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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  Extremely pleased with everything after 9 months search and comparison, RAV4, Mazda CX5 & CRV - 2014 Honda CR-V
  By bsdink - October 14 - 10:04 am

  56 year old grandparents and mostly just the 2 of us and then our 2yr old grandson. I was looking for the best mpg med-small SUV with the most room, safety, quiet, and dependability. I was real close to getting the Mazda but I kept reading reviews of interior noise and back seat discomfort and I read too many complaints on the RAV4. I am more than pleased with the 2014 CRV. Comfort front and rear, good interior noise control & room, great ride, features,great gas mileage. In the first 1500 miles, the worst was(real) 24mpg with mostly town miles & best (real)33mpg highway with AC and packed full. I have no complaints! A feature that I did not know it had was the ability to downshift into 3rd.

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  An absolute trooper - 1996 Honda Odyssey
  By cmcgol01 - October 13 - 10:32 pm

  This car is - without question - a member of the family. Reliable, affordable, and enjoyable. The value to me in 10x that of its KBB...picture the sturdiest of Accord engines on a frame that allows for 6 passengers and luggage, or 2 people and enough square footage to pack up and move cross country. I really dont know know what to say we call him Homer, hes there when we need him, and all he asks fresh oil and some general love. Im at 170K and expect to see 250K before we move on.

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  Dont buy a CRV - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By 08crv - October 11 - 6:58 pm

  The good reviews were written when the car was new. Honda CRVs developed all kinds of problems with drive train vibrations. Buyers beware! The fix is expensive. The road noise is so loud you cant hear the radio at high speeds. Save your money Honda quality is not what it used to be.

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  I love this car - 2013 Honda Accord
  By niecyny - October 9 - 7:57 pm

  Prior to purchasing this car(2013 EX sedan) I was driving a inherited 96 Galant that had 145,000+ miles on it. I only had it for about four months when major things started failing one after the other(radiator,a leak in the rack and pinion etc). I made a bad investment fixing some things because the car had sentimental value but you live and you learn. Now I have my new baby.This is my first new car and Im 31. I paid for it in full so I have that new car syndrome where I dont want anyone to park near me in fear that theyll scratch it(I have it in black crystal). I love the exterior.It looks like it is really packing some muscle under the hood. You feel a little bumpiness but its not bad.

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  Seriously!? - 2011 Honda Odyssey
  By odysseyforme - October 8 - 11:06 pm

  I have had my Odyssey since August 2011 and it has 35k on it. I used to love it and now I want to melt it down to form a casket. I averaged 33 miles all the time until a few months ago. I now average 11, yes you read correctly a third of what I used to get. Two dealerships cannot explain this, they did replace the struts. Why?! I have never had a car that needed this work before this soon. The other issue is the gremlins...the Bluetooth switching from phone to van to phone to van, etc while on call or not. The last irritating issue is the computer reset, the car resets itself as if you just refueled it but you havent.

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  I Love This Car - 2013 Honda Civic
  By mary4698 - October 7 - 7:37 pm

  My 2006 Civic Ex was totaled in an accident two weeks ago. So I went to my nearest Honda dealership, where I bought my 2006, and bought a 2013. This is the third Civic Ive owned and the fourth Ive driven. It is such a great improvement over my 2006 Ex. The 2013 Lx has all the same features that I care about that were on my 2006 Ex. It has a very smooth, stable and quiet drive and handles easily. The rear camera is taking me a little while to get used to, but I see the necessity. The headrests on top of the front seats prevent a clear view out of the back window, especially for someone as short as I am -- 52-1/2". I have no problem with the braking quality.

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  Nice car with some issues.. - 2013 Honda Accord
  By richardaherold - October 7 - 1:27 pm

  Bought car in April 2013, put 8000 miles on, mostly highway. Accord is comfortable and a solid ride. However: -- GPS system is terrible. My $200 Garmin has a superior interface. GPS estimates of "time to go" until arrival are WAY off and Honda America cant find the problem. At dealer today my Honda estimated 15 hours to drive from DC to Savannah. A new Accord on lot estimated 9 hours, which is correct. -- Car rides too low to ground resulting in ridiculous damage from moderate road issues. After driving on FDR expressway in NYC, where right lane has some bumps due to repair work, the Accords fender liner fell off and right fog light enclosure fell off. $400 to repair!

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  2014 Accord LX - 2014 Honda Accord
  By 2014accordlx - October 6 - 6:51 pm

  My first Accord, previously I owned a 2012 Civic LX and was looking to upgrade. I couldnt be happier. One thing other reviews tend to gloss over is the large amount of standard features on the base trims. I have the standard LX model, with CVT transmission. This car is very quick, acceleration is excellent and steering feels natural.

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  Great car with some design issues - 2013 Honda Accord
  By ee2 - October 5 - 2:39 pm

  It has great power, gets decent gas millage, it is pretty comfortable to drive. A few minor changes are called for and one MAJOR one. The cup holders are right behind the stick shift, so as you shift, you are constantly hitting the cups/straws/tall water bottles. The windshield wipers on mine streak alot. At about 1000 miles I changed the rubber on my dime (OEM Honda). Made no difference. The major issue is that the hands free bluetooth software seems to have been designed by an engineering school drop out. The text reading is almost incomprehensible. No point in it since it does not make driving safer if you cant understand it. Phone book features are terrible.

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  Loved our 2011 Pilot bought a second one - 2013 Honda Pilot
  By jplyman - October 5 - 2:13 pm

  We have a 2011 Pilot EX-L and it has been great so great in fact that I purchased a second one. If your looking for a car ride or a station wagon SUV than this will not be your car. However, it excels at what it does and that is being a SUV that can carry anything and everyone. We comfortably fit all three of our kids in the middle row (2 car seats (3&4 and 11 yo). It is not the quietest SUV but that is what the radio is for -). The reliability and safety is awesome. Also, the value is hard to beat - I looked at all the competitors but the American SUVs just cost to much to get the same features that we wanted (leather & sunroof). Didnt like the lower seat height of the CX-9