Honda and Toyota produce some of the most popular vehicles in the world, but there are stark differences between these two auto manufacturers that allow them to excel in different areas. Toyota is known to produce safer and more reliable vehicles, but Honda takes the cake for technology and powertrain performance.

Two Japanese automakers have been going head to head for nearly 75 years, and both have solidified their place in manufacturing history with some of the world’s most popular models. But how are you supposed to figure out which brand is better for you?

Wonder no more—

Jerry

, the

car insurance

comparison expert, is here to get to the bottom of whether or not Honda is better than Toyota. We’ll cover key specs of both brands, compare models, and even see how

Honda insurance costs

compare to Toyota.

Honda vs Toyota—which is better?

Honda is often considered better when it comes to standard features and quality, but Toyota is the cheaper and more reliable brand. There are a lot of factors to consider when deciding which brand is better for you, so let’s look at some of the big ones: price, technology, and reliability.

Price

Although Honda and Toyota produce a similar lineup of vehicles, Honda models tend to be just slightly higher-end than their Toyota competitors. Take a look at how the price ranges compare for some of the brands’ top competing models in the table below:

Honda model	Price range	Toyota model	Price range
2023 Honda Civic	$25,745–$31,645	2023 Toyota Corolla	$22,645–$27,795
2022 Honda Insight	$26,855–$30,885	2022 Toyota Prius	$26,170–$34,465
2023 Honda CR-V	$32,355–$39,845	2023 Toyota RAV4	$28,910–$38,530
2022 Honda Pilot	$39,375–$53,165	2022 Toyota 4Runner	$38,940–$54,255

The dealership prices at Toyota offer better accessibility to get you in the door, and Toyota models typically come with lower repair and insurance costs. The average

cost of Toyota insurance

is $2,528 per year, or $211 a month, while the average cost of insurance for a Honda is $2,816 per year, or $235 a month.

Here are some more things to keep in mind as you compare prices between the two brands:

Honda and Toyota models are neck-and-neck when it comes to fuel efficiency.

Toyota offers more variety in its lineup of vehicles—including more hybrid options.

Honda tends to receive better ratings for higher-quality interiors and standard features.

Toyota is lauded as one of the most reliable car brands in the world and beats out Honda for expected longevity.

Both Toyota and Honda have relatively similar trends when it comes to depreciation. According to CarEdge, Hondas tend to maintain just a little bit more of their value than Toyotas, so you’re just as likely to find more expensive used Hondas as you are newer models.

At the end of the day, Honda vehicles tend to offer some shinier bells and whistles that justify the higher price, but you can expect better long-term value from Toyota when it comes to ongoing ownership costs.

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Technology

Most new Hondas and Toyotas feature comparable infotainment suites with standard Bluetooth® integration for your device, including Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, and Amazon Alexa. Both makes tend to use 6.0- to 7.0-inch touchscreens for standard software (or 9.0-inch screens for upgraded models) and utilize apps on your phone for full device integration.

Where Honda really shines is its safety features. The Honda Sensing® driver’s assistance suite pioneered the collision mitigation automatic braking technology that has since become standard on many other makes. Advanced semi-autonomous driving mode is also becoming available on more Honda models. Toyota Safety Sense™ offers a fair amount of driver assistance features, though not as many as Honda Sensing as you can see from the table below.

Driver assistance feature	Honda Sensing	Toyota Safety Sense
Collision mitigation braking system with forward collision warning	Standard	Standard
Pedestrian detection with automatic emergency braking	Standard on most models	Standard
Adaptive cruise control	Standard	Standard
Automatic high-beam headlights	Standard	Standard
Lane departure warning	Standard	Available
Lane-keeping assist	Standard	Available
Blind-spot warning	Standard	Available
Rear cross-traffic warning	Standard	Available
Road-departure mitigation system	Standard	N/A
Traffic sign recognition	Standard on certain models	Available
Semi-autonomous driving mode	Available	Available

Despite the difference in safety technology, however, more Toyota vehicles were awarded for safety in 2022. Toyota received four 2022 Top Safety Pick and nine 2022 Top Safety Pick+ awards from the International Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). Honda only received one Top Safety Pick and five Top Safety Pick+ designations from the IIHS for 2022.

Reliability

Toyota makes some of the

most reliable, long-lasting cars

in the world—but Honda definitely gives Toyota a run for its money! Both brands offer similar 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranties and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranties if you buy new.

If you ask RepairPal, Honda ranks first among 32 car brands for reliability and Toyota ranks eighth, though both receive an overall score of 4.0/5.0. However, in a study of 2022 model dependability performed by J.D. Power, Toyota ranked fifth with 158 problems per 100 vehicles and a top dependability distinction in the compact car segment with the Toyota Corolla. Honda ranked 24th with 230 problems per 100 vehicles and no distinctions.

The

average annual maintenance cost for a Toyota

is $441, and Honda just barely beats this with an average maintenance cost of $428 per year. However, given the study from J.D. Power, we’d say Toyota pulls just slightly ahead as a more reliable brand.

MORE:

How much does a Toyota tune-up cost?

Honda models vs Toyota models

We’ve talked about how these two brands compare as a whole, but that can only get you so far when you’re looking for a specific type of vehicle. Here are some side-by-side comparisons of Honda and Toyota cars, SUVs, minivans, and trucks to help you find the best one for you.

Cars

The Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla aren’t just flagships for their respective brands—these two compact cars are worldwide industry leaders. However, the 2022

Honda Accord

may be the real star of the show when it comes to the two brands’ passenger cars with a perfect 10/10 rating, a 10Best List mention, and an Editor’s Choice award from Car and Driver.

Compare some of the most popular passenger cars from the Japanese brands below:

	Price	Styles	Engine options	Zero-to-60 time	Fuel economy (city/hwy/combined mpg)
2023 Toyota Corolla	$22,645–$27,795	Compact sedan/hatchback	2.0-L four-cylinder (169 hp, 151 lb-ft of torque), OR hybrid 1.8-L four-cylinder (180 hp, 156 lb-ft of torque)	8.3 to 9.0 seconds	30–50/38–43/31–47
2023 Honda Civic	$25,745–$31,645	Compact sedan/hatchback	2.0-L four-cylinder (158 hp, 138 lb-ft of torque), OR turbo 1.5-L four-cylinder (134 hp, 177 lb-ft of torque)	7.3 to 7.5 seconds	26–33/36–42/29–36 (2022)
2023 Toyota Camry	$27,040–$34,615	Midsize sedan	2.5-L four-cylinder (203 hp, 184 lb-ft of torque), 3.5-L V6 (301 hp, 267 lb-ft of torque), OR hybrid 2.5-L four-cylinder (208 hp, 163 lb-ft of torque)	7.4 seconds	22–51/31–53/25–52
2022 Honda Accord	$27,615–$39,545	Midsize sedan	1.5-L turbo four-cylinder (192 hp, 192 lb-ft of torque), 2.0-L turbo four-cylinder (252 hp, 273 lb-ft of torque), OR hybrid 2.0-L four-cylinder (212 hp, 129 lb-ft of torque)	5.5 to 7.2 seconds	22–48/32–47/26–47
2022 Toyota Prius Prime	$29,865–$35,645	Midsize hatchback	Plug-in hybrid 1.8-L four-cylinder (121 hp, 105 lb-ft of torque)	10.0 seconds	54 mpg/133 MPGe combined; 25 miles electric range
2022 Honda Insight	$26,855–$30,855	Compact sedan	Hybrid 1.5-L four-cylinder (151 hp, 99 lb-ft of torque)	7.7 seconds	51–55/45–49/48–52

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Toyota offers a wider variety of powertrain options on its cars—we’re looking at the

V6 Camry

and the PHEV Prius—but Honda powertrains tend to perform better. All three of the Honda Accord’s four-cylinder powertrains can squeal to 60 mph faster than the most powerful V6 Camry, though its hybrid option isn’t fuel-efficient.

If you’re looking for a car with the best driving feel, head to Honda. If you’re looking for a hybrid, you’re better off with a Toyota. The

Toyota Avalon

gets an honorable mention if you’re strictly looking for a full-size car, as does the GR86 if you’re looking for a coupe—Honda doesn’t currently offer options for either.

MORE:

All the best Toyota compact cars

SUVs

Compare some of the brands’ most popular SUVs below if you’re looking for a little bit more space for your family:

	Price	Classification	Engine options	Drivetrain options	Fuel economy (city/hwy/combined mpg)	Cargo space	Towing capacity
2023 Toyota RAV4	$28,910–$38,530	Small/compact SUV	2.5-L four-cylinder (203 hp, 184 lb-ft of torque), hybrid 2.5-L four-cylinder (219 hp, 163 lb-ft of torque), OR plug-in hybrid 2.5-L four-cylinder (302 hp, 162 lb-ft of torque)	FWD standard, AWD available (standard on hybrid models)	25–41/32–38/28–40, 94 MPGe; 42 miles electric range	37.6–69.8 cubic feet	1,500–3,500 lbs
2023 Honda CR-V	$32,355–$39,845	Small/compact SUV	1.5-L four-cylinder (190 hp, 179 lb-ft of torque), OR hybrid 2.0-L four-cylinder (204 hp, 247 lb-ft of torque	FWD standard, AWD available	27–43/32–36/29–40	39.3–76.5 cubic feet	1,000–1,500 lbs
2023 Toyota 4Runner	$39,640–$54,605	Midsize two-row SUV	4.0-L V6 (270 hp, 278 lb-ft of torque)	RWD standard, AWD available	16/19/17	47.2–89.7 cubic feet	5,000 lbs
2023 Honda Passport	$42,395–$47,855	Midsize two-row SUV	3.5-L V6 (280 hp, 262 lb-ft of torque)	AWD standard	19/24/21	50.5–100.8 cubic feet	5,000 lbs
2023 Toyota Highlander	$37,755–$50,410	Midsize three-row SUV	2.4-L four-cylinder (265 hp, 310 lb-ft of torque), OR hybrid 2.5-L four-cylinder (243 hp, 175 lb-ft of torque	FWD standard, AWD available	21–36/28–35/24–36	16.0–84.3 cubic feet	3,500–5,000 lbs
2022 Honda Pilot	$39,375–53,165	Midsize three-row SUV	3.5-L V6 (280 hp, 262 lb-ft of torque)	FWD standard, AWD available	19–20/25–27/21–23	16.5–83.8 cubic feet	5,000 lbs

Once again, Toyota comes out on top with hybridized options. The hybrid Honda CR-V puts up a good fight, but it’s hard to beat the RAV4’s hybridized powertrains when they’re more powerful than their gas-powered alternative. Toyota also offers some very capable off-roaders with the RAV4 and 4Runner if you add its TRD off-roading package.

Honda offers a bit more capability and practicality on standard roads with its

midsize SUVs

. The Honda HR-V also gets an honorable mention if you’re looking for a compact crossover with a bit more room but similar performance to Honda’s passenger car lineup.

Minivans

There are only two minivans to compare between our brawling brands: the

Honda Odyssey

and the

Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Sienna has a cheaper starting price at $36,720, but the Odyssey offers cheaper improvements, allowing you to get more bang for your buck as you move up the trim ladder. The Odyssey also stays on trend with better engine performance, but the Sienna wins out for fuel economy—35 to 36 mpg combined on all models. The two are evenly matched for cargo and passenger space.

MORE: Honda Odyssey EX lease

Pickup Trucks

Honda only offers one midsize pickup truck—the

Honda Ridgeline

($40,095 MSRP). You can expect a lot of comfort and well-mannered driving from its single 3.5-L V6 engine (280 hp, 262 lb-ft of torque)—but those aren’t exactly qualities you expect from this segment.

If you’re looking for a work truck with a rough-and-ready demeanor, Toyota is an easy winner. The

Toyota Tacoma

rivals the Ridgeline—for nearly $12,000 less to start. The only downside is that you’ll have to upgrade to get the

Tacoma’s V6

, but it’s more fit for the type of driving you’d expect to do with a truck no matter what engine it’s got.

The full-size

Toyota Tundra

turns things up, offering the same hard-working mentality but breaking the mold with a capable hybrid powertrain. No matter which Toyota pickup you land, you’ll get more towing capacity than the Ridgeline’s measly 5,000 lbs—

6,800 pounds for the Tacoma

and up to 12,000 pounds for the Tundra.

MORE:

Toyota Tundra ground clearance

How to find cheap car insurance (no matter the automaker!)

Honda and Toyota excel in different ways, but these two brands have one fundamental truth in common—you need a solid car insurance policy to drive any of their models off the lot! Let

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FAQs

Are Honda cars more reliable than Toyotas?

It depends on who you ask. Honda is considered a more reliable brand by RepairPal, but Toyota cars receive better individual reliability scores from J.D. Power.

Is Honda or Toyota more popular?

Honda and Toyota are fairly equal in popularity, and the Honda Accord and Toyota Corolla are two of the best-selling cars on the global market. However, Toyota has sold more than 50 million Corollas since it entered production—Honda has only sold around 27 million Accords.

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