Reliability used to be a significant factor when car shopping in the early 2000s. While times have changed, and the younger crowd is concerned about other areas, exploring some of the more reliable models on the market is still a great idea. Whether you’re a car enthusiast or on the hunt for your next car, it’s widely known in the car world that Japanese car brands such as Toyota and Lexus rank among the top manufacturers regarding reliability. There is no arguing that these two big-name brands might do it the best, but there will always be others that give them a run for their money.
When you take a closer look at Lexus and Toyota, you’ll see that they put a lot of focus and time into the hybrid industry. Unlike other car brands that are switching to fully electric lineups, many Japanese companies are doing both while still having a hand in the hybrid field. If you’re looking to broaden your search that doesn’t include these two sister companies, you’ll be happy to learn that the top five most reliable car brands end up being Japanese. With brands like Honda, Mazda, and Subaru still in the mix, it’s a perfect time to see what’s the most reliable Japanese hybrid that doesn’t sport a Lexus or Toyota emblem.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including iSeeCars, NHSTA, EPA, and Car and Driver.
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The 2025 Honda Accord Hybrid Is The Reliable Competition To Look Out For
So, with Toyota and Lexus out of the way, out of the remaining three big-name Japanese brands, who ends up being the runner-up? The 2025 Honda Accord Hybrid is the one that pulls in a decent amount of reliability and is quite the catch with its features and impressive efficiency. It really only seems fitting for Honda to take home the win because they’ve been in the hybrid game from the start. Debuting the Insight back in the early 2000s, marking the first mass-produced hybrid, Honda got a jump start on this infamously reliable car platform (Hybrids), and it looks like they’ve been smooth sailing ever since. This isn’t to downplay the other brands like Mazda or Subaru; it’s just that these two car companies came into the hybrid industry within the past year, showcasing brand-new models like the CX-50 Hybrid and Forester Hybrid.
iSeeCars Gave The Accord Hybrid A 7.4 Out Of 10 For Reliability
When it comes to the reliability of the 2025 Honda Accord Hybrid, iSeeCars rated it a 7.4 out of 10. Looking at some of the other scores, it landed an 8.2 out of 10 for the retained value category and a 10 out of 10 for safety. With all the scores put together, the 2025 Accord Hybrid received an overall score of 8.5 out of 10.
- Reliability: 7.4/10
- Retained Value: 8.2/10
- Safety: 10/10
- Overall Score: 8.5/10
It’s worth mentioning that many reliability ratings come from sources such as J.D. Power. The issue here is that, for some reason, J.D. Power doesn’t rate any of the hybrids in Honda’s lineup or some of the other car brands as well. This is a shame because if they were to, it would likely put models like the CR-V Hybrid on par, or better, than the highly sought-after and highly rated RAV4 Hybrid. Hopefully, with time, car reviewers will put a bit more effort into focusing on mainstream hybrids that don’t just include Toyota or Lexus.
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What Determines A Car’s Reliability?
That question is very open-ended, and there are many areas that reliability branches out to. Safety is a significant area that can make or break a vehicle’s dependability. After all, you can’t have a reliable car with it not being safe. Other areas include ownership costs, which break down even further into depreciation, maintenance, repairs, and more. Without getting too far ahead, it’s best to explore one of the largest strengths of the 2025 Honda Accord Hybrid.
The 2025 Honda Accord Aced Every Single Safety Rating
The 2025 Honda Accord Hybrid aced every single safety rating. That’s not just saying that it just received a flawless overall safety rating; rather, it nailed every single category thrown its way. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) is an American federal agency that is in charge of running all vehicles through the same wringer to provide accurate and unbiased ratings on current vehicles. In addition, the NHSTA keeps track of prior models, recalls, and more.
- Frontal Crash: 5/5 Stars
- Side Crash: 5/5 Stars
- Rollover: 5/5 Stars
- Overall Safety Rating: 5/5 Stars
When it came to the 2025 Honda Accord Hybrid, it received five out of five stars for frontal crash, side crash, and rollover. Nailing all three categories allowed for this Japanese hybrid sedan to receive an overall safety rating of five out of five stars. Just getting a hundred percent on the overall safety rating is impressive, with some models doing that but scoring fours in other areas. This wasn’t the case for the 2025 Accord Hybrid because it completely aced the tests.
Taking A Look At How Well The Accord Hybrid Retains Its Value
Another area that’s always worth taking a look at is depreciation. While most people, when buying a car, think of or plan to have it long-term, you should still get a rough idea of how much it will retain its value over time. For the 2025 Honda Accord Hybrid, iSeeCars projects that it will lose 28.3 percent of its value after the first three years, which comes out to a $9,312 loss. This isn’t too bad, but the 2025 Accord Hybrid does depreciate by almost one percent more than the average midsize hybrid sedan. When compared to all cars, the 2025 Accord Hybrid holds its value better by 2.2 percent.
2025 Honda Accord Hybrid Depreciation And Resale Value
|
Vehicle Age |
% Depreciation |
$ Depreciation |
% Residual Value |
$ Residual Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 Years |
28.3% |
$9,312 |
71.7% |
$23,583 |
|
5 Years |
40.6% |
$13,351 |
59.4% |
$19,544 |
|
7 Years |
54.5% |
$17,932 |
45.5% |
$14,963 |
|
10 Years |
65.2% |
$21,438 |
34.8% |
$11,457 |
In the following years, the 2025 Honda Accord Hybrid will slow down compared to its third year, only losing 40.6 percent at the five-year mark. Fast-forward another two years, and you can expect to lose a total of $17,932 after seven years. Lastly, at year ten, the 2025 Accord Hybrid is estimated to depreciate by 65.2 percent, totaling a $21,438 loss.
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A Dive Into One Of Honda’s Reliable Hybrid Powertrains
Safety and ownership costs are always the main factors that affect a vehicle’s reliability, but the engineering and design are just as important. You can’t have a reliable car without a trustworthy engine. No need to worry there because Honda has you covered with the Accord Hybrid’s powertrain. Powered by a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder hybrid engine, this setup delivers 204 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. The 2025 Accord Hybrid utilizes a front-wheel drive system and an electronically continuously variable transmission (ECVT), which, in normal words, is a modern-day automatic transmission. It’s not the most sporty hybrid on the market, but it completes a 0-60 mile-per-hour sprint in 6.7 seconds.
2025 Honda Accord Hybrid Performance Specifications
|
Powertrain |
2.0-Liter Inline Four-Cylinder Hybrid Engine |
|
Horsepower |
204 HP |
|
Torque |
247 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
ECVT |
|
Driveline |
Front-Wheel Drive |
|
0-60 MPH |
Est. 6.7 Seconds |
The Honda Accord Hybrid’s Efficiency Is The Real Show-Stopper
While safety is a massive strength of the Honda Accord Hybrid, another strength that might be even better is its efficiency and range. Depending on which trim you opt for, the Honda Accord Hybrid will provide 46 to 51 MPG in the city, 41 to 44 MPG on the highway, and a combined fuel economy of 44 to 48 MPG. The fuel economy might be a show-stopper, but the driving range seals the deal. If you’re looking for a hybrid sedan with long-distance travel capabilities, the 2025 Honda Accord Hybrid offers 563 to 614 miles.
2025 Honda Accord Hybrid Fuel Economy
|
Accord Hybrid |
Accord Hybrid Sport/Touring |
|
|
Fuel Economy (City) |
51 MPG |
46 MPG |
|
Fuel Economy (Highway) |
44 MPG |
41 MPG |
|
Fuel Economy (Combined) |
48 MPG |
44 MPG |
|
Range |
614 Miles |
563 Miles |
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Honda Offers Four Trims On The Accord Hybrid
Honda offers four trims on the Accord Hybrid, which all stay within a $30,000 price tag. The Sport Hybrid is the base model, with a starting price of $33,655, and houses all the base standard features. These include dual-zone climate control, a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen, 19-inch alloy wheels, cloth seats, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and an assortment of driving aids. You may be wondering what more the Accord Hybrid can offer, and it gets even better with the higher trims. The EX-L Hybrid is the next step up with an MSRP of $34,940 and carries over all features from the base model. The upgrades include leather seating, heated front seats, automatic-dimming rearview mirrors, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
2025 Honda Accord Hybrid Prices And Trims
|
Sport Hybrid |
$33,655 |
|
EX-L Hybrid |
$34,940 |
|
Sport-L Hybrid |
$35,375 |
|
Touring Hybrid |
$39,300 |
The second to last trim is the Sport-L Hybrid, and it doesn’t raise its price too much, carrying a $35,375 price tag. It carries over the features of both the Sport Hybrid and EX-L Hybrid trim, with various exterior changes such as the rear decklid spoiler and rear diffuser to give this hybrid a bit more aerodynamics. Lastly, the Touring has the largest MSRP, coming out at $39,300, and features all the convenience, design, and tech seen on the Sport-L trim. Some noteworthy upgrades include heated and ventilated front seating, a head-up display, a Bose Premium Sound System, a wireless phone charger, and much more.
The Affordable Hybrid Sedan That Packs Reliability And Top-Notch Features
The 2025 Honda Accord Hybrid is an exceptional car that you won’t regret picking up in 2025. It’s always ideal to widen your options, and if you’re not too sure about one of the Toyota or Hyundai sedan hybrids, the Accord Hybrid is a great one to compare to see which one would suit you best. To recap, the 2025 Accord Hybrid provides a respectable amount of reliability, retains its value well over the years, is one of the safest cars on the road, and comes jam-packed with features. The cherry on top is that this Japanese hybrid sedan won’t break the bank, staying in the $30,000 price range.
