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:

• 

  WOW WHAT A POS - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By lt - November 23 - 4:31 pm

  OK let me just say I almost NEVER leave a bad feedback and this is my first time on Edmunds. My wife and I owned a 2002 Honda Odyssey and loved it so when she wanted to purchase another I said no problem I trust Honda and we certainly had a good experience last time. WOW what a change! The 2007 Honda Odyssey Touring version is a POS and that doesnt even do it justice. Let me tell you my next car WILL NOT be a Honda. List of nightmares..... 1. Run flat tires that cost $1000.00 each to replace so everyone buys the NON-run flat tires and wheels which cost me $1200.00 2. Never ending low tire pressure light even after 10 trips to discount tire and dealership. Dealer charged me $200.00 to reset the light and it still came back on 3. Power Steering pump nightmares that dont go away no matter what you do 4. Bad alternator at 63K 5. Bad compressor at 60K 6. Bad HVAC controls at 50K 7. Factory tire size way to small scraps over a pebble in the road 8. light bulbs out several times before 30K 9. Ashtray fell off 10. No center seat, what a stupid option 11. seats hard to fold up and down, too confusing

• 

  2015 crv touring - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Tom - November 23 - 1:00 pm

  you always have some things that could be better but Honda puts together a nice package and you get what you pay for in all models. sure their is some shuddering at low rpm usually around 700-1000 rpm but Im sure Honda will come up with a fix. The ride is great and the comfort is nice. The engine is good but a few more horses would be nice. The CVT transmission performs well and the way it is set up you would never know it was CVT. Gas mileage is all it says its and the adaptive cruise control makes my wife more at ease when cruising down the highway. One thing you need to be aware of in a winter climate keep the windshield as clear as you can of snow and ice or you could confuse the radar and end up with a lot of unwanted lights on the dash and some safety features not working as they should. Overall my wife and I have owned Hondas for over 25 years and we both drive the CRV hers is 2012 Ex-L with nav. It is good to drive a reliable and comfortable vehicle and our dealer has been great for the past 15 years. You just cant go wrong with a Honda.

• 

  Great Car, Great Value - 2002 Honda Accord
  By Steve Linthicum - November 22 - 5:45 pm

  It is a wonder to me that Hondas of this vintage are still a common site on the roads.

• 

  I love this Accord! - 2015 Honda Accord
  By Tom Hockman - November 22 - 9:19 am

  While Ive been an Accord fan for almost 40 years, the various models had varying appeal based on the styling and ride of that generation. The 2012 redesign, and the recent 2016 refresh, are the most appealing versions of the Accord since the sleek 1988 generation. I have a 2015 Accord that Ive driven 9200 miles in six months. I love looking at the car, and I love driving it. Its responsive 4-cylinder engine is amazingly powerful, and the CVT transmission helps this car get 37 mpg on the highway. I can get over 500 miles per tank when I mostly drive on the highway. The steering, corner handling, braking, and road feel are as good as an Accord Ive ever driven. Its comfortable and dependable for short or long drives. The seats start to get uncomfortable after about 4 hours of driving, but are far superior to the seats of the 2010 model I used to drive. I got a great value on this car, too. It was basically at dealer invoice price. The Accords dont demand MSRP and above like they once did, so you can probably make a great deal on one. I hope to continue driving this car for many more years.

• 

  Jerking transmission - 2014 Honda Odyssey
  By Shannon - November 22 - 2:08 am

  Mother-in-law, my one year old and I were driving to Colorado from Arizona while ascending up a hill my van violently jerked after a couple of loud clunks and the van lost its ability to keep up with the speed limit ( we were almost rear ended by a Semi truck.) I pulled off the highway at the next exit and called Honda Cares. The mechanics at The Honda Dealership in Flagstaff AZ. looked at me like I was crazy. The Van was parked and turned off while we waited for a mechanic to take it on a ride. I was told that there was nothing wrong with my van and he told me to read my manual so I could learn about the D4 button that I should of used while going up hill. (I was utilizing the D4 button when this clunk happened) He said it was safe to drive to Colorado because there was nothing wrong. We went on our way. The van was terrible going up hill and shuddered when down shifting. I took the van into the dealership the day after we reached our destination and they acted like I was totally nuts. I told them about the transmission issues that I read about the night before my appointment. I was told that they never heard of such a thing and that the Odyssy was bulletproof and that they dont pay attention to online complaining. I mentioned that a person stated that they took their van to a dealer and they called Honda Tech and were told that there was a software update. The mechanic said it was a lie because only the dealership can call Honda Tech. (didnt I just say that the dealership called?)I left the van there overnight and was told that there was nothing wrong and that there is no software update. I didnt drive my van for the next couple weeks then it was time to drive back to AZ. No problems on the trip back except the transmission does not shift as smooth as it had the first 10,000 miles. The transmission still shudders on occasion and its get up and go has got up and went. I am so sad and disappointed in Honda, this is my 5th and maybe my last Honda vehicle.

• 

  An exceptional car - 2001 Honda Insight
  By Ricky C. Savage - November 21 - 11:45 pm

  This car produces exceptionally good fuel economy. I average about 50-54 mpg regardless of how I drive and I drive it most of the time in the 60-75 mph. My Insight is a 2001 that I bought in March 2012 when it had 16,095 miles on it. I bought it from a dealer who told me the older lady who owned it got ill shortly after she bought it and it sat in the garage for most of the time between 2001 and 2012. My mileage now (Nov 2015) was 75,926 at my last fill-up so I have put almost 60,000 on the car in the last 3 years and 8 months. I needed to replace the main battery shortly after I bought the car probably because it sat around for much of the 11 years the lady owned it. When I first bought it, the gas mileage ranged from a low of 47.7 to a high of 60.3 mpg. I would guess the average mileage was about 53-54 mpg. I calculated the gas mileage by keeping meticulous records of when I filled the gas tank and I compared the Insights mpg with that calculated by hand. The results were within 1 to 2 mpg of what I manually calculated so the readout gives a pretty honest record of the mpg actually achieved. The largest discrepancy was about 3 mpg but it did not happen very often (it happened about 3 times). The gas mileage was as low as 42.4 mpg on a hot day in July (when I use my a/c alot) and the average gas mileage now after all those miles is around 51 mpg. I do drive pretty fast now so that could be a factor because I generally drive 70-75 mph on the highways and I spend a lot of time on the highway. I have not had too much problem with my Insight and I really love this car. I take the Insight on long trips because I prefer better gas mileage with my Insight as compared to my Lincoln Town Car (although the Town Car is much more comfortable!).

• 

  Great truck - 2010 Honda Ridgeline
  By Sheila - November 20 - 9:28 pm

  Bought my ridgeline to replace my 2003 silverado. I was very pleased. The Ridgeline is far more comfortable for passengers. We take it in Long trips and the ride is comfy. Its a truck for all purpose - towing a boat, hauling kayaks -lots of tie off cleats in the bed, hauling stuff. Interior compartments are great for hiding valuables. Split Back seats lift and lock up for lots of interior stacking space or room for a big dog. Love the locking bed, mine has a retractable cover, love the full size trunk space. If there was one thing I wish I had was a backup sensor or camera. The higher back end (nice look and allows for trunk ) creates some visual obstruction. But dont let that stop you from buying. Its strong enough for a man, but made for a woman - thats me:-)

• 

  Vibration nightmare - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By dan - November 20 - 6:05 am

  This car has a serious vibration problem when at idle when in gear at stop lights which Honda has admitted to but has not been able to fix!!

• 

  So sad! - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By Linda K. - November 19 - 8:51 pm

  I loved my car, but the transmission is a piece of junk. The door mechanisms are terrible. We replaced them five times, and the doors freeze shut in bad weather.

• 

  The best car I have ever owned - 2015 Honda Accord
  By Dave - November 19 - 12:49 pm

  What more is there to say? In virtually all respects, the car is fantastic.