Ford vs Honda: Which Is More Reliable?
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Whether you are making plans to buy a Ford Raptor or a Honda Odyssey, reliability remains one of the first questions that will cross your mind.
Do Ford or Hondas last longer? Ford and Honda, which has a cheaper maintenance cost? These answers will guide you in making informed decisions on the best car for you.
However, when it comes to the overall reliability of Honda and Ford, Honda is more reliable. With Honda vehicles, you'll get lower repair and maintenance costs, increased standards of durability, and better gas mileage. The safety ratings are similar on both cars, but the designs are entirely different.
Here's all you need to know about Ford vs Honda Reliability and which brand is the best for you.
Table of Contents
A Detailed Comparison
| Features | Ford | Honda |
| Design | ||
| Gas Mileage | ||
| Repair and Maintenance Cost | ||
| Safety | ||
| Engine and Performance | ||
| Technology | ||
| Durability |
Which Is Better?
Ford and Honda are two popular and respected car manufacturers in the world. They have a long history of producing high-quality, reliable, efficient, and affordable vehicles.
However, there are some key differences between the two brands that differentiate their reliability.
On an overall scale, when it comes to comparing the reliability of Ford and Honda, Honda is better.
Honda has been able to maintain its standing as one of the most reliable car brands in the world. Their vehicles are known for their long-lasting durability, with the ability to run for more than 200,000 miles without any major issues.
Honda also has a reputation for producing fuel-efficient vehicles, making them a great choice for drivers who love to save money on gas. This is compared to Ford, which is a "hit or miss" brand when it comes to reliability.
Some Ford models are extremely reliable, while others are just a bag of problems and defects. However, there are categories in which Ford performs exceptionally well, like in its production of trucks and SUVs.
They are very reliable, compared to Honda whose first attempt at producing a truck is the Honda Ridgeline.
One major difference between Ford and Honda is the types of vehicles they produce. Ford is known for producing a wide range of vehicles, including trucks, SUVs, and sports cars, while Honda is primarily known for producing compact and midsize cars, as well as minivans and SUVs.
This means that the reliability of Ford and Honda vehicles will vary depending on the specific model and type of vehicle.
Ford and Honda offer similar warranty coverage, but the standard of durability is better on Honda. Both brands offer a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
According to Repairpal, Ford has a reliability rating of 3.5/5.0, ranking 21st out of 32 brands. Honda ranks 1st out of 32 car brands, with a rating of 4.0/5.0. On the 2022 JD Power dependability survey, Ford ranks higher than Honda.
To ensure that you get factual information on this issue, we will compare the different models of both brands alongside features that make them peculiar.
Design
In terms of design, both Ford and Honda offer a wide range of vehicles to suit different needs and preferences. The design philosophies of both car brands differ, so it's impossible to expect the same thing from them.
While Ford adopts the idea of 'Kinetic Design', Honda goes for 'Simplicity and Something. 'Ford has a reputation for producing rugged and sporty trucks and SUVs, while Honda is known for its sleek and efficient sedans and hatchbacks.
However, Ford has recently been focusing on revamping their designs with the new Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Ford Bronco Sport, and the Ford Ranger coming out with a new design.
Honda on the other hand seems to be focusing more on improving their hybrid and electric cars such as the Honda Clarity and Honda Insight.
The truth is, with Honda, you are guaranteed a better sense of luxury and great interior designs. However, the choice is yours to make, depending on the brand that satisfies your needs.
Winner: Both
Gas Mileage
When it comes to gas mileage, Honda has a clear advantage over Ford. Honda's vehicles are known for their fuel efficiency, with many models achieving more than 40 mpg on the highway.
For instance: The 2022 Honda Civic returns a gas mileage of 33/42 MPG for city and highway rides, unlike Ford Focus which returns 25/34 MPG. Comparing Ford Fusion and Honda Fit, Honda Fit gets the better gas mileage with 33/40 MPG while Fusion gets a meager 17/26 MPG.
Most Fords vehicles have lower gas mileage compared to Hondas. However, the company has been working to improve this aspect in recent years. Honda also offers a wide range of hybrid and electric vehicles, which can save consumers even more money on gas.
Winner: Honda
Engine and Performance
In terms of engine and performance, Ford and Honda both offer a variety of options to suit different needs. Ford has a reputation for producing powerful and capable engines, while Honda is known for its smooth and reliable powertrains.
The Ford's EcoBoost engine technology is designed to deliver powerful performance while also improving fuel efficiency.
Honda's iVTEC engine technology is good at delivering great power to smaller engines. The overall design of Honda is to increase performance efficiency while also reducing emissions. Although durability is higher on Honda engines.
Winner: Both
Safety and Technology
In terms of safety rating, Honda and Ford vehicles have consistently performed well in crash tests earning multiple awards and identifications as part of the safest vehicles by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The high ratings from both brands from the NHTSA and IIHS are evidence of this.
However, when it comes to safety, it's a tie for both brands. Both car brands have seven cars in the 2022 IIHS Top safety pick (+) award. Although the award categories are not the same for both brands, the ratings are similar.
Honda has high safety ratings in Minivans, Small SUVs, midsize cars, and small cars. On the other hand, Ford has its rating in Small SUVs, midsize SUVs, and large pickups.
Both Ford and Honda prioritize safety in their vehicles. Ford and Honda's vehicles are equipped with a variety of advanced safety features, including lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, etc.
The applications of these safety features and driver assistance systems are different on both cars, but the efficiency is almost the same.
Ford's vehicles are equipped with the latest infotainment and connectivity technologies, such as SYNC 3, which allows drivers to easily connect their smartphones and access navigation, music, and other features.
Honda's vehicles adopt the use of advanced infotainment and connectivity technologies, such as HondaLink, which allows drivers to access a variety of features and services through their smartphones.
Winner: Both
Repair and Maintenance Cost
It is cheaper to maintain a Honda vehicle than a Ford. According to Repairpal, Honda has an average annual repair cost of $428 while Ford has an average annual repair cost of $775.
With a Ford, you get a 0.3 chance of visiting a repair shop, and a 15% probability of severe damages. However, Honda gets 0.3 chance and 10% probability, respectively.
Winner: Honda
Conclusion
Ford and Honda are both reliable brands with a reputation for producing high-quality vehicles. The design philosophy and engineering principles differ on both brands, just as the standards upheld by the companies.
Although Honda is more reliable than Ford, the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
