Hyundai Santa-FE vs Honda Passport

Verdict: Hyundai Santa-FE vs Honda Passport

The Honda Passport edges out the Hyundai Santa Fe in reliability with an average score of 83/100 compared to Santa Fe's 79/100. While the Passport has a slightly higher owner complaint rate of 11.6 per 10,000 sold versus the Santa Fe's 8, it benefits from having fewer total recalls at 29 over eight years, compared to Santa Fe's 60 over nine years. Both models have similar annual repair costs, approximately $521 for the Passport and $515 for the Santa Fe. The key differentiator is the Passport's lower recall frequency, suggesting a more stable long-term performance.

Reliability problem analysis

The Hyundai Santa-FE exhibits a higher volume of complaints across several categories compared to the Honda Passport, particularly in the engine and power train areas, with 321 and 269 complaints respectively. Notably, the Santa-FE also has a significant number of crash-linked complaints in the power train and service brakes categories, which could suggest potential safety concerns. In contrast, the Honda Passport, while having fewer overall complaints, shows a relatively higher concentration of issues with the electrical system and forward collision avoidance. Both models have electrical system complaints with minor crash-linked incidents, but the Santa-FE's broader distribution of issues might indicate more widespread reliability challenges.

Which one to buy

If you prioritize reliability and fewer recalls, the Honda Passport might be the better choice for you. With a higher reliability score of 83/100 compared to the Hyundai Santa-FE's 79/100, the Passport has proven to be more dependable in the long term. Additionally, it has experienced only 29 recalls versus the Santa-FE's 60, indicating fewer potential issues over time.

On the other hand, if you are concerned about owner complaints and repair frequency, the Hyundai Santa-FE could be more appealing. It has fewer complaints per 10,000 units sold (8 compared to the Passport's 11.6) and a slightly lower repair frequency of 0.2 times per year. Although its estimated annual repair cost is similar at $515, the Santa-FE offers a lower major repair risk at 10%. Choose the Santa-FE if minimizing potential owner grievances and repair visits is your top priority.

Cost of ownership

Independent repair cost data suggests that the Hyundai Santa-FE has a slightly lower annual repair cost at $515 compared to the Honda Passport's $521. Over five years, this translates to a modest savings of $30. The Santa-FE also boasts a lower repair frequency at 0.2 visits per year versus the Passport's 0.3. While the Santa-FE has a 10% risk of major repairs, the Passport's major repair risk is unspecified, potentially adding uncertainty for budget-conscious buyers. Overall, the Santa-FE presents better value with its lower costs and reduced repair frequency, making it a more appealing choice for those prioritizing maintenance affordability.