Should you buy a Toyota or Honda vehicle when you want impressive reliability and longevity on the road? Is one brand actually better than the other?
Toyota and Honda are two of the top names in affordability and driving quality. Although Honda has a much smaller vehicle lineup than Toyota, these are two names we see at the top of the list whenever resale value, reliability, and value are discussed. Let’s dig in and learn which brand has the vehicles that stay on the road longest, giving you the reliability necessary to make it to work every day or take the family out on the weekends.
Fierce Competition for Decades
The Japanese automotive brands of Toyota, Honda, Datsun, and Mazda entered the US auto market during a time of crisis in America. The small size and impressive efficiency of Japanese cars made them more popular than the massive, lumbering, V8-powered American models. Since entering the market, Toyota and Honda have battled fiercely for supremacy in many areas, including reliability scores.
- Honda – Well known for long-lasting engines and minimal repair needs
- Toyota – Recognized for excellent resale value and longevity
Which Toyota Vehicles Top the Reliability List?
The team at iSeeCars.com shows six Toyota models among the top ten for longevity. The larger Toyota SUVs take the top spots, with the Land Cruiser and Sequoia offering the longest potential lifespan. Many owners reach more than 200,000 miles with each of these SUVs, with the Land Cruiser at 18.2% of the models on the road, and the Sequoia has 14.2% of its models still on the road after 200,000 miles of driving. The list continues with the 4Runner, Tundra, Avalon, and Prius, all in the top ten. Each of these Toyota models has the potential to drive past the 200,000-mile market with proper care and maintenance.
Which Honda Vehicles Top the Reliability List?
When looking at Toyota and Honda for models with the best reliability score, Honda doesn’t have nearly as many vehicles on the list as Toyota. Only two Honda models make it into the top 20 among the longest-lasting vehicles on the road. The two high-mileage Hondas are the Ridgeline and Odyssey, both of which have the potential to reach 200,000 miles or more with ease. These are the two largest Hondas in the lineup.
How do Other Experts Rate These Two Brands?
Each expert opinion utilizes different criteria for reliability and longevity. Turning to Consumer Reports, the most reliable Toyota mode is the Camry Hybrid. The Land Cruiser came in second among Toyota vehicles, with the 4Runner, Tundra, and Avalon rounding out the top five from this automaker.
Toyota also ranks high with RepairPal earning a score of 4.0 out o 5.0 putting the brand in the eighth position out of 32 automotive brands in terms of reliability in 2022. This position is a drop from the previous year, placing Toyota behind other brands, including Kia, Hyundai, and Mazda.
RepairPal also identifies the top brand for reliability, which is Honda. The brand earned this top spot, and its luxury arm, Acura, took the runner-up position. Among Honda models, RepairPal ranks the HR-V as the most reliable, with a perfect 5.0 out of 5.0 in this category. This might come as a bit of a surprise, considering the HR-V is a subcompact SUV.
Which Brand Costs Less to Maintain?
Honda and Toyota vehicles offer standard warranties we’re familiar with, but Toyota has a leg up over Honda in one area. During the first two years of ownership or 24,000 miles, Toyota vehicles come with included standard maintenance. This gives Toyota owners a great starting point and takes away the excuse of the added cost of maintenance. Owners simply need to bring their vehicle into a participating Toyota service center to have this scheduled maintenance completed.
One Brand Offers a Sportier Appeal?
Although Honda doesn’t have any sports cars in its lineup, save the Honda Civic Type R, the standard sedans offer a sportier driving feeling compared with Toyota. The Accord and Civic are sportier than the Camry and Corolla. Of course, if you’re looking for an actual sports car, Toyota has the lead with the GR86 and Supra. Also, Toyota’s Gazoo Racing team has developed the new GR Corolla, which is a hot hatch that could challenge the Civic Type R.
Which Brand is Right for You?
Honda and Toyota rank high for reliability and have longstanding reputations for dependability and resale value. If you want a larger selection of vehicles to choose from, the Toyota brand is the right choice. If you’re looking for sportier sedans, you’ll want to go with Honda.
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