Hondas are well-built, fuel-efficient, and have a high resale value. But what about Honda reliability? Are Hondas reliable?
Hondas are very reliable. They’re ranked as one of the most reliable and dependable brands in the market. If you are looking for a car that prioritizes longevity, then you cannot go wrong with a Honda.
Honda vehicles are known for their high-quality features. They have a good track record in terms of reliability. This is confirmed by the recognition received by Honda, which includes the following:
- Honda was recognized as the 2020 Best Value Brand in the Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards.
- Honda Accord was included in the 2020 Car and Driver 10 Best picks.
- Honda Civic won the 2020 Compact Sedan Challenge conducted by Cars.com.
- Honda CR-V named the 2020 Best New Car by Autotrader.
- Honda Passport and Honda Odyssey received the 2020 Best Cars for Families award from the U.S. News & World Report.
Read on to learn more about how reliable Hondas are so you can decide if it is the right vehicle for you.
Are Hondas Reliable?
Hondas are consistently ranked as reliable vehicles. They have a wide range of models, each with varying reliability ratings. However, they score higher on average than many other brands.
In this section, let’s talk about several Honda models and their features. Our discussion will include the following:
- Honda Civic Reliability
- Honda Accord Reliability
- Honda Fit Reliability
- Honda Pilot Reliability
- Honda CR-V Reliability
- Honda Ridgeline Reliability
Honda Civic Reliability
Are Honda Civics reliable? According to the J.D. Power 100-Point Score, the 2020 Honda Civic scores 76 out of 100 in terms of reliability. As for the driving experience, its score is 84 out of 100. And when it comes to its overall performance, the consumer rating is 80 out of 100.
Let’s take a look at some of the features of the Honda Civic. But instead of the 2020 model, let’s focus on their latest release – the 2021 Honda Civic.
Drivetrain and Performance
Both the hatchback and the sedan use a 2.0-liter inline-four engine with 138 pound-feet of torque and 158 horsepower. It also has units that feature a 1.5-liter turbo-four engine with 162 pound-feet and 174 horsepower.
With the Honda Civic sedan, only the continuously variable transmission (CVT) is available regardless of the engine. Should you want the manual transmission, this is available in other variants such as the hatchback, Si Coupe, and Type-R.
The combined fuel economy for the 2.0-liter unit is 33 miles per gallon (mpg). In comparison, the average fuel consumption for the 1.5-liter turbocharged unit is 36 mpg. For a 47-liter gas tank, you can reach approximately 725 kilometers or 450 miles (at a maximum) with the 2.0-liter engine. With the 1.5-liter unit, it is possible to reach more than 760 kilometers or 470 miles.
Safety
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not yet tested the 2021 Honda Civic. Their latest ratings are for the 2020 model. In which case, this Honda received a 5 out of 5 stars from the NHTSA. This Honda vehicle also received the highest rating of Good in all the safety tests conducted by IIHS.
Below are the standard advanced safety features of the 2021 Honda Civic:
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane keep assist
- Road departure mitigation
- Collision mitigation braking
- Lane departure warning
- Automatic emergency braking
- Forward collision warning
The blind spot monitoring system is the advanced safety feature available for this particular model.
Honda Accord Reliability
Between the Honda Civic and Honda Accord, the latter ranks higher in terms of quality and reliability. According to the J.D. Power 100-Point Score, the 2020 Honda Accord scores 82 out of 100. As for the driving experience, it scores 83 out of 100. Its overall performance score is 82 out of 100.
Let’s talk about some features of the 2021 Honda Accord, which was launched in the U.S. on October 13, 2020.
Safety
The 2021 Honda Accord features an improved version of Honda Sensing. In case you didn’t know, Honda Sensing is an advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) exclusively incorporated in Honda vehicles.
This latest model’s LED headlights allowed it to reach the Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. These headlights are capable of casting wider light further down the road while minimizing glare at oncoming vehicles. And such a feature becomes handy when driving on a dark country road.
With the 2021 Accord Touring trims, both front and rear brakes have a low-speed automatic braking system. This is to avoid accidental bumps when parking. There is a rear-seat reminder system and a seatbelt reminder system too.
With all these safety features, the 2021 Honda Accord garnered the highest scores from both the IIHS and the NHTSA.
Powertrain
Not all Honda Accord trims have similar types of engines. But most of them feature a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. This makes 192 pound-feet of torque and 192 horsepower.
The 2.0T versions of the Honda Accord Touring and the Honda Accord Sport evidently feature a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. This makes 273 pound-feet of torque and 252 horsepower.
The vehicle manufacturer’s two-motor hybrid powertrain is one of the features of the Honda Accord Hybrid. It offers a 2.0-liter gasoline engine, an electric drive motor, and a lithium-ion battery pack. And it features a generator or starter motor, which serves as its electronic CVT (eCVT).
Fuel Economy
You’ll get 48 mpg with a Honda Accord Hybrid in combined driving unless your choice is the Touring variant. The 19-inch wheels are not aerodynamic. But it decreases the rating to 43 mpg when it comes to combined driving.
Honda Fit Reliability
The 2020 Honda Fit scores 82/100 based on the J.D. Power 100-Point Score when it comes to overall quality and reliability. As for the driving experience, it scores 71/100. For its overall rating, it’s 80/100.
If you are practical and prefer to buy a small car, you can never go wrong with this Honda model. It is fuel-efficient and has an unimaginably spacious back seat. Let’s further discuss its features.
Engine / Transmission and Performance
When it comes to powertrain, Honda Fit buyers have an option to choose between its 6-speed manual transmission and the CVT. But it’s good for buyers to know that with the CVT-equipped models, the horsepower decreases to 128. Also, the engine gets buzzy when the engine speeds up.
As for the manual transmission, it is capable of getting maximum power out of the engine. Unlike the CVT, it wears down life from the engine, making it unsatisfactory to drive.
But whatever it lacks in engine and transmission capabilities, you’ll find satisfaction with its ride quality. This car can move gracefully over almost all road imperfections. You can even maximize this feature by installing bigger tires of the base LX iteration.
Fuel Economy
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave a 40-mpg highway rating to Fit’s LX model with CVT. As for the other 2020 Honda Fit trim levels, they scored 36 mpg in their highway estimate.
Safety
The NHTSA gave a five-star rating to the 2020 Honda Fit model. But the IIHS didn’t give it a Top Safety Pick recognition.
This doesn’t mean that this Honda model doesn’t have safety features. Of course, it has, and it even offers an optional driver-assistance technology.
Among the key features of the 2020 Honda Fit are:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane departure warning
- Automated emergency braking
Honda Pilot Reliability
The J.D. Power 100-Point Score has not yet rated the 2021 Honda Pilot. But for the 2020 model, this Honda vehicle scores 78 out of 100 for quality and reliability. It also scores 79/100 for the driving experience. As for its overall performance, its score is 79/100.
The 2021 Honda Pilot has not yet reached all U.S. states. Nonetheless, it’s been launched in several states. In line with this, let’s talk about the latest Honda Pilot model features and see if it’s better than the previous model.
Engine / Transmission and Performance
The V6 engine has a thrilling sporty sound and a great deal of power. Its nine-speed automatic transmission has an impressive quiet behavior. This transmission is available for all 2021 Honda Pilot trim levels. Unlike the 2020 model, it is only available for the upper trim levels.
The higher variants of the 2021 Honda Pilot feature 20-inch wheels. These wheels succeed in enhancing the vehicle’s simple appearance. But they slightly hurt ride quality.
When loaded with passengers and stuff, this vehicle has a relatively smooth ride. However, it somehow lacks body control, as if it’s disconnected from the road. But then, its steering feature is so light that it is convenient to maneuver even when parking.
Fuel Economy
All Honda vehicles are known to promote fuel economy, and the 2021 Honda Pilot is not an exception. For a large and practical sport utility vehicle (SUV), this Honda model is truly efficient.
The front-wheel drive model also makes 27 mpg on the highway and 20 mpg in the city. With the all-wheel drive, it makes 26 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city.
Safety
The NHTSA has given the 2021 Honda Pilot SUV a 5-star rating in its crash test. But the IIHS hasn’t tested it yet.
All Pilot models possess driver-assistance technology. Among the key safety features of this vehicle are:
- Standard adaptive cruise control
- Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
- Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
Honda CR-V Reliability
The 2020 Honda CR-V received a score of 79/100 by J.D. Power for its quality and reliability. It received a similar score for the driving experience as well. As for its overall performance, the consumer intelligence company gave it an 81 out of 100.
The 2021 Honda CR-V compact crossover SUV has recently been launched in the U.S. Now, let’s look at its features and see if there are major changes from the previous model.
Engine / Transmission and Performance
Honda made an interesting decision to incorporate its first turbocharged engine in the 2021 Honda CR-V and pair it with a high-quality, continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Its turbocharged engine is a 1.5-liter unit featuring 190 horsepower.
If you’re a street racer, you might get disappointed with this Honda model’s acceleration feature. And it has one of the lowest towing limits at 1500 pounds. But then, this vehicle is not meant for racing.
What you will highly appreciate are its strong brakes, impressive steering, and refined ride. It is an ideal vehicle for both long and short rides. It is doubly ideal when you’re stuck in heavy traffic.
The 2021 Honda CR-V hybrid features a 2.0 four-cylinder and 1 electric motor, making 212 horsepower for combined driving. It is impressively smooth and unobtrusive.
Fuel Economy
This Honda vehicle has always been recognized as one of the most efficient compact crossovers in the market.
In the EPA estimates, the gas-only model is expected to make 34 mpg on the highway and 28 mpg in the city. With the hybrid CR-V, it is estimated to make 35 mpg on the highway and 40 mpg in the city.
Safety
The NHTSA gave the 2021 Honda Pilot a five-star rating in its crash test. At the same time, the IIHS gave it a Top Safety Pick recognition.
This Honda vehicle features driver-assistance technology to avoid road accidents. Its key safety features are similar to the above-mentioned Honda models.
Honda Ridgeline Reliability
The 2020 Honda Ridgeline pickup truck received a high rating from J.D. Power. It received 81/100 for its quality and reliability while receiving 79/100 for the driving experience. As for its overall value, J.D. Power rated it 81/100.
The 2021 Honda Ridgeline is set to be released in the U.S. in early 2021. But as early as now, let’s discuss its features and see why it is described as the truck version of a Swiss Army knife.
Engine / Transmission and Performance
Its powertrain features a 3.5-liter V-6 that makes 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It connects to a nine-speed automatic transmission.
This isn’t your traditional pickup truck. It features a coil-sprung independent rear suspension, which offers superb ride quality not available with its competitors. Small bumps on the road are hardly noticeable, while the occurrence of body lean in corners is also minimal.
Its braking performance stands out among its rivals, and its electrically assisted steering feels flawless.
Safety
The IIHS has given the 2021 Honda Pilot a Top Safety Pick recognition. Whereas, the NHTSA has given it a five-star rating in its crash test.
The key safety features of this Honda vehicle are the same as the above-mentioned models.
Conclusion – Honda Reliability – Why Are Hondas so Reliable?
Hondas are reliable known for their high-quality features. Hondas have scored high on J.D. Power and Consumer Report Rankings. They have a good track record in terms of reliability.
Honda’s reliability is confirmed by their various awards and recognition including:
- Honda recognized as the 2020 Best Value Brand in the Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards
- Honda Accord making it to the 2020 Car and Driver 10Best pick
- Honda Civic winning the 2020 Compact Sedan Challenge conducted by Cars.com
- Honda CR-V named the 2020 Best New Car by Autotrader
- Honda Passport and Honda Odyssey receiving the 2020 Best Cars for Families award from the U.S. News & World Report
All Honda vehicles have also received high ratings from the J.D. Power 100-Point Score. They have been given high scores by the IIHS, the NHTSA, and even the EPA.
Related reading:
Types of Hondas (Civic, Accords, and More)
How Long Do Hondas Last? [Civics, Accords, CRVs, and more]
