Last updated: 2026-05-15
Chevrolet Colorado vs Hyundai Santa-Cruz: Reliability Compared
Chevrolet Colorado
Hyundai Santa-Cruz
Choosing between the Chevrolet Colorado and the Hyundai Santa-Cruz? 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 midsize trucks.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Chevrolet Colorado currently leads with an average score of 78/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Chevrolet Colorado and Hyundai Santa-Cruz Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Chevrolet Colorado is more reliable than the Hyundai Santa-Cruz, scoring 78/100 vs 66/100.
The Chevrolet Colorado demonstrates superior reliability with an average score of 78/100 compared to the Hyundai Santa-Cruz's 66/100. Notably, the Colorado has fewer owner complaints at 8.8 per 10,000 units sold versus the Santa-Cruz's 20.2, despite the latter having a shorter market presence. While both models share power train and electrical system issues, the Colorado's estimated annual repair cost of $599 offers a clearer picture of potential maintenance expenses, unlike the Santa-Cruz. Overall, the Colorado stands out as the more reliable midsize truck option.
Key Differences
- 1Chevrolet Colorado scores 12 points higher in reliability
- 2Chevrolet Colorado has 11.4 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Chevrolet Colorado has 2 fewer total recalls
Category Scoreboard
Chevrolet Colorado vs Hyundai Santa-Cruz: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Chevrolet Colorado | Hyundai Santa-Cruz |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 78/100 | 66/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 5 |
| Total Recalls | 9 | 11 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 8.8 | 20.2 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 4 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Colorado and Hyundai Santa-Cruz?
The Chevrolet Colorado and Hyundai Santa-Cruz exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Colorado having a higher total complaint count at 695 compared to the Santa-Cruz's 289. Notably, the Colorado faces significant issues in its power train with 185 complaints, including 3 crash-linked incidents, indicating a critical area of concern. The Santa-Cruz, while also experiencing power train issues with 116 complaints, has fewer crash-linked incidents and overall complaints in this category. Both models have electrical system complaints, but the Colorado's higher frequency and crash-linked incidents in multiple categories suggest a broader pattern of reliability concerns.
| Component | Chevrolet Colorado | Hyundai Santa-Cruz |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 2.3Low | 8.1Above Avg |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.5Low | 1.9Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.8Very Low | 2.2Low |
| ENGINE | 0.5Very Low | 1.7Low |
| STEERING | 1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.3Very Low | 0.8Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.7Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.2Very Low | 0.8Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.7Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| TRAILER HITCHES | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| EQUIPMENT | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Chevrolet Colorado or Hyundai Santa-Cruz?
How Does Chevrolet Colorado vs Hyundai Santa-Cruz Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Chevrolet Colorado | Hyundai Santa-Cruz | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 83/1000R / 19C | 72/1002R / 15C | Chevrolet Colorado |
| 2024 | 76/1003R / 82C | 71/1001R / 30C | Chevrolet Colorado |
| 2023 | 73/1003R / 113C | 64/1002R / 73C | Chevrolet Colorado |
| 2022 | 81/1001R / 39C | 57/1004R / 171C | Chevrolet Colorado |
| 2026(predicted) | 77/100(predicted) | 69/100(predicted) | Chevrolet Colorado |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Chevrolet Colorado scored 83/100 and the 2025 Hyundai Santa-Cruz scored 72/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Chevrolet Colorado vs the Hyundai Santa-Cruz?
Chevrolet Colorado vs Hyundai Santa-Cruz: Common Questions
- Is the Chevrolet Colorado more reliable than the Hyundai Santa-Cruz?
- Based on our data, the Chevrolet Colorado is more reliable with an average score of 78/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Colorado or the Hyundai Santa-Cruz?
- The Hyundai Santa-Cruz has more recalls (11) compared to the Chevrolet Colorado (9). 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 Chevrolet Colorado or the Hyundai Santa-Cruz?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Colorado has a lower complaint rate at 8.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 20.2 for the Hyundai Santa-Cruz. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Chevrolet Colorado or Hyundai Santa-Cruz safer?
- Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Hyundai Santa-Cruz has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Chevrolet Colorado. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Chevrolet Colorado comparisons
Decided between Chevrolet Colorado and Hyundai Santa-Cruz? 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