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Honda Civic vs Toyota Corolla reliability: what the 2025 J.D. Power study shows

© B. Naumkin
Compare Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla reliability with the 2025 J.D. Power study. See why Corolla leads and what it means for costs and peace of mind.
Michael Powers, Editor

In the Honda Civic versus Toyota Corolla reliability debate, it’s wiser to lean on broad owner studies than on forum anecdotes. In the 2025 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study, which evaluates the number of problems in three-year-old cars, the Corolla was named the most dependable model in the compact car class. The Civic did not appear among the segment winners, as reported by the automotive outlet 32CARS.RU.

Perception, however, often hinges on small headaches that sap time and money. In recent years, Honda has been associated with stories involving the fuel system and steering components, which makes owners more alert to the risk of unscheduled shop visits.

The Corolla, by contrast, trades on predictability and a steady record on failures—qualities that carry extra weight on the used market, where buyers prioritize durability over emotion. That low-drama ownership profile rarely grabs attention, yet it’s exactly what keeps costs and nerves in check over the long haul.