Honda has kicked off 2026 on a high note, securing two of the most prestigious accolades in the UK automotive scene. The Honda Civic e:HEV has been crowned Family Car of the Year, while the brand itself has taken home the title of Most Reliable Brand, reinforcing Honda’s reputation for dependability and innovation.
The Civic e:HEV’s victory follows a series of updates introduced in 2025, which included a refreshed exterior design and subtle interior enhancements. These refinements elevate comfort, premium feel, and practicality, while retaining the model’s celebrated hybrid efficiency and spirited driving experience.
Steve Huntingford, Editor of What Car?, praised the Civic’s winning qualities: “The Honda Civic is one of the most spacious and practical family cars on sale. Plus, it manages to combine a comfortable ride with fun handling. Its hybrid set-up delivers gutsy performance, quiet running, and superb real-world fuel efficiency. And, if you buy on PCP finance, you get all of this for a competitive price.”
Honda’s achievement is not limited to the Civic alone. The brand’s continued dedication to reliability earned it the top spot in the 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey, showcasing the lowest fault rates of any brand and swift, no-cost resolution when issues did arise. Huntingford noted, “While Honda always performs well in the annual What Car? Reliability Survey, 2025 saw it move up to the top spot. For starters, it had the lowest fault rate of any brand. And on the rare occasions that problems did occur, these were put right swiftly and at no cost to owners.”
Rebecca Adamson, Head of Automobile at Honda Motor Europe – UK, welcomed the double recognition: “We’re delighted to see the Civic recognised once again, and to receive further validation of Honda’s long-standing reputation for reliability. These awards reflect the dedication of our teams, our retail partners and the trust our customers place in the brand. It’s a fantastic way to begin 2026.”
The Civic e:HEV continues to set the standard for family-friendly hybrid vehicles, combining spacious practicality, comfort, and eco-conscious performance. Alongside Honda’s enduring reliability, these accolades reaffirm the brand’s leadership in quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction in the UK market.
