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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  Dont buy a Honda Accord - 1997 Honda Accord
  By Beatrice57 - June 2 - 2:00 am

  What a horrible, horrible car - in the shop, and on the side of the road wayyyy too many times. Ignition switch gone (replaced under recall after being stranded) electrical problems galore, power windows dont work, etc. Hondas are supposed to be reliable - well you cant prove it by me.

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  Honda cr-v 2015 still vibration after 3 modes - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Vale - May 28 - 2:14 am

  Honda company is disregarding the issue of the Honda cr-v vibration. It is been 7 months after some many vibrating trips to the Honda dealer to fix it and no solution. I am discouraged, disappointed, and unsatisfied with them . They trick people to buy this garbage with out letting them know that there is an issue. I am alerting those buyer dont be a victim like me. NEVER MORE BUSINESS WITH YOU HONDA FULL OF HYPOCRISY

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  Honda is living on its past reputation - 2002 Honda Accord
  By Too-much-money - May 3 - 10:00 am

  Test drove this car along with the American/German/Korean competition, there was no comparison. The Accord was a loud overpriced tin box. The exterior sheetmetal wasnt much thicker than a soda can with one piece flimsy plastic door handles and a cheap/chintzy interior. The car rode rough and had way too much road/wind noise. Save your 22 Gs and buy a Passat instead!

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  Honda Pilot 2016 Touring Transmission Issues!!! - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Reddy King - April 22 - 2:56 pm

  We got Honda Pilot 2016 Touring spending $45K and drove the car for 8 months with 8k miles on it and started making chirping sound when shifting from 3 to 4th gear. Took it to the dealer and had it inspected to find out that transmission went bad and had to be replaced!!!! wow really Honda? on a 45k car the transmission went bad with in 8k miles...!!!! Please dont buy pilot it has lotta issues, this is the 3rd time i had to take my car to dealership with issues, spend your money on something worth not on a pile of junk!!! i am a long term owner of Honda cars but this pilot pissed me off and i am not buying Hondas any more!!!! for future owners... please dont buy Honda Pilot 2016, read comments on edmunds, there are lot of owners with the same kinda issue and they had to replace transmissions. I cant believe Honda is making such a pile of junk!!!!

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  What in the World? - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Lori - April 11 - 2:04 am

  Junk junk, junk just changing the radio station is dangerous. The engine knocks when I turn corners. My rear window will not go down. When I put the car in park it slides several feet forward or back. I have to use the emergency brake every time I park even on flat roads. The gear fobs on the steering wheel are a mystery to me. I could be on a freeway going 75 and accidentally hit one of those and my car downshifts into D6. Very dangerous. I cant seem to shift back unless i look down and desperatly get it back into drive. I do not know how to bypass that feature even looking at my owners manual. My car is always dinging. Why? I cant get that to stop. My drive button is no longer readable the plastic has worn off. My exceleration is a total joke. I have to put the gas pedal to the metal just to get it to go. The windows fog up instantly making it hard to see. I need to blast the defroster or pull over till I can see. I used to have the old pilot and I wish I would have kept it. I am sure there is more that I have problems with. We are looking to a another car company to trade in this piece of crap. Actually running. Over priced and worthless. On another note, I have mentioned these to the dealership and they just say that it is user error and they have had no complaints.

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  Frequent FAILS!!!! - 2008 Honda Civic
  By monica freyre - March 30 - 9:19 am

  Struts are horrible. Repeatedly fix and you still hear a click with turns. Transmission sucks with jerky shifts till it give out and then it has nerve to cost $3000 to fix.

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  dont buy this garbage - 1997 Honda CR-V
  By david - March 22 - 1:49 pm

  We bought this car thinking that it would be good (its a Honda) but were in for a big surprise. one year after we bought it, the car died on me on the highway and again when I was turning left onto a big road. we had the transmission replaced three years after purchase then we had an overheating problem. we sold the car five years later.

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  2016 Honda Civic = PIECE OF CRAP - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Kwashaun Ward - March 15 - 9:43 pm

  I really had to stop myself from giving this vehicle all 1 stars throughout the rating, but I tried to be unbiased as possible. Long story short, after 5500 miles my fiance had to replace the entire transmission. Yes, everything was covered. But the total experience throughout the fixing process completely ruined my trust in Honda as a company. I took the car in for an oil change and to check the transmission (when putting the car in drive, it will take a few seconds then jump into gear). Not a big deal, but the car is brand new, so I took it right into the dealership. Checked in the car 6:30am. 9 am rolls around, still no word. After speaking to the rep, he said the tech was on the phone with Honda engineer because its a brand new model of the civic. Makes sense. After 2 days of me calling to check on the car, (not the dealership calling me to inform me) they finally put in the order for the trans without even calling me first. That was their first mistake. Then they said it will be in on a Friday, didnt show up until the following Wednesday. Luckily we were on vacation and didnt need the car anyway. The rep told me our civic was the first one to have this problem. I get it, things happen. But what did Honda do to regain our trust? One free oil change. We are currently looking for another vehicle now and never buying another Honda. Until this day, Honda still doesnt know whats wrong with the trans. I wouldnt recommend this car to my worse enemy.

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  Worst car Ive ever driven - 2015 Honda Civic
  By Joe Meteye - March 7 - 1:26 am

  Bought two months ago- cant get rid of it fast enough. Absolutely hate this vehicle. Terrible engine, horrible ergonomics, all around horrible car.

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  Owned my Honda Pilot Touring for 33 days - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Shawna - March 5 - 3:29 am

  I purchased a 2016 Pilot Touring after my 2014 Pilot Touring had electrical problems. It was the worst decision that I have made. After 33 days, while backing out of my garage, I noticed a large puddle of fluid and drops leading out of the garage. I took the vehicle to the dealer the next day. On my way to the dealer, the transmission started slipping and there was a squealing noise. I was terrified, and knew that it was the transmission. After 2 hours at the dealer, they determined that it was the transmission, and that they would need to order a part. It would take 3-4 days to get the part and fix the car. Yes, FIX THE CAR, that I had owned for 33 days, and had paid $45,000 for. I told them that I did not want the car, and that they needed to give me my money back. They offered $39,500. So, I was going to be out $5,500 for a defective vehicle. I demanded to speak with the manager. After nearly 6 hours at the dealer, with my two kids, the manager offered $44,000. In total I was out $1,300, but was too tired to fight. Chalk it up to lesson learned. I now have no car, a stained garage, am out $1,300 and have to start the car shopping process again. Shame on you Honda.