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 first Honda - 2014 Honda CR-V
  By nelson1 - November 13 - 10:02 am

  I am elderly. I have had many, many cars. This is my first Honda, and I have to say, I am thrilled with this vehicle. Zero problems, so far, great gas mileage, more performance than I expected from this little 2.4.

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  Disappointed - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By db1155 - November 12 - 6:17 pm

  24,000 miles. Rotor, tire, transmission issues. Unsafe, unreliable vehicle.

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  Always Buy Honda - 2006 Honda Accord
  By ashbmcc - November 11 - 10:31 am

  I honestly love my Honda Accord. I bought it with 88,000 miles 2 years ago and now have 130,000. I drive a lot and needed a good quality car. Honda is the way to go, and especially an accord. Ive contemplated selling my car only because of the loan I used to buy it is sinking me. But, I just cant actually get to the point of wanting to give up a car I really enjoy having and one that has been so reliable. When I bought it two years ago with 88k miles on it, it was Honda certified with a year warranty I paid extra for. I shouldnt have purchased the warranty, although always good to play it safe, but I never needed to use it. Great car. Love it.

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  Excellent, but ... - 2013 Honda Insight
  By kojo1 - November 10 - 9:48 pm

  Pros: The obvious--excellent gas mileage. Test drove and got over 50 mpg consistently. The car has decent low end torque, so will pick up if you want it to. The green eco invites you to continually drive conservatively to maintain good mpg. The stereo system is fairly good quality. Hatchback opens easily. Nice storage. Has spare tire. The drive is very silky and smooth. The best CVT Ive driven. The turning radius is incredible. Will turn on the dime. Handles beautifully around curves. Suspension very sturdy with bumps. Ignition is seemless and strong. Cons: The major con is the incredible uncomfortable driving seat. More below.

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  Disappointed - 2008 Honda Civic
  By wak52 - November 10 - 1:36 pm

  In November 2013 my 2008 Honda Civic experienced a motor mount failure. The vehicle has been well maintained, driven easy and only has 57,000 miles on it. Investigation on the internet shows this to be a very common problem. Honda absolutely refuses to do anything about the problem, other than charging their customers a hefty fee for the repairs. This generation of Civic has also had issues with the windshield visors failing after a few years. Unfortunately the Civic has become an under engineered vehicle that Honda has cut too many corners with.

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  Nice car......too bad about the seats - 2014 Honda Accord
  By motorman409 - November 7 - 10:00 pm

  I have owned this car for 7 days, and even though I love the ride, power, CVT, looks, and all the other stuff, the bucket seats are awful. I am 6 feet tall, 195 lbs, and there is no way to adjust the seat to fit my size. The seats are built for a small framed person (like my wife, 57 130 lbs). When I sit in the drivers seat I actually sit up on it, with no butt support, and no back support. The drivers seat is crippling me. The back seats are much flatter, and better. Take the car for longer than a 15 minute test drive, or rent one for a weekend. I made an expensive mistake.

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  Bad electrical system. - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By shinhoo - November 7 - 6:37 pm

  Car has had a lot of issues with recurrent dead batteries. Strange since the car otherwise works fine, but having to jump start car every 2-3 weeks. Found out that there was a software glitch that affected the way the car was charging the battery, required an update under Honda service bulletin 12-041, this has apparently been a common issue. However, even since the update, have had to jump start 3 times. Have taken to 2 different Honda dealers, they have no idea what to do. They are telling me to drive with the radio, lights, fan, etc. all off. Quite absurd.

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  Better than I expect - 2013 Honda Insight
  By lvtyh - November 6 - 9:30 pm

  Just bought the 2013 insight ex for 19,580 before tax. Today I fill up the first tank of gas. Its 314.7 miles and 6.452 gallons of gas, average 48.78 mpg. I drive half/half city and highway. The mpg is much better than I expect. I like the insight style better than the prius both inside/outside. When I press the gas pedal, the car respond better than the prius. Plus the prius is $3500 more than the insight. I tested drive both but then chose the insight. I think I made the right choice.

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  2014 Honda CR-V EX AWD early impressions - 2014 Honda CR-V
  By faldoc - November 6 - 9:01 pm

  I’ve had my new 14CR-V for a couple of weeks now and put just over a thousand miles on it, a mix of in city and highway. Driving a Camry Hybrid for more than 7 years, I loved the gas mileage, but there was a lack of cargo space in the small truck. So rather than get a somewhat more spacious sedan I thought I’d try out an economical SUV with tons more cargo space for my stuff, and trips to the beach, while not sacrificing people space when my family comes visiting. Cargo space is abundant in this airy, fun to drive car. Its easy to fold the 40/60 rear seats down with a simple pull of a lever. Mileage range is 22 to 34.8, avg 28.7 MPG. This is an all round great Compact Useful Vehicle!

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  Steering Wheel Noise & Break Noise - 2013 Honda Accord
  By inkwell4ll - November 6 - 3:04 pm

  I purchased my 2013 Honda Accord V6 used with 10k miles on the odometer I now have 12k after a month of driving. I’ve noticed the ticking noise in the steering wheel and a metal on metal scraping noise coming from the brakes. I’m taking it to the dealer tomorrow for their diagnostics of the problem. The exterior redesigned is one of major reasons I settled on the Honda not to mention its track record for reliability. The DNA of this car is Honda, I’m positive the engineers were not shooting for a 4dr NSX when they redesigned the Accord. With that being said, what I was looking for was a middle of the road transporter with decent gas mileage.