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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  Transmission Problems - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By jannydd - January 17 - 10:19 am

  We own a 2004 Honda Odyssey EX-L van & encouraged our son, with a baby on the way, to purchase a 2003 (147,000 miles) van 5 days ago. We felt it was a great investment for a new family with limited cash. Less than a week & the transmission is slipping between 30-40 mph. These kids dont have the money to fix the issue because the Honda dealer told me a new tranny is thousands of $s. The private party, who admits to selling cars as his business, will not stand behind the vehicle. Of course Honda is not standing behind these tranny problems. How many times will Honda have to be sued, due to transmission lock-ups causing crashes, before they will take responsibility for the tranny issue?

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  2014 CRV Dissapointment - 2014 Honda CR-V
  By bmwjeff - January 17 - 7:54 am

  After selling an Acura MDX due its very thirsty motor and hunting transmission we thought we would just buy a simple, reliable car to get around in. The CRV seemed to fit the bill and we were quickly a 2014 EX AWD owner. Our car averaged about 25 MPG over the course of the 12K of ownership which is OK for a car of its size. The throttle was very touchy and somewhat hard to drive in a smooth fashion. The Green drive button helped to smooth the head jerking starts. At about 8k we acquired a barking dog sound from the rear every time you would start and stop. We had a rattle in the dash on the drivers side and the dreaded cam shaft solenoid rattle at start-up. Sold car back to the dealer

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  Ditto of the Majority - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By awcheney - January 17 - 12:47 am

  Bought car brand new! Im just agreeing with what most are saying here. Any time I went in for a state inspection, was told I needed to replace a motor mount or two after 60,000 miles or so. Dont do jackrabbit starts. Transmission went at around 120,000 miles, $4,000 to replace at a Honda dealership Drivers side passenger door, no longer auto-locks rear vent windows havent worked in years several center dash lights went out then a year after the transmission was replaced by the dealership, told the bolts were missing from the transmission???? Ive owned two Hondas before this, an 88 Accord LX, Standard, (240K with really no problems and a 2001 Accord LX, with 35K traded on minivan.

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  Thoroughly Dissappointed - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By wh_labrador - January 14 - 7:02 am

  I bought this vehicle for my Wife to replace a 2005 Chevy Equinox. We live in a very cold climate and since the Equinox had failed to start a few times, I thought Id get her the "Best of the Best" to replace it. Its now on its third battery, the steering wheel locks up so that you have to fight to get the key to turn, the electric power steering fails at cold temperatures and last week, it blew the oil pressure sensor out of it when it was being warmed up. All the oil pumped out and now the engine is ruined. My F150 starts fine as does the Neighbors new Chevy Equinox. It may be okay in Florida but it fails miserably here. I will say though, that their roadside assistance is great.

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  Front end suspension noise! - 2014 Honda Odyssey
  By vabeach1 - January 9 - 1:07 am

  We bought this van brand new in September 2014 and just traded it in with only 2300 miles on it this month. The Odyssey has a horrible creaking front suspension noise that the dealership wont fix. The van is nice and new, but sounds like an old car that needs new shocks. After allowing the dealership to attempt to fix the problem four times and the van being in for service for over 39 days, we were told by Honda that they are aware of the problem and that they do not have a fix for it right now, so Honda is calling it normal noise. Long story short...there is no fix for it and Honda refused to do the Lemon Law. So, we just decided to trade it in on a better vehicle.

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  Honda accord 2015 ex - 2013 Honda Accord
  By kingkeesh - January 4 - 6:49 pm

  Car is not good. I regret buying it. It gets 18mpg per city and 33 on highway. The seats are not comfortable. Only bought the car because it said It got 27 mpg in city. Cvt Transmission is not good at all it struggles at low speeds and high speeds if you let go of the pedal speed drops down exponentially. Econ mode doesnt do anything. Back up camera is great but there is only one angle not multi angle. I have 3k miles on it. I am stuck with the care for at least 5 years. I should of got Chevy Malibu 2015 or Toyota 2015 hybrid.

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  2008 Civic Coupe LX - 2008 Honda Civic
  By kmat1 - January 4 - 6:03 pm

  I have owned this car for five years now and there are a few complaints. Just like others have stated, the drivers side visor is broken. Ive also seen this defect in other 2008 civic coupes. The rear tires are cupped. This happened within a year of owning the car with only 30,000 miles on it. Two years ago, the automatic locks started to work intermittently. Most of the time I have to manually unlock the doors, and reach over to unlock passenger side. The dashboard is digital and the gas gauge works sometimes, but most of the time its flickering on and off. The A/C works intermittently. When its very hot outside, its guaranteed not to work. Lastly, car vibrates in reverse & park.

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  09 Honda Civic Hybrid - 2009 Honda Civic
  By adam063321 - January 1 - 11:52 am

  I bought my HCH with 72,000 miles certified from a Honda dealer. The car looked and felt great! I lived in Ohio and all roads where I lived were flat and continuously got 45-60mpg on flat roads going 57-59mph. I bought the car to drive like crazy 28,000 miles a year. The IMA battery went out at 95,000 miles. (Luckily I bought the extended warranty when I purchased it). I now have had it for 3 years and have 150,000 miles. I have never had any issues at all besides the IMA battery.

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  Ugly as heck, but very reliable - 2008 Honda Element
  By jwilly3 - December 27 - 8:40 pm

  I purchased this car for my wife back in 2008. She was not good about cleaning her car, so something like this (no carpet or frills) was better for her. I ended up with is 2 years later because it gets a little bit better gas mileage then our full size Chevy Crew Cab with a V8. Real poor gas mileage for a 4 cylinder 22-24 MPG, and I am on the hwy most of the time. I would not buy another one, but it is real good to haul bicycles around in fact, I have put 4 bikes in the back with the seats up. The thing is built like a tank, and like I said, very reliable. I now have 114,000 miles on it, and it runs like a top...An ugly one!

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  Had to trade it in after four months - 2014 Honda Accord
  By suziesivlerado - December 25 - 6:24 am

  I thought I was going to really like this car, but found it to be uncomfortable with an overwhelming amount of road noise. Im 5 foot 2 and the seats (slightly concave design at the mid secti) never worked for me, Also the front head restraints pushed my head too far forward, and only were comfortable (tolerable) when I turned them backwards. The back seat covers never fit right (despite 2 replacement efforts) could not repair. The navigations system was useless. When I searched for local restaurants or shops it gave me a listing for restaurants 500 miles away. Lastly the voice recognition interface worked intermittently.