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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  Poor navigation - 2015 Honda Odyssey
  By L Benti - September 18 - 8:07 am

  Dont bother to purchase this vehicle with navigation. Your smart phone will serve you better. Routing is poor and it gives you the wrong time frame which the trip will take you, generally adding an hour or more to your trip. We gave it the benefit of the doubt many times and were so sorry we did. We will never again use the onboard navigation system. (I didnt even mention how un-user friendly it is to put an address into the system) Dont waste your money on this feature!

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  Where is the Honda reliability? - 1991 Honda Accord
  By rock12 - September 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in 1-03 for a commuter car. It had 102k when it was purchased. The very next week the radiator was replaced. The following month it started idling poorly, and a gouged cylinder was diagnosed. The engine now needs replaced. The A/C now doesnt work, and the transmission is starting to have problems of its own. There is a water leak in the trunk somewhere, who knows where. I have had 3 used Oldsmobiles in the past all with less problems combined than this one vehicle. Either my bad luck is overwhelming, or Hondas are not all theyre cracked up to be.

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  A great car BUT TERRIBLE Infotainment system - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Nick - September 15 - 5:23 pm

  Ive had Hondas for 17 yrs now. Our family are on our 5th and theyve all been superb, reliable cars. The Honda Pilot is my last car and as a car it is fantastic. Totally lives up to Hondas reputation. EXCEPT for their infotainment system. Its ABSOLUTELY DREADFUL. Forget about trying to hook up your iPhone to it too. The accord and civic, the cheaper cars in their lineup have CARPLAY but the Pilot? NO. CarPlay is an amazing feature supplied by Apple to all car manufacturers. It hooks the iPhone to the infotainment system as if it were a 2nd screen. It is beyond me that Honda dont equip it on the Pilot. Sure, you can connect through Bluetooth but its dreadful. Useless. Its the most frustrating thing ever. I have to ask for directions MANY TIMES before it gets it right. Volume keeps randomly going loud and quiet. You cant even tell what you can select on the screen and the selection areas are too small making it hard to press and distracting when driving. Honda. Get it together and get CarPlay working on the Pilot. If youre thinking of buying a Pilot, seriously think about one of their competitors if they havent got CarPlay on the Pilot and you have an iPhone.

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  Uncomfortable - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By Danica7 - September 12 - 7:13 pm

  There is much to recommend the 2009 CRV, including a well-built car with many fancy features for a reasonable price. But after only two months, the horribly uncomfortable driving position - and the neck and shoulder pain I am experiencing - is causing me to sell it back to the dealer. I am 57" - and would not recommend this car to anyone my size or smaller. When seated a comfortable distance from the steering wheel (which telescopes only minimally), my knees hit the steering column. In addition, the active restraint headrests are horrendous, and there is nothing to be done about to modify their angle, which pushes the head forward.

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  Overrated - 2015 Honda Civic
  By par4brad - September 11 - 8:16 pm

  Let me start by saying; of all the cars I test drove, the 2015 Civic LX had the most comfortable interior in the affordable small car class, so thats why I leased it. Heres the things I do not like about the car: The transmission or the CVT as it is called. If you enjoy the driving experience, youll hate this transmission like I do. Hit the gas, nothing happens, and then the rpms go up and you start to move. Its called the motorboat effect. This transmission is continually shifting and its very annoying. Who wants a car that is shifting from 70mph to 72? I was having a hard time driving it. I thought something was wrong with the transmission so I took it back to Honda dealer. Mechanic just laughed and said, "thats the way they made it". The other mechanic said, "next time, get the 6-speed". All the frustration is magnified, when running the A/C. I read online that this transmission will get one more mile to the gallon. 1 more mpg? Ridiculous. Around 2,000 miles, the engine developed a loud ticking noise, so back to the Honda Dealer. Was told it is noisy valves and "thats the way Honda makes it". Inside door panel pops in and out when raising and lowering door windows. Has to be a design or manufacturing flaw. Back up camera pretty useless. Cant see much when the sun is out and does not make a noise or visual warning before you back into something. No matter how high you lift the seat, you cant see the front of the car. Cant even see the hood for that matter so be prepared to hit some curbs, especially when parking. Suspension pretty weak and soft brake pedal takes too long to stop the car. Taking car in to get the dim lights adjusted. Would like to see more than 100 feet when driving at night. Interior is cool and car looks nice, but the lack of response on the road makes this car a not so fun driver and will be trading it in soon.

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  disappointed - 1999 Honda Odyssey
  By susan williams - September 10 - 2:00 am

  My transmission and catalytic converter went out at 90,000 miles. The transmission is covered but the dealer want 900 for the catalytic converter. I am just disappointed with the honda product.

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  annoying vibration - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By zekewang - September 3 - 10:58 am

  I bought a 2015 Honda CRV EX and did the test drive at the dealer, did not have vibration problem, but when I was on the way to the dealer to get the registration, the car vibrated when it stopped at the traffic lights (brake on D). I told the dealer about it, they said Honda is aware of the issue and is trying to find a solution. I was very disappointed with the brand new car.

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  Bad Transmission Valve after only 3 months - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Bigbluesc - September 2 - 7:02 pm

  Purchased this car a little over 3 months ago. Yesterday we were driving and both the " Transmission System Problem" and "Emission System Problem" error messages came up. The car then started shifting poorly and literally jumping between the lower gears. We had it towed to dealership whos solution was to simply drain the transmission fluid and refill it to the "Honda specified level". The car drives ok at the moment but there is no chance this is a viable long term solution. Incredibly frustrating to buy a brand new car and have issues after only 3 months. We had our last Pilot for 8 plus years without a single issue which is why we stuck with the Pilot for our new car. Clearly we have made a huge mistake.

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  Disappointed in Honda - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By kfost - September 2 - 5:29 pm

  Bought a 2015 Honda CRV-EX in late Jan and the vibrations have only gotten worse. Dont notice it when Im on highway, but in-town is a nightmare! Honda wont replace because they say its not a safety issue, only an annoyance. I should say so!! A brand new car should not drive like a 10+ year old car. I am so upset that I purchased this vehicle and will have to pay more to get rid of it. I expected SO much more out of Honda. Huge disappointment!! I want my old Honda back.

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  high expectations - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By eddie mejia - September 1 - 10:00 am

  looks like a sturdy suv rides like a car.