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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  not very impressed at all... - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By choked - December 17 - 5:16 pm

  Bought this vehicle hoping that the build quality was better than your average van. Boy was I was wrong! Worst paint job (silver) Ive ever seen, full of vertical dark spots. You actually can see how they sprayed the paint on vertically and uneven. Many plastic parts on the van did not fit together right, glove boxes are out of alignment, body rubber trim pieces do not seal, rattle noise from front passenger side, chrome grill was loose. I took the van back to the dealer and the answer I got was dont worry about if right now, you have 3 years warranty on it. What a joke. I took it home and fixed most of the misaligned plastic pieces myself. Should have bought a Toyota Sienna

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  Nice and econimical car - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Kool - December 2 - 9:52 am

  Seems to be a nice and economical car. Still wondering if Honda has resolved vibration issue, that was a major problem with 2015 model. Yet to find that peice of the puzzle.

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  Did not like it. - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By Erik - December 2 - 5:43 am

  If I would have had it for a week I would have never bought it. I bought it because of the reviews on Edmunds. I owned it for three weeks and traded it for a new Chey Silverado quad cab that gets 14 mpg and lost a lot on the deal. I do not regret it. Im a truck guy anyhow. I should not have purchased the CR-V.

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  Bluetooth Throws off system - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Dee - November 27 - 2:24 pm

  On several occasions Ive had issues where Im using the Bluetooth and my whole system blacks out. My key fab doesnt unlock/lock the car, I changed out the key fab and it still fails from time to time. The manual key wasnt unlocking either. Dont recommend this car from a technology standpoint. Honda needs to step up their game in this category. Each time i go to the dealer to report this issue.. because it doesnt happen right then and there.. they do nothing. Its extremely frustrating and I wont buy another Honda again.

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  DONT BUY A HONDA! - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By HateThisCar - November 22 - 2:54 pm

  Both the front and rear suspension are defective and make strange popping and knocking noises. This started after only a month after I bought the car brand new. AND after about 8000 miles, I started hearing gas moving around in the back of the car right after I fill the tank. It’s been to the dealer almost a dozen times and they can’t fix it. They say the gas sloshing noise is normal!!! Honda refuses to give my money back. Customer service stinks – after talking to me for 6 months, the rep has tried to blame every complaint on me or my driving and can’t even pronounce my name correctly. DONT BUY FROM HONDA!

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  Wow What A Lemon - 1999 Honda Odyssey
  By rcpquote - November 18 - 1:36 am

  This vehicle is the worst I ever owned (mechanically). Shortly after buying this used with 42,000 miles, the transmission went bad. Was not covered under warranty but later warranty was extended to 100,000 on this (because so many were going bad). 2nd Transmission failed at 67,000 miles. 3rd Transmission failed at 105,000 miles (no longer under warranty). Electric doors have regular problems. 2 sets of motor mounts from transmission putting too much stress when shifting. Otherwise, powerful enough and comfortable for an entire family of 6.

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  bad tramissions in 2002 - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By Debbie - November 18 - 12:49 am

  The first transmission went out at 36,600 miles. Honda installed a new Honda remanufacturered transmission with another 36,000 mile warranty. Approximately 3000 miles later the transmission went out again. Now my lease is almost up and the 3rd transmission is starting to slip again. The dealer said that Honda is aware that they have problems with the transmissions for this year so I was shocked it was in the top 10 used car list. Prior to this van I had a Toyota Sienna van and I liked that van way more than this one. It had a much better ride by alot and I never had any mechanical problems. The Honda has a very tight feel and every bump jars you. I was very dissatisfied.

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  LAST HONDA - 1998 Honda Accord
  By Linda - November 8 - 4:07 pm

  My first Honda was a Civic. Great car! This is my second Honda. Bad! I had to replace the transmission at 90,000 miles, and the catalytic converter also went out around the same time. In speaking with others who own this same car, everyone has had the same bad experience - transmission and catalytic converter. Of course, these problems happen when the car is no longer covered by warranty.

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  not for me - 2000 Honda CR-V
  By meg - November 7 - 4:20 pm

  We found the seats to be very uncomfortable. None of the cupholders in front are usable, cant even make small turns without everything falling over and spilling. You cant set somethng on the floor and expect it to stay they, things slide everywhere. We do like the folding table and the cd changer under driver seat. Gas mileage is good.

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  A big disappointment - 2017 Honda CR-V
  By C. Ortiz - November 6 - 7:43 am

  Overall this car was a disappointment. I bought it mainly for the gas mileage. Honda claims it gives 28-32 mpg. I drive conservatively and I am lucky to get 22 mpg. I was expecting it to be a couple of miles under claimed values but not 10 miles. As far as I am concerned, Honda is false advertising.... Performance and material quality is not much better either.