Earlier this year, we asked a tough question: Are modern Hyundais (and related Kias) actually built to last beyond the warranty period? The 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty offered by these brands looks attractive, but further investigation reveals components that fail soon after this warranty expires. By comparison, Japanese brands like Honda produce vehicles that can often last well beyond 200,000 miles. To see if our earlier findings about Hyundai were justified, we have a new longevity study to turn to. Here, we’ll compare whether Honda or Hyundai vehicles have a higher chance of reaching 250K miles. As you’ll see, there’s a stark difference between the two automakers.
Honda Is Far Ahead Of Hyundai
2012 Honda Civic
Honda
The study was conducted by iSeeCars, and the latest one shows a large gap between Honda and Hyundai. Honda ranks third, behind only Toyota and Lexus, with a 13.3% chance of its vehicles lasting to 250,000 miles and beyond. The top 4 spots are all occupied by Japanese automakers, including Acura at fourth.
Hyundai only ranked 23rd in the study out of 33 brands, with a 0.8% chance of its vehicles surviving to 250,000 miles. It’s one of the lowest rankings for a non-luxury brand, as most brands below Hyundai are luxury automakers. Here’s a look at the top 10:
|
Rank |
Make |
% Chance of Lasting 250,000+ Miles |
Compared to Average |
|
1 |
Toyota |
19.7% |
3.7x |
|
2 |
14.4% |
2.7x |
|
|
3 |
13.3% |
2.5x |
|
|
4 |
9.5% |
1.8x |
|
|
5 |
5.8% |
1.1x |
|
|
6 |
5.3% |
1.0x |
|
|
7 |
4.7% |
0.9x |
|
|
8 |
4.2% |
0.8x |
|
|
9 |
4.1% |
0.8x |
|
|
10 |
3.9% |
0.7x |
The study makes it clear: If you’re on a tight budget and choosing between a high-mileage Honda or Hyundai, Honda looks like a much safer choice.
“Reaching 250,000 miles is an exceptionally high bar for any vehicle, which makes the distinction among the four highest-ranked brands meaningful,” said iSeeCars Executive Analyst, Karl Brauer. “Toyota, Lexus, Honda and Acura don’t just lead the list, they substantially outperform the average vehicle’s chances of reaching that high-mileage threshold.”
How The Study Works
Honda
To formulate its brand longevity rankings, iSeeCars analyzed data for over 395 million vehicles.
“The average odometer reading for each vehicle was calculated at each yearly age, and a proprietary model based on these average mileages was developed to estimate the probability that each vehicle would survive to various mileage thresholds,” said iSeeCars.
The chances of reaching 250,000 miles for specific models and generations were calculated and averaged across each brand’s lineup. The study excludes heavy-duty vans or models with insufficient data.
What the study does not necessarily take into account is how much maintenance a certain brand requires to hit a quarter-million miles. In other words, longevity does not necessarily equal reliability. For instance, Ram ranked eighth in this study but was almost last in the Consumer Reports predicted reliability study. In that same study, Honda was fourth and Hyundai was 12th, so the Japanese brand was ahead again.
Related: The World’s Highest-Mileage Cars Share One Reliability Secret
Why Hondas May Outlast Hyundais
Hyundai
There is no single reason for Honda to come out so far ahead of Hyundai, but a few probabilities spring to mind.
Mature Naturally-Aspirated Engines
Honda relies more heavily on proven naturally-aspirated engines that have been around for some time. Hyundai is not without reliable engines of its own, but throughout its lineup, there are more turbocharged and direct-injection hybrids. This is a far more complex design and carbon buildup is a real risk beyond 100,000 miles.
Hyundai has also suffered from serious engine troubles in the past, including the Theta II engines that experienced oil starvation and seized bearings.
Less Emphasis On Tech
Modern Hondas are by no means outdated, but Hyundai is generally quicker to introduce the latest infotainment, driver-assistance features, and powertrain technologies. This can make a new Hyundai more appealing, but it becomes a problem as these vehicles age.
According to RepairPal, Honda has lower average maintenance costs of $428, with Hyundai’s average figure being $468.
All that being said, Hyundai has improved in recent years, and its initial vehicle quality was rated higher than Honda’s in a recent JD Power study. It’s when these vehicles age beyond the warranty period that Hondas pull ahead.
What It Means
2012 Honda Civic EX Sedan
Honda
The 250,000-mile study doesn’t mean car buyers should avoid Hyundai entirely. The Korean marque’s low pricing, advanced tech, and feature-packed vehicles often make them better new buys than equivalent Hondas. However, if you are purchasing an older Honda or Hyundai without a warranty, we’d favor Honda. The number of older, high-mileage Civics, Accords, and CR-Vs still on the road underline the durability of the brand’s vehicles. If you do choose an older Hyundai, we’d recommend searching for one with a comprehensive service history, while also investigating whether your favored model has one of the brand’s more troublesome earlier engines.
Related: Toyota Vs. Subaru At 250,000 Miles: It’s Not Even Close
