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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  Horrible Transmissions - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By Kbrill - April 23 - 4:25 pm

  We have had the transmission replaced twice and its bad again. Honda knows its bad but they wont stand behind it. We have had problems with the sliding doors not closing, the check engine light keeps coming on because of an EGR valve they cant seem to correct and had to have the wiring harness replaced and when they did it messed up the navigation system which hasnt functioned properly since the harness was replaced. Thousands of dollars worth the repairs. Total cost of ownership way too much for us and we have been Honda owners for 30 years. Time to look to another auto maker.

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  Honda fanatic - Truly Disappointed. - 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid
  By Mike (Used to Love Honda) - April 20 - 12:17 pm

  WARNING.... If youre a HONDA fan please avoid this car. I have owned Honda Accords and Ive been extremely happy when the hybrid came out I was excited and ready to get one. My previous 2003 Accord lasted 10 year without a single problem. Ive purposely waited 9 months and 7,500 miles to provide a truthful review. ISSUE 1: The trunk rods which hold open the truck snapped into multiple pieces by 4 months. By the 6 month, the second rod which holds the trunk snapped. The dealer did fix it for free, but not until putting me in the hot seat to see if I did something. The mechanic who worked on the car informed this is the 3rd or 4th Accord Hybrid hes worked on where the rod had snapped. ISSUE 2: My wife and I enjoy going to drive in movies (I know old school). You cannot turn off the running lights if you want to run the air conditioner or radio. Really poor design that the running lights cannot be turned off. ISSUE 3: My wife and I go on long trips out of town and enjoy listening to local radio stations. However, you cannot change the radio station from the steering wheel. You have to do it manually which is placed in an awkward location. You can only change radio station for the preset channels. Another pool design. ISSUE 4: The rear view auto deeming mirror has an horrible slow dimmer, so youre hit with a bright light for 5-10 seconds. Youre blinded until its dimmed out and it reoccurs constantly. ISSUE 5: The USB charger in the front counsel is barely able to charge my Samsung Note 5. Its just not powerful enough or something is wrong. The dealer told me that how the hybrid USB chargers work. ISSUE 6: The drivers arm rest does not slide forward like the previous Accords, so unless you have long arms or youre more than 6 5" its difficult to rest your right arm and reach the steering wheel. This was a really bad design especially if you have a long drive. ISSUE 7: With 7,500 miles on the car (60% interstate & 40% city) and Im a conservative driver Ive averaged 36 mpg. ISSUE 8: The truck space is small, but I knew that when I purchased the car. So thats my fault. ISSUE 9: No spare tire can be purchased for the car and according to the dealer if you use the unit provided to fix a flat tire. It can damage the car rims. CONCLUSION: I just wanted to inform everyone of my experience and provide you a WARNING before you make a mistake. Again, I love Honda cars, but this one really let me down..... :-(

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  Horrible Car! - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Shawn N. - April 8 - 3:23 pm

  Buying a 2009 Accord has been the worst purchase Ive made in the last 20 years. Several days after bringing the car home, I started hearing a loud wind noise through the drivers side door when you drove at freeway speeds. After 5 trips to the dealership and having it be in the shop for 2 weeks, I was essentially told, Id just have to deal with the noise. Wonderful! Then at 2000 miles the brakes have started to make a grinding noise, oh and Ive noticed a vibrating sound coming from the dash (which I hit with my hand to stop), not to mention the loud clicking the CD player makes. Essentially this car is a mess, save yourself some money and go buy a Geo Metro.

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  Horrible car, Horrible deal. - 2007 Honda Civic
  By Apollo Kabukuru - April 7 - 7:47 am

  Horrible. Horrible. Horrible. My 2007 had the engine crack issue. Dealer and Honda wont replace it. They want to charge me $4200 dollars. If you are thinking about it, please dont do it. Dont buy any Civic from 2006 to 2009./

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  Mold and Rust under the car - 2017 Honda CR V
  By Millie - March 29 - 10:59 pm

  I purchased a Honda CRV 2017 Touring January 2017 and I noticed the long tube that connects to both muffler is rusting and molding. I went back to my dealer Paragon Honda in Queens , NY and I was told that its a manufacturer problem and that is how is made. I am furious because I paid 38,000.00 for my vehicle and they told me there is nothing I can do. I guess I am going to present this case to my lawyer and see what I can do .

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  Beautiful Death Trap - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By B Smith - March 22 - 5:09 pm

  I just about died due to acceleration on braking. Car thrust out into traffic when stopping at end of our street. Others barely swerved in time crossing into opposing traffic to avoid us. Have now read others reports of identical issues. Sudden acceleration even when brakes applied. Sudden deceleration with steady accelerator pressure at slower speeds. Only 3 months with car and have had growing concern and increasing experiences with these issues. After todays incident this car has to go back. It is not safe.

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  Prepare for many trips to the dealership service - 2017 Honda Pilot
  By Ali - February 18 - 3:11 pm

  2017 Pilot ,Elite , tailgate water leak, losing radio sound with freezing screen,blank navigation screen ,auto high beam feature multifunction......etc .I am so close to file it as a lemon .

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  A VW -level problem with fuel economy - 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid
  By calcritic - January 28 - 4:17 pm

  I average 29-30 mpg in primarily city driving. Instruments tell me I am always driving in a fuel efficient way, but the gasoline running through the engine says something different. Dont notice much variation with level of traffic, but real stop and go really turns on the gasoline engine. Dealer says computer works fine, so car must work fine . Dealer kept it for a week so they could do test drives- their best average day on their own chosen time/traffic/distance was 34 mpg. Head of maintenance told me that was in line with the other Honda Accord Hybrids he sees, seemed unconcerned that was enormously lower than the "official mileage" promise. Complained to headquarters- they told me they would love to check it over, then gave me 20 reasons why they would find there were no problems. I didnt bother after that litany. Obviously Honda knows this is the mileage to expect from their Hybrid, but like VW, covered it up somehow in their tests. Truly HATE the car, would never buy another Honda even though I have been a Honda person for more than a decade. Feel like a sucker every time i drive it.

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  Lemon - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By Kasey - January 19 - 9:33 am

  Numerous electrical problems. On slippery and snowy conditions, the AWD does not engage, and got stuck. The shifter also gets stuck frequently, and is awkward to operate. After spending more time in the shop than on the road, my battle with this thing finally came to an end during a snow storm. While doing only about 20 mph, the back end kicked out (again, AWD didnt engage) I lost control and went off the road into a tree. Thanks to the unibody frame and poor impact zones, I came out with a cracked head and some broken ribs. The only saving grace of the ordeal is that the stupid car was totalled.

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  Not happy at all - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Kyle - December 18 - 1:10 am

  This is supposed to be a truck. Everyone raves, Motor Trend names it "TRUCK of the year" and I ordered one. It arrived 3 weeks late, and its basically a jacked up accord. The "bed" if you can call it that is useless, it has low approach angle, and scrapes on the most miniscule inclines, it has no ground clearance, and no torque! The passengers rear door didnt close right and I had to take that in to be fixed. If this is what Honda considers a TRUCK, they are sadly mistaken. It will be sold after next April, and Ill be looking at Toyota and Ford. And looking a LOT more closely than just at Honda Trend Magazine. Those guys must be getting bribes!