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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  Do not buy this... - 2018 Honda Odyssey
  By BS - December 13 - 5:51 pm

  I have 3 small children and wanted a reliable family car. After leading this car for almost 2.5 months Ive learned it is not family friendly. 1.). Young children cannot strap themselves into their car seats, therefore you have to climb into the van. The drivers side has a hard plastic board on the floor so it bruises my knees daily. The passenger side has a narrow path to secure the right rear seat which again you have to climb into the van to do. 2.). So far the following systems have failed or have no fix: rear climate control screen sporadically goes blank; rear speakers are not an option for the radio; anti-theft system alarms & rear cabin control failures are received at random; there is no menu screen for rear entertainment options so you have to use the remote & reach backwards over your head to select a DVD option; the idlestop no longer works. 3.). When calls or text messages come into your phone when connected to CarPlay it disables the rear entertainment and radio, however if you decline to read or answer, it doesnt turn the systems back on. 4.). If you have an iPhone the charging pad doesnt work, the CarPlay system doesnt work unless you buy a separate $50 cable. The HMDI plug is located in the most inaccessible location for a driver or front seat passenger. Overall this car misses the mark on design, electronics & being user friendly.

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  HONDA [non-permissible content removed] EX - 2001 Honda Civic
  By Debbie - December 4 - 2:25 am

  I have had the car for 6 yrs and have only put 38000 miles on it due to the fact that its parked more often than not. First it was the tranny then the head gasket then the front end right now its the valve cover gaskets [oil in my plugs] and the 4 ignition coils [auto stores want app. 50 bucks each thank god for Amazon got for 60] I used to think Honda was good. Now I no they are good GOOD FOR NOTHING Would not recommend to my worst enemy .

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  To many issues - 2016 Honda Accord
  By Kenneth - November 27 - 2:22 am

  I would not buy a accord! Transmission problems at 6000 miles....engine shudders...

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  overpriced crv - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By markt - October 14 - 10:00 am

  too small, too loud, too slow

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  My Last Honda - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Mike Landfear - October 9 - 1:47 am

  This is my fourth crv, and Honda has ruined it. It vibrates, hesitates, and has a general lack of power. The trim and interior look cheap and the new electronics suck. The superficial design flaws completely obscure the fundamental design flaws. I will be dumping this piece of garbage as soon as I can, as Honda will only fix problems that are life threatening.

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  Second review for my Labrador Retrievers car - 2013 Honda Fit
  By My Labrador Retrievers Car - September 24 - 10:11 pm

  I took a huge loss on this car in order to get rid of it because Honda currently has no means to fix it. Honda sent the recall letter in March stating the drivers air-bag inflator could fail and kill the driver. They refused timely rental for me at the dealer and at Honda Corp. because I transport dogs and the rental will get messy. By August, I had an unnamed Honda Corp case manager in the works but no real action taken. It was my choice, but enough is enough and I gave up waiting for Honda to act and disposed of the 2013 Honda Fit at about 6 month into this quandary. I was open and honest with both the local dealer and the Honda recall hotline. I let them know in mid-August that I was done waiting and a close call with a yellow Cadillac is why I am tired of the unsafe situation and lack of action to resolve my car issue. In general, it appears they are flooded with calls and lack manpower to deal with people with unique situations like me. To wrap things up, yes, it was a good affordable dog hauler but it is gone now because Honda failed to provide any sort of accommodation until it can be made safe to drive again. If Honda thought that I was going to park my only insured dog hauler vehicle for what has already been almost 6 months and just wait until some day when they might have a way to fix it and make it safe once again, they were mistaken. It is very wrong that Honda would send me a letter stating that the car is unsafe to drive, yet have no remedy for me after already almost 6 months. Ill never own another Honda.

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  YOUR SAFETY IS AT RISK . CMBS DOES NOT WORK - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By ed dee - September 7 - 10:54 pm

  I have the car for one month and the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) never did work in Stage 2 or Stage 3. Only the warning light comes on. Brakes are never applied. Going more than 10 MPH faster than the car ahead of you, only Stage 1 comes on with a warning notice. No light braking for Stage 2. No hard braking for Stage 3. I am Emergency Vehicle Operator Course trained. I had someone who I know keep a constant speed of 30 MPH and then retested again going 50 MPH. I would approach going 10 MPH faster than the lead car and only Stage 1 warning would activate, even when I was only 10 feet away before I had to manually apply the brakes hard. Apparently Honda/Accura had an earlier issue with the CMBS falsely activating due to being too sensitive. They did a software update but now it is not activating stage 2 or stage 3. This occurs no matter what setting ( long, normal, short) you have the CMBS set to. I brought it in twice to the dealer and although the service tech test drove it and couldnt get the brakes to work the computer stated everything was fine. Honda tech line was also called by the dealer and they said if the computer said there was no errors there is nothing to do. I called Honda Corporation and they also said there was nothing that could be done. Automatic Cruise Control works so it cant be the Radar or camera. This is a 2016 Honda Pilot Elite with CMBS

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  Not good - 2009 Honda Odyssey
  By Paul Leiberstien - September 5 - 6:12 am

  Ive had mine for about two months and I am very disappointed. Came out of a Caravan lease that had no issues for the entire time I had it. The Odyssey has squeaking brakes, doors rattle, and the DVD player skips. Try telling our 4 year old that the movie has to start all over again all the way to Florida. Not pretty. I wouldnt recommend the Honda

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  Run from Honda V6 engines ALL - 2010 Honda Odyssey
  By Lisa - September 3 - 5:53 pm

  Purchased used... so many issues with engine almost two years of ownership. finally died -1 week after a honda dealer warranty repair on piston rings...never had such a lemon...will never buy honda again.

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  Cheap - Junk - Bad Buy - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By Kelly Fredericks Wag - August 29 - 7:16 am

  This is my first Japanese brand vehicle and I am very disappointed. I had a 2006 Town & Country that I really loved. No issues ever in 30,000 miles. Then I get talked into this Honda Odyssey. Well 19 trips to the dealer in 10 months for repairs to the brakes, transmission, seat heaters, oil leaks, electrical system and door motors makes me not recommend this, or any other Japanese nameplate.