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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  Excellent Vehicle - 2008 Honda Accord
  By GF - December 11 - 1:12 pm

  I purchased my Accord new, it now has 102,000 miles and is eight years old. I replaced the rear brakes twice during the first 30,000 miles of ownership. The front brakes are the original brakes (hard to believe). The rear brakes have not been replaced since the redesign (70,000 miles on the rear pads). The only other problems Ive had are the sway bar bushings and the SRS module. The SRS module was replaced by the dealer free of charge even though the car had over 100,000 miles (Thank you Fisher Honda, Harry Snyder is the best service representative I have ever encountered). The car has never burned a drop of oil and handles all elements well here in Colorado with Nokian WRG3 tires. Its been a very comfortable car overall, however the road noise is high compared to other vehicles in its class. In fact, my only significant complaint is the road noise. Ive considered replacing it, but it just drives too well to replace. It drives almost the same as when I drove it off the lot, Ill probably keep it 2-3 more years as long as it remains trouble free. Just a great car.

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  NOISY FOR A BRAND NEW CAR!!! - 2015 Honda Accord
  By Shirl - December 11 - 8:48 am

  Ive owned 2011 Accord & due to an accident, she was totaled. I went right back to my local dealership [which is a great dealership by the way] and purchased a BRAND NEW 2015. I feel it was an error. This car seems cheaply manufactured as far as the engine goes. It makes noise like a cheap off brand vehicle and not quiet like my previous honda. It is also noisy on the highway-you can hear EVERYTHING!!! I will be trading it soon for maybe a toyota or nissan. I am disappointed with Honda this time around. Many of my family members own hondas too and their cars are older and quieter like my previous one. I am so annoyed!!!

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  11years owner - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Saaid - December 10 - 8:49 pm

  I bought the car new in 2005. Have 135,000 miles on it and counting without any issue. Have only changed the wear and tear parts in the past 11 years. RUNNING STRONG!

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  310,000 miles running strong - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Konstantin - December 10 - 6:12 pm

  Car has 310,000 miles on it and running strong. I am the only owner. Changed starter only. I like the car. Do not want to sell it.

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  2003 Honda CRV - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By Laura - December 10 - 8:41 am

  Only trouble so far are my cloudy headlights. Best car I have ever owned! Must say I love the red!

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  I got what I wanted - A great vehicle - 2013 Honda Ridgeline
  By joe - December 10 - 4:01 am

  I wanted an all around vehicle with a comfortable on the road ride with some off the road capability. A vehicle that would be able to handle a snow storm or icy roads. A vehicle I could haul bags of mulch, or shrubs from the nursery. A vehicle that could carry the grandkids, cooler, buggy boards, umbrella and chairs to the beach. And I got it with my 2013 Honda Ridgeline I purchased new. A great vehicle.

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  Best car - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By Lee Ann - December 9 - 9:25 pm

  The best car I have ever owned!! My 2004 Honda CR-V just turned over 340,000 miles! The only real problem I had was the AC compressor which lasted until around 250,000 miles and I replaced for $1000! The tires last forever on this jewel! I am now looking for another Honda CR-V! I love, love, love this car! Wish I could buy another one just like it!

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  Are you talking to me? - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Kandis Thorson - December 8 - 9:17 pm

  If the NAV is important to you, BUY A DIFFERENT CAR. I am a rep on the road & it rarely understands my voice commands. VERY FRUSTRATING!! I do feel my diction is good & my voice is clear, but I have given up on the Nav. I had Onstar in my last car & would not have bought this car if I would have known how poorly the voice command system worked. Also, I was told I cant add an auto tailgate & the hatch goes down quite hard. Im sure an older woman would not be able to operate it. Its the little things I miss, after coming from a Chevy Equinox this car doesnt have the bells & whistles. I think it handles well & the gas mileage is good. If I werent so upside down, Id trade it tomorrow. The selling feature was how it holds its value, who cares if you dont like the car. Sorry!

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  Mostly Improved Over Previous Years - 2014 Honda Odyssey
  By CN - December 8 - 5:56 pm

  Weve had this one for about 18 months and 31,000 miles now. We bought it to replace a 2012 Odyssey that was a disappointment on many levels. So far, it has been trouble-free. Around town we average about 24 mpg and on the open road we can count on 29-30 mpg running at 70-75 mph. While the 2012 and 2014 are essentially identical, most of the improvements are behind the scenes in that Honda has generally improved how systems operate. The auto headlights, for example, have better logic for the day/night mode switching, and the instrument lighting switching has been separated from the headlight switching. The cylinder shutoff system (VCM) is less noticeable (the 2012s was abysmal). Having the built-in vacuum is a nice touch, though we wish it were a bit more powerful. It also seems a bit quieter than the 2012 was (better active noise control?). On the downside, like the 2012 (and our 2003 as well) before it, front brake rotors warp too easily. Personally, I think they are undersized for a 4,500 lb. vehicle. The transmission is smoother than the 2012, but Honda has yet to figure out how to make a smooth-shifting transmission...on any car they sell. Cold operation is particularly lousy. Our biggest beef, though, is with the infotainment system. Migrating the radio/CD player to a touchscreen while keeping the joystick/knob controller was a mistake. The system response is slower and the programming changes they made to the navigation system make it harder to enter a destination. It also resulted in the loss of the pull-out cupholder/drawer, which was a nice feature to have. In those regards the 2012 arrangement was better. Overall, we are happier with the 2014. Hopefully, it will continue to give trouble-free operation.

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  Disappointed to say the least - 2012 Honda Odyssey
  By CN - December 8 - 2:41 pm

  After a dismal experience with a 2011 Toyota Sienna, which we purchased new, we bought the Odyssey in large part based on the 140,000 trouble-free miles put on our 2003 Odyssey. Initially, all was well. But, in two years and a tad under 50,000 miles, we had to replace the power steering pump and transmission (though that took four trips to the dealer before Honda relented). There was also a chronic grinding/whining noise that intermittently came from the a/c compressor and was never fixed. Not wanting to risk more failures, we traded it in for a 2014 Odyssey before the warranty ran out. Eighteen months and 31,000 miles into the 2014 model, it has been trouble-free, just like the 2003 model.