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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  Very Noisy Car - 2017 Honda CR-V
  By Josh - September 19 - 2:35 am

  Something almost none of the car reviewers out there will tell you is how loud this car is on the highway. The sound dampening material on this car is very poor making for a very loud cabin at highway speeds. The rest of the car is pretty good its comfortable to drive for long trips (except for the noise), the power is good, cargo capacity is good and it looks pretty good except Honda continues to out do itself with ugly wheels. The engine is okay, it is very fuel efficient averaging roughly 32 mpg @ 76 mph on road trips fully loaded with 4 passengers. The turbo lag takes some getting used to and eco mode makes it almost undrivable in a city setting but shifting to sport mode keeps the motor in the powerband and it is a fun car to drive. The infotainment center leaves a lot to be desired while it does a good job if you mostly just leave it in one mode switching between connected device and a conventional radio/satellite radio source takes a lot of button pushes and is very distracting. Apple CarPlay is great but again switching to another source should be a easier. Also a play/pause button on the steering wheel would be nice. Overall it is a pretty good car except for the road noise. It is the first thing new passengers comment on when the go for a ride and it has me contemplating trading it in for a different car.

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  Gas Guzzler - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Rose - September 16 - 12:46 pm

  We recently purchased a 2007 Odyssey to replace our 2002 Odyssey which was totalled in an accident. We have not been as happy with the 2007 as we were with the 2002. The 2007 is bulkier to drive, harder to park, shifts rough between 20-30 km/h, and uses way more gas! 14-17 mpg in city driving is what we are getting and we were told it would be better than that. We are truly disappointed with the gas mileage of the 07. How can a vehicle be fun to drive when you can literally see the gas gauge moving towards empty as you are driving?

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  Bottom Line on the Ody - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By lawnboy - September 14 - 10:00 am

  Researched extensively then bought 02 model in late 01. Overrated. Left us stranded twice. Problems with American Honda honoring warranty. Good fuel mpg, smooth engine, fold down seat, but...big wind noise, transmission hunts excessively (reliability issues are real) controls not backlit, sliding doors slow and unreliable, shifter has unnatural throw-hits wiper stalk, drivers seat uncomfortable for long rides, front Power point located on floor difficult to use with no auto- off, fuel sloshes in tank excessively, re-sale not as advertised-

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  Fuel Economy Nonexistent - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Greg - September 13 - 7:36 pm

  Overall the van is OK, but the mileage is awful! Nowhere near the EPA posted rating even with the +/- 3mpg. We found this shocking having owned a Honda Accord in the past and the gas mileage was one of the things we were happy about. Honda needs to investigate this issue and correct and not have the dealers tell the customer "its hot in the summer" or "it must be the way you drive." Spring, summer, fall or winter and irrespective of how you drive, the gas mileage in the city will barely crack 14 mpg.

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  Less enthusiastic after 3.5 years - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By ajchien - September 13 - 6:41 pm

  When first purchased, I experienced the PTTR issue. I had to tell the dealership about the TSB that was available to fix it. After the TSB, the PTTR was gone, and has been done for the next 50k+ miles. Now at 50k+ miles @ 3.5 years, the dreadful, well known on many websites (search for it), air conditioning failure occured. Total cost was $2840. American Honda decided to goodwill $2000 of the cost. It is still disappointing, becuase there really is no definite fix to the AC failure and it could happen again. The AC should not be a wear & tear item. There have been 3 actual safety recalls on the vehicle.

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  not user friendly interior - 2006 Honda CR-V
  By Leonard - September 13 - 4:09 am

  Problems, arm rest are too small, need to be 2/3in wider,no lights on steering wheel controlds(radio,cruse,control) radio station and clock time numbers are too hard to see, not enough "trinket" storage. Other than that its "ok"

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  Do NOT buy the Navi option - 2013 Honda Accord
  By raymond2013 - September 12 - 7:37 pm

  Overall this car provides what you might expect. Its a little higher priced for what you get when compared to competitor offerings, but I wanted the reliability of a Honda. What I did not expect was the horribly designed user interface of the navigation system. Test drives and showroom floor interactions do not allow enough usage to fully grasp the awkward layout and slowness of the system. Not only that, Honda confirmed today that is not and will not be possible to turn off the beep that occurs every time you click. Huh? This is a software change (deficiency). Youve got to be kidding me. Using the system is akin to conditioned response from electric shock. You learn to avoid it.

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  The quality of the car and the dealer - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Joe_Edmunds - September 8 - 10:00 am

  Problem in first 10300 miles: 1. SRS system. 2. Seat belt failure. 3. Multiplex computer unit failure. 4. Excessive Rattle. 5. Unknown cause of Engine light 6. Bad experience with the dealership. This is Hondas fault of choosing dealerships with such low standards.

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  So-so vehicle - 2005 Honda Element
  By Joe - September 8 - 8:14 am

  I wanted a CRV but it was over priced and under powered for the size. (After some research I see Honda 4 cylinder cars are woefully under powerses. Only logical reason for that its more profitable for the company then adding a V6) The 2005 Element was nearly $24,000 new, way over priced! - I bought used. The Element has been a like / dislike relationship. Its way too heavy for 150+ hp. A small V6 would of made it an enviously nice car. Had I done my homework and seen the maximum cargo, occupancy and fuel weight is a maximum of 675 pounds I wouldnt of bought it. That means 3 adults and some luggage youre already at or above maximum safe driving weight limit. When I first bought it I did my best to get the best mpg (22mpg), which meant from a dead stop to the speed limit (30 street-60mph Hwy) in about 60 - 120 seconds, that got old quick so I now get 13 city / 18 hwy. I was getting 28mpg in my V6 260 hp Maxima. Road noise is nearly unbearable, Im sure I have hearing lose driving my Element. Why do I still drive it? Laid off, making less income. I have no stomach to get into debt anytime soon. So Ill drive it till it dies.

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  Seats hurt our backs! - 2005 Honda Accord
  By piposie - September 3 - 7:11 pm

  I am selling this car because the fuel economy is lower than I was led to believe and the seats are extremely uncomfortable for both me and my husband. I have had to get a seat cushion from the Better Back Store just to be able to drive this car, and I still have trouble with it. Ive never had a car as uncomfortable as this one. I only get 26 mpg in the winter in Colorado and 31 mpg in the summer. I do like the handling and power this car affords, though.