has a more balanced distribution of issues, with the highest number of complaints in service brakes and unknown or other categories, each receiving 11 complaints. While the Ioniq 5 also has notable issues in the power train and forward collision avoidance systems, the Mazda CX-50 shows fewer problems overall, with only 96 total complaints. Despite both models having crash-linked complaints in forward collision avoidance, the Ioniq 5's higher volume across multiple categories suggests more widespread reliability concerns.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs Mazda CX-50 common problem areas comparison
Component	Hyundai Ioniq 5	Mazda CX-50
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	36.8High	2.3Low
POWER TRAIN	12.1Above Avg	2.9Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	2.9Low	3.1Average
SERVICE BRAKES	1.2Low	3.1Average
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	1.4Low	1.7Low
STEERING	0.9Very Low	2Low
STRUCTURE	—None	2.9Low
SUSPENSION	—None	2Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	1.5Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	1.3Low	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	0.4Very Low	0.6Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.3Very Low	0.6Very Low
AIR BAGS	—None	0.6Very Low
WHEELS	—None	0.6Very Low
SEATS	—None	0.6Very Low
ENGINE	0.4Very Low	—None
TIRES	0.4Very Low	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.3Very Low	—None
PARKING BRAKE	0.1Very Low	—None

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

How Does Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs Mazda CX-50 Reliability Compare by Year?

Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs Mazda CX-50 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Hyundai Ioniq 5	Mazda CX-50	Edge
2025	53/1008R / 158C	66/1003R / 21C	Mazda CX-50
2024	58/1002R / 134C	71/1001R / 26C	Mazda CX-50
2023	50/1003R / 311C	65/1002R / 49C	Mazda CX-50
2026(predicted)	54/100(predicted)	67/100(predicted)	Mazda CX-50

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 scored 58/100 and the 2024 Mazda CX-50 scored 71/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs the Mazda CX-50?

If you prioritize reliability and fewer headaches, the Mazda CX-50 might be the better choice for you. With a reliability score of 66/100 compared to the Hyundai Ioniq 5's 44/100, the CX-50 shows a stronger track record. It has fewer recalls (6 versus 18) and owner complaints per 10,000 sold (27.4 compared to 63.4), indicating potentially less frequent visits to the dealership for unexpected issues. However, if you are drawn to innovative technology and can manage some potential reliability concerns, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 could still be appealing. Keep in mind its higher number of recalls and owner complaints, particularly around the electrical system and powertrain. This model may suit those who are excited about cutting-edge electric vehicle technology and are willing to stay proactive about maintenance and updates.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs Mazda CX-50: Common Questions

Is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 more reliable than the Mazda CX-50?: Based on our data, the Mazda CX-50 is more reliable with an average score of 67/100 compared to 52/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or the Mazda CX-50?: The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has more recalls (18) compared to the Mazda CX-50 (6). 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 Hyundai Ioniq 5 or the Mazda CX-50?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Mazda CX-50 has a lower complaint rate at 27.4 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 63.4 for the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

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More Mazda CX-50 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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