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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  Nice, but Horrible Stereo ! - 2013 Honda Accord
  By pjd10 - September 16 - 7:53 pm

  Overall Im happy with this car. Looks nice, fun to drive, good gas mileage and comfortable. My only beef with this car is the poor quality stereo system. During the test drive my focus was on so many things that I that I really didnt check the sound system out like I should have. I took it for granted that Honda put in a good stereo like on my last Honda. They didnt! Honda, if you read these reviews, please come up with a fix for this.

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  Accord EXL 2014 - 2014 Honda Accord
  By accord2013elx - September 16 - 3:15 pm

  I love the re-design of the new accord and its sleek look. Gives very good mileage too. Nice and smooth driving experience so far.

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  EX-L 4cyl after 4 months 7500mi - 2013 Honda Accord
  By accordlady - September 15 - 9:05 pm

  Traded in my 06Accord after 138K. Mostly this is a solid car with good acceleration and comfort, especially the leather seats. I read the CVT was jerky, but after the test drive, decided it was not enough to bother me. After 7K, the jerkiness was worse esp when it was cold. Dealer said this was normal. But if you must drive slowly at first thru a residential area, be prepared, it can get on your nerves after a while. But once on the road and able to accelerate, it is very smooth. The only other thing I am disappointed about is the stereo system. After paying almost $30K for a car, you would expect a decent system. This is not one.

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  disappointed88 - 2013 Honda Pilot
  By disappointed88 - September 15 - 9:53 am

  I now have returned my 2013 Honda Pilot for repair for the fourth time in 10 months for the same vibration issue. After taking the service manager for a 50 mile road trip, he said the vibration was the worst he had experienced. After 3 days I have been advised that all the 2013 Honda Pilots have a similar vibration. How this suddenly happened, I do not know. Honda response is that this is a "Normal Vibration". I have never heard of such Bull. This has to be the worst vehicle I have ever owned and now Honda is offering NO help on this issue.

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  best civic ever - 1994 Honda Civic
  By samehkane - September 15 - 5:58 am

  best handling car - great performance - all thing work perfectly after all this year - best value for money - can easily beat any car in its class - very sporty

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  95 lude - 1995 Honda Prelude
  By isaiah2 - September 14 - 6:00 pm

  Bought mine a year ago with 180k miles, now at 190k. A fun car to drive, not especially fast but good in the corners, better than most 4wd cars Ive driven. Get compliments and questions about it anywhere I go, definitely has some curb appeal. MPGs arent as good as I expected, but 25 city/highway isnt bad. Reliability is Honda... some wheel well rust, but according to the service records only minor repairs til 150-200k miles, then you have to replace shocks, hoses, etc...

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  Love my Honda! - 2013 Honda Accord
  By seabeav - September 14 - 1:07 pm

  I purchased my Accord Coupe in May and took it in June on a 3000 mile road trip. I could not have been more pleased with the performance. The sound system does have a little quirkiness but definitely not a deal breaker. It has a comfortable ride but not luxurious. After a few hours on the road the seat seems hard, but my back was perfect. The styling is sporty and I believe the Honda reputation helped me choose this car over others I had considered. I have owned two other Hondas previously, a 92 Accord and an 01 CRV. Gas mileage is just as was presented on the sticker. With air conditioner running I get around 32-34 on the highway and 23-24 in town.

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  Great Small SUV - 2013 Honda CR-V
  By southpaw3 - September 14 - 7:05 am

  I have had my EX-L with nav for two weeks and am very happy with my purchase. It is very comfortable and a pleasure to drive. Much has been said about sluggish acceleration but I find the acceleration to be great for this type of vehicle and I think Honda got it right balancing responsiveness and fuel economy. Its great having the Econ option for greater fuel economy too. I dont find road noise to be a problem at all and think the car is well insulated. As to the complaints about the sound system, it could be better but I am pleased with it. Again, I didnt buy this car expecting a luxury sound. I highly recommend this CR-V.

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  2013 Honda Accord - my 1st Honda - 2013 Honda Accord
  By 4cypress - September 13 - 10:12 am

  Yes, my 1st Honda so expectation was high. I have gotten a Nissan Frontier & Sentra before and had owned and driven countless other. Before getting this I was debating between Toyota Camry & Hyundai Sonata didnt test drive and went straight to Honda instead. Good = Roomy & comfy w/ nice design. ect.. Bad = Wind noise! Cold reverse doesnt catch so fast. Black fabric is a lint magnet. Done.

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  2007 CRV Reliability not what you think - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By crvsbad - September 12 - 11:56 am

  The Honda CRVs have a reputation of high reliability. Actual results from our 2007 model dont back that up. It has an AC Compressor bearing failure at 94,000 that was found by the dealer while it was being looked at for the known AC Compressor clutch problem. Symptom was an unusual noise that came from the engine area that subsided when the AC was engaged. It is quite noticeable during idle. Dealer wants $900 to fix it, plus they charged me $140 just to diagnose it. Way out of whack. It also has a "shudder" which appears to be a transmission failure. You may want to choose a different vehicle.