Car Comparison: Is Honda or Toyota Better?

Determining whether Honda or Toyota is better depends on several factors, many of which rely on driver preference. Both are excellent vehicles, and generations of loyal car owners attest to the widespread support the two automakers have gained. After all, one of the most critical factors in purchasing a car, whether new or used, is its reliability, and few would argue that Honda and Toyota have earned reputations for building cars that last. Nevertheless, should they be considered rivals? Is Honda or Toyota better? Let’s take a closer look.

Honda and Toyota models have earned a reputation for reliability from J.D. Power and Consumer Reports, among other industry trade magazines. Since the two makes gained popularity in the 1970s and 1980s, when Americans discovered fuel-efficient Japanese models as a cost-saving alternative to the gas-guzzling domestic makes, Honda and Toyota have built a large customer base that has never looked back. To this day, Honda and Toyota customers remain satisfied and exceptionally loyal to their brand.

It may seem self-explanatory, but a reliable car is just that. One that starts every morning and, with routine servicing and maintenance, does not require frequent repairs or repeated trips to the mechanic to fix the same problem. Reliability means that the car will last for many years when taken care of. That is why two of the most popular brands are Honda and Toyota. The two automakers have reputations for reliability in their class and the history to back it up.

When choosing between the two brands, which one holds the edge? If you look at customer surveys, then, in recent years, Toyota has held the advantage. Consumer Reports surveys a half-million car buyers annually to rank the most reliable brands. (It’s important to note that Consumer Reports is a nonprofit organization whose reliability survey is considered one of the leading standards for ranking products by most experts.) In this year’s 2024 survey, Toyota was the second most reliable car after Lexus. Considering that Lexus operates separately from its parent company and is a subsidiary of the Toyota Motor Corporation, it pretty much leaves Toyota alone at the top in terms of reliability. Surprisingly, Mazda placed 3rd, and Honda was ranked the 15th most reliable brand.

Toyota has been near or at the top of Consumer Reports reliability surveys for the past half-decade. During this time, Honda’s ranking has steadily fallen. Toyota’s emergence as a reliable brand is attributed to the company’s focus on dependability over performance or flashiness. What this means, in a nutshell, is that Toyotas may not be the most comfortable or quiet ride on the market, but they are the most dependable. Toyota vehicles generally perform and score in the lower third during testing because they refuse to sacrifice dependability for performance. Toyotas hold up for years and, on average, last well over 210,000 miles before losing most of their value. Toyota tends not to invest in amenities or innovation; instead, it focuses on consistency, which is why it continually scores high in reliability over other brands.

In contrast, though Honda has seen its reliability ranking drop in recent years, the company has made up for it by focusing on performance. Honda and Toyota have been the most reliable brands on the market for years. However, Honda’s recent move toward performance has been at the cost of its reliability ranking. Honda makes cars that offer a smooth, quiet, and comfortable ride—better than Toyota. However, their high-tech transmissions and new turbocharged engines have proven less dependable than previous engines. That said, older Hondas are still considered exceptionally reliable automobiles. Hondas average just under 210,000 miles before losing their value. Whether new or old, Honda makes more dependable vehicles than any other automobile manufacturer.

Honda and Toyota each have high engineering standards and are known for their exceptional manufacturing processes. When it comes to reliability, both brands have proven to hold up over time. However, Honda’s focus on performance over reliability in recent years gives the edge to Toyota.

If you’re in the Phoenix area and looking for a Honda or Toyota, check out our extensive inventory today!