Brand Comparison
Evinrude vs Honda Outboards
A straight, factual side-by-side — both are excellent builders that simply shine in different places. Here is how they line up and who each one suits.
| Evinrude Outboard Motors | Honda Marine | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1907 | 1964 |
| Headquarters | Sturtevant, Wisconsin (former) | Tokyo, Japan (U.S. marine: Alpharetta, Georgia) |
| Ownership | BRP Inc. — brand discontinued May 2020 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. |
| Stock / Ticker | TSX/Nasdaq: DOO — parent BRP Inc. (Evinrude discontinued 2020) | NYSE: HMC — parent Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (also TYO: 7267) |
| Annual Revenue | ≈ $9.0 billion (TTM, BRP Inc. — whole company) | ≈ $137 billion (FY, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. — whole company) |
| Employees | ≈ 17,000 worldwide (BRP Inc., entire company) | ≈ 195,000 worldwide (entire Honda Motor Co.), not marine-specific |
| Manufacturing | Former Evinrude outboard production has ended | Global Honda manufacturing footprint |
| HP Range | (historic) up to 300 hp — brand discontinued | 2.3 – 350 hp |
| Fuel / Power | Direct-injection 2-stroke (E-TEC), historic | 4-stroke gasoline only |
| Product Lines | 3 families | 4 families |
| Signature Tech |
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| Famous For | Inventing the practical outboard motor — and, in its final chapter, the E-TEC direct-injection two-stroke that ran for years with no scheduled dealer maintenance. Discontinued by BRP in 2020. | Being the four-stroke pioneer. Honda never sold a two-stroke outboard, and the brand is known for quiet, clean, dependable engines — plus the headline-grabbing BF350, Honda's first production V8. |
| Best For | Owners of existing E-TEC/G2 motors and buyers researching used Evinrude outboards and brand history. | Buyers who want proven four-stroke reliability, clean running, and fuel economy over top-end speed. |
Revenue and workforce figures are point-in-time snapshots from company filings for the year shown (in several cases the parent company, not just the marine division). Stock price, market value, and ROI change daily — use the ticker for live pricing.
Where Each Brand Dominates
Evinrude on the water
Historic / Collector Interest
One of the most collectible and historically important outboard names in the world.
Used-Motor Market
A large installed base of E-TEC and G2 motors keeps Evinrude relevant in the used market.
Low-Maintenance 2-Stroke Fans
E-TEC owners value the torque and minimal scheduled maintenance of the direct-injection design.
Honda on the water
Reliability-First Cruising
A default choice for boaters who value long-term dependability and low emissions over top speed.
Fuel-Economy Repowers
Lean Burn Control and four-stroke efficiency make Honda a strong repower option for economy-minded owners.
Pontoon & Family Boats
Quiet, smooth running suits pontoons and family day-boats where refinement matters.
Which one fits you?
Choose Evinrude if…
- ✓Historic significance — the first commercially successful outboard
- ✓E-TEC direct-injection 2-strokes prized for torque and low scheduled maintenance
- ✓BRP still supports parts and warranty for existing owners
Choose Honda if…
- ✓Four-stroke expertise dating to 1964 — no two-stroke legacy to carry
- ✓Automotive-derived tech (VTEC, PGM-FI, Lean Burn) for economy and refinement
- ✓Strong reputation for reliability, low emissions, and quiet running
Browse & Official Links
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The Honest Take
Both Evinrude Outboard Motors and Honda Marine are top-tier outboard builders — you can buy either with confidence. Evinrude leans toward owners of existing e-tec/g2 motors and buyers researching used evinrude outboards and brand history, while Honda leans toward buyers who want proven four-stroke reliability, clean running, and fuel economy over top-end speed. For most buyers the deciding factors are which dealer and service network is strongest in your area, and which brand your local mechanics know best. Whichever you choose, you can browse listings for both on OutboardListings.com.
FAQ
Is Evinrude or Honda the better outboard?
Neither is universally "better" — they lead in different areas. Evinrude is best for owners of existing e-tec/g2 motors and buyers researching used evinrude outboards and brand history. Honda is best for buyers who want proven four-stroke reliability, clean running, and fuel economy over top-end speed. The right choice depends on how you boat and what dealer support is near you.
What is the HP range of Evinrude vs Honda?
Evinrude Outboard Motors offers (historic) up to 300 hp — brand discontinued, while Honda Marine offers 2.3 – 350 hp.
Who owns Evinrude and Honda?
Evinrude Outboard Motors: BRP Inc. — brand discontinued May 2020. Honda Marine: Honda Motor Co., Ltd..