Mazda and Honda are two top vehicle makers whose names are synonymous to dependability. If you have to choose between the two, it will take more than just a little research. In this Mazda vs Honda reliability comparison we dig out the details to give you enough information to make a final decision.
Honda and Mazda are known to be two of the world’s most dependable names in the automobile industry. The two are not placed far apart in terms of reliability indexes which are commonly used by potential car buyers.
Honda manages to outshine Mazda but not by much. This is evidenced in recent brand reliability indexes in which Honda takes an impressive 2nd place and Mazda takes 5th place.
The fact that these names are in the top 5 list of most reliable brand names in the world tells us that they indeed are worth a second look. What makes them score so highly?
Take a closer look at what keeps these brands on top
Cost of repairs: The higher the cost of repairs, the less reliable a car is. Both Mazda and Honda are relatively inexpensive to repair thanks to cheaper parts. Parts used in these vehicles cost less than those used in many other vehicles and are easily available in just about any part of the world.
Another consideration is the cost of professional mechanics to handle your vehicle. You won’t have to break the bank to pay a knowledgeable technician to do all the repairs your Mazda or Honda needs.
Technology or lack of it: Another reason Mazda and Honda are more convenient to run is because of their minimal use of technology. Although a lack of the latest technologies could be seen as a disadvantage, it presents an advantage in this case.
One of the main reasons more technologically advanced brands rank poorly is because the more technology included in the vehicle, the more that can go wrong…and it often does. The less technology included, the less that can fall out of order.
We analyze reliabilities based on customer surveys, model comparisons and reliability indexes.
Customer Surveys
Consumer reports generally provide accurate information on reliability because it comes from people who drive the cars on a daily basis. Respondents are required to give details on the kinds of trouble they have experienced in the past 12 months as well amounts spent on repairs.
Here we compare ratings from 3 popular consumer survey bodies Consumer Reports, J.D Power and UK based researchers WhatCar?
How Do Mazda And Honda Compare In Reliability Based On Owner Surveys?
Mazda Vs Honda Reliability: Owner Survey Table:
| Mazda | Honda | |
| Consumer Reports Survey 2020 | 2 | 12 |
| J. D Power vehicle dependability study 2020 | 11
(130) | 18
(139) |
| What Car? reliability survey | 10
(94.9%) | 17
(93.5%) |
Mazda ranks extremely well according to Consumer Reports which names it as the 2nd most reliable brand. Honda takes 12th place in this survey.
J.D Power places Mazda in 11th place. An average of 130 problems in every 100 vehicles surveyed places it as having lower than average repair needs considering the industry average of 134 problems per 100 vehicles. Honda is placed in position 18 and records an average of 139 repair problems per 100 vehicles. This is slightly higher than the industry average.
According to UK based WhatCar, Mazda is the 10th most reliable brand and receives a score of 94.9%. Honda is at 17th place and receives a score of 93.5%.
Most and Least Reliable Models
As much as both Mazda and Honda are known to be reliable names, there are some models which have consistently scored better than their siblings under the same brand name. Similarly, some models have stood out as more expensive or more troublesome than average.
The point to note here is that the fact that a specific manufacturer is named as a producer of durable, reliable cars, is not enough for you to make a decision. You need to search a bit deeper and be well informed.
OSV, one of UK’s top car supplier companies breaks down the two brands to come up with lists of the most and least reliable Mazda and Honda models.
How Do Mazda And Honda Compare In Reliability Based On Models?
Mazda Vs Honda Reliability: Model Comparison Table:
| Brand | Reliability | Models |
| Mazda | Most reliable | Mazda 2, Mazda MX-5, and Mazda 6 |
| Least reliable | Mazda CX -7, Mazda RX-8 | |
| Honda | Most reliable | Honda Jazz, Honda Accord and Honda Civic |
| Least reliable | Honda CRV, Honda FR-V |
Reliability Index
Reliability index is a vehicle dependability index used to rate various vehicle brands and models. It takes into account the frequency of failures as well as costs associated with the repairs. It is assumed that some vehicles breakdown often but the total cost of repairs is not particularly high. On the other hand, some vehicles rarely break down but when they do it costs an arm and a leg to get them back on the road.
The higher the figure the less reliable the car is. The lower the number, the more reliable the car is.
Below is a comparison of reliability indexes for the most and least reliable models of the two brand names under analysis.
How Do Mazda And Honda Compare In Reliability Based On Most And Least Reliable Models?
Mazda Vs Honda Reliability: Most and Least Reliable Model Comparison Table:
| Brand | Models | Reliability Index (RI) | Off road hours |
| Mazda
(Overall Brand RI: 65) | Mazda 2 | 20 | 1.66 |
| Mazda MX -5 | 18 | 1.21 | |
| Mazda 6 | 60 | 2.55 | |
| Mazda CX-7 | 227 | 2.98 | |
| Mazda RX-8 | 135 | 1.89 | |
| Honda
| Honda Jazz | 10 | 1.07 |
| Honda Accord | 28 | 1.64 | |
| Honda Civic | 30 | 2.20 | |
| Honda CRV | 57 | 1.92 | |
| Honda FR-V | 112 | 2.94 |
The overall brand reliability rating for Mazda is 65, making it the 5th most reliable brand surveyed. Honda’s overall brand reliability rating is 41, making it the second most dependable brand analyzed.
Taking the most and least reliable models from the two brands, we compare the various reliability indexes for each. Mazda’s most reliable models have reliability ratings of 20, 18 and 60 respectively. Honda’s most reliable models are rated at 10, 28 and 30 respectively.
As far as least reliable models go, Mazda’s models are rated at 227 and 135. Honda’s least reliable models are rated at 57 and 112.
From this we can see that Honda takes the lead. Some of its least reliable models are still better rated than some of Mazda’s most reliable ones.
When it comes to time spent off the road for repairs, Honda’s Jazz rates best with the lowest off-road time of 1.07 hours. The Mazda CX-7 with the highest reliability index spends the most time at the shop with an average off-road time of 2.98 hours.
Common Repair Problems
Despite being two of the most reliable brands in the market, it doesn’t mean that you will never find yourself in need of some repairs. This is especially so when the vehicle gets older. Certain repair issues are more common in specific brands.
When you are considering buying any of these two brands, it is important to familiarize yourself with problems you are likely to encounter.
Common Mazda Repair Issues
Power steering failure: This failure is most common in the Mazda 3, 2012 though it has been seen in other Mazdas. The ABS light suddenly comes on and then goes off on its own. At this time the power-steering cuts off, making it unsafe to drive especially if you are unaware of the failure.
One possible reason behind this is that the power steering fluid thickens and fails to flow as it should. To fix this, replace the power steering fluid, pump and hoses.
TPMS problems: Tire pressure monitoring systems became mandatory in late 2007. In Mazda, there were complaints of corroding and exploding TPMS valves which pose a serious safety risk to drivers and other road users.
Common Honda Repair Issues
Oil or coolant leakage: Some Honda models develop a problem where oil leaks out of the car. You could also find that coolant leaks into the combustion chamber due to a loose head gasket.
To fix this, replace the head gasket
Vehicle vibrates when braking: It could be rattling, shaking or vibrating. This problem is mostly experienced at between 95,000 and 100,000 miles so you only have to think about it if you are buying a used car.
It has been blamed on warped brake rotors on the front wheels. The best way to resolve it for good is to replace the rotors. If you can’t afford to replace them immediately, you can have them machined but this only buys you some time.
Cracked exhaust: Your Honda may suffer cracks on both exhaust manifolds and converter/manifold combination. To fix this replace the cracked part of the system.
Dark display dashboard: This is most common in Honda Accords with more than 105,000 miles on them. The dashboard display, especially the climate control and radio fails and goes completely dark.
It is caused by a faulty circuit board and is fixed by replacing the entire board.
Conclusion
Mazda and Honda are top brands when it comes to reliability. Both appear in the list of 5 most dependable cars in the world. Honda appears to outshine Mazda thanks to its reliability index ratings. Its best performing model Honda Jazz has an impressively low rating of 10.
Mazda’s CX-7 pulls the brand down as it is quite poorly rated with a reliability index of 227. Honda’s overall brand rating (41) is further testament that is indeed a slightly better choice.
FAQs
About how much should I expect to spend on repair costs for the Mazda 2?
This is a highly rated model. You can expect to spend between $200 and $300 on repairs for this model.
Which is the most fuel efficient Honda model?
Honda Accord hybrid is the most fuel efficient of the Honda pack. This model records 47mpg for highway driving, 49 mpg for city driving and an averaged out amount of 48 mpg.
