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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  Rear Entertainment System FAIL! - 2018 Honda Odyssey
  By Steve Curran - April 7 - 10:19 pm

  I bought the 2018 to replace a 2006 Odyssey. I am normally impressed with Hondas quality. However, I would not recommend buying this car if you have a family. We bought it specifically for family road trips. The Rear Entertainment System failed within a month. This made the 4 hour road trip for the solar eclipse painful!! Took it back to the dealer, they said Honda knows about the problem, but there is no fix right now. Until this is fixed, do not buy this vehicle if you have young kids. Unless you want to pay additional money for an after market DVD player.

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  STRAIGHT TO REPAIR SHOP - 2004 Honda Accord
  By HONDA GARBAGE - April 2 - 10:00 am

  I BOUGHT THIS CAR ON AUGUST 1ST AND 2 DAYS LATTER CAR STARTED TO HAVE NOICE IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR. WHEN I TURN THE WHELL INSTEAD OF GOING SMOOTHLY IT GOES BY BUMPS AND NOICE IN THE FRONT BECOMES EVEN LOUDER. THE CAR IS UNDRIVABLE. I WENT TO THE DELERSHIP BUT THEY TOLD ME TO WAIT 3 WEEKS BECAUSE THEY ARE BOOKED. I WENT TO SEVERAL HONDA DEALERSHIPS AND ALL OF THEM WERE PACKED WITH NEW ACCORDS. I TRULY REGRET THAT I BOUGHT THAT CAR. DONT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE.

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  Frozen Doors - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By Odysseus - March 31 - 2:00 am

  Good first year. The car has not aged well since. Sliding doors freeze shut in the winter and electric motors burn out (both sides). Drivers side sliding door rattles, dealer can/will not fix. Passenger sliding door needs a push when cold. Transmission shifts roughly when cold (high RPMs too), told this was a "feature" by the dealer (yeah, right). OEM tires very noisy. Door speakers rattle, work intermittantly. Brakes grind stopping from low speeds. Good concept, rotten execution. Never again

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  ***WARNING*** - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Chip - March 30 - 9:10 pm

  I have owned the 03 EX/V6 Accord for almost two years and in that time I have had several problems that should make any prospective buyers run for the exit door. I have had the brakes redone way too many times for a car with only 75,000 easy highway miles in it. In fact Honda even replaced the rotors at 26K because they were warped. Most recently the LED display enter "burned out". Scott Honda told me that it would cost $150.00 minimum to diagnose, but in his experience they have always had to REPLACE the unit to THE tune of about $1,200. Ouch! $1,200 to fix a non-wear part that the service rep admitted has been an issue with the 03 Accord. DEEFECTIVE DEFECTIVE DEFECTIVE!!!!!!!!!

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  Milage not what I expected - 2004 Honda Insight
  By Bodnar - March 21 - 2:00 am

  Having driven about 10000 miles both in city and from Dallas, Tx to Ocala, Fl and back I can say the milage is nowhere near the 56MPG rating. Lack of cruise control really hurts. If you are used to cruise control you will have to change the way you drive or the speed will easily creep up to 80 and above. The best milage I have achieved is 52MPG highway and 46 in town. Once the summer temperatures go up you can expect those numbers to drop 20% because of the air conditioner. Electric motor is noisy.

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  Radiator, Rock, Blown Head Gasket - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Patricia Rinnert - March 19 - 6:13 am

  I leased a 2008 Accord in April 2008 - at 7,000 miles I noticed that the heater was not working - took it to the dealership - they determined that a rock had hit & put a hole in the radiator - not covered by warranty - $900 out of my pocket. 4,000 miles later the temp gauge went sky high - immediately took to dealership (less than 10 miles) and was informed that I now have a blown head gasket due to the radiator issue -$1600 out of my pocket - still discussing the issue but not happy with the radiator design or the run around - no car for 5 days now. No free rental as it is not a warranty item. Check engine light also comes on and goes off intermittently - Do I have a Lemon???

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  Reasonably good car with some issues - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Steve - March 14 - 9:43 pm

  Pluses: Great visibility, good braking. Very good handling Negatives: Poor wipers, high level of road noise, dashboard controls are not intuitive, heating is inconsistent, windshield almost always fogs which makes it necessary to leave defroster on. Acceleration with the four cylinder is not good. Sound is only mediocre. Gas mileage is only 20 around town and 26 to 27 on the highway with a four!

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  pretty cheesy for such an expensive vehicle - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By vallely - March 9 - 6:17 pm

  $42000 and no cd player - also had to pay about $1500 to get a roof rack as the rails are not provided as standard equipment as they are with most other companies SUVs

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  Good car but Honda can do better - 2017 Honda Accord
  By Car Lover 1979 - March 9 - 5:30 pm

  its a good car but not a great car. Theres a lot of nice technological features. The car rides smooth. Its nice looking. Couple issues though. First, the cvt transmission isnt great In city driving. Jerks at low speeds. Car doesnt want to stop easy as theres no downshift. Infotainment is slow responding. Wheels look nice but they stick out from the tire making it easy to get curb rash. Mileage in the city is not good.

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  Good Car, But I Like My Old Honda Better - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Mikelamos - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Good overall car, but Ive gotten very poor fuel economy with the 4cyl. I get 18-20 in the city regardless of how I drive. The brakes have started squealing more than usual too. Ive owned 2 other Honda products and loved them. I just dont love this car. Id rather have my 89 Accord.