Dodge vs Honda: Which Is More Reliable?
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Dodge is known for their high-performance engines and muscle cars. On the other hand, Honda's durability and dependability made a name for itself in the auto industry. With Honda, you have the assurance of driving cars that perform well and have amazing fuel efficiency.
But does Dodge stand a chance against Honda when it comes to reliability? Is Honda more reliable than Dodge?
Well, the truth is, Honda is more reliable.
Honda offers a cheaper overall cost of ownership, cheaper repair and maintenance cost, and better gas mileage. Safety ratings are also higher on Honda, but you are assured of getting higher engine power and speed from Dodge vehicles.
Warranty coverage is almost similar for Dodge and Honda, except for Dodge's longer roadside assistance warranty.
Here's a detailed review of Dodge Vs Honda reliability, to help you make better market decisions.
Table of Contents
Dodge vs Honda reliability: A Detailed Comparison
| Features | Dodge | Honda |
| Design | ||
| Gas Mileage | ||
| Repair and Maintenance Cost | ||
| Safety | ||
| Engine Performance | ||
| Technology | ||
| Durability |
Dodge vs Honda reliability: Which is better?
It shouldn't come as a surprise that Honda is better and more reliable than Dodge.
According to RepairPal, Honda has a reliability rating of 4.0/5.0, ranking 1st out of 32 car brands. On the other hand Dodge has a reliability rating of 3.5/5.0 occupying the 19th position.
According to the 2022 Consumer Reports reliability survey, Honda is the 5th most reliable car brand. There's no Dodge rating on the list. This is due to low model count or insufficient data.
The 2022 US Vehicle dependability study rates Dodge above Honda. The varying reliability and dependability reports can confuse the actual reliability of these car brands. So the best way is to compare the features of both brands.
One of the notable differences between Honda and Dodge is their warranty coverage. Honda and Dodge offer a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
However, Dodge takes it a step further by introducing a five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan, which is longer than Honda's three years plan.
Honda beats Dodge with higher safety ratings, cheaper repair and maintenance costs, and better gas mileage. However, you can consider Dodge vehicles for their impressive engines and amazing performance.
Dodge vs Honda reliability: Design
It's always difficult to place one car's design above another, as long as the designs and production do not comprise cheaply-made materials.
Honda adopts a design philosophy called “simplicity and Something.” This philosophy takes into account the need to build human-centered and less-cluttered vehicles.
The Honda brand eliminates complexities in cabins, maximizing interior space by reducing the size of the vehicle's mechanical parts. This improves the overall driving experience on Honda vehicles.
With Honda, you're getting clean cabins, user-friendly designs, thinner roof pillars, and larger glasses for improved visibility, this builds the confidence of the driver. While Honda aims to achieve simplicity, they don’t neglect the need for functionality.
Dodge designs always focus on building muscle cars, integrating bold and aggressive styling, and provocative designs.
Unlike Honda, Dodge doesn't have much of a defined design philosophy. Instead, there are different principles for each of its vehicles. For instance, the 2023 Dodge Hornet adopts the use of ferocity, sleek lines, muscular proportions, and a blend of muscle frames and performance-oriented designs.
Cargo space, headroom, and legroom depend on the Doge model that you choose.
Winner: Both
Dodge vs Honda reliability: Engine and Performance
It's a clear win for Dodge when it comes to engine performance. You'll hardly find any of Dodge's muscle cars lacking in speed and performance. From the use of Hemi engines, V6 and V8, these engines deliver a burst of power.
Irrespective of the fact that Dodge engines deliver amazing speed and power, their reliability is questionable. Many complain of problems in the Hemi engines at some point. Generally though, you can rely on them to run for 100,000 miles with little or no major repairs.
Honda boasts of its VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) engines. These engines create a balance between power and efficiency. They provide a smooth and responsive ride while also delivering good gas mileage.
The big difference between Honda and Dodge engines is that Dodge emphasizes performance, while Honda emphasizes gas mileage.
For instance; the 2023 Dodge Charger is equipped with a 3.6L V6 engine that returns 292 HP while the 2023 Honda Civic delivers 158 HP with its 2L inline 4 engine. The 2023 Honda Accord also falls behind with 192 HP.
The Honda Accord looks cool with its 1.5L/2.0L engine that delivers 195 HP or 252 HP, respectively. However, the Dodge charger has more towing capacity than the Accord.
Keep in mind, though, that Honda's engines are easy to maintain.
Winner: Dodge
Dodge vs Honda reliability: Gas Mileage
In terms of gas mileage, Honda is the clear winner. Honda's vehicles are known for their fuel efficiency, which beats Dogde by far.
Most Honda vehicles might not have as much engine power and strength as their Dodge counterparts, but you will get reliable, fuel-efficient systems.
For instance: the 2023 Honda Accord delivers a gas mileage of 29/37 MPG, compared to the 2023 Dodge Charger which returns 19/30 MPG. This is similar to the 2023 Honda Civic which returns a gas mileage of 30/37 MPG.
Honda adopts fuel-saving technologies to ensure that you get the most out of your fuel, without compromising the driving experience. You get the Eco-Assist and Econ buttons on most Honda vehicles.
Winner: Honda
Dodge vs Honda reliability: Safety and Technology
When it comes to safety and technology, Honda is an industry leader. Honda was one of the first companies to introduce a lot of safety features used in most vehicles today. These features include anti-lock brakes, side airbags, and improved technology like vehicle stability and collision mitigation systems.
Moreover, Honda has higher safety ratings than Dodge. There are seven Honda vehicles earning the IIHS Top safety pick (+) award.
Here's a list of safety features that Honda offers:
- Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)
- Collision Mitigation Braking System
- Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
- Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
Winner: Honda
Dodge vs Honda reliability: Repair and Maintenance Cost
When it comes to repair and maintenance costs, Honda is generally more affordable than Dodge.
According to RepairPal, Honda has an average annual repair cost of $428. This is cheaper compared to Dodge which has an annual average repair cost of $634.
Aside from the cheaper repair cost on Honda, you'll have fewer chances of visiting a mechanic with a Honda vehicle compared to a Dodge. Honda has a 0.3 chance of visiting a repair shop and a 10% probability of severe damages. Dodge gets a 0.2 chance, and a 15% probability of severe damages.
According to Kelley Blue Book's 2022 5-Year Cost to Own Awards, Honda was named as one of the best brands. The Honda Accord won the midsize car category.
Winner: Honda
Conclusion
It is obvious that Honda is more reliable than Dodge, but this doesn't imply that Dodge vehicles are low-quality. You can also rely on Dodge for impressive engine performance and superb power. However, this comes at the expense of gas mileage.
Honda also gets a cheaper overall cost of ownership and higher safety ratings. Your choice between the reliability of Honda and Dodge depends on if you're willing to sacrifice a few benefits in your bid to get a muscle car.
