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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  Brand New 2015 CRV EX with horrible vibrations when idle. Do not buy! - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By vibrations - July 29 - 9:37 pm

  My wife and I were so excited for our new CRV. We have two small children and this was going to give us extra room for our kids and their stuff and was replacing our 2002 Honda Civic which we had for 14 years with no problems. We loved all of the features and look of the CRV. We had come to love Honda from our Civic experience. However after purchasing the car and driving home 30 minutes (our test drive was about 10) we realized that the CRV had a serious problem. At idle at a traffic light the entire car began to strongly vibrate. We btiught the car back to the dealer and tested several others and they all did this. We have come to find out that the car idles at too low an rpm. Do not buy!

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  4th and last Honda - 2003 Honda Accord
  By CharlieinPHX - July 26 - 10:00 am

  I regret trading my 99. 03 LX-V6 may be softer, quieter and more powerful but my other three Hondas were much more fun and satisfying. The fit and finish of older Hondas was far superior to the slop thats out now; hood/fenders/doors line up poorly & the door/window trim has been replaced twice in 3 months. Dash reflections cause optical distortions- lower right. Rear view mirror blocks view. Trans slow to downshift. Lumbar bulge too high. Numb road feel-feedback. Weak dealer service. The good: gas mileage better than EPA, smooth & powerful engine, but for tire noise a very quiet interior, easy to read guages, & nice materials.

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  Need brakes again - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Constance - July 25 - 4:33 pm

  I just got a major service (tune up). I was told I need brakes again. In less than 2 years this will be my 4th set of brakes. They say it must be that I drive in the city. Well I have been driving in the city 37 years and never had this many brake jobs in so little time.The car sits low to the ground and scrapes the front bumper when parking head in. The inside frame between the windshield and window is so thick and slanted that you can miss pedestrians in a crosswalk. Even the smallest bump makes a big bang and it is very noisy in the cabin when on the freeway. the paint scratches and chips too easy. Gas mileage is not spectacular. Im sure there is more. Trading this as soon as I can.

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  Cheaply Made and cheap looking - 2016 Honda Accord
  By Addie Parnell - July 24 - 8:12 am

  I deeply regret trading my Honda CR-V for the Accord Sedan. The car rides nice but it is very uncomfortable and hard to get in and out of. The seat belts definitely are not made for short people and getting in and out is difficult for tall people. The seats are a lousy foam rubber and do not provide any lumbar support. The fabric on the door panels are grey and are beginning to show signs of wear and tear with only 5,000 miles on the car. The integrity of the body is greatly compromised. I dont think this car is worthy of the Honda name and am already looking to get rid of it.

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  MPG is a lie - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By lisab23 - July 22 - 2:48 pm

  I purchased a 2015 Honda CR-V AWD with the sticker claiming 27/33 with an average of 30 mpg. I am barely making it to 27 mpg on the highway. The car is currently in the shop (only a week and a half after I bought it) for vibrating and shuddering. I was told by service that Honda is aware of the problem and is working on a solution. He said, "They believe it is a software problem". I am a previous Toyota owner, and I have to say, I am regretting making a switch to Honda. I am currently thinking about making a trade to Toyota. I am a commuter and the MPG is a big NEGATIVE for me.

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  Not a true Honda - 2000 Honda Passport
  By gipper - July 22 - 2:00 am

  This is an Isuzu, not a true Honda. Although an above-average, solid SUV, the quality is not quite up to the usual Honda standards. The ride is very truck-like and rough, cornering unstable, fuel economy is just ok (Ive averaged 18 mpg). All said, its been an all-right vehicle. Im looking to trade it in for a CR-V, which is what I should have gotten in the first place.

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  Mostly good, but with some warts - 2002 Honda Accord
  By piston_honda - July 20 - 10:00 am

  Honda always makes a great engine; no complaints there. The car is as solid as they come. The problem we had was with the interior construction. TONS of squeaking and rattling, especially in colder weather, even only a few weeks old. We had it back into the dealer more than 10 times in the first 6 months. They never could fix it.

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  Oh, for 15 days... - 2015 Honda Civic
  By Tina - July 18 - 7:53 am

  Big plus, despite EPA rating, I averaged 39 mpg for the 15 days I had the car (which I apparently cannot say below in Car Details. Has a lot more technology than I needed or was accustomed to and obviously in 15 days, I was still getting use to the car. Totally awesome to never have to remove keys from pocket, bag, etc. That was great-no inadvertently dropping keys in hard to reach places (I had a 2006 Honda prior to getting this 2015). I cant honestly comment much more. At the 15 day ownership mark, at 12:30 PM I was nailed in an awkward rear/side position by a drunk driver. While the entire left side must be replaced :( and I dont know why the left-side air-bag did not deploy. Waiting to know if there is further damage, not visible without a lift. Otherwise, given that I was slowing to turn (guessing down to about 30 mph) and the other car was by witnesses accounts speeding at minimally 70 mph, I sustained minor injuries most likely due to Hondas design of the passenger cabin.

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  Honda has lost another customer - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By Angel T. B.Hall - July 14 - 2:00 am

  three months off the truck, the transmission completely obliterated. Seemingly, endless recalls. Most recently, air bags. In the sixteen months that we have owned this vehicle we have experienced complete A/C failure, trouble switching gears, four recalls for potentially fatal mishaps. And of course the transmission that died on us on our drive back from vacation. Dont make the mistake we did.

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  Honda will not fix sulfur smell - 2004 Honda Accord
  By SmellyAccord - July 9 - 3:00 am

  I purchased a Honda Accord LX from Marty Sussman Honda on 3/15/2004. From the very beginning there was a rotten egg smell that would permeate the entire interior of the car. The dealer acknowledges that it smells. Honda actually has a pre-printed paper stating that the smell comes from too much sulfur in the gas. Honda claims the car is "operating according to specifications".Why would you design a car to run on lower sulfur fuel when there is no low sulfur gas suppliers outside of California.I asked where can I get the right gas and they did not know. Honda denied any responsibility so I contacted a lemon law lawyer that said Im not the only case that they have handled with this problem.