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:

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  Honda - 2017 Honda Accord
  By MOLLYE Hearn - February 3 - 6:33 am

  Ive driven Honda cars since 1987 last one purchased was in 2000 always reliable had the EXL and manual. The radio and road noise were both terrible but since it worked and was paid for kept driving it until 2017. Of course the first cars I looked at were Honda Accord and CRV. Both drove ok.it was just the quality didnt seem to be there even leather didnt look as good as in the old days. Tried to locate a civic hatchback to drive but none were available where I was shopping. CRV compared to Nissan Rogue seemed so light weight I backed off of it. One Honda dealership we drove over to it talked with the internet sales trying to get a price. He didnt get back with us until several weeks later after we had already purchased another car. Still didnt have a price only asked if we were interested. To me Honda has cheapened up the looks and feel some much after thirt years I had to choose another brand

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  Entertainment user interface and transmission - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Paul Pelleiter - January 28 - 9:41 pm

  Ive owned 10 Honda/Acura cars. I am very loyal to the brand because dependability is important to me and so far my experience with Honda has been fantastic. Ive pretty much done only scheduled maintenance in over a million miles of driving collectively on all my Honda cars. Honda and Acuras have always been very smooth and have a feeling of harmony." That is, everything works together well to provide an excellent driving experience. However, I am seriously considering another brand for my next car for two main reasons. First, the interface for the entertainment system is junk. It is unusable by the driver while driving. Try manipulating a touch screen, the is not always responsive, while staying in your lane or being on a rough road. its impossible. Also, the voice command is garbage. It almost never works. It does not understand what is said. Ive even had it ask me to choose the number of a song. I choose the number - it plays that number - but it is a different song than the one displayed. I can only guess that the system has incorrectly indexed the iPod songs. The multi-controller wheel in the previous generation Pilot is a dramatically better interface. Having a cool looking all touch interface means nothing if it is unusable. The second issue is the 9 speed transmission. One day it can be excellent the next day it is horrible. The shifts can be all wrong making it impossible to drive smoothly, especially around town in stop and go traffic. The transmission surges when applying the brakes. It is very disconcerting to have the car speed up when you step on the brakes. This happens because the transmission often downshift and accelerates the car, or up-shifts and reduces transmission braking when you step on the brakes. Its hard to believe Honda actually drove this transmission and used these radio controls before increasing the car. If they did, they must have known of these issues yet released the car anyway. My faith in Honda engineering is severely shaken. The new Hyundais are starting to look appealing.

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  Overrated - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By Bud - January 15 - 3:26 pm

  I bought this car last week and drove around 121 miles. I think if you are looking for a comfort, donÂ’t buy this car. It has a small leg room for driver, crappy music system, worst driver seat and a stiff steering wheel. There no fun driving this car. STAY AWAY FROM IT. I would suggest rent this car for a weekend before to make a down payment.

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  Tranny Woes - 2001 Honda Civic
  By DAWN - January 14 - 1:36 pm

  Buyer beware. I have a 01 Honda Civic with 54,000 miles. Bought it new. It is certainly not an an abused car with about 8,000 yr average miles, far less than the standard 12-15,000 a year. I have maintained my car, had an extended warranty for 3 more years. Isnt it funny how cars are built to collapse right after the warranty! My trany just blew and I have to spend $2,500 out of my own pocket. This happened to another friend of mine at about the same amount of mileage.

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  DEFECTIVE ENGINE - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Steve Wincek - January 13 - 9:26 am

  Vehicle 4 weeks old, 678 miles, vehicle clonked out on the interstate. Towed to local dealership 76 miles from home. Computer scan indicated major engine problem. Advised it would take 2 to 3 days to determine what the problem is. Major engine problem in a new vehicle? No info upon contacting dealer for 4 days. Finally the 7th day of calling was advised that valve spring had broke. Working with Honda Tech Service to determine what caused the problem. Contacted Honda Customer Service to document problem. Told repairs would be made to our satisfaction based on warranty. Our stance: defective engine, defective vehicle. Asked for new engine or new vehicle, no way. Requested technical info from dealer to support diagnosis. Never have received. No contact for 3 additional days until I again called dealer. Stated that they had ordered new engine heads but were advised that was not available due to model still being produced?? Advised they were receiving parts to rebuild cylinder that had the broken spring! "Band-aid fix"!! Customer service confirmed heads were not available. Told that it would take a while as Tech Service was trying to determine in it was a defect in the spring. ANOTHER WARNING SIGN! 3 more days with no contact or information. Left message with Customer Service with no reply in 3 1/2 hours, called again. StronglY requested that a new vehicle be delivered and that Honda could take forever to research. Answer NO! They have had no contact with deal regarding update of issue, would follow up. Day has gone by, no response from either party. Into 3rd week since car breakdown and have no idea of solution. Cannot believe the complacent attitude of a company like Honda to deliver customer satisfaction. Did not purchase a $36,000 vehicle to get THIS!

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  Great dealership support - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Jim - January 1 - 2:47 am

  Purchased a new 2015 CRV in January of 2016. Had some issues with the car and the dealership went out of its way to resolve the problems. Couldnt be happier with my dealership and will continue to do business with them.

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  Great Car if you dont turn on the Stereo - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Michael - Long Beach CA - January 1 - 12:08 am

  If you are going to buy this car and plan on listening to music look somewhere else. Honda plays stupid and says there is not any problem and the dealerships are just guessing on what it takes to fix the problem. The subwoofer rattles and it is horrible even which the bass turned all the way down. I read in several forums including consumer reports that Honda will say they have never heard of this issue and when I called that is exactly what happened. Since then they have said they are working on the problem but they do not know when it will be fixed. The rest of the car well I love it and once they fix the stereo it will be a great car. The lane assist is a little weird and is nothing like what Tesla has but the over all fit and finish is first class. I hope helps someone

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  Adequate car after 2005 Priius - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By John W - December 30 - 6:53 am

  The outside is good, the handling is good, the controls (layout) could be better (do not hide the climate controls behind the gear shift), and the multi-function display has no problems that rewriting the software (user interface) couldnt fix. I have to reach around the gear shift to adjust climate control, and the controls have no dimples, so I have to look at the controls (away from the road) to adjust (no buttons on the steering wheel for climate). When starting the HRV, the radio (multifunction display) the display does not go to the last screen I had displayed when I shut down; every time I start the car I have to press additional buttons to get back to the useable radio display - attention to detail is important guys...

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  Report on My Honda Accord - 2000 Honda Accord
  By jjmax - December 27 - 2:00 am

  My Accord, 4 dr EX has been a good car for me. A few things have happened that were negatives. The transmission went out on Dec. 24, 2002 at 51,000. Fortunately, Honda had just sent me a note saying that they were extending the warranty from 50,000 to 100,000 so the transmission was replaced at no cost to me. I was in a state of shock because I have believed that Honda was the best. Also, I do not like the set up for drink holders and my wife dislikes the deep glove compartment she cannot see into. But, I would buy another Honda--but it will be a stick shift. Im through with automatic transmissions! I think Ill try a Civic.

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  Less than I expected from a Honda - 2001 Honda Civic
  By TTC - December 27 - 2:00 am

  An acceptable car but lower quality than I expected from a Honda. For example: * Lots of wind/road noise * Poor exterior and interior design quality * Lousy turning radius * Poor climate control