Dodge vs Hyundai: Which Is More Reliable?

Dodge vs Hyundai Reliability

Hyundai has a consistent record of reliability along with the best warranty coverage in the industry.

On the other hand, Dodge is popular for their engines and the amazing performance that they deliver. However, they are not big on gas mileage.

In a nutshell, is Dodge good enough to match Hyundai's reliability? Which of these brands is more reliable? The truth is, Hyundai is more reliable than Dodge.

With Hyundai, you are getting higher reliability ratings, and better warranty coverage, and cheaper repair and maintenance costs.

Safety ratings are also way higher on Hyundai than on Dodge.

Here's a detailed comparison of the Dodge vs Hyundai reliability comparison.

Dodge vs Hyundai Reliability: A Detailed Comparison

FeaturesDodgeHyundai 
Design
Muscular, Stylish, aggressive, bold
Sensuous Sportiness 
Safety
Poor Safety Ratings
High Safety Ratings
Engine Performance 
Better
Good
Gas mileage
Good
Better
Technology
Good
Good
Repair and maintenance cost
Cheap
Cheaper
Durability
Dodge cars last long, with an average lifespan of 150,000 - 200,000 miles and an average lifespan of 10 years
Hyundai cars last up to 200,000 to 250,000 miles, with an average lifespan of 15-20 years.

Dodge vs Hyundai Reliability: Which is better?

Dodge has been steadily improving its reliability over the years. From bearing the tag of a problematic car brand with lots of reliability issues to appearing on the 2022 Top 10 most dependable car brands according to JD Power, there are a lot of reasons to consider them for your new purchase.

Then, there's Hyundai. They might not have engines as powerful as Dodge's Hemi engines, but their reliability, build quality and craftsmanship are indisputable.

Well, in terms of reliability, Hyundai is better than Dodge. According to RepairPal, Hyundai has a reliability rating of 4.0/5.0, ranking 4th out of 32 car brands. On the other hand, Dodge has a reliability rating of 3.5/5.0 ranking 19th out of 32 car brands.

The 2022 JD Power US Dependability survey also ranks Hyundai above Dodge. Hyundai earned the third position, with 148 problems per 100 vehicles. On the other hand, Dodge takes the 8th position with 166 problems per 100 vehicles.

It isn't any different on Consumer reports as Hyundai takes the 13th position while Dodge is nowhere to be found on the list because of insufficient data and low model count.

While it is true that Hyundai has higher reliability ratings than Dodge, we cannot depend solely on reliability ratings to determine the reliability of a car brand. Comparing their features is a better way to go.

One of the noticeable differences between the reliability of Hyundai and Dodge is their warranty coverage. Hyundai beats Dodge with longer warranty coverage.

You get a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty from Hyundai. There is no doubt that this is one of the best offers you can get in the industry. Dodge, on the other hand, offers a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. It’s still quite impressive, but lower than what Hyundai offers.

Aside from longer warranty coverage, you get cheaper repair and maintenance costs from Hyundai, better gas mileage, and even higher safety ratings. You will get a cheaper overall cost of ownership with Hyundai.

Dodge vs Hyundai Reliability: Design

Design remains one of the major factors that determine the reliability of a car. The design comparison goes beyond how classy the car looks. Aside from the styles, it’s about the durability of these designs.

Dodge's designs always focus on producing bold and aggressive-looking vehicles. The Dodge lineup centers on building muscle cars. There's an emphasis on performance-oriented designs. You can notice this if you take a careful look at Dodge Charger, Challenger, or Durango.

For Hyundai, designs are all about maximizing the divers' emotional values. The Hyundai design philosophy focuses on “Sensual Sportiness,” which is about the need to balance a rigorous sense of proportion, styling, structure, and technology.

With Hyundai, you get vehicles that meet and exceed your aesthetic desires. The architecture is grounded and immersed in innovation, creating a balance between form and function. Each car is built to adopt a personality, by capturing the specific taste of each customer.

In a nutshell, the basic difference between the designs of Dodge and Hyundai is that with Dodge you're getting American designs while Hyundai adopts South Korean design architecture.

Aside from the design architecture, Dodge has a limited lineup compared to Hyundai. Hyundai has different cars that match the needs of the daily driver.

The difference in cargo space, headroom, and legroom isn't much between each manufacturer. Instead, it varies on their different models. How large, small, and comfy your Dodge or Hyundai vehicle is, depends on your model selection.

Winner: Both

Dodge vs Hyundai Reliability: Engine and Performance

Dodge has made a name for itself with its superb engines. With Dodge's powerful engines, you are always assured of exceptional performance.

Whether you are driving a V6, V8, or Hemi engine, you get an impressive burst of power from Dodge engines.

While you won't get engines that are as powerful as what Dodge offers, Hyundai isn't left out in the battle for good engines. Although Hyundai is lacking in terms of power and speed, you'll get better gas mileage from them.

Let's compare engines from both brands. The 2023 Hyundai Santa features a 4-cylinder engine that delivers 281 HP. The 2023 Dodge Durango engine has 8 cylinders and returns 360 HP. The 2021 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat has 485 hp while the 2021 Hyundai H-100 returns 128 HP.

All hell breaks loose with the 2023 Dodge Durango vs Hyundai Santa Fe engine comparison.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offers multiple engine options which include:

  • 3.6-liter, V6 Cylinder Engine - 293-hp
  • 3.6-liter, V6 Cylinder Engine - 295-hp
  • 5.7-liter, 8 Cylinder Engine - 360-hp
  • 6.4-liter, 8 Cylinder Engine - 475-hp
  • 6.2-liter, 8 Cylinder Engine - 710-hp

The Hyundai Santa Fe only offers dual engine options that feature two 2.5L 4-cylinder engines that deliver 191 HP and 277 HP, respectively.

This also applies to their towing strength. The 2023 Dodge Durango has a max trailering capacity of 6200 pounds while the 2023 Hyundai Palisade gets 5000 pounds.

It's a clear win for Dodge when it comes to offering powerful engines that deliver exceptional performance. However, Hyundai is not far behind. They offer reliable and fuel-efficient engines suitable for daily driving.

Winner: Dodge

Dodge vs Hyundai Reliability: Gas Mileage

Hyundais tend to sacrifice their engine performance for gas mileage. Hyundai vehicles are not as big on speed or power as Dodge, but you'll still get impressive fuel-efficient systems.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offers a gas mileage of 19/26 MPG, while the Hyundai Santa Fe returns 25/28 mpg. This is a similar case with Dodge Durango vs Hyundai Palisade. The Palisade gets 19/27 mpg which is slightly better than what Dodge offers.

It's a big win for Hyundai on the 2023 Dodge Challenger vs the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid comparison. You will get 58/60 mpg from the Hyundai Ioniq while Dodge Challenger gets 19/30 mpg.

Even with Dodge's Hybrid options, the 2023 Dodge Hornet R/T performance hybrid, you only get 21/29 mpg, which is less than what the Ioniq offers.

Winner: Hyundai

Dodge vs Hyundai Reliability: Safety and Technology

In terms of safety, it's a clear win for Hyundai. Nine Hyundai vehicles earned the 2022 IIHS Top safety pick (+) award.

This is an impressive feat compared to Dodge which doesn't have any vehicles on the award list. While Dodge might be lacking in terms of safety features, the technology package isn't bad.

Here's a list of safety features (Hyundai Smartsense) available on Hyundai vehicles:

  • Lane Following Assist (LFA)
  • Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist - Junction Turning
  • Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM)
  • High Beam Assist (HBA)
  • Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
  • Driver Attention Warning
  • Lane Keeping Assist - Line/Road-Edge
  • Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist

When it comes to technology, both Dodge and Hyundai offer several advanced features. They both feature infotainment systems, smartphone integration, and navigation systems, with Dodge personalizing its Uconnect infotainment system.

Winner: Hyundai

Dodge vs Hyundai Reliability: Repair and Maintenance Cost

Another area that Hyundai wins over Dodge is in the repair and maintenance cost. With Hyundai, you face a much cheaper repair and maintenance cost. This doesn't mean that Dodges are expensive to maintain or repair.

According to RepairPal, Dodge has an average annual repair cost of $634, which is slightly below the industry average. Hyundai, on the other hand, has an average annual repair cost of only $468. That is not just below the industry average but also cheaper than the Doge maintenace average.

Keep in mind that repair cost varies depending on the different models and trim levels of these brands.

Winner: Hyundai

Conclusion

Hyundai is better than Dodge when it comes to reliability. However, this doesn't mean that Dodge vehicles are entirely bad.

You get good engines and impressive performance from Dodge. But Hyundai's cheaper repair and maintenance cost, better safety ratings, and better gas mileage are enticing options.

For you to make better decisions, compare the reliability and features of these car brands according to the specific models that you’re interested in. Study the features and ensure that they align with your needs.