Ford vs Hyundai Reliability (Detailed Comparison)

Ford vs Hyundai Reliability

Ford and Hyundai are both well-known car manufacturers that have been in business for decades and have a wide range of vehicles in their lineup of compact cars, sedans, SUVs, and trucks.

However, when it comes to reliability, there are some key differences between the two brands but, in general, Hyundai is more reliable than Ford.

Hyundai beats Ford with higher reliability and dependability ratings, higher Safety Ratings, and more importantly cheaper repair and maintenance costs.

Our car-buying experts crunched the numbers to bring you this detailed guide on Ford vs Hyundai reliability to guide your market decisions.

A Detailed Comparison

FeaturesFordHyundai
Design
Kinetic Design; Rugged, experience-oriented
Driver Centred; Modern Styling and Sleek
Engine and Performance
Good
Good
Safety
Good Safety Ratings
Higher Safety Ratings
Repair and Maintenance
Costly
Cheaper
Gas Mileage
Good
Good
Durability
Ford cars can last up to 200,000 miles, with an average lifespan of 10 -13 years.
Hyundai cars last up to 200,000 to 250,000 miles, with an average lifespan of 15-20 years.
Technology
Good
Good

Which Is Better?

When it comes to reliability, Hyundai is better than Ford. The extended warranty on Hyundai is another advantage to users.

You get lower expenses on repairs and maintenance on both Hyundai and Ford cars but the timeframe on Hyundais gives it an edge.

According to RepairPal, Ford has a reliability rating of 3.5/5.0, ranking 21st out of 32 car brands. Hyundai takes the lead with a 4.0/5.0 rating, ranking 4th out of 32 car brands. On the 2022 JD Power dependability survey, Hyundai ranks higher than Ford.

Safety ratings are higher on Hyundai than on Ford but engine performance and gas mileage depend on which of the models from both brands you choose. The reliability of Ford and Hyundai varies depending on the model that you choose.

Ford is known for producing rugged and durable trucks and SUVs, such as the Ford F-150 and the Ford Expedition. These vehicles are built to withstand heavy use and are often used for work or off-roading.

Although Hyundai is known for producing more affordable and fuel-efficient cars, such as the Hyundai Elantra and the Hyundai Sonata, their trucks aren't bad either. Ford has the upper hand when it comes to trucks, but Hyundai offers better luxury options.

Hyundai vehicles are designed for everyday use and are often used as commuter cars, but they tend to run longer than Ford vehicles. You should remember to change the timing belt at 90,000 miles to avoid destroying the engine.

Design

When it comes to design, Ford and Hyundai have different approaches, so it's impossible to get the same engineering principles from them.

Most Ford vehicles adopt rugged and durable designs, with a focus on off-road capability and towing capacity. This is visible in Ford trucks, like the Ford F-150 which is known for its bold and aggressive styling, which is aimed at appealing to truck buyers who want a vehicle that is ready for heavy use.

Hyundai adopts a design philosophy that creates a harmony between structure, styling, and technology.

The Ford brand adopts the use of the Kinetic design philosophy. While ensuring to portray its cars as always in motion, driver experience and car durability are emphasized.

Both brands are concerned about producing human-centric designs which make them more approachable to the average consumer. The car parts on both brands are made with higher-quality materials, making them a good mix of form and function.

Ford and Hyundai offer comprehensive warranties for their vehicles, with Hyundai offering a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile Powertrain warranty.

Ford‌ offers a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile Powertrain warranty. While both warranties are ‌good, Hyundai's warranty is more extensive than Ford's.

Winner: Both

Gas Mileage

Ford and Hyundai are both known for producing reliable and efficient vehicles. In gas mileage, both brands have a variety of models that offer impressive fuel economy.

One popular Ford model known for its excellent gas mileage is the Ford Fusion. With a fuel economy of 24/36 MPG for the city and highway, it's a great choice for those looking to save on gas.

Hyundai also offers several models with impressive gas mileage. The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid boasts a combined fuel economy of 59 MPG, making it one of the most efficient cars on the market. The Hyundai Elantra Eco is another great choice, with a fuel economy of 41 MPG on the highway.

Both brands adopt different strategies to maximize fuel efficiency in their vehicles.

Ford goes with the EcoBoost technology while Hyundai optimizes an engine technology known as the CVVD technology which helps to deliver better fuel efficiency in their vehicles.

The issue with the gas mileage comparison of Hyundai and Ford is that you'll have to compare the models and choose which one meets your immediate needs.

While the Hyundai Elantra is better than the Ford Fusion in terms of gas, Ford Maverick has better fuel efficiency than Hyundai Santa Cruz.

Winner: Both

Safety and Technology

Hyundai and Ford both offer a wide range of vehicles for users. Both companies have a reputation for producing reliable and safe vehicles, but there are some differences in the technology and safety features that each brand offers.

Ford and Hyundai have high safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

However, on an overall scale, Hyundai has higher safety ratings than Ford. Hyundai has six cars earning the 2023 IIHS Top Safety Pick (+) award because of the advanced safety features that come basic on most of their cars.

This is unlike Ford which has only one car on the 2023 IIHS Top Safety Pick (+) rating.

On a general comparison, ‌Hyundai has most of the features Ford has, with the addition of some unique features.

In terms of technology, Hyundai offers a variety of advanced features in their vehicles such as a touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto integration, and a suite of driver assistance features like lane departure warning, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.

Ford also offers a similar range of technology features, but they also offer some unique features such as FordPass Connect, which allows you to remotely start, lock, and unlock your vehicle using a smartphone app.

In conclusion, both Hyundai and Ford offer a great range of reliable and safe vehicles, but with slightly different technology and safety features which Hyundai gets the higher hand. It's important to consider your specific needs and preferences when choosing between the two brands.

Winner: Hyundai

Repair and Maintenance

It is cheaper to repair and maintain a Hyundai car than a Ford. According to RepairPal, Hyundai has an average annual repair cost of $458.

This is cheaper than the average $652 cost across all models, and also cheaper than the cost of repairing and maintaining a Ford.

Ford has an annual average repair cost of $788, which is also higher than the average cost across all models.

With Ford, you get a 0.3 chance of visiting a repair shop, and a 15% probability of severe damages. Hyundai gets a 0.3 chance and a 10% probability.

Winner: Hyundai

Engine and Performance

When it comes to engine performance, Ford has a reputation for producing powerful and reliable engines. Ford's EcoBoost engine technology is a great example of this, which uses turbocharging and direct injection to deliver more power and better fuel efficiency.

The Ford F-150, for example, offers a variety of engine options, including a 3.3-liter V6 engine that delivers up to 290 horsepower, and a 3.5-liter V6 engine that returns 400hp. Ford has better engines with stronger power, speed, and even efficiency.

Hyundai also offers a variety of engine options, but they tend to be more focused on fuel efficiency than raw power. For example, the Hyundai Sonata offers a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers up to 180 - 191 horsepower.

While this engine is not as powerful as the Ford F-150's EcoBoost V6, it can deliver good performance and fuel efficiency.

Winner: Ford

Conclusion

Both Ford and Hyundai are great car brands with amazing performance and reliable features.

The differences aren't much on an overall scale. You simply have to compare and choose the model from both brands that align with your needs.