Over the years, both Toyota and Honda have earned a strong reputation for making reliable cars. Both brands perform well in studies and customers are always willing to recommend the vehicles to friends.
So, which one is more reliable? I take a closer look at Honda vs. Toyota to determine which one wins the highest reliability ratings.
This detailed comparison looks at ratings, performance, and features to pick a winner. I also examine some of the most reliable models from both brands.
Is Honda or Toyota More Reliable?
There’s no question that Toyota is ranked higher in reliability than Honda. Not only are the features time-tested to ensure satisfaction, but Toyota ensures that the powertrain keeps the vehicles going longer.
With that said, recent pressure is causing Toyota to speed up the process slightly. As Toyota starts implementing some newer technology and Honda perfects the equipment that has been recently installed, we may see a shift in the rankings over the next few years.
The principles of Japanese manufacturers are well-known: reliable, durable components, modest interior, an average price for the end-user, and a selection of models and trims for different buyer categories.
- Honda is famous for its enduring engines and the minimum number of visits to the service station;
- Toyota gained recognition for life-long running and the best liquidity on the secondary market.
Engine Reliability
Fortunately for those choosing between Honda and Toyota, both brands have a reputation for reliability and have minor differences here.
But in face-to-face combat, Toyota tends to gain more points; Honda, with their turbocharged power units, focused on performance, receives complaints from drivers who find them less reliable and more prone to repairs than engines of the past.
Safety
When it comes to safety, Toyota also trumps reliability. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Toyota Corolla a Top Safety Pick + Award, while Honda failed due to headlamp issues.
The Corolla also has a few advanced features that Honda lacks, such as lane tracking assistance and road sign detection. In all respects, both Toyota and Honda tend to score above average in reliability, with Toyota slightly ahead of Honda.
Honda vs. Toyota: Reliability Evaluation
1. Reliability Ratings
If you want to know car reliability, you need to trust two leaders in the industry: Consumer Reports, and JD Power. Consumer Reports questions half a million vehicle owners each year to rate models based on reliability.
In a 2020 study about reliability, Toyota earned the 2nd spot right behind Mazda. However, Honda placed 5th in this evaluation.
In fact, over the past five years, Toyota has performed better overall in the Consumer Reports studies. During the 2019 Consumer Reports study, you will find Toyota in 3rd, while Honda was ranked 12th. 2018 offered an even larger spread between the two brands.
Looking at the JD Power studies, you will see similar results. Toyota was ranked 5th and Honda 19th in the 2020 study. In 2019, Toyota earned the 3rd spot, while Honda was in 19th place.
There was also a longevity study performed by iSeeCars which shows that six of the top ten vehicles lasting 200,000 miles or more were manufactured by Toyota, while Honda only had two models in the top 16.
2. Performance
Toyota continues to rank among the best because of consistency. Toyota spends a lot of time focused on creating dependable vehicles versus high-performing. That’s why you won’t see Toyota making extreme changes to the architecture or drivetrain of the vehicle.
Instead, the automaker chooses to improve upon the designs gradually, keeping up with the times while maintaining reliability.
On the downside, this lack of updates leads to Toyotas being labeled as boring. You won’t see as many performance upgrades, but you gain reliability.
Honda, on the other hand, is focused heavily on performance. The automaker was with the Toyota brand for reliability for a long time.
However, recent years have shown that the company is more focused on creating an engaging, comfortable ride versus being reliable. That’s why the new transmissions and the turbo engines Honda is now using have been deemed less dependable than previous versions.
3. Features
Toyota won’t be the first manufacturer to offer a new tech feature either. The innovative features that have just hit the market might be fun to have, but they also break more often than older features that have been tweaked.
In general, the newer technologies tend to hurt customer satisfaction scores, which is why Toyota takes its time including them.
As an example, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were quickly offered in Honda models shortly after the release. However, this action reduced the reliability. Toyota took the safe route and didn’t offer either technology for a few years until the bugs had been worked out.
Most Reliable Toyota Models
Looking back at the iSeeCars report, we see that there are several Toyota models that are labeled reliable.
The winner of all vehicles is the Toyota Land Cruiser, with more than 16% of the vehicles lasting over 200,000 miles. However, the statistics on the Toyota Sequoia and Toyota 4Runner are also impressive.
Beyond those models, you will also find the Toyota Avalon and Toyota Highlander Hybrid listed as top choices. The Toyota Tundra pickup even made it into the top ten as the only truck model to be recognized. Looking further into the top 16 rankings, the Toyota Tacoma and Toyota Prius are also listed as superior options.
Most Reliable Honda Models
Honda might not perform as well as the Toyota brand in reliability surveys, but there are still a couple of good models to choose from if you are set on buying from this automaker. The same survey shows two Honda vehicles made it to the list of the top 16.
In spot #11, the Honda Ridgeline earns reliability honors. This truck ranks lower than the Tundra but still a viable option. Additionally, the Honda Odyssey minivan made the list. In fact, it’s the only minivan to make the cut.
Honda Vs. Toyota Vehicles
Compact Sedans
Some of the most recognizable models in the Honda and Toyota lineups are the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic. The Honda Civic is available with two powertrain options. The entry-level configuration is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 158 horsepower.
The upgraded option is a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine that makes 180 horsepower. Both versions come with front-wheel drive and a slick automatic transmission.
The Toyota Corolla, on the other hand, has a single non-hybrid powertrain available. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder produces 169 horsepower. While this beats out the base engine of the Honda Civic, it loses out to the turbocharged version.
The Honda Civic is also more fun to drive with its sporty suspension and dynamic handling. There’s a reason, after all, that more gearheads turn the Honda Civic into their dream vehicle.
Midsize Sedans
The next models we’ll look at are the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The latter boasts more standard horsepower than the former but has worse fuel economy numbers and less interior space for your passengers and cargo.
The Honda Accord gets 192 horsepower with its standard turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder and earns an EPA-estimated 30/38/33 MPG (City/Highway/Combined).
The Toyota Camry makes 203 horsepower with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder, but only scores an EPA-estimated 28/39/32 MPG (City/Highway/Combined).2
The 2023 Honda Accord boasts 105.6 cubic feet of passenger room and 16.7 cubes of space in the trunk. The 2023 Toyota Camry, on the other hand, has just 100.4 cubes of passenger room and 15.1 cubic feet of storage space in the trunk.
Whether you’re looking to haul people comfortably or stuff the trunk full during a cross-country trip, the Honda Accord is a better option for you and yours.
Honda vs. Toyota SUVs
SUVs are some of the most popular vehicles in the country. Both OEMs in this battle have top-rated SUV models in their lineups. We’ll compare the most commonly purchased models, the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4.
The Honda vehicle is ahead in this matchup out of the gate, boasting more standard features. Every model has a snow driving mode and hill descent control, which are not standard on the Toyota RAV4. The Honda CR-V also enjoys more passenger space.
The Honda CR-V is new for the 2023 model year, whereas the 2023 Toyota RAV4 is still a fifth-generation model. The difference is felt in the interior, which is more upscale in the Honda vehicle.
While both SUVs can carry you and your friends around town in comfort, the Honda car offers more standard amenities, such as dual-zone climate control (compared to manual single-zone A/C in the Toyota RAV4).
Toyota vs. Honda Sports Cars
For this section of our Honda vs. Toyota matchup, we’re looking at the Toyota GR Supra and the Honda Civic Type R. It’s telling that Toyota has a specialized sports car model while Honda offers the Honda Civic Type R as its sporty performance sedan – the base model of the Honda Civic is so well-designed that it can fit this vehicle class with some upgrades.
The entry-level Toyota GR Supra gets 255 horsepower with its standard engine, whereas the Honda Civic Type R makes 315 horsepower with its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder.
The Honda Civic Type R is available with a manual transmission, whereas the Toyota GR Supra has an automatic – regardless of the engine you select.
Folks who want a sports car tend to value their ability to make their own decisions about when to switch gears, so we count this as a huge plus in favor of the Honda Civic Type R. The Honda vehicle also seats four, compared to just two in the Toyota sports car.
Honda vs. Toyota Hybrids
Both Honda and Toyota offer a number of vehicles with hybrid powertrains. There are more Toyota hybrids available in part because the company has been making them for longer. We’ll examine how the Toyota RAV4 hybrid models compare to the Honda CR-V hybrid option.
The Honda CR-V hybrid uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a lithium-ion battery, and a pair of electric motors to produce 204 horsepower. This hybrid Honda SUV can tow up to 1,000 pounds when properly equipped.
The Toyota RAV4 is available as a mild or plug-in hybrid. The mild-hybrid version gets 219 horsepower, while the plug-in hybrid gets 302.
It’s worth noting that the entry-level version of the plug-in Toyota RAV4 Prime costs thousands more than the entry-level model of the Honda CR-V hybrid. While the Toyota hybrid has more power, the Honda SUV offers better value to drivers.
What is Car Reliability?
You might hear the term car reliability often, but what does it mean for a vehicle to be deemed reliable? In general, reliability points to how long the car can be driven under normal circumstances without requiring major repairs.
Of course, maintenance and regular service are still to be expected. There’s no way around oil changes, brake replacements, and needing new tires.
The longer a car goes without major service, the more reliable it is. To determine a reliability score, it’s important to look at service records, mechanical failures, and electrical problems reported by customers.
What Brand Has Lower Maintenance Costs, Toyota or Honda?
Both brands are excellent value-wise. Neither Toyota nor Honda models are prone to capital repair problems. The maintenance costs associated with keeping them on the road for fifteen and more years are among the lowest in the industry, but Toyota has a slight edge over Honda.
In its first ten years of operation, the average Honda costs its owner $7,500 in maintenance, lower than any other brand except Toyota at $6,000. This is especially true for buyers of certified pre-owned models.
Every new Toyota and Honda comes standard with a full but limited warranty. Each Toyota comes with a 36,000-mile or 36-month warranty, whichever comes first.
The transmission cover, which protects the owner from the costly engine and transmission repairs, lasts for 60 months or 60,000 miles. New Honda also carries a 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty.
But the Honda powertrain warranty is shorter than that of Toyota and only covers the powertrain for 5 years or 60,000 miles.