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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  Its OK. Some good. Some bad. - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By KidHorn - May 18 - 12:10 am

  Ive had my Pilot since March 2016. It replaced a Mazda CX-9 that was hit from the side by a red light runner who totaled it. I wanted to get another CX-9, but no one had any in stock locally and I needed a replacement car immediately, I didnt feel paying an extra $5k for the EX was worth it, so I got an LX. I basically needed AC/heat, power windows, bluetooth for the phone, and a backup camera. Everything else was useless to me. Paid $34k cash bottom line. I needed an 8 seater since I have 3 kids and they have friends who need rides too. I looked at the Traverse, Highlander, etc... . Theyre all kind of the same. Got the Honda mainly based on reputation. Its an OK vehicle. Gets me from point A to B safely and comfortably. I dont like it as much as my CX-9 though for a few reasons. It doesnt accelerate as well as the CX-9. It doesnt coast well. It downshifts quickly and I find myself having to give it gas when coasting to a red light since it goes from 35 to 20 in 5 seconds on a flat road due to unneeded down shifting. My CX-9 was better at sensing it didnt need HP so it stayed in a higher gear. it also has an issue with the break pedal that others have mentioned. If you stop, after a while, the break pedal will go down like its losing air. I always fear that if the red light stays red too long, I might hit bottom and not be able to stop. Not sure if it would ever actually happen. Its not a bad car. Im just not overly impressed at this point in time.

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  Dont Believe the Hype! - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By 91Hokie - May 12 - 2:00 am

  The main concern is the latest issue with the transmission. After spending hours on the phone with the dealer and with American Honda Customer Service (and hours at the dealerships service department) being convinced that the Odysseys transmission has no issues, my brother passed along several message boards with scores of complaints from Odyssey and Acura TL owners with the same transmission problem. The vast number of people with the same potentially dangerous issue that we are having, combined with Hondas insistance to look the other way, leads me to believe Ill look elsewhere for my next vehicle.

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  My Odyssey is a LEMON! - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By lemonHonda - May 12 - 2:00 am

  Had an oil leak almost from day one. Honda replaced the short block and transmission. New problems occurred with TCS and Engine lights. Chronic hesitation between 40-60 mph. Honda cant fix either of these things. Transmission went out a second time (supposedly they replaced it) when I had a van full of kids. They replaced the computer(due to the TCS and engine lights) and Im still having problems. I have filed a Lemon lawsuit. The corporate office plays games. Can only drive the car around town because of all of the problems. Dont trust it!!! Now there is a strange odor. This car is probably going to blow up!!!!!!

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  All package is whack - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Johnny Tan - May 9 - 3:13 am

  Infotainment has too many glitch while driving on the road (very annoying) sound system rattles (cracking sound) whats the point of getting 10 speakers? Honda diamond dealer in Glendale refusing to fix the issue.

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  Disappointed - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By toddf100 - May 5 - 4:15 am

  Ive had my 2015 CRV for a few weeks now, and Im disappointed. The positives are outweighed by the negatives. As others have stated, the engine is slow to heat up, and the heater is weak and has trouble keeping up in very cold weather. The CVT surges on the highway and suffers from a dead zone between 15-30 MPH. Hondas EPA fuel economy numbers are wildly inflated; expect 22-24 MPG in real world mixed driving. Ride quality on uneven surfaces is poor. The subwoofer is a joke and serves only to check a marketing box. The engine occasionally idles too low, inducing violent vibrations. Recently announced recall may require replacement of engine.

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  BUM doors are defectiveNot a HONDA - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By ForSale - April 29 - 2:00 am

  We love Hondas but this one is a not really Honda. The ride quality is not really up to par, We are on our third incident with broken side doors that DONT open! Much to Hondas credit, they fixed them for free, but not the damage that the broken doors caused to the paint. We have a complaint in to Honda, our dealer Valencia Honda was non responsive. I want to sell it quick.

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  Not Impressed - 2008 Honda Accord
  By RA - April 23 - 5:10 am

  So much for Honda reliability. The tires which Honda has decided to equip there best selling car with are the worst rated for driving on snow and in wet conditions. The satellite radio cuts out constantly, the heated seats are barely warm, the sound system is pathetic and the brakes wore out around 15,000 miles (google it...theres lots of complaints). On top of all that the engine is completely lame...just not fun to drive at all.

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  After 11 Hondas Im very disssapointed - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Gary"US - April 23 - 3:23 am

  This is my 6th Accord and the very first that I have ever had a problem with. DONT rely on your test drive, the seats are Very uncomfortable and when the engine goes into the "econo" mode the vehicle "shifts/rocks violently" forward and when leaving the "econo" mode it shifts/rocks forward once again which means that the vehicle is "CONTINUOUSLY" SHAKING AND ROCKING. 5 trips to the dealer resulted in 1 new wheel, 3 new tires and rotors turned down, (3000 miles)? have produced nothing! My best MPG at 60 on cruise is 22. I have a 2006 Accord V6 and routinely get 28/29MPG and the ride is Beautiful!!! Seats are very comfortable and ride is very smooth! Save your money, buy a used 06

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  Bad Seats Noisy Interior Balky Trans - 2007 Honda Civic
  By Driver 46 - April 22 - 12:00 am

  Dont buy. Unfindable cant-fix-it interior rattles & bumps and rough highway pavement. Balky starts from standstill - drivers new to car stall in traffic again and again. Seatbelt alarm makes punishing howl six times if one doesnt buckle up before starting car, so one must first open door with key, put down key down, buckle up, then pick up key and start car. Forget to do it and get punished by ugly noise. There is no sound insulation at all - hear every noise in wheel wells. Seat back mechanism to enter rear does not go back to position so seat backs must be readjusted each time. NO LUMBAR SUPPORT. Less than average directional stability. This car stinks.

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  Poor details, and improper exwork inspection - 2017 Honda Pilot
  By S. C. - April 12 - 10:45 pm

  I got this vehicle in October 2017. There have been the following issues: (1) the alignment was poor that the car would drift to the right and required an alignment service the 3 day after I bought it (need to turn off the lane control to find this out), (2) replacement of an exterior trim due to factory installation, (3) excessive rattling noise due to loose components in the spare tire/tool compartment, (4) bad plastic fitting underneath the steering wheel that poses a finger cutting hazard. Worse yet, the first 3 can be fixed. The 4th was declined by the dealer because it is a common issue. The dealer could find this in other brand new Pilots, and called this a "design" by Honda. I wish I could post the photos of these poorly fit plastics.