Hyundai vs Mazda: Which Is More Reliable?

Hyundai and Mazda are both popular car manufacturers known for their reliable vehicles.
But in the battle between Hyundai and Mazda reliability, Mazda is generally more reliable than Hyundai. Mazda beats Hyundai with higher reliability ratings, better dependability scores, better engines, and cheaper repair and maintenance costs.
Read on for details about Hyundai vs. Mazda reliability and how to make the right purchase decision for your driving needs.
Key Takeaways
Hyundai vs. Mazda Reliability: A Detailed Comparison
Features | ||
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Design | ||
Engine and Performance | ||
Safety | ||
Gas Mileage | ||
Technology | ||
Repair and maintenance cost | ||
Durability |
Hyundai vs. Mazda Reliability: Which Is Better?
Hyundai and Mazda are popular car brands with amazing models that stand out in the market. Compared to Hyundai, Mazda is more reliable.
According to the 2023 Consumer Reports reliability rating, Mazda is the 7th most reliable car brand, compared to Hyundai, which takes the 11th position.
Hyundai takes the lead with JD Power’s and RepairPal’s ratings. On RepairPal, Hyundai ranks 4th out of 32 car brands with a 4.0/5.0 rating. Mazda has the same 4.0 reliability rating but is slightly lower than Hyundai, ranking 5th.
However, although RepairPal ranks Hyundai above Mazda, Mazda gets cheaper repair and maintenance costs.
Aside from the ratings, crucial factors make Mazda more reliable than Hyundai.
With Mazda, you get superior engineering solutions and simplistic approaches that enhance efficiency and performance.
Hyundai offers the best warranty coverage, the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. However, you can rely on Mazda’s engineering principles for a cheaper overall cost of ownership.
Hyundai vs. Mazda Reliability: Design
Mazda and Hyundai adopt different design philosophies, impacting their deliveries and design approaches. While Mazda uses KODO design, Hyundai adopts the ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design philosophy.
Hyundai harmonizes and balances structure, style, and technology to achieve this. The goal is to produce cars that are appealing while retaining functionality.
Hyundai produces cars that are stylish and modern. The brand’s vehicles feature sleek lines and a modern aesthetic that appeals to a wide range of buyers. Hyundai’s design language has evolved over the years, with the brand’s latest models featuring a more refined and sophisticated look.
On the other hand, Mazda has a reputation for producing sporty and well-designed cars. The beauty of Mazda is in its design philosophy.
They adopt an impressive design mechanism that makes them admirable at first sight — it’s more like breathing life into sheet metal. Mazda does everything possible to promote the joy of driving.
Mazda creates car frames that will last, but if you are a fan of sporty cars with a larger variety to choose from, then you should go for Hyundai.
Winner: Both
Hyundai vs. Mazda Reliability: Gas Mileage
Hyundai vehicles are known for their good fuel economy, and Mazda isn’t left out either.
Unlike Mazda, Hyundai doesn’t have many fuel-saving technologies on its cars. However, the gas mileage isn’t bad on Hyundai.
Hyundai introduced Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD) to improve fuel efficiency in its cars. There are also systems like the stop/start systems and regenerative braking, which help to reduce fuel consumption.
On the other hand, Mazda develops engines that make the best use of every drop of fuel.
Mazda integrates a suite of technologies, SkyActiv technology, and i-Elopp regenerative braking to ensure that fuel consumption is reduced and efficiency is increased, without compromising overall driving performance.
Hyundai and Mazda have models that outperform the other in fuel efficiency.
The Hyundai Tucson offers better gas mileage than Mazda Cx-5, just as Hyundai Elantra does it better than Mazda 3. Mazda 3 beats the Hyundai i30, and the Mazda MX-5 returns better fuel efficiency than Hyundai Tucson. The choice depends on which model of these brands you choose.
Winner: Both
Hyundai vs. Mazda Reliability: Engine and Performance
Overall, Mazda produces some of the best engines in the industry. It uses advanced transmission systems such as SkyActiv-Drive and SkyActiv-MT that help to improve performance and fuel efficiency.
However, the performance you get from Mazda depends on your chosen model.
With attention to detail, refined measures, and the latest technology and engineering practices, Mazda is an auto leader in engine designs and innovations.
However, Hyundai also pays attention to the need for power and smooth performance. Although most Mazda vehicles beat Hyundai’s with better smooth performance, horsepower, and torque, some Hyundai models deliver more engine power than Mazda. It all depends on the model that you choose.
For instance, Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson deliver the same 187 hp, but Mazda MX-5 delivers more engine power than Hyundai Tucson. On the other hand, Hyundai Sonata beats Mazda 6 with better engine power, but Mazda 3 beats Hyundai Elantra.
Winner: Mazda
Hyundai vs. Mazda Reliability: Safety
Both Hyundai and Mazda prioritize safety on their vehicles; however, Hyundai has more vehicles earning high safety ratings. Notably, though, Mazda has fewer vehicles in its lineup overall.
Hyundia integrates advanced safety features, including lane departure warning, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking as standard equipment, navigation, driver assist systems, and many more.
Unlike Hyundai, Mazda’s safety system is split into basic, preventive, and collision safety technology. However, because Hyundai has more cars earning the IIHS safety rating, we’ll have to give the win to Hyundai.
Winner: Hyundai
Hyundai vs. Mazda Reliability: Repair and Maintenance Cost
Brand | Warranty | Annual Repair Costs | Chance of Repair Shop Visit | Probability of Severe Damage |
Mazda | 3 year/ 36,000 mile basic 5 year/ 60,000 mile powertrain | $462 | 0.4% | 10% |
Hyundai | 5-year/ 60,000mile basic 10 year/ 100,000 mile powertrain | $468 | 0.3% | 10% |
It is cheaper to repair and maintain a Mazda vehicle than a Hyundai. However, Hyundai’s 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty helps to reduce repair costs.
Mazda models only have a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
According to RepairPal, Hyundai has an average annual repair cost of $468 with a 0.3 chance of visiting the repair shop and a 10% probability of severe damage.
Mazda has an average annual repair cost of $462, with a 0.4 chance of visiting the repair shop and a 10% probability of severe damages.
You must understand that repair maintenance costs vary depending on the specific model of the car, the mileage, and the extent of the damage.
Winner: Mazda
Conclusion
It is obvious that Mazda is more reliable than Hyundai; however, the choice depends on your needs and preferences. You get better warranty coverage from Hyundai, but Mazda leads with better engine gas mileage and even cheaper repair and maintenance costs.
Learn more about how these car manufacturers stack up against the competition in our other reliability comparisons below:
- Ford vs Hyundai Reliability
- Chrysler vs Hyundai
- Buick vs Hyundai
- Hyundai vs Subaru
- Hyundai vs Mitsubishi
- Hyundai vs Nissan
- Hyundai vs Toyota
- Hyundai vs Kia
- Mazda vs Nissan
- Mazda vs Kia
- Mazda vs Chevy
- Mazda vs Ford
- Mazda vs Toyota
- Mazda vs Subaru
- Mazda vs Mitsubishi