Is the Hyundai Kona more reliable than the KIA Soul?

Based on our data, the KIA Soul is more reliable with an average score of 77/100 compared to 65/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Kona or the KIA Soul?

The Hyundai Kona has more recalls (16) compared to the KIA Soul (10). 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 Kona or the KIA Soul?

Adjusted for sales volume, the KIA Soul has a lower complaint rate at 6.4 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 13.4 for the Hyundai Kona. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the Hyundai Kona or KIA Soul safer?

Both the Hyundai Kona and KIA Soul received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 4/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

Hyundai Kona vs KIA Soul: Reliability Compared

Hyundai Kona

Good

More Reliable

KIA Soul

Good

Choosing between the Hyundai Kona and the KIA Soul? 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 KIA Soul currently leads with an average score of 77/100 compared to 65/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Hyundai Kona and KIA Soul Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Hyundai Kona is in its second generation (SX2), which began in 2024. This places it relatively early in its generation cycle, where first-year issues can sometimes arise as new technology and design elements are tested in real-world conditions. The first generation (OS) ran from 2018 to 2023, with a significant facelift in 2021, suggesting that by the end of its cycle, it was a matured and refined platform. The KIA Soul, on the other hand, is in its third generation (SK3), which started in 2020. This generation received a facelift in 2023, indicating that it is now in the later stages of its cycle. Cars in this phase often benefit from refined reliability and fewer issues, as manufacturers have had time to address earlier concerns. The Soul's second generation (PS) ran from 2014 to 2019, demonstrating a history of stable and developed platforms.

Verdict

The KIA Soul is more reliable than the Hyundai Kona, scoring 77/100 vs 65/100.

The KIA Soul outperforms the Hyundai Kona in reliability, with a higher average reliability score of 77/100 compared to Kona's 65/100. The Soul has a lower complaint rate of 6.4 per 10,000 units sold versus the Kona's 13.4, and fewer recalls, totaling 10 against the Kona's 16. Additionally, the Soul's estimated annual repair cost is $437, while Kona's cost data is unavailable, further highlighting the Soul's cost-effectiveness in maintenance. Although both vehicles share common issues like engine and electrical system problems, the Soul's overall better performance in reliability metrics makes it the more dependable choice.

Key Differences

1KIA Soul scores 12 points higher in reliability
2KIA Soul has 7.0 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3KIA Soul has 6 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

0Hyundai Kona

—

3KIA Soul

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Hyundai Kona vs KIA Soul: Which Is More Reliable?

Hyundai Kona vs KIA Soul at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Hyundai Kona	KIA Soul
Reliability Score	65/100	77/100
Years Tracked	9	8
Total Recalls	16	10
Complaints per 10k Sold	13.4	6.4
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2025 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	0	8

What Are the Common Problems With the Hyundai Kona and KIA Soul?

The Hyundai Kona and KIA Soul exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Soul gathering more overall complaints at 1005 compared to the Kona's 790. The engine stands out as a significant issue for both models, with the Soul reporting 410 complaints and the Kona 264, both with two crash-linked incidents. Notably, the KIA Soul's airbag category presents a severe safety concern, comprising 34 complaints with 24 of them linked to crashes, a category where the Kona has no reported issues. Conversely, the Kona has a higher incidence of electrical system complaints at 193, including four crash-linked, compared to the Soul's 75, suggesting potential reliability concerns in this area for Kona owners.

Hyundai Kona vs KIA Soul common problem areas comparison
Component	Hyundai Kona	KIA Soul
ENGINE	4.5Average	2.6Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	3.3Average	0.5Very Low
POWER TRAIN	1.6Low	1Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.8Low	0.7Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.2Very Low	0.5Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.5Very Low	0.1Very Low
STEERING	0.3Very Low	0.3Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.4Very Low	0.1Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	0.2Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.2Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.2Very Low	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	0.1Very Low	—None
STRUCTURE	0.1Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY	—None	—None
WHEELS	—None	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Hyundai Kona or KIA Soul?

Industry estimates reveal that the KIA Soul has an annual repair cost of $437, with an average of 0.2 repair visits per year and a 9% risk of major repairs. Meanwhile, specific data for the Hyundai Kona is unavailable, making direct cost comparisons challenging. However, the Soul's relatively low repair frequency suggests fewer disruptions for owners, and its major repair risk is moderate. For cost-conscious buyers, the KIA Soul appears to offer a predictable and manageable maintenance schedule. Without concrete numbers for the Kona, the Soul's clear data and lower risk profile make it a potentially better value for those prioritizing lower maintenance costs.

How Does Hyundai Kona vs KIA Soul Reliability Compare by Year?

Hyundai Kona vs KIA Soul year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Hyundai Kona	KIA Soul	Edge
2025	74/1000R / 21C	85/1000R / 9C	KIA Soul
2024	68/1003R / 50C	86/1000R / 23C	KIA Soul
2023	66/1002R / 68C	77/1004R / 45C	KIA Soul
2022	64/1002R / 115C	78/1001R / 78C	KIA Soul
2021	63/1001R / 102C	72/1002R / 190C	KIA Soul
2020	57/1002R / 140C	70/1001R / 338C	KIA Soul
2019	55/1004R / 224C	76/1001R / 123C	KIA Soul
2018	69/1000R / 66C	73/1001R / 199C	KIA Soul

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Hyundai Kona scored 74/100 and the 2024 KIA Soul scored 86/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Hyundai Kona vs the KIA Soul?

If you prioritize reliability and lower running costs, the KIA Soul is the better choice. With a higher reliability score of 77/100 and fewer recalls (10 compared to the Hyundai Kona's 16), the Soul offers a more dependable ride. The owner complaints are also significantly lower at 6.4 per 10,000 sold, suggesting a better overall ownership experience. Furthermore, independent repair cost estimates indicate that you can expect to spend approximately $437 annually on maintenance, with a repair frequency of just 0.2 times per year. On the other hand, if you're drawn to the Hyundai Kona for specific features or design, be prepared for a slightly higher risk of issues. The Kona has a lower reliability score of 65/100 and a higher rate of owner complaints at 13.4 per 10,000 sold. Key concerns include engine and electrical system problems. While specific repair costs and frequencies aren't available, the higher number of recalls and complaints suggests potential for more frequent visits to the mechanic.

Hyundai Kona vs KIA Soul: Common Questions

Is the Hyundai Kona more reliable than the KIA Soul?: Based on our data, the KIA Soul is more reliable with an average score of 77/100 compared to 65/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Kona or the KIA Soul?: The Hyundai Kona has more recalls (16) compared to the KIA Soul (10). 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 Kona or the KIA Soul?: Adjusted for sales volume, the KIA Soul has a lower complaint rate at 6.4 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 13.4 for the Hyundai Kona. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Hyundai Kona or KIA Soul safer?: Both the Hyundai Kona and KIA Soul received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 4/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

More Hyundai Kona comparisons

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More KIA Soul 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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