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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  Transmission issue at 13k Miles for Elite Pilot!! - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Praveen Madan - August 25 - 7:42 pm

  Just have ~ 13k miles and am having same transmission issues on 9 speed as everyone else. last week dropped the car at the dealer and today morning got the news that transmission and other oils have mixed (no reason given) they are going to change the entire transmission. This is really Hondas failure as its high end car with major transmission issue for which we have all paid ~ 50 grand. Even if they change the entire transmission, the car has lost its value who is going to pay for that?I have lost confidence of owing a Honda (have been driving accord and now pilot for last 11 years!!) Honda should recall this [non-permissible content removed]and pay us back- can be all do something about it? This is causing stress...

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  A Good Basic AWD - 2006 Honda CR-V
  By Holidaybarb - August 25 - 7:02 pm

  I wanted a reasonably priced AWD to replace my beloved 1995 Nissan Pathfinder. The CR-V is exactly what I expected. It runs well and reliably. The gas mileage is about 25MPG - in a good mix of city and highway driving. At first it was hard to adjust to the sounds of the 4 cylinder engine, but I think it actually has a little more pick-up than the Pathfinder did on hilly merges. This is basic, sure-footed, reliable transportation. Its good in the rain and easily gets me up my big hill driveway in the snow. The rear cargo area holds a lot of stuff. And the silver color looks pretty good too.

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  2016 Honda Civic - 2016 Honda Civic
  By RGhound - August 25 - 5:36 pm

  I have really been impressed with the changes Honda has made to the Civic since I owned my last one which was a 1996 model. I really have been spoiled on the keyless start and remote start feature. The Display Audio works great with my smartphone and gives me on-board navigation using Google Maps. My gas mileage has been terrific so far and I hope as the engine breaks in will increase even more. Im 62" and I can sit comfortably in my Civic though my hair will sometimes hit the headliner if I sit the chair up straight. The seat height is adjustable but I feel like Im sitting on the floor if I let it down too low.

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  I love this car! - 2003 Honda Civic
  By Tony - August 25 - 5:06 pm

  Extremely well built car. Manual trans scoots around. So far Ive had nothing go wrong or need to be fixed or even adjusted. I just put Michelin tires on it and it changed the ride dramatically for the better. If I had known this I would have done it when I bought the car. The OE tires were weak but didnt wear out quickly. Well, one issue is that the CD player can heat up on a hot day and cause a crackling on the audio output. To me it has been a minor issue that Ive ignored. Ive experienced this on other cars so.....What can you say about a car that has never had a single problem in over 4 years?

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  awful little tourture box - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By Sean - August 25 - 9:48 am

  We purchased this car new and for the first 10k miles it was fine. We chose the manual because of gas milage ect. but we never drove one upon ordering this one (mistake). The shifter is so vauge, acceleration is the worst, downshifting will not slow the vehicle, and finally it does this weird jerky thing while accelerating (the tachometer is not smooth and you can watch it stick at an rpm). The seats are the hardest most unsupportive seats for any type of longdistace driving. Steering wheel is falling apart. And lastly the a/c compressor just died last week, honda says it will be $1400 to fix. this is our second honda that the a/c died after three years. Verry disapointed

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  Ragtime - 2018 Honda Ridgeline
  By Stephen Zimney - August 25 - 2:14 am

  On November 17, 2017 we purchased from Buerkle Honda a new 2018 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E, VIN 5FPYK3F75JB007572 for a cash price of $42,560.00. The truck is for my wife replacing a 2007 Ridgeline that she drove. I was the one to drive it off the lot. We got to the freeway and as soon as our speed reached 45 mph, I could hear air noise from the driver’s side front window. It was as though the window was open a crack. I called the dealer and made an appointment with their warranty manager. We took the vehicle back to Buerkle on November 24, 2017. A technician test drove it. He also heard the air noise. They took the vehicle into the shop. They came and told us that they thought it was a trim on the door causing the problem. They replaced a trim panel on the driver’s side door. We drove the vehicle and it appeared that the noise was gone. We left the dealer but by the time we arrived home, the noise was back. My wife drove the vehicle back and forth to work the next week. Each day she complained about the noise. Now the air noise started at very low speeds. I purchased a sound meter and did testing. Then I called Buerkle and made another appointment with the warranty manager. I took the vehicle in on December 12, 2017. A technician test drove the vehicle and confirmed he could still hear the noise. They took the vehicle into the shop. My wife and I and our granddaughter waited in the lounge area. About two hours later, they came and asked us to go for a test drive. My wife went for a drive while I stayed with our granddaughter. Later the technician came back with my wife. He told us that the noise was inherent in the vehicle. They had gotten complaints from other customers about the noise. He let my wife drive another new Ridgeline and she could hear noise in that one also. The technician said there was nothing they could do. He said we might try writing to Honda. I guess this the new standard for Honda Engineering and workmanship. Let the customer stuff rags in the areas where there is wind noise.

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  I had very good time with this vehicle - 2003 Honda Accord
  By My 2nd accord - August 24 - 11:39 pm

  I saw many reliability issues discussed in this board. I thought that was strange, because I only had good memories with this car. The, I remember that I did have some problem with brakes with this car. They wore out too quickly. In one case, the pads were completely gone before 25,000 miles, and rotor was slightly damaged. So I paid like $300 for repair, while vehicle was still under warrantee. I need to change pads again, I have 60k miles now. But I had no other problems, and quite enjoyed the ownership. The engine is powerful and handling is quite good. After 5 years since introduction, this car still looks pretty!

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  Exceptional Car - 2010 Honda Insight
  By JA - August 24 - 10:23 pm

  Car has performed flawlessly - I have averaged 48.1 mpg on combined city/hwy driving which surprised me as the car is only rated at 40 city / 43 hwy.

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  Love it! - 2003 Honda Civic
  By lilrabbi - August 24 - 9:55 pm

  This is a really great car. I have had no mechanical problems with it at all. On the highway (55 mph) my LX (not hybrid) gets 47 mpg! It is about 30 mpg around town. The only two problems Ive had? The car is VERY noisy driving down the road. In the job I just left, I would drive three 1-hr roundtrips and two 4-hr roundtrips. It killed my back. My legs would be nearly numb when I got to work.

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  Worst. Honda. Ever. - 1999 Honda Odyssey
  By Comic Book Guy - August 24 - 9:42 pm

  Worst. Honda. Ever. Constant A/C problems, sliding doors that CLOSE if you bump them. In fact, you could make the door close on, oh, say, a toddler, simply by pushing in a few of the brass, pencil- sized "finders" in the door itself. Extremely uncomfortable to ride in - build for "little people". Noisy. Eats tires. Transmission problems. Lots of recalls. Words cannot express my disappointment with Honda. I guess they join the long list of companies that USED to do it right (H/P comes to mind), but have declined into mediocrity. Honda owes anyone who bought this lemon $10,000 for pain and suffering.