Mazda and Honda are Japanese multinational automobile manufacturing companies. Both brands are known for producing some of the most reliable and best-performing cars in the world. Honda is the world’s fifth-largest car company and its annual production is around 4.5 million vehicles, five times more than the Mazda.
Depreciation is the main factor to consider before buying any car. Therefore, to make an informed decision, people are often interested in comparing Mazda vs Honda depreciation. In this article, you will get to know everything about the deprecation of both car brands and tips on how to slow down your car’s depreciation.
Mazda vs. Honda- a General Resale Value Comparison
Both Mazda and Honda are equally good when it comes to value retention. Mazda is slightly better than Honda during the initial years of the vehicle’s lifespan. Honda takes the lead in the middle and depreciates at a slower rate during the fifth and sixth years of its life.
Mazda dominates in the start and only depreciates 24 percent after two years, and Honda has a depreciation of 27 percent after the same time. The average residual value of Mazda and Honda cars is shown in the following table.
| Vehicle Age | Mazda Depreciation | Honda Depreciation |
| 1 | 81% | 79% |
| 2 | 76% | 73% |
| 3 | 70% | 69% |
| 4 | 64% | 64% |
| 5 | 56% | 58% |
| 6 | 46% | 50% |
| 7 | 43% | 44% |
| 8 | 37% | 39% |
| 9 | 32% | 32% |
| 10 | 29% | 29% |
An average car depreciates around 50 to 60 percent after five years of operation whereas Mazda and Honda only depreciate 44 and 42 percent respectively. This shows how good their cars are in retaining their value.
The below graph shows the Mazda vs Honda year-to-year average depreciation. As it can be seen that throughout the vehicle’s age both lines remain very close to each other. During the first two years, Mazda outperforms Honda, but in the middle Honda takes the lead and depreciates at a slower rate.
Now for a better understanding and insight, let’s compare famous models of both car brands and see which car model outperforms the other.
Also read: Mazda vs. Subaru (Depreciation Compared!)
Mazda CX-5 vs. Honda CR-V
Honda CR-V has overall better value retention than Mazda CX-5. They depreciate at an almost equal rate for the two years but for the rest of the years, Honda CR-V outperforms the Mazda CX-5.
Both car models belong to the same category of compact crossover SUVs and have a sitting capacity of five people. As it can be seen in the table below the only year during which Mazda CX-5 beats the Honda CR-V is the second one.
| Vehicle Age | Mazda CX-5 Depreciation | Mazda CX-5 Residual Value | Honda CR-V Depreciation | Honda CR-V Residual Value |
| 1 | 78% | $24,413 | 78% | $27,873 |
| 2 | 76% | $23,728 | 73% | $26,154 |
| 3 | 65% | $20,405 | 72% | $25,798 |
| 4 | 63% | $19,792 | 70% | $24,785 |
| 5 | 55% | $17,244 | 61% | $21,876 |
| 6 | 45% | $14,209 | 54% | $19,155 |
| 7 | 41% | $12,745 | 45% | $16,006 |
| 8 | 37% | $11,465 | 44% | $15,718 |
| 9 | 25% | $7,929 | 38% | $13,550 |
| 10 | 23% | $7,219 | 35% | $12,341 |
Mazda CX-5 performs poorly during the third year and has a huge depreciation of 11 percent whereas Honda CR-V only depreciates 1 percent in the same year. This is where the CR-V takes the lead and maintains it for the rest of the lifespan
The below graph compares the residual value of both car models against their age.
The initial selling price of the Mazda CX-5 is $31,291 and it retains 55 percent of its value after five years. Whereas the initial selling price of the Honda CR-V is $35,657 and it retains an impressive 61 percent of the value after five years.
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Mazda CX-9 vs. Honda Pilot
Except for the first year the Honda Pilot depreciates at a slower rate than Mazda CX-9. The CX-9 has a close performance during the initial years but in the sixth year the difference becomes significant, and Honda Pilot ends up having a better resale value.
Both car models directly compete against each other and fall under the same category of midsize crossover SUVs. Both Mazda CX-9 and Honda Pilot are the largest SUVs produced by their respective company. They are mostly sold in the U.S and Middle East markets.
Following is the table showing the depreciation trend of Mazda CX-9 and Honda Pilot.
| Vehicle Age | Mazda CX-9 Depreciation | Mazda CX-9 Residual Value | Honda Pilot Depreciation | Honda Pilot Residual Value |
| 1 | 78% | $33,507 | 76% | $35,162 |
| 2 | 68% | $29,389 | 74% | $34,409 |
| 3 | 66% | $28,462 | 72% | $33,479 |
| 4 | 61% | $26,323 | 65% | $30,298 |
| 5 | 56% | $24,249 | 58% | $26,867 |
| 6 | 38% | $16,447 | 50% | $23,286 |
| 7 | 34% | $14,485 | 46% | $21,501 |
| 8 | 33% | $14,321 | 39% | $18,320 |
| 9 | 25% | $10,928 | 31% | $14,559 |
| 10 | 23% | $9,949 | 30% | $14,066 |
During the first five years, the difference between their depreciation is not more than six percent. But after five years, Mazda CX-9 shows a steep decline in its resale value and depreciates around 12 percent in the sixth year. On the other hand, Honda Pilot only depreciates 8 percent in that year.
The below graph compares the residual value of both car models against their age.
The initial selling price of the Mazda CX-9 is $43,124 and Honda Pilot is a bit expensive and comes with a price tag of $46,498.
Also read: Mazda vs. Toyota (Depreciation Compared!)
Mazda 3 vs. Honda Civic
Honda Civic has slightly better value retention than Mazda 3 and it is the best-performing model of Honda. Mazda 3 is not far behind and also has decent value retention, especially during the initial years.
Both of these cars have a similar initial selling price and belong to the category of compact cars. Honda Civic is the sixth best-selling automobile of all time and has a huge demand all over the world.
Mazda 3 is also very popular among the masses and it even has better value retention than Honda Civic in the third year but loses its momentum after that.
| Vehicle Age | Mazda 3 Depreciation | Mazda 3 Residual Value | Honda Civic Depreciation | Honda Civic Residual Value |
| 1 | 84% | $18,724 | 86% | $20,636 |
| 2 | 77% | $17,280 | 77% | $18,487 |
| 3 | 75% | $16,638 | 72% | $17,198 |
| 4 | 62% | $13,781 | 70% | $16,760 |
| 5 | 52% | $11,568 | 61% | $14,642 |
| 6 | 48% | $10,772 | 55% | $13,239 |
| 7 | 48% | $10,622 | 48% | $11,428 |
| 8 | 35% | $7,800 | 43% | $10,302 |
| 9 | 32% | $7,178 | 32% | $7,761 |
| 10 | 25% | $5,597 | 29% | $7,006 |
The initial selling price of the Mazda 3 is $22,306 and it depreciates 48 percent after five years. Whereas the initial selling price of the Honda Civic is $23,953 and it only depreciates 39 percent after five years.
The below graph compares the residual value of both car models against their age.
Also read: Honda vs. Toyota- Resale Value (1-10 Years)
Mazda 6 vs. Honda Accord
Mazda 6 has better value retention than Honda Accord during the initial years of its lifespan. But in the second half, Honda Accord beats Mazda 6 by a comfortable margin and depreciate at a slower rate.
Both of these car models fall under the category of midsize cars. Honda is manufacturing Accord since 1976 and it was the first Japanese car to be produced in the U.S. The Mazda 6 was launched in 2002 and it also has a huge market in the U.S. Both car models have similar performance for the first four years but due to their popularizing and reliability, Honda Accord emerges as a winner in the end.
| Vehicle Age | Mazda 6 Depreciation | Mazda 6 Residual Value | Honda Accord Depreciation | Honda Accord Residual Value |
| 1 | 84% | $22,769 | 79% | $25,584 |
| 2 | 79% | $21,509 | 77% | $24,924 |
| 3 | 72% | $19,522 | 72% | $23,330 |
| 4 | 63% | $17,039 | 63% | $20,352 |
| 5 | 52% | $14,132 | 58% | $18,854 |
| 6 | 46% | $12,583 | 51% | $16,587 |
| 7 | 40% | $10,928 | 44% | $14,126 |
| 8 | 28% | $7,654 | 40% | $13,043 |
| 9 | 25% | $6,749 | 36% | $11,726 |
| 10 | 23% | $6,317 | 28% | $9,172 |
The initial selling price of the Mazda 6 is $27,171 and it depreciates 48 percent after five years. Whereas the initial selling price of the Honda Accord is $32,340 and it only depreciates 42 percent after five years.
The below graph compares the residual value of both car models against their age.
Mazda CX-3 vs. Honda HR-V
Mazda CX-3 starts very strong and depreciates at a relatively slow rate during the initial years. But it sees a significant drop in the resale value after the fifth year and got out-performed by the Honda HR-V in the long run.
Both of these cars are subcompact crossover SUVs and have a sitting capacity of five people. Honda HR-V is a little expensive and has an initial selling price of $26,974. The Mazda CX-3 comes with a price tag of $23,037 and this lower starting price is the main reason behind its excellent value retention during the initial years.
| Vehicle Age | Mazda CX-3 Depreciation | Mazda CX-3 Residual Value | Honda HR-V Depreciation | Honda HR-V Residual Value |
| 1 | 77% | $17,628 | 82% | $22,057 |
| 2 | 76% | $17,411 | 72% | $19,308 |
| 3 | 69% | $15,985 | 66% | $17,849 |
| 4 | 68% | $15,642 | 66% | $17,730 |
| 5 | 61% | $14,092 | 57% | $15,499 |
| 6 | 42% | $9,623 | 52% | $14,000 |
| 7 | 37% | $8,561 | 46% | $12,292 |
| 8 | 35% | $8,045 | 42% | $11,259 |
| 9 | 25% | $5,838 | 35% | $9,346 |
| 10 | 23% | $5,315 | 32% | $8,748 |
The below graph compares the residual value of both car models against their age.
Also read: Honda vs. Toyota- Resale Value (1-10 Years)
Do Mazdas and Hondas Hold Their Value Well Compared to Other Car Brands?
Both Mazda and Honda hold their value incredibly well when compared to other car brands. They are among the top ten brands with the best resale value after 3, 5, and 7 years.
Only a few other brands like Toyota and Subaru can compete with Mazda and Honda and have a better resale value than these two. The majority of the vehicles from Mazda and Honda have low maintenance and repair costs. Their impressive accolades, reliability, and popularity are the main reasons behind this amazing value retention.
How to Slow Down Your Mazda and Honda Depreciation?
The phenomenon of depreciation cannot be stopped but it can be slowed down by taking below mentioned steps:
- Avoid buying a brand-new Mazda or Honda vehicle because they depreciate the most during the initial years.
- Always keep your car in good condition and never miss the maintenance after the recommended intervals.
- Try to buy a used Mazda or Honda car with minimum mileage on the meter because the more mileage the car has the less it will be worth.
- Maintain the full-service history of the car as it is a great way to reassure your buyer that the vehicle has been well maintained.
Sources:
en.wikipedia.org, edmunds.com, cars.usnews.com, motortrend.com, germainhondaofdublin.com, statista.com, mazda.com, global.honda
