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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  Honda has lost it... - 2013 Honda Pilot
  By rick2456 - November 22 - 9:37 am

  I have bought 4 Hondas in my lifetime, including the 2013 Pilot touring 4wd. Only some minor issues thus far, but for sure the dealerships and Honda corporate are always trying to downplay the problems or consider them "normal". Honda has lost me for life. My other complaints are related to the ergonomics of the vehicle. 1) Cant load MP3 or WMA files on the hard drive. CD songs only. 2) Navigation doesnt show as much info as even a $80 GPS and you have to pay $150 for map updates. 3) No always on compass. The only compass is the navigation and it only points toward the north. Doesnt show you what direction you are heading. 4)Climate controls are ridiculous and hard to find/use.

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  Not so happy thhis time - 2013 Honda Civic
  By mooneymaniac - November 18 - 11:10 am

  Car which I test drived was firm (what I liked) and literaly glued on the road. That was 2012 model. My Si on the other hand feel very unstable, the back has some lateral movement what feels like on the ice you want to corected constantly with speed over 65. Car also pooled to the left most of the time. So far I had 7 appointments with the dealer. First blame was for electric power steering. now for surface of the freeway and width and profile of the tires ( 17/215/45) They checked alignment twice and every time 1-4 parameters out of specs. So the wide tires are instaled for less stability?Have hard time to buy it. I have read many review on Si but nobody complained about the same problem?

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  Disappointed - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By db1155 - November 12 - 6:17 pm

  24,000 miles. Rotor, tire, transmission issues. Unsafe, unreliable vehicle.

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  Honda used to mean quality - 2010 Honda Accord
  By pjinca1 - September 26 - 11:35 am

  Our 2010 Honda Accord has been pretty terrible. From panel gaps you can drive a truck through to the battery lasting less than 3yrs/40k miles. Andd now, the NAV is blank, dead, deceased, it is an Ex-NAV system. Pathetic considering the 3yr/36k mile warranty.

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  2013 Honda CrV-Do Not Purchase-Poor Exterior Lighting - 2013 Honda CR-V
  By pompom - September 18 - 1:40 pm

  We test drove this car during the day. We were dumbfounded at how the exterior lights on this car are not pointed toward the road. You can night drive at night unless you have your high beams on. Good luck with that. The dealer states nothing is wrong. You have got to be kidding. Only have 3,200 miles on it and this may be the first car that we dump that is less than 6 months old. An accident waiting to happen!

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  disappointed88 - 2013 Honda Pilot
  By disappointed88 - September 15 - 9:53 am

  I now have returned my 2013 Honda Pilot for repair for the fourth time in 10 months for the same vibration issue. After taking the service manager for a 50 mile road trip, he said the vibration was the worst he had experienced. After 3 days I have been advised that all the 2013 Honda Pilots have a similar vibration. How this suddenly happened, I do not know. Honda response is that this is a "Normal Vibration". I have never heard of such Bull. This has to be the worst vehicle I have ever owned and now Honda is offering NO help on this issue.

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  Tranmission Failure - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By brenyahoo - September 11 - 9:16 am

  I cant help but return to this site to provide our feedback. We had our 2004 Honday Odyssey transmission fail around 90K miles and after 50K miles the rebuild is now starting to fail again. We were stupid and didnt look back at reviews at the time - we should have because we of course now know this was a known problem. So nice to know a Honda dealership salesperson would sell you a vehicle they knew had problems. Its not a terrible vehicle but having the transmission problems is unacceptable. We dont buy another honda regardless.

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  Wind Noise is still an issue - 2013 Honda Odyssey
  By kelvestto - August 30 - 9:50 am

  When youre test drive a 2013 or 2014, make sure you pay close attention to the wind noise and road noise. Its a design flaw that you can hear outside wind noise when driving above 60mph. You might not able to hear your kid from the second row with the wind noise.

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  Junk - 2007 Honda Civic
  By josh510 - August 28 - 10:36 am

  This is my third Civic, which I bought for the looks. What a mistake. Honda cut too many corners. At least they are fixing most issues, but Im tired of taking the car to the shop. Here are my issues so far. Visors - Honda Replaced Control Arms/Tire Wear - Honda Replaced Motor Mounts - I paid for this Paint going bad - Honda will fix the hood and fenders but not the roof. Water Pump Pulley - Honda Replaced Engine Block Crack - Honda Replaced My other two Civics were great, but this one has been terrible. These repairs were made in addition to replacing the terrible Firestone tires and Honda battery (those both have always been bad). Unfortunately this will be my last Civic.

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  do not buy - 2009 Honda Accord
  By txdriver88 - August 24 - 11:17 am

  I only signed up to this site to write this review. This car is a big dissapointment. very noisy on inside eco boost is horrible, you constantly feel it going on and off, felt like car was gonna break down, but mechanic and dealer said its normal to feel that eco boost jerking. Seats are very uncomfortable. you can feel every bump in the road. voice activation/recognition is pretty bad. I bought certified used, went back to the dealership in less then 2 months and traded it in. Yes it was that terrible