Is the KIA EV6 more reliable than the Mazda CX-50?

Based on our data, the Mazda CX-50 is more reliable with an average score of 67/100 compared to 57/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the KIA EV6 or the Mazda CX-50?

The KIA EV6 has more recalls (8) compared to the Mazda CX-50 (6). 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 KIA EV6 or the Mazda CX-50?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Mazda CX-50 has a lower complaint rate at 27.4 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 48.9 for the KIA EV6. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the KIA EV6 or Mazda CX-50 safer?

Both the KIA EV6 and Mazda CX-50 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.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

KIA EV6 vs Mazda CX-50: Reliability Compared

KIA EV6

Mixed

More Reliable

Mazda CX-50

Good

Choosing between the KIA EV6 and the Mazda CX-50? 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 Mazda CX-50 currently leads with an average score of 67/100 compared to 57/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the KIA EV6 and Mazda CX-50 Generations Compare?

The Kia EV6 is currently in its first generation, which was introduced in 2022 and is expected to receive a facelift in 2025. As a newer model, the EV6 might experience typical first-year issues as manufacturers work out initial production kinks, but its upcoming facelift suggests improvements and refinements are on the horizon. The Mazda CX-50, also in its first generation since 2023, will undergo a significant update in 2025. Being early in its lifecycle, the CX-50 could face similar early-stage challenges. However, both models are on the cusp of their first major updates, which often address initial reliability concerns, potentially enhancing their overall dependability.

Verdict

The Mazda CX-50 is more reliable than the KIA EV6, scoring 67/100 vs 57/100.

The Mazda CX-50 demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Kia EV6, with an average reliability score of 66 out of 100 versus the EV6's 43. Despite both models having some common issues, the CX-50 has fewer recalls over four years and a lower owner complaint rate at 27.4 per 10,000 sold, compared to the EV6's 48.9. The key differentiator is the CX-50's more favorable recall history and complaint rate, making it a more reliable choice for buyers.

Key Differences

1Mazda CX-50 has 21.5 fewer complaints per 10k sold
2Mazda CX-50 scores 10 points higher in reliability
3Mazda CX-50 has 2 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

0KIA EV6

—

3Mazda CX-50

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

KIA EV6 vs Mazda CX-50: Which Is More Reliable?

KIA EV6 vs Mazda CX-50 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	KIA EV6	Mazda CX-50
Reliability Score	57/100	67/100
Years Tracked	5	4
Total Recalls	8	6
Complaints per 10k Sold	48.9	27.4
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	1	2

What Are the Common Problems With the KIA EV6 and Mazda CX-50?

The Kia EV6 exhibits a significantly higher volume of complaints, particularly in the electrical system with 204 reports, including three crash-linked incidents, indicating a potential area of concern. In contrast, the Mazda CX-50 has fewer total complaints, with its most reported issue being service brakes and unknown or other categories, both at 11 complaints, with only one crash-linked incident in service brakes. Notably, the EV6 has a broader distribution of complaints across various critical systems such as power train and service brakes, both with crash-linked incidents, whereas the CX-50's issues are more concentrated in non-crash-linked categories like structure and steering. Both vehicles have safety-related complaints, but the EV6's higher number of crash-linked electrical and unknown issues suggests a more severe problem profile in terms of potential safety implications.

KIA EV6 vs Mazda CX-50 common problem areas comparison
Component	KIA EV6	Mazda CX-50
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	28.4High	2.3Low
POWER TRAIN	7.8Above Avg	2.9Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	3.3Average	3.1Average
SERVICE BRAKES	1.8Low	3.1Average
STRUCTURE	1Very Low	2.9Low
STEERING	0.3Very Low	2Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.3Very Low	1.7Low
SUSPENSION	—None	2Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	1.3Low	—None
AIR BAGS	0.4Very Low	0.6Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	0.4Very Low	0.6Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.6Very Low	—None
WHEELS	—None	0.6Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.6Very Low
SEATS	—None	0.6Very Low
TIRES	0.4Very Low	—None
ENGINE	0.4Very Low	—None

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

How Does KIA EV6 vs Mazda CX-50 Reliability Compare by Year?

KIA EV6 vs Mazda CX-50 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	KIA EV6	Mazda CX-50	Edge
2025	69/1000R / 0C	66/1003R / 21C	KIA EV6
2024	59/1002R / 38C	71/1001R / 26C	Mazda CX-50
2023	52/1003R / 98C	65/1002R / 49C	Mazda CX-50
2026(predicted)	60/100(predicted)	67/100(predicted)	Mazda CX-50

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 KIA EV6 scored 69/100 and the 2024 Mazda CX-50 scored 71/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the KIA EV6 vs the Mazda CX-50?

If you prioritize reliability and fewer issues over time, the Mazda CX-50 might be the better choice for you. With a reliability score of 66/100 and only 6 recalls, it presents a more dependable option. The owner complaints per 10,000 sold are significantly lower at 27.4, suggesting a smoother ownership experience. Key concerns include service brakes and structural issues, but overall, it shows fewer problems compared to its counterpart. On the other hand, if you're drawn to the Kia EV6 for its electric innovation, be prepared for a potential trade-off in reliability. With a lower score of 43/100 and 8 recalls, it's more prone to issues, particularly in the electrical system and powertrain. Owner complaints are higher at 48.9 per 10,000 sold, indicating a greater likelihood of encountering problems. Choose the EV6 if cutting-edge technology is your priority, but be ready for potentially more frequent visits to the service center.

KIA EV6 vs Mazda CX-50: Common Questions

Is the KIA EV6 more reliable than the Mazda CX-50?: Based on our data, the Mazda CX-50 is more reliable with an average score of 67/100 compared to 57/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the KIA EV6 or the Mazda CX-50?: The KIA EV6 has more recalls (8) compared to the Mazda CX-50 (6). 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 KIA EV6 or the Mazda CX-50?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Mazda CX-50 has a lower complaint rate at 27.4 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 48.9 for the KIA EV6. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the KIA EV6 or Mazda CX-50 safer?: Both the KIA EV6 and Mazda CX-50 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.

More KIA EV6 comparisons

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More Mazda CX-50 comparisons

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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.

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