Hyundai vs. Honda Reliability: A Detailed Comparison Guide
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It is indisputable that Hyundai is a reliable car brand, but is Hyundai more reliable than Honda?
The Hyundai vs. Honda reliability comparison looks like a tug of war, as both brands are pretty good at what they do. But we must draw some lines to help you understand the differences and similarities between these cars.
Hyundai has always dominated the market with its excellent warranty periods and attractive and stylish designs, but getting a reliable vehicle goes beyond these features. There’s a need for fuel efficiency, durability, engine and performance, safety and technology, and many features to determine how reliable a car brand is.
That said, Honda is more reliable than Hyundai. Honda offers a lower repair and maintenance cost, a lesser chance of visiting the mechanic shop, and a higher reliability rating than Hyundai.
Let’s explore Hyundai and Honda’s reliability status and why Honda is more reliable than Hyundai.
Table of Contents
Hyundai vs. Honda Reliability
| Features | Hyundai | Honda |
| Design | AWD, 2WD, FWD, 4WD | AWD, FWD, 4WD, 2WD |
| Repair and Maintenance Cost | ||
| Gas Mileage | ||
| Durability | ||
| Engine | ||
| Technology | ||
| Safety |
Hyundai vs. Honda: Which is More Reliable?
When you are off to purchase a sedan, pickup truck, SUV, coupe, hatchback, or crossover, what brand will you go for, Hyundai or Honda?
Although Hyundai has secured first place in customer loyalty in the automotive industry for nine years, Honda has proven more reliable than Hyundai. Honda scores a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0, ranking 1st out of 32 brands, with Hyundai taking the 4th position.
This also includes the fact that Honda has an annual repair and maintenance cost of $428, which is relatively cheaper than Hyundai’s $468.
With a Honda, you have a 0.3 chance of visiting a mechanic and a 10% probability of major repairs. On the other hand, Hyundai also has a 0.3 chance of seeing a mechanic and a 10% probability of severe damage.
Hyundai beats Honda in producing beautiful cars, but we prefer Honda for longevity and ease of maintenance.
Many drivers believe Hyundai is a copy of Honda, optimizing using cost-effective options to produce cheaper cars. While there are no tangible proofs to back this up, we can confirm that Hyundai cars always:
- Offer great value for your money
- Loaded with user-friendly features
- Achieve comfy rides
- Have Durable frames and robust build quality
- Great designs
- Cheap and readily available spare parts.
On the other hand, Honda offers improved reliability in these areas:
- Fuel efficiency
- Low maintenance/repair cost
- Amazing driving experience
- Enough cabin space
- Great Resale Value
While Hyundai’s fuel economy tends to reduce with time, Honda offers little infotainment. We cannot vouch for the build quality of Honda cars, but the resale value and drive experience of Hyundai doesn’t match the competition.
Honda offers a better engine performance than Hyundai, emphasizing its safety and technology features.
Design
Hyundai beats Honda with better designs but Honda steps up its game by achieving large cabin spaces.
Hyundai is usually known for its love for flashy designs, but Honda considers the need to optimize interiors for users’ comfort. There is better seating comfort in Hondas, impressive cargo space, and build quality.
This doesn’t mean that Hyundai’s designs are poor. Honda optimizes its cars to achieve larger cargo space, better handling, and comfort, using higher superior materials.
Both car brands are available in Sedan, SUVs, crossovers, hatchbacks/coupes, and pickup trucks. AWD, 2WD, FWD, and 4WD drive models.
Winner: Both
Repair and Maintenance Cost
It is cheaper to drive and maintain a Honda car than a Hyundai car. Honda has an average annual repair and maintenance cost of $428, which is lower than Hyundai’s $468. Honda has lesser maintenance and repair costs compared to Hyundai.
Across petrol and diesel versions, Honda offers highly efficient engines that last long. The decision on Hyundai vs. Honda maintenance cost lies in how many years you wish to use any of both cars. If you want to use them for more than seven years, you should go with Honda.
Winner: Honda
Gas Mileage
There are no notable differences in gas mileage comparison between Hyundai and Honda. The differences in fuel efficiency in these brands boil down to their models.
The 2022 Honda Civic EX achieves a gas mileage of 33 cities, 42 highway, and 36 combined, while the 2022 Hyundai Tucson achieves a gas mileage of 26 cities, 33 highway, and 29 combined.
This changes with the Hyundai IONIQ achieving a gas mileage of 59 mpg, with the Honda Insight achieving 49 to 55 mpg for highway and city rides.
Winner: Both
Durability
Honda and Hyundai have closely related standards for durability. These standards guide both car brands to use high-quality engineering materials, durable designs, and reliable frames to give you great value. This makes it easy for both cars to last long.
Hyundai lasts up to 200,000 to 250,000 miles, with an average lifespan of 15-20 years, while Honda cars last up to 200,000 – 300,000 miles, with an average lifespan of 14-20 years. However, there’s a catch!
Hyundai takes the game to the next level by providing users with premium warranty packages.
This covers a 10-year powertrain limited warranty, roadside assistance warranty, anti-perforation, new vehicle limited warranty, and down-to-parts and accessory replacement warranties, assuring users that they are committed to making long-lasting cars.
Winner: Both
Technology
Honda offers more advanced technology upgrades than Hyundai. These technologies impact the engine refinement, feel, ride quality, safety, and comfort of Honda cars. Honda invests heavily in the provision of high-tech features in their vehicles.
The safety features in Honda include:
- Multi-angle rearview camera
- Active stability systems
- Anti-lock braking system
- Electronic brake distribution
- Brake assist
- Collision mitigation braking system
- Road departure mitigation system
- Lane-keeping assist system
- Traffic sign recognition
Honda’s technology is split between active and passive technologies. Hyundai has its technology packages, but not as advanced as Hondas’.
Winner: Honda
Safety
Honda is always regarded as the safest car in the world, with the 2022 Honda Civic making the list of the safest cars. However, Hyundai is not left out in the race for safe vehicles. A lot of Hyundai cars have earned the top safety pick rating.
Honda cars are loaded with the Honda Sensing and AcuraWatch suit to mitigate collisions and improve drivers’ safety.
Hyundai also implements its fleet of intelligent systems, making it the top safety pick for small cars, with the Hyundai Elantra 4-door sedan and other vehicles in the SUV, pickup, and mid-size car categories.
Winner: Both
Verdict
There is enough proof that Honda is more reliable than Hyundai.
Overall, is Hyundai a reliable car? Yes. Hyundai cars are reliable, scoring 95.7% on the 2019 car reliability survey, ranking 6th out of 26 on Consumer Reports’ annual reliability survey.
Hyundai has an excellent reputation and a standard for meeting customer expectations. They are not as reliable as Honda. Hondas are way ahead of Hyundai regarding engine performance, although Hyundai is starting to do better with diesel engines, as Honda still leads with petrol engines.
Your budget and needs should help you choose between these two car brands. Hyundai offers cheaper cars, extended warranty periods, durable frames, and better diesel cars. You can go for Honda if you don’t mind spending more to get more.
