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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  2006 Best Choice - 2006 Honda CR-V
  By Mike - March 7 - 8:48 am

  Decided on the 2006 due to the 2007s lack of a manual trans. The CR-V has done everything Ive asked of it. Trips to the hardware store, plowing through snow storms, hauling people and gear with ease, its just about the perfect vehicle. Fuel economy hovers in the upper 20s in the summer, low 20s in the winter. Recommend the CR-V to anyone who asks.

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  Perfect Van and Good Gas Mileage - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By David Hitchcock - March 6 - 10:23 pm

  I read several of the previous reviews and had to comment. I am surprised at how many Odyssey owners are so disappointed. I guess we are lucky. I think its perfect. The fuel economy is never going to be what the sticker says on any vehicle. We all bought the van because we had to haul multiple people. The more you haul, the heavier the van and the lower your fuel economy. Improve your driving habits, properly inflate your tires, etc. and youll get better fuel economy. It drives smooth, handles well, strong engine, good looks, luxurious, and storage is great. Ive driven Sienna, Grand Caravan, Uplander, Freestar, Sedona, SUVs in the last two years. Hands down winner is Odyssey.

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  Nice, economical car - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Espiridion - March 6 - 9:40 pm

  I bought my LX Sedan about a month ago and really like it. I put a pair of wrist (sweat) bands around the emergency brake. The brake hurt my leg due to its placement but now its fine with the pad. I live in a very cold environment which kills MPG but I am getting 30 MPG Combined City/Hwy. The motor is new, and Im sure MPG will improve when its breken in and the weather warms up. It has plenty of power, I have owned vettes and trans ams, and Im happy with the acceleration of my new Honda. Its not noisy on the highway like some have reported. It is a small car and you do hear the road a little, and you feel all the bumps, but as I pass the gas stations ($3.39 a gallon) I am smiling!

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  Outstanding Value - 2013 Honda Accord
  By aoawol - March 6 - 2:57 pm

  I have owned many cars in my past. Ive owned 9 Hondas, 3 Toyotas, 2 Chyrslers, 3 Chevrolets, and two Fords. Before buying the Accord, I test drove everything in its class. I kept coming back to the Accord. Its by far the best bang for the buck, its sized just right, and the performance it good for what youre buying. Ive not had any issues with it except for the seat. I think a car in this price should include the power drivers seat. I could use another adjustment or two. But its not bad enough to have changed my mind. I love the extended Warrenty. Im covered to 100K miles bumper to bumper. It did cost me a little, but its well worth it.

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  Caution: Adaptive Cruise Control/Collision Avoid - 2017 Honda Pilot
  By Preston L Jackson - March 6 - 11:18 am

  According to the dealer 2017 was the first year Honda offered Adaptive Cruise Control an any of its vehicles. We bought the car in March 2017. On our first trip to Oregon from Utah, my wife and I, found the system to be dangerous. We set the system to begin braking at level 4 of 4 which is the longest distance detection setting. The system would allowed the car on the freeway and at freeway speeds to approach another vehicle in the same lane at high speed then when within an unsafe distance (less than setting 4 should allow) the vehicle would slam on the brakes, reduce speed from 75-80 mph to under 60 and then hesitate accelerating while the vehicle in front would pull away. The hesitation caused vehicles behind to brake or change lanes quickly to avoid collision. After the first encounter I tested the system several more times. The situation did not occur every time, but enough to let me know not to trust the system. In Adaptive Cruise our Pilot would also detect vehicles in the lane to the left of us and would not accelerate to highway speed. Adaptive Cruise on our Pilot would also read across lanes when in a left turn on the freeway and apply the brakes at freeway speeds to less than 60 mph causing vehicles following in the same lane to apply brakes. The system is way too sensitive! The condition seems to worsen when the vehicle is in ADC and Collision Avoidance. We stopped using the ADC and Collision Avoidance systems for the rest of the trip. The regular cruise control seems to work well, but in regular cruise if you brake before changing lanes the system turns off and you then change lanes (so far so good), but when you push resume the vehicle only accelerates at 10 mph which takes forever to get out of the way of approaching vehicles. Be prepared to accelerate and get out of the way using the gas pedal. We used the Collision Avoidance system for the first 1,500 miles then turned it off because the brake warning light would come on approximately every 50 miles for no reason at all. I took it to the dealer and they looked at it for a couple of days then called and said all systems checked out ok. I took it home then got a call from the dealer saying they would like to look further into my concerns. They kept it for about a week. The dealer called and said it appeared all was working as designed. I personally believed the car to be to dangerous to drive unless you dont use ADC or Collision Avoidance systems, which I paid for or you are prepared for the deficiencies. I wouldnt let my wife drive the car and I couldnt in all moral conscious sell it to someone else knowing it was dangerous so I turned it back to the dealership in August 2017 after 5 months with 4,560 miles on it. I had to take a $9,791 loss, but the company is now responsible for the vehicle.

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  Great Car - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Darryl - March 6 - 8:50 am

  I have had the Fit (base manual) for about one month, and have about 5,400 miles on it already (wanted to get a few on it before I did a review). I cant say enough about the great gas mileage. I am getting over 38 on average with a mixture of city and highway driving. Highway only I cleared 40 mpg. For a small car it is very roomy and comfortable, even on the long trips. Anti lock brakes and 6 airbags are a nice feature for a small inexpensive car. Wish I had gotten the cruise control. No noticable lack of power except when the AC is on.

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  A car that makes sense - 2006 Honda Accord
  By atlom - March 6 - 7:53 am

  We own an 02 Accord EX which we are very happy with. Still, I was surprised at just how much finer our new one is: its peppier, the leather is nicer, the mileage is better, the interior is more luxurious, and the price is just about what we paid for the 02! This is a thinking persons car - it does what a car should do, reliably, and with comfort, practicality and economy. I rent a lot of mid-sized cars in my job and there is not a one of them that even comes close.

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  Love it - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Greg - March 6 - 3:58 am

  Honda quality. Great design and roomy for a small SUV . We love it

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  Embarrassing FM stereo quality, customer service - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Rochelle Webb - March 5 - 8:53 pm

  Similar reports have shown up in many varied places concerning the embarrassingly horrible sound quality of the FM radio on several 2016 Honda Pilot models. Despite this, what is more troubling is that Honda seems to be giving owners with this issue terrible customer service, ranging from denying there could possibly be an issue, to assigning case managers who eventually deliver a message that nothing can apparently be done about the issue. This type of services is unacceptable. Had we been aware of this issue and the lack of concern for it from Honda, we would most certainly have looked at other brands. Our 2008 Odyssey had a better radio! Regardless of speed or setting, including the SVC setting, the volume fluctuates up and down randomly every 5 to 60 seconds on any FM station. The sound is great while using a bluetooth connected device or SiriusXM. It is only the FM radio sound quality and volume that is terrible, regardless of station, radio setting, or speed of the vehicle.

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  Serious problems with Sound System and Navigation - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By JI - March 5 - 8:29 pm

  Purchased July 2015 - Problems started in September 2015 with navigation and sound system. Navigation screen would go blank - and display a Clarion Extraframework has stopped error. Dealer performed update to navigation system - error has not appeared since but sound system sounds terrible - sounds like an AM radio from the 1950s. Dealer tells us Honda is aware and working on problem - but still no fix and it is now July 2016. Sound system has this problem on XM, FM and memory stick.