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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  Nicely priced but question the factory MPG for CA - 2013 Honda Civic
  By wittay - November 23 - 12:10 am

  Your review of the Honda Civic Ex sedan automatic mpg. It is false and so far presentation of the information is at best misleading in the state of California. I have almost 5,000 miles on a 2013 Honda Civic EX and I have yet to average 29 miles city and highway. I have used the cars on board computer which seems to inflate the actual mpg and then manual calculations of what I filled the tank in number of gallons to cross check. While like the civic my main reason for buying the gas only verse hybrid model was that the gas model was supposed to get 38 mpg. When I asked the Honda sales and service folks what was going on I was getting mixed messages. One, wait until the engine is broken in.

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  Honda has lost it... - 2013 Honda Pilot
  By rick2456 - November 22 - 9:37 am

  I have bought 4 Hondas in my lifetime, including the 2013 Pilot touring 4wd. Only some minor issues thus far, but for sure the dealerships and Honda corporate are always trying to downplay the problems or consider them "normal". Honda has lost me for life. My other complaints are related to the ergonomics of the vehicle. 1) Cant load MP3 or WMA files on the hard drive. CD songs only. 2) Navigation doesnt show as much info as even a $80 GPS and you have to pay $150 for map updates. 3) No always on compass. The only compass is the navigation and it only points toward the north. Doesnt show you what direction you are heading. 4)Climate controls are ridiculous and hard to find/use.

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  Only minor issues - 2008 Honda Civic
  By donjames150 - November 21 - 2:57 pm

  I bought this car in December of 2008, it now has 75,000 miles 5 years later. The only "repair" has been to add 2 strong clips to fix the broken sun visor hinges that melt in the southern sun here in NC. And the paint job is of poor quality, but still good enough after 5 years. I had to have the AC charged this year. And brakes after 60k miles. Normal maintenance really. The passenger side front electric window motor is wearing out but still working. The factory tires were loud and hard riding. Do yourself a favor (and this goes for any car), buy the best tires you can afford. I like Goodyear ComforTred. They are quiet and give a softer ride, worth the extra money. Drives like new.

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  230K and no major problems - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By danielc2 - November 19 - 10:00 am

  Bought the Van new. We drove it a lot. Never had any major problems. We lost it when it was totaled in an accident. We miss it. We used Mobil 1 and changed the oil about every 5,000 miles. Changed the timing belt at 110K. Changed the brake pads myself and never had to replace rotors. The only thing not working when it was totaled was the clock light, rear windows and temperature control. Otherwise great van. I would by another 2004 but we are out of the kid mode.

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  Not so happy thhis time - 2013 Honda Civic
  By mooneymaniac - November 18 - 11:10 am

  Car which I test drived was firm (what I liked) and literaly glued on the road. That was 2012 model. My Si on the other hand feel very unstable, the back has some lateral movement what feels like on the ice you want to corected constantly with speed over 65. Car also pooled to the left most of the time. So far I had 7 appointments with the dealer. First blame was for electric power steering. now for surface of the freeway and width and profile of the tires ( 17/215/45) They checked alignment twice and every time 1-4 parameters out of specs. So the wide tires are instaled for less stability?Have hard time to buy it. I have read many review on Si but nobody complained about the same problem?

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  2014 Accord Sport Manual - 2014 Honda Accord
  By accordsportman - November 18 - 9:40 am

  Love the 6 speed manual transmission on this car... Drove the Mazda 3, Mazda 6 stick shifts and the transmission on this car is what helped me make the decision to go with the Accord. Probably the best manual trans out there. The Mazda 6 may look better than the Accord now but I was just worried whether Id still like it in say 1 year. Many cars look real good at first but after a while not so interesting. Maybe Mazda wont be like that.

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  Hard to find any fault - 2014 Honda Accord
  By rsr72 - November 15 - 5:02 pm

  I have had numerous Hondas. Last Accord being a 2003. Had went to a 2012 Fit Sport after that Accord, wanting something different, good car, but missed the Accord. Lots of smiles per miles in my new Accord. Hard to find any faults. EX-L. Was a little leary of a CVT transmission, having heard Car and Driver say they did not like them for years, but they said they liked this one, so I gave it a try. Pleasantly surprised with how much I like the CVT. The Fit had a 5-speed manual. I have had the 2014 Accord for a couple months and would buy again without hesitation.

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  CR-V EX-L 2013 - 2013 Honda CR-V
  By whitelinerr - November 14 - 2:47 pm

  First drive was across central Oregon at 60 mph. Note speed limit is only 55. But 35.4 mpg for the first tank fillup is pretty darn good. Wind that day was calm and dry roads. Since then its only been around town with an average speed of 27 to 29 mph. With that Im getting 29 to 30 mpg.

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  small oil leak from CVT transmission seal to engine - 2013 Honda Accord
  By gmount - November 14 - 1:20 pm

  I purcahased a new accord sport July 15 2013 with 3 miles on it. At my first oil change at 6500 miles, I noticed a small oil leak (1 drop) where the CVT bolts to the engine. I took it to the dealer for a warranty repair.Possible torque convert seal issue. I will post more details when the repair is finished. I am dissapointed about Honda transmission problems this early in the game. I will say the dealer was quick (no appointment) and offered a shuttle to work. If all goes well and the problem does not return all is good. sound like many people will face this same trouble. Fix it before the 30,000 miles waranty expires.

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  Glad we chose Odyssey over Sienna - 2014 Honda Odyssey
  By pastorbmk - November 14 - 11:21 am

  Our 2001 Chrysler T&C tranny died, so we shopped for a new vehicle. We test drove and thoroughly inspected the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna and were open to buying either. While we loved the roominess, front seats, ease of steering and quick acceleration in the Sienna. We liked the ease of use, electronics layout and smarter features on the Odyssey better. Both are excellent cars. Sienna is roomier but hard to figure out the controls on the tiny screen and to move the 2nd row seats - 3rd row is cramped for adults. The Odyssey has good use of space and better electronics layout, easier to operate seats and gadgets, and seems sportier to drive on the Odyssey. Love our new 2014 Odyssey.