Honda is one of the biggest names in the industry regarding reliability. More reliable vehicles mean less out-of-pocket costs over your ownership. Many of its cars, like the Civic, have been at the forefront of vehicles you can drive and only worry about consumables like oil or tires. With all the notoriety in longevity, which five Honda models have the best track record?

1. Honda HR-V

Relatively new for Honda is the HR-V. The HR-V has been sold in North America since 2016 and has built a name for itself as one of the most reliable Honda models. For 2023, the Honda HR-V receives a 5 out of 5 reliability rating from RepairPal. The average annual repair cost for the HR-V is just $301, meaning it has exceptional ownership value. Common repairs reported for the HR-V include loose window gaskets, poor paint quality, and occasional accelerator issues. The severity of these is minimal, with the concerning accelerator issues usually resolved with a software update.

2. Honda Fit

The subcompact Honda Fit is the unsung hero of Honda’s model lineup. The Fit is a car that can seat five passengers or fold the rear seats flat and create 52.7 cubic feet of cargo space. Designed with a small, fuel-efficient engine makes the Fit a great family vehicle. Combine all this with a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5.0, and the Fit cements itself at number two on this list. The annual repair cost for the Fit is $390, adding to its 4th place out of 21 subcompact cars. However, with significant issues being uncommon for the Honda Fit, the severity of repairs is low. Problems reported by owners are ignition coil failure as early as 50,000 miles, uncomfortable seats, and starter failure.

3. Honda Civic

One of the most recognizable names in the automotive industry, the Honda Civic is an integral part of the brand’s model lineup. The reliability rating for the Civic is 4.5 out of 5.0, but it falls third on this list because of the severity of its common repairs. The annual repair cost for the Civic is $368. Common repairs for the Civic include bad engine mounts, power window switch failure, and shift control solenoid fault. All of these issues can cause quite a bit of frustration for owners. Aside from those issues, however, the Civic is still one of the more reliable compact cars on the road.

4. Honda Accord

The Honda Accord is a common sight at the top of the midsize sedan class. The Accord is the most well-rounded vehicle in its class, and its reliability rating is no different. While it ranks 4th on this list, it is 1st out of 24 midsize cars. Annual repair costs for the Honda Accord are $400, putting it below the average price of $526 for midsize cars. The frequency of unscheduled repairs is an average of 0.3 times per year which is standard. Scoring a 9% in terms of the severity of the repair, the Accord is well below the average of 12%. Common issues for the Accord include an ignition switch failure, check engine light for transmission problems, and center stack lights going dark.

5. Honda CR-V

Rounding out the top five is the Honda CR-V. Scoring a 4.5 out of 5.0, the CR-V adds another utterly reliable vehicle to Honda’s fleet. Annual repair costs for the CR-V are $407, ranking it 2nd out of 26 compact SUVs. The severity of repairs scores a 9% average, compared to an 11% average in its class. Common issues for the CR-V are door locks sticking or not working, groaning noise on turns, and harsh shifting from first to second gear with automatic transmissions. With the most concerning being the rough shifting, most of the common issues are prevented with regular maintenance.

Which Honda model is most reliable?

While the Honda HR-V is number one on this list, it is hard to say it is the most reliable as it has only been in production for seven years. Incredibly, the Honda Civic has been in production for 50 years. To score an overall reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 and have 50 years of development experience, the Civic is the standout model for Honda reliability.