Considering the seemingly endless rise in the cost of new cars, choosing the right vehicle has never been more critical. Most people just want a reliable car that saves on fuel and doesn’t cost a fortune. Few brands provide a more suitable solution to this exact problem than Honda.
The widespread appeal of Honda’s vehicle line-up is no secret. The Japanese brand has consistently produced bestsellers in the U.S. for decades, and in 2025, the Honda CR-V is the second best-selling vehicle of the year (excluding trucks). Most people are aware that Honda is renowned for its reliability and fuel efficiency, but exactly how efficient and reliable are the brand’s bestselling models? Let’s dive into these details to discover how choosing Honda for your next purchase could save you thousands.
Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is one of the brand’s bestselling models of all time, and this year alone, the CR-V has sold 368,618 units according to the most up-to-date sales data. Impressively, Honda’s leading SUV continues to grow in sales after decades of success. The CR-V is what you might call the perfect urban SUV: an all-around vehicle designed for daily commuting while minimizing maintenance costs. Let’s break down just how this Japanese SUV can save you money with its efficiency alone.
Efficiency And Fuel Economy
If you are considering a new 2025 Honda CR-V, you have two powertrain options available: the non-hybrid turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four or the hybrid 2.0-liter inline-four. Both options are available in either FWD or AWD configuration. The FWD non-hybrid CR-V model offers about 30 MPG (combined), while the FWD hybrid variant offers 40 MPG (combined). The highway MPGs of both variants are quite comparable, each achieving figures within the 34–36 MPG range.
However, where the hybrid model truly shines is in the city, achieving 43 MPG as opposed to the 28 MPG found in the non-hybrid model. If 90 percent or more of your commute is highway driving without much stop-and-go traffic, you may not see the hybrid’s full benefits. Yet, if you often see a lot of mixed or lower-speed driving, the hybrid model is the clear winner in terms of overall efficiency. Furthermore, the hybrid model offers more power and torque than the turbocharged model, which is a win-win in terms of efficiency and output.
The 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport easily accelerated to highway speeds with a minimum of noise. The transmission is smooth and does its job nicely, unnoticed in the background.
– Nicole Wakelin, TopSpeed Journalist
Reliability, Depreciation, And Maintenance Costs
The Honda CR-V is known as one of the brand’s most reliable models, and this holds whether you opt for a non-hybrid or hybrid model. RepairPal states that average annual repairs work out to about $407, which is lower than most other mid-sized SUVs in its class, including the Toyota RAV4 at $429. RepairPal also gives the Honda CR-V a 4.5 out of 5.0 rating, the second highest of 26 rated compact SUVs, ranking ahead of the Toyota RAV4, which placed third. Considering an MSRP of about $33,405, the average new Honda CR-V will depreciate by $16,007 within the first five years of ownership. Kelley Blue Book states that the 2024 Honda CR-V is in the top 10 percent of low ownership costs among all compact SUVs. There are a lot of different SUVs out there, but you are saving as much as possible if you pick the CR-V over the competition.
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Honda Civic
Although the Honda CR-V may be a bestseller, the Honda Civic is not too far behind and still holds the title of one of the top ten bestselling cars of 2025 (220,485 units sold so far). One of the most enticing options is the Honda Civic Hybrid, which was introduced in the 2025 model year and makes up a good chunk of those sales (79,084 units). Whether you are interested in the lower price point of the sedan or the increased functionality of the Civic Hatchback, there is a Civic model for you.
Efficiency And Fuel Economy
The 2025 Honda Civic offers an impressive array of different powertrain options if we consider both the Honda Civic Si and Honda Civic Type R. However, our focus is on the two primary powertrains available on the standard Civic model: the non-hybrid 2.0-liter inline-four or the hybrid 2.0-liter inline-four. The non-hybrid Honda Civic manages 36 MPG (combined), while the hybrid model offers 49 MPG (combined). The highway efficiency figures between the two aren’t too far off (41 MPG vs. 49 MPG), but where the two truly split is in the city MPG, where the hybrid offers 50 MPG compared to the non-hybrid’s 32 MPG.
An 18 MPG difference is quite significant, and despite the $4,700 premium of the hybrid, it is worth every penny. Not only is the hybrid powertrain significantly more efficient and responsive in every driving situation, but you also have the benefit of an additional 50 horsepower and about 100 pound-feet of torque. That is a massive difference in performance, and it is one that you feel behind the wheel immediately.
Reliability, Depreciation, And Maintenance Costs
The Honda Civic has had a long-standing track record as one of the most reliable models on the market, and the newest iteration is no different. Honda ranked fourth in Consumer Reports‘ Used-Car Brand Reliability study, which ranked the reliability of five-to-ten-year-old models. Honda’s engine line-up has also never been more powerful and efficient, and they haven’t had to sacrifice reliability to achieve that. Compared to the Honda CR-V, the Honda Civic offers a lower average annual repair cost of $368. RepairPal also gives the Honda Civic a 4.5 out of 5.0 rating, which ranks it third out of the 36 compact cars taken into consideration. Also, because the current Honda Civic avoids turbocharging across either of its variants, long-term upkeep costs are kept to an absolute minimum. Considering an MSRP of $25,400, a 2025 Honda Civic Sedan depreciates by $12,101 within the first five years of ownership.
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Honda Accord
The Honda Accord may not sell as many units as the other two Honda models we have featured, but this iconic four-door sedan still provides compelling value to the right buyer. A premium and more spacious option compared to the smaller Honda Civic, the Honda Accord also impresses with its hybrid model, which accounts for about half of all Accord sales. The Honda Accord has stayed relevant throughout recent years by offering the build quality, comfort, and refinement you’d expect in a luxury car without the luxury-car price.
Efficiency And Fuel Economy
The 2025 Honda Accord currently offers two powertrain options: the non-hybrid 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four and the hybrid 2.0-liter inline-four. The non-hybrid Honda Accord achieves 32 MPG (combined) while the hybrid model achieves 48 MPG (combined). As with other Honda models, the highway MPG between these two powertrains is relatively comparable. Yet, where they differentiate themselves is their city efficiency, where the Accord Hybrid’s 51 MPG outright destroys the 29 MPG offered by the standard Accord. This 22 MPG difference feels even larger than it is when you consider that the Accord Hybrid also provides more horsepower and torque than the non-hybrid variant. If you can afford the premium, there is no reason you should choose the non-hybrid Accord over the hybrid model, as it simply outperforms it in every relevant category.
Reliability, Depreciation, And Maintenance Costs
The Honda Accord is well-known as a leader in reliability within the mid-sized sedan segment. This fact does not change regardless of whether you opt for the hybrid or non-hybrid model. RepairPal gives the Honda Accord an average annual repair cost of about $400, which is less than the Honda CR-V but more than the Honda Civic. RepairPal also gives the Honda Accord a 4.5 out of 5.0 reliability rating, good for first place out of the 24 midsize cars ranked in its segment. Considering an MSRP of $34,805, the 2025 Honda Accord Hybrid depreciates by $17,552 within the first five years of ownership.
Honda Accord Hybrid models also tend to hold their value better than non-hybrid variants, and Kelley Blue Book states the hybrid offers the best resale value in its class. Compared to the average luxury sedan, the Honda Accord Hybrid provides a comparable standard of refinement while keeping running costs significantly lower than any European competitor. Considering the overall quality and leading resale value offered by the Accord Hybrid, there is no reason not to pay the premium compared to the base model, as it will save you money in the long run.
Sources: RepairPal, Kelley Blue Book, Fueleconomy.gov