Overview & Reviews

Why are Honda vehicles so highly regarded by American drivers? Certainly, their excellent reputation for reliability and quality is a major factor. But it also has to do with the overall driving and owning experience. Read any Honda review and you'll likely notice common themes such as thoughtful design, a friendly nature, better-than-average fuel economy and attention to safety.

Japan-based Honda Motor Company was founded in 1948 by Soichiro Honda. The company got its start making motorbikes. Japan had been rendered cash poor and fuel-starved after World War II, and its citizens were hurting for an inexpensive, fuel-efficient mode of transportation. Honda's first motorcycles mated engines with bicycles to create a motorbike that was cheap to make and operate.

Honda's bikes quickly evolved into vehicles far more sophisticated than small engines stuck into bicycle frames. The manufacturer's 1949 D-Type could reach speeds of up to 50 mph, and offered front and rear suspension. The 1950s saw the launch of the successful Juno scooter, built to steal market share from the Vespa knockoffs that were popular in Japan at that time. In the latter part of that decade, Honda introduced the ultra-successful C100 Super Cub. The motorbike was remarkably easy to operate and featured a crossbar-free frame that made it popular with women. It went on to become the first Honda motorbike sold in the U.S. via then-new American Honda Co. in 1959.

By the early 1960s, Honda had built its first automobiles for the Japanese home market and entered Formula One racing. But it wasn't until 1970 that it exported its first car, the diminutive N600, to the U.S. The automaker initially had a hard time sparking interest among American buyers, but that all changed in 1973 with the introduction of the Civic. The car was larger than Honda's previous models even though it was still very petite compared to compact American cars. The Civic's high fuel efficiency (an important selling point given that decade's energy crisis) and affordability made it Honda's first American success story. By 1976, the Civic had been joined by the Accord, which quickly became a favorite with U.S. consumers as well.

By the 1980s, Honda's success and its reputation as a maker of well-built reliable cars and motorcycles continued to grow. It began building Accords in the U.S. in 1982 and by 1989 had earned the distinction of making America's most popular car. This was also the decade in which Honda created the Acura brand as a way to sell more upscale and luxurious vehicles. Throughout this decade and into the 1990s, the Civic and Accord were huge sellers and considered class benchmarks. Also during this time, Honda continued to innovate through such technologies as variable valve timing, aluminum body construction and improved safety features.

Today, Honda's lineup runs the gamut. Included are fuel-sipping hybrids, a spacious minivan, reliable family sedans, practical SUVs and even a pickup. Although the latest Civic and Accord aren't quite the benchmarks they once were for their respective classes, Honda's brand as a whole continues to be one of the most well respected in the industry, with millions of loyal and satisfied customers.

User Reviews:

• 

  Do your research! Wouldnt recommend the new Civic - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Shea Ellington - October 25 - 11:48 am

  Let me tell you a story of a man who bought a brand new 2016 Honda Civic Touring on 12/15/16. Since they day I have had nothing but issues with this car. Out of the past 80+ days, my car has been in the shop 50 of those days. My bluetooth does not work, my infotainment screen goes in and out, the emergency breaking goes off randomly, etc. I have 29 issues all together with my new car. The first 2 Honda dealerships told me they have seen these issues before and did not want to get wrapped up in legal issues so they would not try and repair my car. Honda corporate will not even talk to me about taking my car back and have been completely disrespectful. Honda truly is NOT the company they used to be and I WILL NEVER buy another Honda again. Dont just take my word for it, DO YOUR RESEARCH! You will find thousands of other Civic owners with similar issues.

• 

  Hondas Reputation is Based on Historical Results! - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By J. Perk - August 30 - 9:43 am

  I bought a brand new 2016 Honda Pilot EX-L. I had the SUV for 8 months before trading it in. The vehicle drove very well and was very comfortable - great for a growing family / large family. I traded the Pilot in as the vehicle was frequently emitting a gas/oil odor through its front vents. I bought the Pilot in several times for diagnostic and repairs but the dealer was unable to replicate the issue and therefore did not have a resolution to the problem. Honda stated they would no longer look at my vehicle given the inability to replicate the issue and suggested I go through arbitration if I was still unsatisfied. I unfortunately went through the arbitration process and lost badly given Hondas experience in dealing with these matters. Honda changed its position regarding the issue, stating it was a common issue and the car should be emitting such disgusting/hazardous fumes - noting this was not a defect, but normal. (The change in Hondas position was a result of me getting a 3rd party mechanic to verify the issue.) I was very disappointed with my ownership experience and have realized that companies dont care about their customers, just their bottom line (should have known!). Also, the radio is terrible on the Pilot (I think the company is working on resolving this issue). The touch screen doesnt have a volume button, which I didnt think would bother me, but became pretty annoying over time.

• 

  Great Car... if it WOULD START - 2014 Honda Accord
  By Kelli - August 30 - 6:25 am

  I love(d) Hondas. This is my 3rd Honda. Certified, not even 3 years old, right at 50k miles on it. Car will not start. Replaced battery. Still will not start. I look online and realize that it is due to a faulty starter, which Honda continually denies. Now I am not sure if I want to pay upwards of $500 to replace the starter, probably multiple times, when I could just get a different car and not deal with this nonsense that has accompanied this practically brand new vehicle. Come on Honda... really disappointed.

• 

  Hated it! - 2012 Honda Civic
  By Sandy R. - July 28 - 12:12 am

  I owned this Civic for 3 years and hated driving it every day. It was slow to accelerate and there was no great fuel savings. The econo mode made it even more sluggish. The headlights were extremely dim and not well focused. The slanting up windshield and sloping down front made visibility poor. The blind spot in the side mirrors was a significant minus. The cloth seats were wearing thin on the drivers side in just 3 years. The trunk was very small and could not hold much else once I put my mothers small walker in there. It was very difficult for an older person with hip or knee problems to get in and out of. The upholstery was treated by the dealer to prevent stains, however, it did not make it any easier to clean. I owned a 1996 Honda Civic 5 speed and loved it. I was extremely disappointed with this car. I traded it off to a Toyota dealer and I would not say the trade in was very significant. This said, it was a pleasure to be rid of this car.

• 

  2017 Hybrid loss of gasoline engine/error messages - 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid
  By Bart - July 19 - 2:49 pm

  Honda Hybrid with 1,350 miles on it broke down in a highway intersection and it was at the dealer for repair for 18 days. Honda provided a rental car. The battery control module and the trunk battery pack have been replaced. The hybrid gasoline engine died in an intersection, multiple error messages appeared on the dashboard display, and it only operated in the electric mode enabling me to drive it to the dealer. Calls into Honda by the dealer resulted in Honda shipping a new battery control module and a new battery pack to the dealer for installation. Car returned to owner and appears to be repaired. Found this recall notice for 2014-2015 Hybrid Hondas: (National Highway Traffic safety Administration, recall notice JT7) "Electrical interference may cause the hybrid system to switch into fail-safe mode, disabling the gasoline engine, limiting the vehicles speed to 40 miles per hour and [causing] the [hybrid] to function only on battery power." Which is what happened to me. Gave the recall notice to the dealer. In the former recall, new software was developed and downloaded to the dealers and used in the 2014-15 recall.

• 

  navigation not working and idle stop as well - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Ari Castillo - July 13 - 1:39 am

  after paying close to 50K the dealer can not still find whats the problem with the idle stop and navigation. since first day the navigation signals bars are in red sometimes in green but when is in red it looses actual location. I live in washington DC so I expected to have the green bars all the time. the iddle stop does not work after 1800K it stop working. If someone has the same problem please let me know

• 

  Honda Disappoints - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By Elisa N. - June 21 - 7:49 pm

  I have owned several models of Honda in my life. I have always equated Honda with quality. Not so any more. My Honda Minivan has been a huge LEMON. The transmission failed me at 60,000 miles and I was almost killed when it happened. I have spent a fortune on this Honda minivan and I wish I had bought a LEXUS or an INFINITI instead. I love the automatic doors but thats about it. Unfortunately HONDA has severely disappointed me with their transmission issues. I am no longer a lover of HONDA. I need to find a new reliable brand of car. SHAME!!!

• 

  Less reliable than a Yugo - 2002 Honda Accord
  By Irwinbenz - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I must admit that I listened to the hype and bought this car purely because it was a "honda". Two weeks after purchasing this car the engine started making a wheezing knocking sound shortly followed by a loud BANG! Well the loud bang turned out to be a piston ripping thru the engine block. I ended up getting a new engine, a new transmission, and a new stereo (the old one flamed out second time I used it) all this with less than 3000 miles on it. Maybe I just got stuck with a lemon, but one things for sure, Ill never buy a honda anything ever again!!

• 

  Dont buy this car - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By bighurt - May 3 - 6:42 pm

  Man what a mistake. Had the chance to purchase a Chrysler for $3,000 less. Decided to go with the Honda because they are much more reliable. Man was that a mistake. New transmission new brakes new front end and all the scheduled mait. Car has been to the shop and all the costs have been outrageous. Car has never been in an accident. I am now the poster child for not buying a HONDA!

• 

  CRV that cried wolf - 2018 Honda CR-V
  By Michael - May 2 - 12:29 pm

  Ive put 200 miles on this vehicle and hate it. It beeps at me all the time and usually I have no idea why. Sensing system goes into error. Dash tells me to BRAKE and more BEEPING when there is nobody near me on the freeway. Fancy iPad mounted to the dash blows. The vehicle is always locked when I think its unlocked and unlocked when I think its locked. The locks are downright infuriating. The fab weighs about 10 pounds in your pocket. Engine is loud and s l o w. Cab is horribly loud in the rain. Thought I needed to bond with her and spent the last two days dolling her up. It made me hate the vehicle even more. Its a detailing nightmare with so many water retaining nooks and crannies. Water gets inside the tail lights. Chrome trim pieces in the headlights grab my wash mit because they are poking out at the ends. Oh, and you have to leave your fab well away from the car when washing otherwise it keeps locking the doors and beeping every time the water hits the door handles. I hate this vehicle!