Is the Hyundai Kona more reliable than the KIA Sportage?

Based on our data, the KIA Sportage is more reliable with an average score of 75/100 compared to 65/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Kona or the KIA Sportage?

The KIA Sportage has more recalls (28) 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 Hyundai Kona or the KIA Sportage?

Adjusted for sales volume, the KIA Sportage has a lower complaint rate at 5.3 per 10,000 sold versus 13.4 for the Hyundai Kona. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the Hyundai Kona or KIA Sportage safer?

Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the KIA Sportage 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.

Last updated: 2026-03-28

Hyundai Kona vs KIA Sportage: Reliability Compared

Hyundai Kona

Good

More Reliable

KIA Sportage

Good

Choosing between the Hyundai Kona and the KIA Sportage? 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 KIA Sportage currently leads with an average score of 75/100 compared to 65/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Hyundai Kona and KIA Sportage Generations Compare?

As of March 2026, the KIA Sportage is in its fifth generation (NQ5), introduced in 2023. Being relatively new, it may experience first-year issues common with new platforms. In contrast, the Hyundai Kona recently entered its second generation (SX2) in 2024. The previous first-generation Kona (OS) had a facelift in 2021, indicating it was a mature platform by the end of its cycle, likely offering well-sorted reliability. For potential buyers, the Sportage’s newer platform might require more scrutiny for early production issues, whereas the Kona's second generation, though newer, benefits from Hyundai's experience refining their compact SUV offerings.

Verdict

The KIA Sportage is more reliable than the Hyundai Kona, scoring 75/100 vs 65/100.

The KIA Sportage outperforms the Hyundai Kona in reliability, boasting an average reliability score of 74/100 compared to the Kona's 65/100. While the Sportage has seen more recalls (28 vs. 16), it has a significantly lower owner complaint rate at 5.3 per 10,000 sold versus the Kona's 13.4. Additionally, independent repair cost estimates suggest the Sportage is more economical to maintain, with an approximate annual cost of $462. Both vehicles share common issues like engine and electrical system problems, but the Sportage's lower complaint rate makes it the more reliable choice.

Key Differences

1Hyundai Kona has 12 fewer total recalls
2KIA Sportage scores 10 points higher in reliability
3KIA Sportage has 8.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

1Hyundai Kona

—

3KIA Sportage

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Hyundai Kona vs KIA Sportage: Which Is More Reliable?

Hyundai Kona vs KIA Sportage at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Hyundai Kona	KIA Sportage
Reliability Score	65/100	75/100
Years Tracked	9	9
Total Recalls	16	28
Complaints per 10k Sold	13.4	5.3
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	1	8

What Are the Common Problems With the Hyundai Kona and KIA Sportage?

The KIA Sportage and Hyundai Kona both exhibit significant reliability concerns, though they vary in problem distribution. The Sportage has a notable issue with service brakes, accumulating 53 complaints, 10 of which are crash-linked, highlighting a critical safety concern. In contrast, the Kona's most pressing issue is its engine, with 264 complaints, although only 2 are crash-linked, suggesting frequent but less severe incidents. Both models show a considerable number of electrical system complaints, with the Sportage at 134 and the Kona at 193, yet the Sportage has a higher number of crash-linked incidents in this category, indicating potentially more severe electrical issues.

Hyundai Kona vs KIA Sportage common problem areas comparison
Component	Hyundai Kona	KIA Sportage
ENGINE	4.5Average	1Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	3.3Average	0.9Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.8Low	0.8Very Low
POWER TRAIN	1.6Low	0.4Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.5Very Low	0.3Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.4Very Low	0.3Very Low
STEERING	0.3Very Low	0.2Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.2Very Low	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.1Very Low	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	0.1Very Low	—None
TRAILER HITCHES	—None	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY	—None	—None
WHEELS	—None	—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Hyundai Kona or KIA Sportage?

The KIA Sportage has an annual repair cost of $462 and requires about 0.2 repair visits per year, with an 11% risk of a major repair. In practical terms, this means a cost of approximately $2,310 over five years, with a relatively low chance of encountering significant issues. While specific data for the Hyundai Kona is unavailable, the Sportage's consistent and predictable repair costs, along with its low repair frequency, make it a strong candidate for cost-conscious buyers. With its moderate risk of major repairs, the Sportage offers a balanced choice for those seeking reliability and manageable maintenance expenses.

How Does Hyundai Kona vs KIA Sportage Reliability Compare by Year?

Hyundai Kona vs KIA Sportage year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Hyundai Kona	KIA Sportage	Edge
2026	67/1002R / 4C	83/1003R / 4C	KIA Sportage
2025	74/1000R / 21C	82/1002R / 44C	KIA Sportage
2024	68/1003R / 50C	78/1004R / 83C	KIA Sportage
2023	66/1002R / 68C	67/1009R / 257C	KIA Sportage
2022	64/1002R / 115C	79/1001R / 39C	KIA Sportage
2021	63/1001R / 102C	76/1002R / 34C	KIA Sportage
2020	57/1002R / 140C	69/1002R / 139C	KIA Sportage
2019	55/1004R / 224C	74/1002R / 63C	KIA Sportage
2018	69/1000R / 66C	68/1003R / 147C	Hyundai Kona

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Hyundai Kona scored 74/100 and the 2026 KIA Sportage scored 83/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Hyundai Kona vs the KIA Sportage?

If you prioritize reliability and lower maintenance costs, the KIA Sportage may be the better choice for you. With a higher reliability score of 74/100 and an estimated annual repair cost of $462, it promises a more dependable ownership experience. The Sportage also has fewer owner complaints, at 5.3 per 10,000 sold, which suggests a more satisfied customer base. However, be mindful of its 28 recalls and the major repair risk of 11%. On the other hand, if you are concerned about the frequency of recalls, the Hyundai Kona might appeal to you with only 16 recalls. While it has a lower reliability score of 65/100 and more owner complaints at 13.4 per 10,000 sold, it could still be a viable option if you value having fewer recall-related visits to the dealer. Consider your priorities to determine which model aligns best with your needs.

Hyundai Kona vs KIA Sportage: Common Questions

Is the Hyundai Kona more reliable than the KIA Sportage?: Based on our data, the KIA Sportage is more reliable with an average score of 75/100 compared to 65/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Kona or the KIA Sportage?: The KIA Sportage has more recalls (28) 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 Hyundai Kona or the KIA Sportage?: Adjusted for sales volume, the KIA Sportage has a lower complaint rate at 5.3 per 10,000 sold versus 13.4 for the Hyundai Kona. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Hyundai Kona or KIA Sportage safer?: Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the KIA Sportage 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.

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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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