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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  4 Cylinders should be banned - 2005 Honda Civic
  By KLS - January 4 - 4:46 am

  Well, what can I say kids? Its definitely not an Accord, not in its/my wildest dreams. I drove an Accord EX for 6 years and never thought I liked the car all that much. As a matter of fact, I used to refer to it as the most boring car on the road. What I wouldnt give for an Accord EX now! The Civic EX is a fine car; but after driving a V6, I just cant get used to feeling like Im driving the little engine that keeps telling itself, "I think I can, I think I can," at the slightest incline, during merging on to the highway, or changing lanes. Ive put 5000 miles on my Civic since I bought it 2 months ago. I will not be driving this car 6 years from now like I did my 98 Accord EX.

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  Step up to the plate - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Mad in Massachusetts - January 1 - 5:16 am

  I think its time Honda stepped up to the plate like Toyota and admit when there is a problem. Headlights are crazy-keeps dimming when driving, Brakes are shot at 22,000 miles, and drivers window makes horrible noise when closing.

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  Still Not As Quiet As Honda Claims - 2013 Honda Accord
  By bb49 - December 31 - 11:11 am

  Interior and features are much improved over my 2003 Accord EX-L V-6. However, there was no signifigant improvement in the handling or ride of this car over my 2003 and it was very noisy on rough pavement and the suspension let me hear every imperfection in the road.

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  Doesnt age well... - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By cgharlow - December 29 - 2:00 am

  I was very happy with the minivan for the 1st year. But the last 1 1/2 years it has not been aging well at all. Very disappointing for a Honda. Brakes are noisy, driver side sliding door doesnt work on either remote 50% of the time, starting to get power failures, odd noise at start up (hopefully just a belt), and we are already on its 3rd battery.

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  Huge design mistakes - 2017 Honda Pilot
  By Romain - December 26 - 4:59 am

  We took a 2017 Pilot XLE for a test drive today as part of a segment comparison with the Highlander and the CX-9. We purposefully stayed away from the higher trims for the Pilot since their 9-speed transmission is getting such bad reviews. Well, I came out unimpressed. The interior is definitely the least refined of the three (probably because of the lower trim level, but thats all we had to compare). The same can be said for the exterior, which is pretty bland compared to the Highlander and CX-9. Some would even feel stronger about it, but thats a matter of taste. At least we can say its uninspired, the CR-V has way more character. To be fair, there was nothing wrong when driving it or with the entertainment system. I tried plugging my Android phone to test Android Auto, and while it did work, it wasnt the screen mirroring from my phone onto the head unit like I expected, merely some old-looking Android apps that were somehow synchronized with my phone, for example Google Maps. Not as good as I thought. I wish I brought a lightning cable for my wifes iphone to test Apple CarPlay. But most of all, there are several design mistakes that make me flat out pass on this car. First, the camera-based LaneWatch feature, that manages to be even more dangerous than just turning your head. Another reviewer already mentionned how pointless this system is, and unfortunately the proper BSI system is only available on the higher trims, so youre stuck with it. Also, the 2nd-row folding seats, while providing a one-touch sliding feature, wont slide without folding first! This means no child seats on the second row if you also need access to the third row. I double and triple checked since this was so huge. I cant believe they call it a family car, unless theyre targeting families with grown children only. This might be different with the captains chairs, as I only tried with the 2nd row bench. Anyway, at least it makes my decision between the Highlander and the Pilot easier.

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  Ody Paint Job - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By jlsxpressllc - December 21 - 11:50 pm

  Vehicle seems to drive well except for a slight pull to the right. Transmission seems to hunt when driving slowly around town. Does much better when given a little gas and highway speeds.

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  I am so disappointed. - 2002 Honda Accord
  By Bonnie M - December 20 - 7:23 am

  I bought my Accord because it was supposed to be so wonderful. I bought it new and Ive had problems with the car since early on. The car now has 51,000. The brake rotors have been resurfaced twice. The door lock motors have all failed. The power window motors have all failed. The air conditioner compressor had to be replaced. The car has never shifted gears smoothly. It gets terrible gas mileage, especially when the air conditioner is on. I am lucky to average 22 mpg and that is driving under the speed limit. My "reliable" Honda has cost me a pile of money in repairs. So far, the engine has not failed, I guess that will be next. I wish I had bought something else.

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  Dont Understand Why All the Praise - 1998 Honda Civic
  By vabiker - December 13 - 10:00 am

  I dont have too many positive things to say about this car. I bought the car to get a reliable, high mileage, AT car. The car has always gotten low mileage (25/31) in mixed driving. Never higher than 32mpg in 100% Interstate travel. The trunklid is a guillotine despite the installation of a special spoiler-supporting trunklid torsion element. The exterior paint is eggshell fragile. Alternator was warranty replaced at 10K miles. The 92 Saturn SL I owned for 10yrs. was a better car than this one. We bought the Honda for its glowing reputation, and based on my experience, I have to wonder how it was ever acquired...

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  Poor Build Quality of 01 Civic - 2001 Honda Civic
  By TeTea - December 13 - 10:00 am

  I was very disappointed with the EX 2001 Civic model. Since Ive owned the car Ive had soo many quirky things go wrong on the car. My window motor doesnt work properly, the consol light is tempermental. Recently my trunk and gas tank release lever decided to not work anymore. Forget about the paint, just brush against the car and it will chip. Also, not long after I purchased the car, I noticed rust spots on the hood of my car.

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  Very good SUV with small but important flaws - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Tom - December 12 - 12:02 pm

  I really wanted to buy this SUV, however Honda overlooked a few small but very important flaws it has. These small things were turned into actual deal breakers for me. Honda could fix these easily, and should, because I cant be the only one having these issues. 1) Dual Armrests. They are very skinny and too close to the seat for me. Im a bigger guy at 63 and my right arm naturally falls on the outside if this armrest. To even stick my elbow on it I have to push my elbow tight into my body. I can do without an armrest for a short journey but what about road trips? Why cant Honda just have a regular armrest like the Pilot used to have or what every other SUV has? This one small detail was the largest deal breaker for me. 2) Why cant Honda have a height adjustable front passenger seat? Even in a 40+ thousand dollar SUV its not offered? My wife is short at 51 and the seat is too low. On a long road trip it would make her car sick. What about children in the front seat? Honda cheaped out on this small detail. That was deal breaker #2. The others next are smaller flaws I could have looked past. 3) Why cant the rear tail gate open higher and be adjustable? In such a large SUV I shouldnt have to duck my head so I dont hit it. The tail gate doesnt go any higher up than my wifes small VW Tiguan does. 4) The drivers lumbar support is not very good. It did not do a good job of giving my lower back support. Other than those 4 simple things I couldnt find anything else I disliked about the Honda Pilot. Its really a shame I couldnt buy it and that the decision not to buy had to based on these simple flaws. These flaws Honda could easily fix for 2017, but I dont think they will. I guess I have to look into the Toyota Highlander next.