Are Mazdas as reliable as Honda and Toyota?

Yes—Mazdas are very reliable, but across the whole lineup Toyota and Honda generally hold a slight edge in broad, long-term reliability surveys. Mazda is consistently strong and often leads among mainstream brands, delivering solid ownership costs and engaging driving dynamics.

In this article, we compare how Mazda, Honda, and Toyota perform in the latest reliability data from Consumer Reports, J.D. Power, and ownership studies, and explain what that means for buyers in 2024-2025. We examine brand-wide trends, model-level differences, and practical implications for maintenance, warranty coverage, and resale value.

Reliability landscape in 2024-2025

Independent reliability surveys track different metrics—owner-reported problems, repair frequency, costs, and recalls. The overarching pattern is that Toyota and Honda continue to rank at the very top of the mainstream brands, while Mazda sits in the upper tier and often exceeds expectations for the value proposition and driving experience.

What independent surveys say

The following items summarize what current reliability surveys typically show across these brands. These are general trends, with variation by model year and specific vehicle:

• Consumer Reports reliability ratings: Toyota and Honda frequently earn top marks across their model lineups; Mazda tends to score very well and often places near the top of the mainstream brands, sometimes matching or exceeding Honda in certain years or models.


• J.D. Power Quality & Reliability: Toyota and Honda perform well in reliability indices; Mazda also scores strongly, ranking among the best mainstream brands and performing well on dependability metrics for many of its models.


• Long-term ownership studies: Mazda owners often report favorable long-term reliability and favorable maintenance costs, with Toyota and Honda continuing to show strong longevity and lower major-repair incidence over longer ownership horizons.

Conclusion: The data generally place Toyota and Honda at the top tier for reliability, with Mazda consistently in the upper echelon of mainstream brands and competitive on maintenance costs and ownership experience. The differences are often model- and year-dependent.

Mazda: reliability track record and what to know

Mazda has earned a reputation for reliability built on simpler, well-engineered platforms and materials that resist wear and failure. In recent years, Mazda has tightened up interiors, improved electronics integration, and delivered robust powertrains, contributing to solid reliability numbers. While Mazda generally trails Toyota and Honda by a narrow margin in broad-brand reliability averages, its strongest models—especially compact cars and crossovers—often outperform similarly priced rivals on dependability and total ownership costs.

Key factors shaping Mazda’s reliability profile

Before examining specifics, it helps to understand the elements that influence Mazda’s reliability perception. The list below highlights common themes in reliability assessments for Mazda versus Honda and Toyota.

• Engineering approach: Mazda emphasizes straightforward, durable designs and driver-focused engineering, which can reduce complex failure modes compared with some highly feature-laden rivals.


• Electronics and infotainment: Mazda has historically improved its infotainment and connectivity systems; reliability in these areas has become more consistent in recent model years, though electronics can still be a source of complaints on any brand depending on model.


• Maintenance costs and parts availability: Mazda parts are widely available and maintenance costs are typically competitive with or lower than those of Honda and Toyota for similar models, depending on region and service network.


• Model variation: Reliability can vary significantly by model and year. For example, some Mazda crossovers and the MX-5 Miata have earned strong reliability marks, while older iterations of certain models may have had issues that affected averages.

Conclusion: Mazda’s reliability is strong and competitive with Honda and Toyota, particularly on models that emphasize efficiency and driving enjoyment. The brand often offers a compelling balance of reliability, cost of ownership, and engaging performance, even if Toyota/Honda maintain a slight edge in broad, year-to-year reliability averages.

Model-by-model snapshot

Model-level reliability varies within any brand, and the best approach is to evaluate individual vehicles rather than rely solely on brand-wide rankings. Here’s a concise overview of common strengths and caveats by segment:

• Compact cars: Mazda3 is praised for reliability and efficiency but may show year-to-year variance; Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla are consistently reliable with long track records.


• SUVs: Mazda CX-5 and CX-50 offer strong reliability with refined interiors; Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 are renowned for their reliability and low maintenance needs, often leading the segment.


• Sports cars: Mazda MX-5 Miata remains a standout for mechanical simplicity and dependability, appealing to buyers who prioritize a fun yet durable vehicle; this contrasts with some sportier competitors that can be more complex.

Conclusion: For many buyers, Mazda’s strongest models deliver reliability on par with or better than aging Honda or Toyota equivalents, but model selection matters. Always check the latest model-specific reliability data for the exact year and trim you’re considering.

Bottom line for buyers

When reliability is your primary criterion, Toyota and Honda typically hold a slight overall edge across the brand’s broad lineup, especially for longevity and fewer major repairs over many years of ownership. Mazda, however, consistently ranks among the most dependable mainstream brands and often offers better value in maintenance costs and driver appeal on several models.

To make the best decision, compare model-by-model reliability scores from up-to-date sources, review owner feedback for the exact year and trim, and consider total ownership costs including depreciation, fuel economy, and maintenance across the anticipated ownership period.

Summary

Mazdas are highly reliable and competitive with Honda and Toyota. Toyota and Honda typically edge Mazda in broad, cross-model reliability scores, especially over long-term ownership, while Mazda excels in driving experience, efficiency, and often lower ownership costs for many of its top models. For buyers, the smartest approach is to look at current, model-specific reliability data and test-drive the vehicles to weigh reliability against other priorities like performance, technology, and warranty coverage.

Is Mazda more dependable than Toyota?

Industry-Leading Dependability Scores
The 2025 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study measures issues reported per 100 vehicles (PP100) after three years of ownership: Mazda scored 161 PP100, ranking second among mass-market brands. Toyota came in third, with 162 PP100.

Does Mazda last as long as Toyota or Honda?

How Dependable is a Used Mazda Compared to Toyota or Honda? Mazda consistently ranks among the top brands for reliability, often placing right alongside Toyota and Honda in used car rankings. Many third-party automotive review platforms rank Mazda vehicles highly in long-term dependability.

Which one is more reliable, Honda or Mazda?

Both Mazda and Honda are highly reliable brands, but the specific winner can vary depending on the source and metric used, with some sources giving Mazda a slight edge and others favoring Honda. Generally, Honda is cited for its long-term durability and low ownership stress, while Mazda is praised for its recent reliability improvements, simple engineering, and higher build quality in areas like panel fit and paint. 
This video discusses how Honda compares to Mazda in terms of reliability and innovation: 59sCar Help CornerYouTube · Nov 5, 2025
Mazda

• Recent performance: Has significantly improved its reliability ratings in recent years, often placing near the top in various studies. 
• Engineering: Benefits from simpler engineering, such as its use of more traditional six-speed automatic transmissions in many models, which are known for their durability. 
• Build quality: Often noted for having superior build quality in terms of panel fit, alignment, and paint quality. 
• Safety: In model year 2023, every Mazda vehicle earned an IIHS top safety award. 

This video discusses the reliability of Mazda vehicles: 44sAccurate AutomotiveYouTube · Aug 7, 2025
Honda

• Long-term consistency: Has a long-standing reputation for long-term reliability and durability. 
• Popular models: Models like the Honda CR-V and Honda Accord are frequently ranked as top performers for long-term reliability. 
• Repair costs: Has a slightly lower average repair cost per owner over the last five years compared to Mazda. 
• Potential drawbacks: Some recent Honda engines have had issues like head gasket problems or oil dilution. 

Conclusion

• For long-term consistency and lower average repair costs, Honda often has a slight edge, according to some sources like J.D. Power. 
• For a slight edge in recent reliability scores, simpler engineering, and superior build quality, Mazda is a strong contender, according to Consumer Reports. 
• Ultimately, the choice may come down to specific models, as reliability can vary within each brand. 

What car is ranked #1 in reliability?

Subaru Tops Reliability
Subaru has ascended to the top of our brand rankings, supplanting Lexus and Toyota, which have traded the two top spots for many years.