Last updated: 2026-03-04

Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota RAV4: Reliability Compared

Hyundai Tucson reliability comparison

Hyundai Tucson

73
GoodReliability score: 73 out of 100, rated Good
VS
More ReliableToyota RAV4 reliability comparison

Toyota RAV4

76
GoodReliability score: 76 out of 100, rated Good

Choosing between the Hyundai Tucson 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 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 RAV4 Generations Compare?

The Toyota RAV4 is currently in its sixth generation (XA60), which began in 2026, suggesting it is early in its cycle. This phase can sometimes introduce first-year issues as new technologies and designs are tested. The previous fifth generation (XA50) ran from 2019 to 2025 and received a facelift in 2022, indicating a mature and well-sorted platform towards the end of its cycle. In contrast, the Hyundai Tucson lacks detailed generation history, making it challenging to assess its reliability through generational context. Generally, mature platforms like the later RAV4 generations tend to offer more refined reliability compared to newer models.

Verdict

The Toyota RAV4 is more reliable than the Hyundai Tucson, scoring 76/100 vs 73/100.

The Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson both offer competitive reliability in the compact SUV segment, with the RAV4 having a slight edge in overall reliability score at 85/100 compared to the Tucson's 83/100. Despite the RAV4 having more recalls (53 over 8 years), it has a lower complaint rate of 4.4 per 10,000 sold, significantly better than the Tucson's 8.9. Both models have similar estimated annual repair costs, with the RAV4 at $429 and the Tucson at $426, indicating minimal difference in potential maintenance expenses. While the RAV4 shows a broader range of common issues, its lower complaint rate suggests it may offer a more reliable ownership experience overall.

Key Differences

  1. 1Hyundai Tucson has 30 fewer total recalls
  2. 2Toyota RAV4 has 4.5 fewer complaints per 10k sold
  3. 3Toyota RAV4 scores 3 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

2Hyundai Tucson
—
2Toyota RAV4
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota RAV4: Which Is More Reliable?

Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota RAV4 at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricHyundai TucsonToyota RAV4
Reliability Score73/10076/100
Years Tracked98
Total Recalls2353
Complaints per 10k Sold8.94.4
Annual Repair Cost$426/yr$429/yr
Repair Frequency0.3/yr0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk10%10%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall
2026 NHTSA
2025 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins35

What Are the Common Problems With the Hyundai Tucson and Toyota RAV4?

The Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson show distinct problem profiles in their complaint data. The RAV4 has a significant number of complaints related to the electrical system, with 443 issues, and air bags, with 252 complaints, the latter notably linked to 71 crashes. In contrast, the Tucson has a higher concentration of engine complaints at 397, making it the most reported issue for this model, but with a similar crash-linked count as the RAV4 in this category. Additionally, the Tucson's service brakes and forward collision avoidance systems present safety concerns with 15 and 12 crash-linked complaints, respectively, which are not among the top issues for the RAV4.

Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota RAV4 common problem areas comparison
ComponentHyundai TucsonToyota RAV4
ENGINE1.9Low0.5Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1.1Low0.7Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1Very Low0.7Very Low
POWER TRAIN1.3Low0.3Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES1.1Low0.2Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM0.4Very Low0.5Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE0.5Very Low—None
AIR BAGS0.1Very Low0.4Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL0.3Very Low0.1Very Low
STEERING0.1Very Low0.2Very Low
STRUCTURE0.1Very Low0.2Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING0.1Very Low—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER—None—None
LANE DEPARTURE—None—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING—None—None
SEAT BELTS—None—None
SUSPENSION—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 Tucson or Toyota RAV4?

Independent repair cost data indicates that both the Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson have nearly identical maintenance and repair profiles. The RAV4's annual repair cost is $429, while the Tucson's is slightly lower at $426, resulting in a negligible $3 difference per year, or $15 over five years. Both models have a repair frequency of 0.3 visits annually and share a 10% risk for major repairs. Given these similarities, both vehicles present equal value for cost-conscious buyers. Choosing between them may depend more on other factors like features and personal preference than on maintenance costs alone.

How Does Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota RAV4 Reliability Compare by Year?

Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota RAV4 year-by-year reliability scores
YearHyundai TucsonToyota RAV4Edge
202575/1006R / 251C84/1005R / 49CToyota RAV4
202477/1004R / 87C80/1006R / 150CToyota RAV4
202375/1002R / 142C80/1006R / 147CToyota RAV4
202266/1003R / 433C80/1006R / 133CToyota RAV4
202178/1001R / 58C73/1006R / 450CHyundai Tucson
202073/1001R / 153C70/10011R / 611CHyundai Tucson
201968/1001R / 349C66/10010R / 864CHyundai Tucson
201868/1001R / 362C76/1003R / 330CToyota RAV4

Best years to cross-shop: The 2021 Hyundai Tucson scored 78/100 and the 2025 Toyota RAV4 scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Hyundai Tucson vs the Toyota RAV4?

If you prioritize reliability and fewer owner complaints, the Toyota RAV4 is a strong contender. With a reliability score of 85/100 and only 4.4 complaints per 10,000 sold, it stands out as a dependable choice. While it has a higher number of total recalls at 53, the annual repair cost is slightly higher at $429, but the repair frequency and major repair risk are on par with the Tucson. This makes the RAV4 a solid option if you value a vehicle with fewer issues over time. On the other hand, if you are concerned about recall history and prefer a slightly lower annual repair cost, consider the Hyundai Tucson. Despite a slightly lower reliability score of 83/100, the Tucson has fewer total recalls at 23, which could be appealing if you are wary of potential manufacturing issues. However, note that it has more owner complaints at 8.9 per 10,000 sold, indicating some dissatisfaction among owners. Choose the Tucson if recalls are your primary concern and you seek a balance between cost and reliability.

Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota RAV4: Common Questions

Is the Hyundai Tucson 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 73/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Tucson or the Toyota RAV4?
The Toyota RAV4 has more recalls (53) compared to the Hyundai Tucson (23). 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 RAV4?
Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota RAV4 has a lower complaint rate at 4.4 per 10,000 sold versus 8.9 for the Hyundai Tucson. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Hyundai Tucson or the Toyota RAV4?
Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Hyundai Tucson is cheaper to maintain at $426/year versus $429/year for the Toyota RAV4.
Is the Hyundai Tucson or Toyota RAV4 safer?
Both the Hyundai Tucson and Toyota RAV4 received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Related Reliability 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

1

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.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

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.

4

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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