Honda continues its winning streak, securing multiple spots in Car and Driver’s prestigious 10Best awards for 2025. For SUV enthusiasts, the spotlight shines brightly on the Honda CR-V, recognized once again in the 10Best Trucks and SUVs category. This accolade underscores Honda’s commitment to producing top-tier vehicles that resonate with both critics and drivers alike.
For the third consecutive year, Honda has claimed more 2025 Car and Driver 10Best awards than any other brand, totaling three wins. This year, the celebrated Honda Civic and Honda Accord also earned coveted places on the 10Best Cars list, further cementing Honda’s dominance across various vehicle segments. However, for readers specifically interested in the SUV market, the CR-V’s recognition is particularly noteworthy.
Honda now boasts an impressive 95 Car and Driver 10Best trophies since the award’s inception – a record unmatched by any other manufacturer over the award’s 40-year history. This consistent recognition speaks volumes about Honda’s enduring dedication to quality, reliability, and innovation in automotive engineering. The fact that a Honda model has appeared on the 10Best list every year since 1983 is a testament to the brand’s consistent excellence.
Jessika Laudermilk, assistant vice president of Honda Auto Sales, highlighted the passion and dedication of Honda’s engineers and production teams. She noted that these awards reflect their commitment to delivering exceptional vehicles to customers. The positive reception of the electrified Civic, Accord, and CR-V models is seen as a promising indication for Honda’s future direction in the electric vehicle market.
The Honda Accord, a perennial favorite, achieved a record 39th win, including an unbroken 27-year streak on the 10Best list. While the Accord’s achievement is remarkable, for those focused on SUVs, the CR-V’s 6th win and 3rd consecutive award in the Trucks and SUVs category is the key takeaway. The Civic, also a winner, secured its 11th 10Best award, showcasing Honda’s strength across both car and SUV segments.
Honda’s strategic emphasis on fuel efficiency and driver engagement is evident in the success of their hybrid models. The Civic hybrid, Accord hybrid, and CR-V hybrid are integral to Honda’s electrification strategy. Currently, hybrid models constitute over 50% of both Accord and CR-V sales, and are projected to make up 40% of Civic sales, demonstrating consumer demand for these fuel-conscious yet dynamic vehicles.
These award-winning vehicles are powered by Honda’s advanced two-motor hybrid system, engineered for optimal fuel efficiency without compromising performance and driving comfort. Tony Quiroga, Editor-in-Chief of Car and Driver, praised the Civic hybrid, stating, “The new hybrid model maintains the handling and practicality all Civics enjoy, boasts the best fuel economy numbers in the lineup, and it’s as quick as the performance-oriented Si.” This praise extends to the CR-V hybrid, which offers similar benefits in the popular SUV category.
Understanding the Car and Driver 10Best Selection Process
The Car and Driver 10Best awards are highly respected in the automotive industry, representing a benchmark of excellence for over four decades. To be eligible for the 10Best distinction, vehicles must be either entirely new models, previous year’s 10Best winners, vehicles that were unavailable for the prior year’s competition, or significantly updated versions. Furthermore, all contenders must have a base price under $110,000 and be available for sale by January 31, 2024.
Car and Driver editors rigorously evaluate vehicles over a two-week period, driving more than 80 new cars, trucks, and SUVs that meet the criteria. Each vehicle is meticulously scored on a scale of zero to 100. The scores are then tallied and averaged to determine the coveted 10Best of 2025. Car and Driver concurrently releases two lists: 10Best Cars and 10Best Trucks and SUVs, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the automotive landscape. For detailed information on all the winners, readers can explore the full 2025 Car and Driver 10Best Cars awards and 10Best Trucks and SUVs awards on their website.
North American Manufacturing
Honda emphasizes its commitment to building vehicles in close proximity to its customers. All three Honda models recognized on the 10Best lists are manufactured in North America.
- The Honda Accord, now in its 11th generation, is produced at the Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio. Honda has a long history in Ohio, manufacturing over 12.8 million Accords there since 1982.
- The 11th-generation Civic Hatchback is built at the Honda Indiana Auto Plant, while the Civic Sedan is produced by Honda of Canada Mfg. Honda’s North American Civic production exceeds 11.5 million units, with over five million manufactured in the United States.
- The 6th-generation CR-V SUV is assembled at three North American plants, including the East Liberty Auto Plant in Ohio, the Indiana Auto Plant, and Honda of Canada Mfg. Over 6 million CR-Vs have been produced in North America, with approximately half originating from U.S. plants.
- The advanced Honda two-motor hybrid-electric system that powers the Civic, Accord, and CR-V hybrids is manufactured at the Honda Transmission Plant in Ohio. The 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine is produced at the Anna Engine Plant in Ohio.
This North American production underscores Honda’s dedication to the region and its economy.
Honda’s Broad Vehicle Lineup
Honda offers a diverse range of vehicles through its extensive network of over 1,000 independent U.S. dealerships. Their award-winning lineup includes not only the Civic and Accord, but also a variety of SUVs such as the HR-V, Passport, Prologue, and Pilot, along with the Ridgeline pickup truck and Odyssey minivan. Honda’s growing electrified vehicle portfolio, accounting for over 25% of sales in 2024, features the all-electric Prologue SUV, and hybrid-electric versions of the Accord, CR-V, and Civic, as well as the Fuel-Cell-electric CR-V e:FCEV.
With over 40 years of automobile manufacturing in America, Honda operates 18 major North American manufacturing facilities. In 2023, over 99% of Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. were produced in North America, with approximately two-thirds being made in America, using both domestic and globally sourced components. For more in-depth information about Honda, refer to their Digital FactBook.
In conclusion, Honda’s recognition in Car and Driver’s 10Best awards, particularly the CR-V’s continued success in the SUV category, highlights the brand’s ongoing commitment to producing high-quality, innovative, and appealing vehicles for the North American market. The emphasis on hybrid technology and North American manufacturing further strengthens Honda’s position as a leader in the automotive industry.
