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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  2008 Honda Element EX automatic bought new - 2008 Honda Element
  By caged - March 7 - 1:17 pm

  I owned four Hondas before I bought the Element and like them all. The Hondas I owned were two Accords and two CRXs. The Element has too many blind spots, the clam-shell doors begin to squeak and rattle after a while, they blow around on the road when its windy, fuel economy is not that great and when facing a head wind decreases even more. The windshield pillars are large enough to easily hide a mini van and even a school bus depending on position. Vision to the sides and rear suffer the same. I took it on several long distance trips and it proved to be not comfortable. It pitches and yaws enough to make you feel motion sickness. I eventually traded it for another Accord.

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  Drivetrain shutters at cruise speed - 2012 Honda Pilot
  By alesper - February 28 - 10:34 pm

  Maybe if enough people complain about the transmission shuttering at cruise speed on Honda, they will recall and fix. My wifes 2012 Pilot shutters. Her 2006 CRV did it worse. And, it got worse as it got older. Luckily, she automatically trades in at 4 years. The 2003 CRV was perfect, wish she had not ever traded it.

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  Nice but with problems - 2009 Honda Civic
  By mj20 - February 25 - 9:42 pm

  I have had my Civic for 5 years. It has not given me any mechanical issues so far. The A/C is terrible, especially in the summer time. It takes the A/C about 5-10 minutes to cool down during hot days. I literally have to drive my car non-stop without hitting traffic signals in order to get the A/C to start cooling down. I will sit in my car a sweat and usually by the time I am getting to my destination the A/C will get cold. The Navigation is terrible. It is constantly giving me longer routes than Google maps. If i try to look something up, say Walmart, it will give me a Walmart in Alaska and nowhere near me. The bluetooth is also terrible. I never use it because no one can hear me.

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  Ticking noise is driving me crazy! - 2014 Honda Accord
  By pebbycree - February 25 - 3:58 am

  Have taken the car in at least 9 times (I stopped counting) for interior noises...in the dashboard, in the doors, in the glovebox. I now have to ride around with the glovebox open...that the only way to stop the ticking sound. Service dept can never replicate the noise so Im stuck. Glovebox door closed - ticking sound glovebox door open - ticking sound. You would think they could figure it out, but they cant. I plan to have them remove glovebox door and Ill try to fix on my own. Very nice car otherwise...but thats what I get for switching from Toyota. You spend $25000 on a car and have to drive around with glovebox open... Only 11000 miles at 14 months...because I hate to drive it.

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  not impressed - 2014 Honda Accord
  By Susan Schayes - February 21 - 7:52 am

  A lot of people love this car. I bought one based on the test drive and was sorely disappointed. There was a lot of vibration in the engine which extended to the steering wheel. The navigation system was very difficult to use. The front seat was uncomfortable for my 53 frame. The worst thing was the noise level. This car was noisy at 45 and horrible on the highway. I got rid of it after four months.

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  Honda Denying Electrical Problem - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By Enrico T Bruschi - February 19 - 2:26 pm

  Despite overwhelming evidence of an electrical system issue causing the cars battery to die a slow death between two and three years, including a recall to address the software causing the problem, Honda will not do the right thing and replace the battery that their design destroyed. I have never had to replace a battery in a new car at 33 months. I am finding this is Hondas typical approach to problems - denial until forced otherwise by the government. Ridiculous. This was my very first Honda, and possibly my last. Its not that I hate the car, but I definitely did not observe the reliability I had heard about do much.

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  Warranty Information - 2013 Honda CR-V
  By Allen Hawkins - February 19 - 1:36 pm

  This is my second CRV. First was a 2010 and current is a 2013. This past month or so I have notice a squeal when I apply final pressure to the brakes. Made an appt. with the dealer feeling good that it was still under warranty(mileage 28215/less than two years old) but apprehensive going in that they would not hear the squeal. Went thru the process of talking to the service manager and after about 30 mins. was told they indeed had heard the squeal but it was not covered under warranty. They could give me no reason why it was squealing but they were more than willing to do a brake service costing $230. So, another life lesson learned. They never fail to disapoint.

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  Less than expected - 2015 Honda Accord
  By suziesivlerado - February 19 - 6:34 am

  I was very disappointed in this car. My test drive went fine, but when brought it home and drove it for more than an hour, my back hurt. The head restraint position, and seat curves, are awful for someone 53". The engine/drive train started to produce excessive vibration through the steering wheel whenever it was in neutral. The navigation system, as others noted, is hard to use. It is almost impossible to find local stores without the exact address. Lastly, the road/exterior noise was abominable, especially at highway speeds. I used a sound meter, and this car had higher levels than almost any other car I tested, at all speeds.

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  2015 accord ex - 2015 Honda Accord
  By Kishin Ratwani - February 12 - 8:25 am

  not fun do drive not getting estimated mpg in city or highway cvt is lackluster passenger seat very uncomfortable went to dealer they thought i was crazy and looked at me like so never owned a honda but took advice of family members never again

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  I am going to be that guy.... - 1998 Honda Civic
  By dxer1105 - January 17 - 10:07 pm

  This car is reliable but.... I just strongly dislike it. I run into many small repairs on this cheaply built car. I hate manual windows. Defrosters are terrible. The car shakes if you drive faster than 65 mph. I had it for 18k from 102 to 120k. Iam about to sell it. Although, I only paid $1,500 for it.