How your next Honda can save you thousands

Given the seemingly endless rise in the cost of new cars, choosing the right vehicle has never been more important. Most people just want a reliable car that saves fuel and doesn’t cost a fortune. Few brands offer a more suitable solution to this exact problem than Honda.

The widespread appeal of Honda’s model range is no secret. The Japanese brand has been consistently producing bestsellers in the US for decades, and in 2025 the Honda CR-V will be the second best-selling car of the year (excluding trucks). Most people know that Honda is known for its reliability and fuel economy, but exactly how efficient and reliable are the brand’s best-selling models? Let’s dive deeper into these details to discover how choosing Honda for your next purchase can save you thousands of dollars.

Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V is one of the brand’s best-selling models of all time, with 368,618 units of the CR-V sold this year alone, according to the most recent sales data. It’s impressive that Honda’s industry-leading SUV continues to grow in sales after decades of success. The CR-V is what you could call the perfect city SUV: an all-round vehicle designed for daily commuting while minimizing maintenance costs. Let’s see how this Japanese SUV can save you money with its efficiency alone.

Efficiency and fuel consumption

If you are considering a new one 2025 Honda CR-Vyou have two powertrain options available: the non-hybrid 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four or the hybrid 2.0-liter inline-four. Both options are available in FWD or AWD configuration. The FWD non-hybrid CR-V model offers approximately 30 MPG (combined), while the FWD hybrid variant offers 40 MPG (combined). The highway MPGs of both variants are quite similar, each achieving figures in the 34-36 MPG range.

Where the hybrid model really shines, however, is in the city, where 43 MPG is achieved, as opposed to the 28 MPG found in the non-hybrid model. If you spend 90 percent or more of your commute on the highway, without much stop-and-go traffic, you may not see all the benefits of the hybrid. But if you often drive mixed or at lower speeds, the hybrid model is the clear winner in terms of overall efficiency. Additionally, the hybrid model offers more power and torque than the turbocharged model, which is a win-win in terms of efficiency and power.

The 2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport accelerated easily to highway speeds with minimal noise. The transmission runs smoothly and does its job neatly, 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 applies to both non-hybrid and hybrid models. RepairPal states that the average annual repair is about $407, which is lower than most other midsize SUVs in its class, including the Toyota RAV4 at $429. RepairPal also gives the Honda CR-V a rating of 4.5 out of 5.0, the second highest of the 26 compact SUVs rated, ahead of the Toyota RAV4, which came in third. Considering an MSRP of approximately $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 cost of ownership of all compact SUVs. There are many different SUVs, but you’ll save the most if you choose the CR-V over the competition.

Honda Civic

While the Honda CR-V may be a bestseller, the Honda Civic isn’t far behind and still holds the title of one of the ten best-selling cars of 2025 (220,485 units sold to date). 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’re interested in the lower price of the sedan or the improved functionality of the Civic Hatchback, there’s a Civic model for you.

Efficiency and fuel consumption

The 2025 Honda Civic offers an impressive range of different powertrain options when we consider both the Honda Civic Si and the Honda Civic Type R. Our focus, however, is on the two primary powertrains available on the base Civic model: the non-hybrid 2.0-liter inline-four or the hybrid 2.0-liter inline-four. The non-hybrid Honda Civic gets 36 MPG (combined), while the hybrid model gets 49 MPG (combined). The highway efficiency numbers between the two aren’t far apart (41 MPG vs. 49 MPG), but where the two really separate is in 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 for the hybrid, it’s worth every penny. Not only is the hybrid powertrain significantly more efficient and responsive in every driving situation, but you also benefit from an additional 50 hp and approximately 100 Nm of torque. That’s a huge performance difference, which you immediately feel behind the wheel.

Reliability, depreciation and maintenance costs

The Honda Civic has a long track record as one of the most reliable models on the market, and the latest version is no different. Honda was in fourth place Consumer ReportsResearch into the reliability of used cars, which assessed the reliability of models from five to ten years old. Honda’s engine range has also never been more powerful and efficient, and they haven’t had to sacrifice reliability. 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 rating of 4.5 out of 5.0, placing it third out of the 36 compact cars considered. Because the current Honda Civic avoids turbocharging in any of its variants, long-term maintenance costs are kept to an absolute minimum. Assuming an MSRP of $25,400, a 2025 Honda Civic Sedan depreciates by $12,101 within the first five years of ownership.

Honda agreement

The Honda Accord may not sell as many units as the other two Honda models we featured, but this iconic four-door sedan still offers a compelling value for the right buyer. The Honda Accord is a premium and more spacious option compared to the smaller Honda Civic and also impresses with its hybrid model, which accounts for about half of all Accord sales. The Honda Accord has remained relevant in recent years by offering the build quality, comfort and refinement you would expect in a luxury car without the luxury car price.

Efficiency and fuel consumption

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 gets 32 MPG (combined), while the hybrid model gets 48 MPG (combined). As with other Honda models, highway MPG between these two powertrains is relatively similar. But where they set themselves apart is their city efficiency, with the Accord Hybrid’s 51 MPG completely obliterating the standard Accord’s 29 MPG. This 22 MPG difference feels even greater than it is when you consider that the Accord Hybrid also produces more horsepower and torque than the non-hybrid variant. If you can afford the premium, there’s no reason to choose the non-hybrid Accord over the hybrid model, as it simply performs better in every relevant category.

Reliability, depreciation and maintenance costs

The Honda Accord is known as a reliability leader in the midsize sedan segment. This fact does not change whether you choose 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 reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5, good for first place out of 24 midsize cars 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 Kelley Blue Book states that the hybrid offers the best resale value in its class. Compared to the average luxury sedan, the Honda Accord Hybrid offers a similar level of refinement while remaining significantly lower in running costs than any European competitor. Considering the overall quality and class-leading resale value that the Accord Hybrid offers, there’s 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