Is the KIA EV6 more reliable than the Mazda CX-5?

No. The Mazda CX-5 is clearly more reliable. The EV6 draws 48.9 complaints per 10,000 sold, against 5.6 for the CX-5. The EV6's main fault is sudden power loss tied to the ICCU, while the CX-5's main fault is cracked cylinder heads.

Which has more recalls, the EV6 or the CX-5?

The CX-5 has more recalls in total, 11 across nine model years. The EV6 has 8 across five model years, so its count is higher per model year. Some EV6 owners also report ICCU failures after recall software updates.

What is the biggest problem with the KIA EV6?

Sudden power loss is the biggest one. Owners report a pop, warnings, speed capped near 25 mph, then a full shutdown. Most cases trace to the ICCU. Some repeat after replacement, and parts back orders can mean waits of weeks.

What is the biggest problem with the Mazda CX-5?

Cracked cylinder heads are the biggest. They leak oil onto the hot exhaust side, giving a burning smell, white smoke or oil on the ground. Failures cluster between about 30,000 and 80,000 miles, and repair quotes reach $8,000. Many cars give no warning light until oil runs low.

Which CX-5 and EV6 model years should I avoid?

Avoid the 2018 and 2019 CX-5, which rank weakest. For the EV6, avoid 2022 and 2023, also the weakest. The 2022 EV6 also drew complaints about weak headlights, with owners citing a poor IIHS rating.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Kia EV6 vs Mazda CX-5: Reliability Compared

Kia EV6

Mixed

More Reliable

Mazda CX-5

Excellent

On reliability, the Mazda CX-5 beats the KIA EV6 by a large margin. EV6 owners file far more complaints per car sold, and many describe the car losing power without warning and stopping in traffic.

How Do the Kia EV6 and Mazda CX-5 Generations Compare?

Only one generation of the EV6 has been sold in the US. The first generation (CV) covers model years 2022 to 2024, and a facelift arrived for 2025. The two weakest years, 2022 and 2023, both belong to the original design. The CX-5 has a longer history. The second generation (KF) ran from the 2017 through 2025 model years, with a facelift in 2022. The third generation (KI) began with the 2026 model year. A 2026 CX-5 is a new design with little track record, so the 2022 to 2025 range is where used shoppers will find the most evidence.

Verdict

The Mazda CX-5 is more reliable than the Kia EV6, scoring 83/100 vs 57/100.

Reliability clearly favors the Mazda CX-5, and the gap is large. Its owner complaint rate is a fraction of the EV6's, and independent repair-cost data shows few unscheduled shop visits. The EV6's central problem is sudden power loss, mostly traced to the integrated charge control unit (ICCU). Owners report failures after recall updates and parts waits of weeks. The CX-5 has a serious weak spot too, cracked cylinder heads, but it is narrower and shows up in a specific mileage window.

Key Differences

1Mazda CX-5 has 43.3 fewer complaints per 10k sold
2Mazda CX-5 scores 26 points higher in reliability
3Kia EV6 has 3 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

1Kia EV6

—

2Mazda CX-5

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Kia EV6 vs Mazda CX-5: Which Is More Reliable?

Kia EV6 vs Mazda CX-5 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Kia EV6	Mazda CX-5
Reliability Score	57/100	83/100
Years Tracked	5	9
Total Recalls	8	11
Complaints per 10k Sold	48.9	5.6
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	0	5

What Are the Common Problems With the Kia EV6 and Mazda CX-5?

One event dominates the EV6: a pop, warnings, a crawl near 25 mph in turtle mode, then a full shutdown. Hazard lights and door locks can fail with it. Brake lights can also stay off during hard i-Pedal deceleration. The CX-5 splits across several faults. Cylinder heads crack and leak oil onto the hot exhaust, the touchscreen "ghost touch" acts on its own, and the smart brake and radar system can surge or slow the car unprompted. Crash-linked brake reports are far more common on the CX-5. The EV6's structure and exterior lighting complaints list no crashes linked to the lights, while its power loss reports do include crashes.

Kia EV6 vs Mazda CX-5 common problem areas comparison
Component	Kia EV6	Mazda CX-5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	28.4High	0.7Very Low
POWER TRAIN	7.8Above Avg	0.6Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	3.3Average	0.7Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	1.8Low	0.3Very Low
ENGINE	0.4Very Low	1.5Low
STRUCTURE	1Very Low	0.2Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.8Very Low	0.1Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.6Very Low	0.2Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.4Very Low	0.2Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.6Very Low	—None
TIRES	0.4Very Low	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	0.4Very Low	—None
STEERING	0.3Very Low	0.1Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.3Very Low	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.1Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	0.1Very Low
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
SEATS	—None	—None
VISIBILITY	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

How Does Kia EV6 vs Mazda CX-5 Reliability Compare by Year?

Kia EV6 vs Mazda CX-5 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Kia EV6	Mazda CX-5	Edge
2026	58/1000R / 0C	94/1000R / 0C	Mazda CX-5
2025	69/1000R / 0C	82/1003R / 25C	Mazda CX-5
2024	59/1002R / 38C	84/1001R / 53C	Mazda CX-5
2023	52/1003R / 98C	81/1002R / 96C	Mazda CX-5
2022	46/1003R / 215C	87/1000R / 50C	Mazda CX-5

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Kia EV6 scored 59/100 and the 2022 Mazda CX-5 scored 87/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Who Should Buy the Kia EV6 vs the Mazda CX-5?

Pick the CX-5 if you want the lower-risk used purchase and a car that rarely visits the shop. Target 2022 to 2025, since 2022 ranks among its strongest years and 2018 and 2019 rank weakest. The 2026 is a new generation with little history, so do not treat its strong ranking as proof. Whatever year you shop, ask for proof of cylinder head inspection or repair, because cracks cluster between about 30,000 and 80,000 miles, often just after the powertrain warranty ends. Test the touchscreen for phantom inputs before you sign. Pick the EV6 only if you want an electric SUV and can accept the risk of a stranded car. Lean toward 2024 or 2025, which rank strongest, and avoid 2022 and 2023, the weakest. Ask whether the ICCU was replaced and whether the 12V battery has been changed. If you commute on highways, or live where snow is common, the sudden shutdown pattern should weigh heavily. Confirm a dealer can service it quickly, since parts back orders have stretched waits to weeks.

Kia EV6 vs Mazda CX-5: Common Questions

Is the KIA EV6 more reliable than the Mazda CX-5?: No. The Mazda CX-5 is clearly more reliable. The EV6 draws 48.9 complaints per 10,000 sold, against 5.6 for the CX-5. The EV6's main fault is sudden power loss tied to the ICCU, while the CX-5's main fault is cracked cylinder heads.
Which has more recalls, the EV6 or the CX-5?: The CX-5 has more recalls in total, 11 across nine model years. The EV6 has 8 across five model years, so its count is higher per model year. Some EV6 owners also report ICCU failures after recall software updates.
What is the biggest problem with the KIA EV6?: Sudden power loss is the biggest one. Owners report a pop, warnings, speed capped near 25 mph, then a full shutdown. Most cases trace to the ICCU. Some repeat after replacement, and parts back orders can mean waits of weeks.
What is the biggest problem with the Mazda CX-5?: Cracked cylinder heads are the biggest. They leak oil onto the hot exhaust side, giving a burning smell, white smoke or oil on the ground. Failures cluster between about 30,000 and 80,000 miles, and repair quotes reach $8,000. Many cars give no warning light until oil runs low.
Which CX-5 and EV6 model years should I avoid?: Avoid the 2018 and 2019 CX-5, which rank weakest. For the EV6, avoid 2022 and 2023, also the weakest. The 2022 EV6 also drew complaints about weak headlights, with owners citing a poor IIHS rating.

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How we score the Kia EV6 and Mazda CX-5

Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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