Is the Honda CR-V more reliable than the Kia Sportage?

They're very close — both average 74/100 in our reliability scoring. Other factors like repair costs and specific year models may tip the decision.

Which has more recalls, the Honda CR-V or the Kia Sportage?

The Honda CR-V has more recalls (46) compared to the Kia Sportage (28). 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 Honda CR-V or the Kia Sportage?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Kia Sportage has a lower complaint rate at 5.3 per 10,000 sold versus 8 for the Honda CR-V. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda CR-V or the Kia Sportage?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda CR-V is cheaper to maintain at $407/year versus $462/year for the Kia Sportage.

Is the Honda CR-V or Kia Sportage safer?

Both the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage 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: 2026-03-04

Honda CR-V vs Kia Sportage: Reliability Compared

Honda CR-V

Good

Kia Sportage

Good

Choosing between the Honda CR-V and the Kia Sportage? 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. Both models currently share an average reliability score of 74/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage Generations Compare?

The Honda CR-V is currently in its sixth generation, which began in 2023. Being early in its generation cycle, buyers should consider that newer platforms can sometimes experience first-year issues as engineering refinements are made. The Kia Sportage, on the other hand, is in its fifth generation, also starting in 2023. Both models are at similar points in their lifecycle, which may lead to initial teething issues. Historically, the CR-V has benefited from mature platforms with significant facelifts, like the 2015 refresh, improving reliability over time. In contrast, the Sportage’s previous fourth generation had a 2020 facelift, indicating a well-sorted, mature platform by the end of its cycle.

Verdict

The Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage are evenly matched with a reliability score of 74/100.

The Honda CR-V edges out the Kia Sportage in reliability with a higher average reliability score of 89/100 compared to the Sportage's 84/100. Despite having a higher number of recalls at 46 over nine years, the CR-V has a lower owner complaint rate of 8 per 10,000 units sold versus the Sportage's 5.3. However, the CR-V benefits from lower estimated annual repair costs at $407 compared to the Sportage's $462, making it a cost-efficient choice despite its higher recall frequency. While both vehicles share common issues such as problems with the engine and electrical systems, the CR-V's lower repair costs may provide an overall advantage for budget-conscious buyers.

Key Differences

1Honda CR-V costs $55 less per year to repair
2Kia Sportage has 18 fewer total recalls
3Kia Sportage has 2.7 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

2Honda CR-V

—

3Kia Sportage

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Honda CR-V vs Kia Sportage: Which Is More Reliable?

Honda CR-V vs Kia Sportage at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Honda CR-V	Kia Sportage
Reliability Score	74/100	74/100
Years Tracked	9	9
Total Recalls	46	28
Complaints per 10k Sold	8	5.3
Annual Repair Cost	$407/yr	$462/yr
Repair Frequency	0.3/yr	0.2/yr
Major Repair Risk	9%	11%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	3	5

What Are the Common Problems With the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage?

The Honda CR-V exhibits a higher volume of complaints across multiple categories compared to the Kia Sportage, with steering and forward collision avoidance being the most prominent issues, including 24 and 13 crash-linked complaints, respectively. Although the Kia Sportage has fewer overall complaints, its engine and electrical system still pose notable concerns, with 2 and 6 crash-linked incidents, respectively. Both models show issues in the electrical system, but the CR-V's steering complaints are particularly significant, suggesting a potential area for improvement in safety-related features. Additionally, the Sportage's vehicle speed control has a relatively high percentage of crash-linked complaints, indicating a critical area for Kia to address.

Honda CR-V vs Kia Sportage common problem areas comparison
Component	Honda CR-V	Kia Sportage
STEERING	1.8Low	0.2Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.9Very Low	0.9Very Low
ENGINE	0.8Very Low	1Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	1Very Low	0.1Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.3Very Low	0.8Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.4Very Low	0.3Very Low
POWER TRAIN	0.2Very Low	0.4Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.6Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.2Very Low	0.3Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.3Very Low	—None
STRUCTURE	—None	0.2Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.1Very Low	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	0.1Very Low
TRAILER HITCHES	—None	0.1Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)	—None	—None
VISIBILITY	—None	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Honda CR-V or Kia Sportage?

The Honda CR-V has an annual repair cost of $407, which is $55 less than the Kia Sportage's $462. Over five years, this difference amounts to $275, making the CR-V a more economical choice in terms of annual expenses. However, the CR-V requires more frequent repairs, with an average of 0.3 visits per year compared to the Sportage's 0.2 visits. Despite this, the CR-V has a lower major repair risk at 9%, versus 11% for the Sportage. For cost-conscious buyers, the CR-V presents a better value, balancing lower costs and reduced risk of significant repairs.

How Does Honda CR-V vs Kia Sportage Reliability Compare by Year?

Honda CR-V vs Kia Sportage year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Honda CR-V	Kia Sportage	Edge
2025	80/1006R / 201C	82/1002R / 44C	Kia Sportage
2024	77/1004R / 406C	78/1004R / 83C	Kia Sportage
2023	72/1007R / 578C	67/1009R / 257C	Honda CR-V
2022	76/1005R / 242C	79/1001R / 39C	Kia Sportage
2021	77/1003R / 241C	76/1002R / 34C	Honda CR-V
2020	74/10010R / 358C	69/1002R / 139C	Honda CR-V
2019	69/1007R / 996C	74/1002R / 63C	Kia Sportage
2018	65/1004R / 1960C	68/1003R / 147C	Kia Sportage
2026(predicted)	76/100(predicted)	76/100(predicted)	Tie

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Honda CR-V scored 80/100 and the 2025 Kia Sportage scored 82/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Honda CR-V vs the Kia Sportage?

If you prioritize reliability and lower repair costs, the Honda CR-V is a strong contender. With a reliability score of 89/100, it surpasses the Kia Sportage and boasts an estimated annual repair cost of $407, which is lower than the Sportage's $462. Although the CR-V has more recalls (46) compared to the Sportage (28), its lower owner complaints per 10,000 sold (8) indicate solid performance over time. However, be mindful of potential issues with its steering and forward collision avoidance systems. On the other hand, if you value fewer recalls and a slightly lower risk of encountering major repairs, the Kia Sportage offers a competitive choice. Despite its lower reliability score of 84/100, it has fewer recalls and a reduced repair frequency of 0.2 per year. Additionally, the Sportage has fewer owner complaints, making it appealing if you seek a vehicle with a quieter track record in terms of customer feedback.

Honda CR-V vs Kia Sportage: Common Questions

Is the Honda CR-V more reliable than the Kia Sportage?: They're very close — both average 74/100 in our reliability scoring. Other factors like repair costs and specific year models may tip the decision.
Which has more recalls, the Honda CR-V or the Kia Sportage?: The Honda CR-V has more recalls (46) compared to the Kia Sportage (28). 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 Honda CR-V or the Kia Sportage?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Kia Sportage has a lower complaint rate at 5.3 per 10,000 sold versus 8 for the Honda CR-V. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda CR-V or the Kia Sportage?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda CR-V is cheaper to maintain at $407/year versus $462/year for the Kia Sportage.
Is the Honda CR-V or Kia Sportage safer?: Both the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage 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.

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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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