What is the best year for a Hyundai Tucson?

Avoid 2016 and 2017 — those model years logged 1,605 and 1,065 complaints respectively during the Theta II engine recall era. The 2021 Tucson stands out as the cleanest mature year at 67 complaints and a 10/10 NHTSA safety score. The 2022 new-generation launch had 356 complaints, settling to 116 in 2023 and 81 in 2024. For the current generation, 2024 is the strongest pick.

How much does Hyundai Tucson insurance cost?

Tucson insurance averages about $1,975/year — roughly $165/month. One of the more affordable rates in the compact class.

Is the Hyundai Tucson or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The Tucson and RAV4 are nearly identical in maintenance cost — $426 versus $429, a difference of $3 annually. Both carry a reliability score of 8. The RAV4 has a slight edge in major repair probability (10% vs. 12%); the two match on repair frequency (26% each). Effectively a tie on ownership cost.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Hyundai Tucson?

Major repair probability of 12% is slightly above the class average. The 2016-2017 engine recall history is the biggest risk factor for used buyers in that range — warranty coverage is worth taking seriously for those years. For 2021 and newer, the risk profile is much more moderate.

Is the Honda CR-V expensive to maintain?

The CR-V averages $407/year in maintenance costs — $114 below the compact segment average of $521. Its 9/10 reliability score and 9% major repair probability are both better than the class averages of 8 and 11% respectively. Repair frequency of 30% matches the segment average, but the combination of low cost per visit and a below-average major-repair risk makes it the strongest long-term ownership value in the compact class.

What is the best year for a Honda CR-V?

The 2022 CR-V is the strongest used buy. It sits at the mature end of the fifth generation — after Honda resolved the early oil dilution complaints that plagued 2017–2019 models — with just 216 complaints and only 8 severe issues on record. The 2020–2022 range is generally clean. Strongly avoid the 2017–2018 model years; they generated over 1,700 and 2,000 complaints respectively, driven by a well-documented 1.5T engine oil dilution problem.

How much does Honda CR-V insurance cost?

The CR-V averages about $1,951/year to insure — roughly $163/month. That's among the lower rates in the compact SUV class, reflecting its strong safety scores and moderate repair costs. Actual rates vary by trim, model year, and driver profile, but the CR-V is consistently a favorable quote for buyers prioritizing low total cost of ownership.

Is the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The CR-V and RAV4 are nearly identical in maintenance cost — $407/year versus $429/year — a difference of about $22 annually. Over five years that's roughly $110, which is negligible. The CR-V holds a slight reliability edge (9 vs. 8) and a lower major repair probability (9% vs. 10%), but both are among the most cost-efficient compact SUVs you can buy.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Honda CR-V?

For most buyers, no. The CR-V's 9% major repair probability is below the compact class average, and its 9/10 reliability score means you're statistically unlikely to need expensive unscheduled repairs. The exception: if you're buying a used 2017–2019 model, coverage is worth taking seriously given the documented engine issues from that generation. For 2020 and newer, self-insuring is the smarter financial move.

Hyundai Tucson vs Honda CR-V

Two compact SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Hyundai Tucson if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

Buy the Honda CR-V — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Hyundai Tucson	Honda CR-V
Annual maintenance	$426	$407winner
5-year total cost	$2,130	$2,035winner
Reliability score	8 / 10	9 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	12%	9%winner
Cargo space	80.3 cu ftwinner	76.5 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$31,300winner	$33,500
Best years to buy	2020	2013, 2014, 2015

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Hyundai Tucson	Honda CR-V
RepairPal score	8 / 10	9 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	297.7	190.9winner
Years to avoid	2011, 2012, 2016	2017, 2018, 2019
Value retained · 3 yr	76.3%	86.7%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	57.7%	71.1%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	47.3%	58%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Hyundai Tucson	Honda CR-V
Engine	38.3%	19.3%winner
Electrical	6.0%winner	8.7%
ADAS	10.5%winner	16.6%
Brakes	8.9%	4.0%winner
Steering	0.9%winner	11.6%
Fuel system	2.8%winner	8.1%
Tires/Wheels	0.8%winner	2.0%
Glass/Windows	1.4%winner	3.4%
Airbags	1.4%winner	8.1%
Lighting	1.0%	—winner
Seatbelt	—winner	1.0%

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Hyundai Tucson	Honda CR-V
Avg annual premium	$1,975	$1,951winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Hyundai Tucson

$426/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Honda CR-V

$407/yr maint · 9 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Tucson averages $426/year in maintenance — $95 below the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 26% is below the class average of 30%. Major repair probability of 12% is slightly above the 11% segment average. On balance, it's a below-average cost ownership with a near-average repair risk profile.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →