Introduction
Most Reliable Honda Models are ranked by longevity, maintenance costs, owner complaints and resale value. Honda has durable vehicles,but the Civic, Accord, CR-V, Pilot, and HR-V each have their own pros. In terms of reliability, maintenance costs, owner complaints, how well the car holds up over time, and what you’ll get back out of it at trade-in, all of that plays a role in which model is determined to be the best for the long term.
Based on the results of our research, which included longevity studies, repair cost data, depreciation estimates, and owner complaint info, we found the most reliable Honda models to do very well in terms of reliability. That said, what is the best choice depends on the buyer’s wants. Smaller models tend to cost less to maintain, while the larger SUVs do provide more space but also may require more money for repair over time.
How the Honda Models are Ranked
This ranking looks at many variables, which in turn may not only look at reliability. We see that long-term data, which tracks vehicles for 200,000 miles or more, helps us determine which models do well and which don’t. Also, we look at repair costs, which tell us what kind of repair bills we can expect. Also, we look at the resale value of the cars, which plays a large role in the total cost of ownership.
Owner reports also are a great source of info, which in turn, when it comes to used cars, we see that they may report on certain model years which had issues, but that doesn’t mean all cars from that time are bad. What also is very important when you’re buying used are the maintenance history, the number of miles the car has done, the past accidents the car may have been in, and the car’s overall condition.
1. Honda HR-V: Best in Reliability
The Honda HR-V takes the lead due to its great mix of durability and low maintenance, which is what customers are reporting. iSeeCars has given the HR-V a 9.2 out of 10 for reliability and reports an average life of over 200,000 miles. Also, its 52.3% chance of reaching that 200,000-mile mark is also reported to be higher than that of other Honda models we looked at.
Repair costs are a large benefit. In regards to repair and maintenance, the average annual spend for the HR-V, as reported by RepairPal, is about $301, which is below the average for in-class and also overall. Also, its good resale, which in turn makes it appeal to long-term owners. Used buyers do still have to research by model year, as some of the older HR-Vs have had more issues than others.
2. Honda Civic: Best Choice for Long-Term Ownership of a Car
The Honda Civic is a runner-up, which it does so by the fact that it has great durability, low repair costs, and very good resale value. iSeeCars rates the Civic a 7.7 out of 10 for reliability and also reports a 29.3% chance of driving the car to 200,000 miles. Also, in the long-term studies, the Civic did very well, with a large percentage of the models projected to reach 250,000 miles.
RepairPal reports that, on average, owners of the Civic spend about $368 per year on repair and maintenance. Also, the Civic does very well in holding its value, which makes it a great choice for those that may put the car up for sale or trade-in at a later date. Some older models of the Civic do have issue years, especially with the transmission, which used car buyers should look into before they buy, research the exact year, and check the maintenance history.
3. Honda CR-V: Top Choice in Honda SUVs
The Honda CR-V is a great choice for those that want reliability along with SUV practicality. We at iSeeCars give the CR-V a 7.9 out of 10 for reliability and also report a 30.4% chance of reaching 200,000 miles. It’s also very attractive to families because of its cargo space, fuel efficiency, comfort, and durability.
RepairPal reports that, on average, owners of the CR-V will spend around $407 per year on repairs and maintenance. Also, the CR-V has above-average trade-in values, which in turn helps to lower depreciation over the first few years of ownership. At the same time, it is also true that some of the earlier models and certain model years have had more issues reported by owners than others. For used buyers, we recommend doing research on the particular generation and model year you are interested in. Also, it is of great value to have a documented maintenance history when looking at a high-mileage used CR-V.
4. Honda Accord: Dependable and Cost-Effective Maintenance
The Honda Accord is still a very reliable midsize sedan for the long term. iSeeCars reports a 7.5 out of 10 for its reliability and that it will see 26.3% of Accords reaching 200,000 miles. Also, in studies which looked at which cars reached very high mileage, the Accord did very well, which shows when they are well maintained, they will be reliable for many years.
RepairPal reports that the average annual repair and maintenance costs are around $400, which is below what is typical for midsize cars. Also, the Accord does very well in terms of resale value. That said, we do recommend that buyers looking at older used Accords research by model year, as some generations had more issues with transmissions. A newer, better-maintained Accord is, in general, a safer long-term choice.
5. Honda Pilot: For Large Families
The Honda Pilot is in fifth place but is still a great choice for people that are after a three-row SUV. iSeeCars gave it a 7.6 out of 10 for reliability and projects a 31.5% chance of hitting 200,000 miles. That’s also a better number than the Civic and Accord, which means the Pilot shouldn’t be written off as unreliable just because it isn’t first in the overall rank.
Its issue is with the price of ownership. RepairPal reports that average yearly repair and maintenance costs are at $542, which is more than what we see for other Honda models in this study. Also, the Pilot tends to depreciate faster than the smaller Honda models. But buyers that require three-row seating, more passenger space, and a family-oriented practical layout may see the extra cost as a value.
Which Honda Is the Most Reliable to Hit 200,000 Miles?
The data on longevity report that which we see is a difference between these models. HR-V has the highest at 52.3%, which is followed by Pilot at 31.5%, CR-V at 30.4%, Civic at 29.3%, and Accord at 26.3%. We put these out as statistical estimates, which should be used for comparison of trends and not as guarantees for any single vehicle.
Maintenance is a priority just as much as the model is. We see that regular oil changes, fluid services, brake work, tire care, and timely repairs make a large difference. A well-maintained Civic or Accord at 120,000 miles may be a better buy than a neglected car with a great deal fewer miles. What we advise is that buyers use reliability stats in combination with a professional inspection and also look at the maintenance history.
Conclusion
Overall, the Honda HR-V does very well, which is due to its great longevity data and low repair costs. The Honda Civic places second in the rankings thanks to its durability, low maintenance costs, and great resale value. The Honda CR-V comes in at third place and is the best choice for families looking for an efficient and practical SUV. The Honda Accord places fourth in the report, which it does very well in the sedan category with good repair costs. The Honda Pilot places fifth in the report but is still a good choice for families that require three rows.
For the buyer that is in it for the long term, the HR-V and Civic are the best options. The CR-V does better with the buyer that requires SUV practicality, and the Accord is still a great choice as a sedan. The Pilot is the way to go when your priority is passenger and cargo space over minimal maintenance and depreciation. As for which model you choose—buying a well-maintained Honda and sticking to their service schedule is your best bet for hitting 200,000 miles.
