Last updated: 2026-03-04
Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota Corolla Cross: Reliability Compared
Hyundai Tucson
Toyota Corolla Cross
Choosing between the Hyundai Tucson and the Toyota Corolla Cross? 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 Corolla Cross currently leads with an average score of 79/100 compared to 73/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Hyundai Tucson and Toyota Corolla Cross Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota Corolla Cross is more reliable than the Hyundai Tucson, scoring 79/100 vs 73/100.
The Toyota Corolla Cross outperforms the Hyundai Tucson in reliability with a higher average reliability score of 95/100 compared to Tucson's 83/100. The Corolla Cross also has fewer recalls, just 12 over five years, versus Tucson's 23 over nine years. While both vehicles have similar owner complaint rates, the Tucson faces more frequent issues with its engine and power train. Additionally, the Hyundai Tucson's estimated annual repair cost of $426 adds to its lower reliability standing compared to the Corolla Cross, for which repair cost data is not available but implied to be favorable.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Corolla Cross has 11 fewer total recalls
- 2Toyota Corolla Cross scores 6 points higher in reliability
- 3Toyota Corolla Cross has 0.9 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota Corolla Cross: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Hyundai Tucson | Toyota Corolla Cross |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 73/100 | 79/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 5 |
| Total Recalls | 23 | 12 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 8.9 | 8 |
| Year Wins | 1 | 3 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Hyundai Tucson and Toyota Corolla Cross?
The Hyundai Tucson exhibits a higher volume of complaints, particularly in the engine and power train categories, with notable safety concerns as evidenced by crash-linked incidents in both areas. It also faces significant issues with the service brakes and electrical system, each with a considerable number of crash-related complaints. In contrast, the Toyota Corolla Cross has fewer overall complaints, with the electrical system and steering being the most reported issues, though with minimal crash linkage. The Corolla Cross also shows a relatively higher percentage of air bag-related complaints that are crash-linked, indicating a specific area of concern for safety systems.
| Component | Hyundai Tucson | Toyota Corolla Cross |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 1.9Low | 0.8Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.1Low | 1.6Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1Very Low | 0.9Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.3Low | 0.5Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 1.5Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1.1Low | 0.3Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.5Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.7Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.4Very Low | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SEATS | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —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: Hyundai Tucson or Toyota Corolla Cross?
How Does Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota Corolla Cross Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Hyundai Tucson | Toyota Corolla Cross | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 75/1006R / 251C | 86/1000R / 15C | Toyota Corolla Cross |
| 2024 | 77/1004R / 87C | 82/1002R / 37C | Toyota Corolla Cross |
| 2023 | 75/1002R / 142C | 69/1008R / 168C | Hyundai Tucson |
| 2022 | 66/1003R / 433C | 80/1002R / 37C | Toyota Corolla Cross |
| 2026(predicted) | 76/100(predicted) | 79/100(predicted) | Toyota Corolla Cross |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Hyundai Tucson scored 77/100 and the 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross scored 86/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Hyundai Tucson vs the Toyota Corolla Cross?
Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota Corolla Cross: Common Questions
- Is the Hyundai Tucson more reliable than the Toyota Corolla Cross?
- Based on our data, the Toyota Corolla Cross is more reliable with an average score of 79/100 compared to 73/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Tucson or the Toyota Corolla Cross?
- The Hyundai Tucson has more recalls (23) compared to the Toyota Corolla Cross (12). 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 Tucson or the Toyota Corolla Cross?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Corolla Cross has a lower complaint rate at 8 per 10,000 sold versus 8.9 for the Hyundai Tucson. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Hyundai Tucson comparisons
More Toyota Corolla Cross comparisons
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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