Last updated: 2026-05-15
Hyundai Kona vs Toyota RAV4: Reliability Compared
Hyundai Kona
Toyota RAV4
Choosing between the Hyundai Kona and the Toyota RAV4? 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 Toyota RAV4 currently leads with an average score of 76/100 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 Toyota RAV4 Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota RAV4 is more reliable than the Hyundai Kona, scoring 76/100 vs 65/100.
The Toyota RAV4 demonstrates superior reliability with an average score of 76/100 compared to the Hyundai Kona's 65/100. While the RAV4 has a higher number of total recalls at 53, the Kona suffers from a significantly higher owner complaint rate of 13.4 per 10,000 sold versus the RAV4's 4.4. Furthermore, the RAV4 benefits from a lower estimated annual repair cost of $429, underscoring its cost-effective maintenance. Overall, the RAV4's lower complaint rate and repair costs make it the more reliable choice among compact SUVs.
Key Differences
- 1Hyundai Kona has 37 fewer total recalls
- 2Toyota RAV4 scores 11 points higher in reliability
- 3Toyota RAV4 has 9.0 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Hyundai Kona vs Toyota RAV4: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Hyundai Kona | Toyota RAV4 |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 65/100 | 76/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 8 |
| Total Recalls | 16 | 53 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 13.4 | 4.4 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2025 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 0 | 8 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Hyundai Kona and Toyota RAV4?
The Toyota RAV4 exhibits a broader range of issues with a higher total complaint count, particularly in areas such as the electrical system and air bags, both of which have significant numbers of crash-linked complaints (12 and 71 respectively). In contrast, the Hyundai Kona has a more concentrated problem profile, with the engine and electrical system being the primary areas of concern, but with fewer total complaints overall. Notably, the RAV4's air bag issues are a critical safety concern given the high number of crash-linkages, whereas the Kona's problems are more focused on engine reliability and electrical system concerns, albeit with fewer crash-linked incidents. Both models, however, share some common issues in their electrical systems, though the RAV4's problem scope is more extensive across various components.
| Component | Hyundai Kona | Toyota RAV4 |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 4.5Average | 0.5Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 3.3Average | 0.7Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1.8Low | 0.7Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.6Low | 0.3Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.2Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.4Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.5Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.3Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| WHEELS | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —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 Toyota RAV4?
How Does Hyundai Kona vs Toyota RAV4 Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Hyundai Kona | Toyota RAV4 | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 74/1000R / 21C | 84/1005R / 49C | Toyota RAV4 |
| 2024 | 68/1003R / 50C | 80/1006R / 150C | Toyota RAV4 |
| 2023 | 66/1002R / 68C | 80/1006R / 147C | Toyota RAV4 |
| 2022 | 64/1002R / 115C | 80/1006R / 133C | Toyota RAV4 |
| 2021 | 63/1001R / 102C | 73/1006R / 450C | Toyota RAV4 |
| 2020 | 57/1002R / 140C | 70/10011R / 611C | Toyota RAV4 |
| 2019 | 55/1004R / 224C | 66/10010R / 864C | Toyota RAV4 |
| 2018 | 69/1000R / 66C | 76/1003R / 330C | Toyota RAV4 |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Hyundai Kona scored 74/100 and the 2025 Toyota RAV4 scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Hyundai Kona vs the Toyota RAV4?
Hyundai Kona vs Toyota RAV4: Common Questions
- Is the Hyundai Kona more reliable than the Toyota RAV4?
- Based on our data, the Toyota RAV4 is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 65/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Kona or the Toyota RAV4?
- The Toyota RAV4 has more recalls (53) 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 Toyota RAV4?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota RAV4 has a lower complaint rate at 4.4 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 13.4 for the Hyundai Kona. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Hyundai Kona or Toyota RAV4 safer?
- Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Toyota RAV4 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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Decided between Hyundai Kona and Toyota RAV4? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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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.
See incorrect data? Report an issue