Last updated: 2026-03-28
Hyundai Kona vs Mazda CX-30: Reliability Compared
Hyundai Kona
Mazda CX-30
Choosing between the Hyundai Kona 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 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-30 currently leads with an average score of 66/100 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 Mazda CX-30 Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Mazda CX-30 is more reliable than the Hyundai Kona, scoring 66/100 vs 65/100.
The Mazda CX-30 emerges as the more reliable choice compared to the Hyundai Kona, based on concrete reliability metrics. With an average reliability score of 0/100, the CX-30 surprisingly outperforms the Kona's 65/100 due to having fewer recalls (10 vs. 16) and a significantly lower owner complaint rate of 5.7 per 10,000 sold compared to the Kona's 13.4. While the Kona struggles with issues in multiple areas such as the engine and electrical system, the CX-30 has no commonly identified problems, making it a more dependable option for buyers prioritizing reliability.
Key Differences
- 1Mazda CX-30 has 7.7 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 2Mazda CX-30 has 6 fewer total recalls
- 3Mazda CX-30 scores 1 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Hyundai Kona vs Mazda CX-30: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Hyundai Kona | Mazda CX-30 |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 65/100 | 66/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 7 |
| Total Recalls | 16 | 10 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 13.4 | 5.7 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 2 (1 tied) | 3 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30?
The Hyundai Kona presents a significant number of complaints, predominantly in its engine and electrical system, with 264 and 193 complaints respectively, including crash-linked incidents. It also shows notable issues in the vehicle speed control and service brakes, both categories having multiple crash-linked complaints, indicating potential safety concerns. In contrast, the Mazda CX-30, while having fewer total complaints at 218, lacks detailed data on specific problem areas, making a direct component-level comparison difficult. However, the absence of detailed crash-linked data for the CX-30 suggests it may have fewer critical safety issues compared to the Kona.
| Component | Hyundai Kona | Mazda CX-30 |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 4.5Average | 1.2Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 3.3Average | 0.8Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1.8Low | 0.7Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.6Low | 0.3Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.4Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.5Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| WHEELS | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SEATS | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Hyundai Kona vs Mazda CX-30 Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Hyundai Kona | Mazda CX-30 | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 74/1000R / 21C | 68/1001R / 22C | Hyundai Kona |
| 2024 | 68/1003R / 50C | 68/1002R / 23C | Tie |
| 2023 | 66/1002R / 68C | 68/1001R / 20C | Mazda CX-30 |
| 2022 | 64/1002R / 115C | 67/1001R / 28C | Mazda CX-30 |
| 2021 | 63/1001R / 102C | 60/1002R / 94C | Hyundai Kona |
| 2020 | 57/1002R / 140C | 64/1003R / 31C | Mazda CX-30 |
| 2026(predicted) | 69/100(predicted) | 68/100(predicted) | Hyundai Kona |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Hyundai Kona scored 74/100 and the 2025 Mazda CX-30 scored 68/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Hyundai Kona vs the Mazda CX-30?
Hyundai Kona vs Mazda CX-30: Common Questions
- Is the Hyundai Kona more reliable than the Mazda CX-30?
- Based on our data, the Mazda CX-30 is more reliable with an average score of 66/100 compared to 65/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Kona or the Mazda CX-30?
- The Hyundai Kona has more recalls (16) 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 Hyundai Kona or the Mazda CX-30?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Mazda CX-30 has a lower complaint rate at 5.7 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 Mazda CX-30 safer?
- Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Mazda CX-30 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.
Related Reliability 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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