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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  My 2007 CRV EX - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By r_man20001 - November 25 - 9:00 pm

  I purchased my certified new with 25K miles. I loved it and have been happy with it but have had reliability issues. My air conditioner failed and had to be replaced and the locking modulator has failed along with a door lock and my routine maintenance visit to the dealer yielded new struts. Im just at 77K miles with regular maintenance so thumbs down.

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  Not start from first month of new - 2013 Honda Accord
  By cazurra - October 25 - 9:44 pm

  The car is not starting from the time of work, the dealer is trying to convinc me of nothing happend to the car becose start right after the tech take a look in it. After coming back home next day stop running in the gas station, do not start again, after call the dealer in north Florida where I bot the car for help, send the car to three different dealer ships, service from all the dealers was with out help and the car continous having the same problem on a year time owner the car, Lemon, Lemon.

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  Dangerous - 2013 Honda Accord
  By aggie89 - October 25 - 5:19 pm

  Honda should have never been allowed to sell a car with a CVT like this one has. Theres a rubber band effect. When pushing on the accelerator the motor goes into idle then takes off like a jet after slowing down. Honda is all too aware of this and the defective airbags but refuses to have a recall. Greed has overtaken the corporation, like it did GM, Toyota, and Ford. My guess is that there will be deaths before a recall might be forced. Look elsewhere.

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  doesnt drive striaght - 2014 Honda Accord
  By s3dutra - October 11 - 10:57 am

  brand new off the lot 0 miles, 6 months later problems with steering, car pulls to the right. have had an alignment done and the steering wheel had to be reset on 2 separate occasions. the problem still exists but honda denies that the car has any issue even though it had to be serviced 3 times now. do not but this car. honda will not work with at all!!!!!!!

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  disappointed - 2014 Honda CR-V
  By waleedaha - September 23 - 10:55 am

  I usually by new Toyota, this time i decided to try the Honda CRV. I am very disappointed with the quality. the car has only 3000 miles and the ceiling is falling apart, coming off, the dealer wont replace the car, promised repair and Honda customer service were not helpful, did not care , said they will document it?? I asked for a manager but to my surprise no one was available? Yes that was Honda customer service in USA??? ManI should not go to Honda , I should have stayed with Toyota, never had issues and their customer service are much better.The quality and price were very good too.

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  Engine missfiring problem - 2012 Honda Odyssey
  By mike1419 - September 3 - 3:26 pm

  First a rocker oil sensor caused the engine to hesitate and misfire July 2013. Then Feb 2014 engine misfiring. Barely made it to dealer. Three spark plugs replaced and software update. July 2014 again misfiring, barely running. Made it to the dealer. Three pistons had rings replaced. This is all covered on warranty from a class action settlement I received in the mail. It appears to me that reliability has gone downhill. The van has 53,000 miles on it.

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  Not a 4WD - 2014 Honda Pilot
  By dabizmike - September 3 - 1:32 am

  Bought this after salesman said this was 4WD (says so on vehicle) had no way of testing since it was bought in July. took to Outer Banks in NC and got stuck twice. Attempted lock in as manual says and still did not help. Transmission fluid overheated and had to sit and wait for it to cool down. Friend driving a Rav4 was able to drive in sand better than we could and his is not 4WD. Was able to dig out once and then had to be towed once. Even letting air out to less than 20lbs did not help with getting through sand Might be better in snow butnot looking forward to testing out.

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  Unhappy with 2012 Honda Accord - 2012 Honda Accord
  By vthaxton - August 27 - 4:04 pm

  I have owed Hondas since 1985 and the 2012 is the worse. My 1998 with 250,000 miles drove and rode better than the 2012. Hesitation is a common occurrence. I took it back to the dealership but they claim couldnt find anything wrong with the car. The seats are very uncomfortable. The road noise when driving on the highway is very distracting, you cant hear the radio unless you turn up loud this is not an option when others are in the car. The gas mileage is very good. I will not keep this Honda as long as I have kept the others I have owned.

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  Dont buy a Honda... - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By meinnocentha - August 25 - 4:24 pm

  I am VERY disappointed with my purchase..I bought a 2006 Odyssey touring edition fully loaded from the original owner who had it maintained 100% BY HONDA at their dealership per Honda recommendations. (i verified all of it and saw all the reports before i bought it) I bought it with 139K, transmission went out at 140K...there goes 6K+to fix it. Tried to get honda to help with repairs since its a WELL KNOWN occurance...of course they WILL NOT HELP, if your out of your 3/yr 36K warranty your screwed... Honda doesnt give a crap about their customers once out of warranty.... I even had to pay SHIPPING on the parts every time something needed to be fixed, screw you honda!

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  Problems, Problems, Problems - UPDATED - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By edmund21 - August 1 - 1:21 pm

  This is an update of my 4/10/14 review. Since then I have had to replace the power steering rack and pinion and the front motor mount. The rack was a $1700. job and the mount $450. Honda USA refused to admit their recalled power steering pump damaged the rack and did not offer any "good will" discount. Its a money pit. Im going back to German for my next vehicle. Heres my 4/14 review: I bought this van used. My mechanic, a 30 year veteran, did pre-purchace inspections on six Odysseys before we found a well maintained one with 60K. I was happy with the van for the first few months, and then....problem after problem: a blown power steering line, overheating caused by a faulty Honda fuse.