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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  Fuel consumption wont get any better - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By Nick - September 10 - 9:51 am

  I own this vehicle for 8 months and have over 9000 miles on it. At first I was totally surprised at the outrageous fuel consumption, getting from 9-12 MPG in the city. The dealership and Honda customer reps kept reassuring me that it will get better as the car gets more miles. THEY LIED. THE MPG STILL SUCKS. Whats worse is that there is nothing you can do about it. Car manufacturers get a lot of levity in how they advertise fuel consumption.

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  No more Hondas - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By Hondanomore - September 5 - 3:05 pm

  I have owned Hondas for over 20 years, but the CRV makes me think I will never own another. 4 years and 66,000 miles the air compressor blows apart. dealership wants $1,500 to replace it. Too much money for too little of a car. I just got a new Honda eliment, if this happen sooner I would never have gotten another Honda. I will be trading this in on a Saturn Vue.

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  Vibration problem - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By jodie - September 5 - 12:26 am

  My brand new 1026 has a vibration problem (so no the CRV vibration issues have not been fixed). It idles very roughly. When we brought it to the dealer they just told me thats how the car is and that there is no fix. The transmission also seems to have issues. Black carpet is also terrible, they should offer more carpet options. The noise while driving is pretty loud, you can not have a conversation with someone in the back seat. We chose the CRV over the RAV4 because we liked the styling of the Honda better-I should have known better.

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  Mediocre at best - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Car Fan - September 2 - 11:49 pm

  It does everything, but not great. To start, the third row is completely unsuitable for three people, even if they are younger kids. Two at best. Interior material is cheap - to the touch as well as sight. It will scratch VERY easily. The Garmin GPS system absolutely sucks! Most of the time, for the first two-three minutes, it has no clue where the car is. This happens to be the most critical period of driving if you are away from home and dont know your surroundings. Audio controls are the most confusing I have ever seen in a Honda! The engine seems to be confused on which gear to pick, and the amount of thrust to apply. Very hesitant. In the first two three months, it worked fine, but then started having a lag - very noticeable - in acceleration. Overall, very disappointed with our decision to buy the new Pilot. Ended up trading it in for a different vehicle after 8 months of ownership.

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  Elecrical Headaches - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By karonise - September 1 - 10:15 am

  I wont comment on the service I get from the dealership, but this car has constant electrical issues, the motorized doors dont close in wet weather, alarms buzz for no apparent reason, fuzes blow, motors in windows and winshiels wipers blow. I will be unloading this car this fall due to the number of times Ive been inconvenienced, and I am someone who prides on owning OLD cars. I currently own a 1990 Saturn, and had an 89 Celica (180Kmi) when I finally unloaded it, and it was still running well, just the body was shot. I will be buying a Toyota.

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  Honda Civic 2002 - 2002 Honda Civic
  By Pipo - August 31 - 10:42 am

  Overall, its OK. However, after 100k miles, the transmission broke down. Without any warning. I dont know why. Price of parts are too expensive.

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  Air Conditioner Out in TX at 42,000 mi - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By Plano - August 30 - 10:08 pm

  I have owned an Accord and a Civic. Who would think to buy an extended warranty on a Honda? Not me. I certainly didnt think my air conditioner would go out at only 42,000 miles. My sisters friend also has a crv 2004 whose air went out and it cost her 3,000.

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  Honda Certified? Not Really.... - 2000 Honda Accord
  By FokuSan - August 28 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car and it was honda certified. They claimed to have the whole 150 point inspection and everything perfect with the car. I had problems from the beggining of purchase. The SRS airbag light kept coming on. We had it fixed twice. The transmission shift isnt smooth at all. When going uphill and accelerating, the car jerks and seizes, the cupholder cover doesnt stay closed. The service at this Honda dealership was horrible, they didnt service the car at all, they brought it to a private mechanic to fix it instead of their using their own facility.

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  Nice to drive - but poor reliability - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By georgiadriver - August 27 - 5:35 pm

  Purchased this to replace problem prone Sable Wagon. It was nice for 3 years but has had many problems since, new transmission (replaced by factory @ 44K thanks), door problems, rattles under hood, electrical problems, poor mileage ~ 13-15 overall except on long trips where its > 20. All service has been through the dealership. Overall we like the van - but too many little problems. The power doors hang up now - causing a buzzer to go off. Were told $500+/- to replace a motor. This isnt something I expect after 6 years and 90K miles from Honda.

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  Transmission issue at 13k Miles for Elite Pilot!! - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Praveen Madan - August 25 - 7:42 pm

  Just have ~ 13k miles and am having same transmission issues on 9 speed as everyone else. last week dropped the car at the dealer and today morning got the news that transmission and other oils have mixed (no reason given) they are going to change the entire transmission. This is really Hondas failure as its high end car with major transmission issue for which we have all paid ~ 50 grand. Even if they change the entire transmission, the car has lost its value who is going to pay for that?I have lost confidence of owing a Honda (have been driving accord and now pilot for last 11 years!!) Honda should recall this [non-permissible content removed]and pay us back- can be all do something about it? This is causing stress...