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:

• 

  GET A TOWN & COUNTRY - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By tealg - July 24 - 10:00 am

  NOISE COMING DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL AREA WHEN WE DROVE HOME FROM DEALER

• 

  Reliability Nope!!! - 1999 Honda Accord
  By Pepper81 - July 24 - 10:00 am

  I decided to cut down on the mileage of my Mercedes which had 240K miles and get a reliable yet economical car. Honda was recommended. The check engine light came on at 50K miles. It was a faulty EGR valve. Honda sent me a service notice that the design in the EGR valves were faulty and that for 7 years or 80K miles if the check engine light came on and it was determined to be the EGR valve, that it would be replaced. At 70K miles the EGR valve replaced again. Next the trans started slipping and acting erractic. A $630 repair job and a bandage fix. Recommendation a replacement trans for $4600. Now hub bearing, a gasket causing antifreeze leak have appeared.

• 

  Dont buy the hype! - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Larry Pines - July 20 - 10:20 pm

  Short version of my review: Honk the horn, if you have no problem with the horn (as it is small sixed for a moped) then look at what is involved in jump-starting this vehicle. If the procedure for jumpstarting the car is not an issue… then buy your pilot, as you most likely won’t notice the issues I noted below. If you take exception with the horn or the need to disassemble the car to jump start it……well the rest of the car like that. It’s way over Hyped or …… over promised and under delivered. It’s like a bowl of good sour cream. Nothing more - nothing less. Long version of my review: I have wanted to write this review for some time now, and today I just need to sit down and write the review. I am one who got sucked into the Hype of this vehicle, and I wish I didn’t. My 2016 Honda Elite (“The PIG” don’t ask me why, but the name just fits) has just under4,500 miles on it, and it is for sale. The Good --Honda has spent a ton of effort getting the this car perform in the new overlap IIHS crash test https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMtOcKK6I4o. The result of this test is a true work of art. Especially when compared to others vehicles in the class. Size –this is a big car there is plenty of room in it. The Sunroof is huge. The size of the rear doors are larger than other SUVs, it makes getting into the third row easy, and the auto tumble of the second row captain seats are very helpful for getting in the third row. USB charging stations – are all over the vehicle. Maybe even in the third row! Great job Mileage – Believe it or not, at one point I was getting 28 MPG on the freeway in this car. That may be due to a recall that fixed a small problem where the car would “add” miles to the odometer I currently get 23 MPG on a tank of gas….Winter gas? Software update….i don’t know but it’s not what it used to be. The Bad The car drives around corners/ Auto braking systems – Well it just follows the lines on the road, when it gets confused, or mistakes the sealant on the road for the painted road….well you get to fight the car. And pray that the auto braking doesn’t kick in. (Just imagine if you and your spouse both had access to steering and the pedals.) For me, when I first experienced it I was traveling about 70 MPH on the interstate and in an instant I was doing 45 then the system “recalculated” and I was able to drive again. As a result, we were almost rear-ended. The Ugly The 9-Speed transmission – Holy Hannah, will this thing take a chill pill!? For example, at low speeds it’s like an amusement park ride. 5th gear at 20MPH, no now its 4th gear no upshift to 6th. It’s crazy! At low speeds the transmission is like a Jack Russel Terrier. Auto Start feature –This feature simply shuts off the car’s engine when you come to a stop. When this activates you will need about a second or a second and a half to feel like the car is ready to go again. This is unreasonable at busy intersections. You can turn this “feature” off but you have to do it every time you start the car. I have tried to get the dealer to disable this “feature” but they say they can’t. Trust me it’s a pain in the rear. The Premium Stereo – This is a HUGE disappointment. This stereo is just strange. I have the bass and treble settings maxed, and on the best of times it sounds ok. But, most of the time it leaves me wondering where is the other half of the song. For example, you can be listening to XM radio and one song sounds “ok”, then the next song sounds like the stereo doesn’t know how to decode signal. The vocals are very weak and fade in and out. Subwoofer is nonexistent. The Touch Screen –Disappointment. The Very glossy glass (or plastic) shows fingerprints very easily very the system is very complex to use. No way to set a priority on phones To change what phone is connected from the main screen is no less than 5 button pushes and takes 40 seconds to accomplish. Voice Command – Useless. Instrument gauges –The lack of information/customization of the gauges can’t be ignored. Talk about just under delivering. The placement of buttons in the car – are Just wrong, you have to hunt and search for buttons in this car. It’s just wrong. Resale value – I have been trying to sale this auto for a while now, while I am ok taking a $3K hit on it, I am not willing to take a $7K hit on the PIG. I was hoping to have sold this car before reviewing it however; I just can’t sit back and keep reading reviews from folks who say it’s a perfect vehicle. I often question the legitimacy of some of the reviews, like they were written by those with an interest in selling these cars. Regarding Happy Wife = Happy Life. The wife had to use the Pilot for her primary vehicle for several days. She is MORE THAN OK with taking the loss on this car and getting another vehicle. We give Honda, till March 1 to push out a major software update to this car; else we trade the PIG for something else.

• 

  Not that so reliable - 1996 Honda Civic
  By andrewl98 - July 18 - 2:00 am

  I bought a used 96EX coupe two years ago because of its so called excellent reliability. BUT its disappointing. Engine is noisy. A/C works, but wind speed adjustment is poor. No wind comes out at all at position 1 and 2. When I use position 3, hurricane start. Accelaration is not smooth. Beacuse of this(start not smoothly), I was subtracted 3 score when I took road test for my drivers licence. When I accelarate on the ramp of highway, I feel I am abusing or torturing this car. It struggled so hard but still make me feel I will be hitted by the car behind me. Thank those cars slow down in time, otherwise I can not seat here to write this.

• 

  A Great Car - Horrible Comfort - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Renay Rodriguez - July 14 - 6:07 pm

  I will never buy another CRV again unless Honda decides to fix the interior car seat design. After owning the car for 6 months I now have a permanent shoulder and neck injury from driving this vehicle. The headrest is so far forward that it causes curvature right at the base of the neck into the mid spine area. As a result of being constantly curved you begin to develop next train with creates muscle tightness in the neck which is now resulted in tingling and numbness in two my hands. I tried turning the headrest around and felt infinitely more comfortable but its not safe because theres no support in case of an accident. An additional problem is the bottom part of the seats themselves even at 5 to the seats are too short. As a result you dont get any support behind your legs. And this creates neck and back strain as well as you are required to support your own legs throughout the drive with just your bottom on the seat. I drive a car to drive and go places and this car has been miserable. Another reason not to ever buy this car again is the road noise. You can barely talk on your cell phone in this car when youre on the highway because the road and wind noise is so loud. You cannot listen to music comfortably in this car because you have to blast it so loud in order to be able to hear the music over the wind and road noise. When I bought this car I was thinking great gas mileage reliability and safety. But I didnt think about Comfort because I assumed a car company like Honda as reputable as they are would have created seats that would have been comfortable.

• 

  Could be better - 2017 Honda CR V
  By Ann - July 13 - 7:13 pm

  I tested this car as was interested in the 2017 revamp. The 190hp is weak and noisy. Sitting in the back seat its noisy there as well. I dont like the shifter being so far up and forward as its awkward and can block controls when in park. Honestly I wish they would bring back V6 engine as most of the fours are so noisy and lack sufficient power. Overall found the car like an appliance rather then something fun or interesting to drive.

• 

  Transmission failure at 44,000 miles - 2003 Honda Civic
  By Dorado - July 12 - 7:30 pm

  I bought the car with expectations of significant gas savings and because I was pleased with former Honda cars. Gas mileage was so-so given it is a hybrid (long distance 50 mpg - mix of distant and normal town milage 41 mpg) - so not as great as Prius. Real problem was that transmission died at 44,000 miles while I was on a heavy traffic road. No warning! No power and luckily I was able to coast to a parking lot. Reconditioned transmission, towing etc. cost $3,085. Talked to Honda Care and only concession was cost of transmission at "warranty" cost. Not happy camper and no longer Honda satisfied customer.

• 

  Odyssey Nightmare - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Zoo - July 11 - 7:53 am

  Warped rotor discs on day one. Air conditioning was/is weak after replacing the control head. Run flat tires are terrible, 21K and they are nearly bald, yet the dealer is still pushing them at 45-50K. Called Michelin and they said you should get 35-40K as well and when I told them of my plight they said take it to a tire place for their consideration. Dealership after one year still cannot replace rubber on tire and am having difficulty finding a shop that can replace them. Dealership also stated that if the rim is rubbed in any way, you must buy new rim system with tire for about $600. Highly discourage this vehicle for all considering.

• 

  CR-V 2015 drive shaft vibration - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By acarbal - July 6 - 5:58 am

  November 11 2014 bought a new all wheel drive CR-V and returned the following days. There was a drive shaft vibration. Dealer agreed to give a new SUV. Drive shaft vibration problem was there again. Went to the dealer for repair, part was replaced but problem continues. Dealer cant fix anymore since Honda does not have a solution. 3 Months and still no solution from Honda. Should I buy another CR-V or Honda again? THE ANSWER IS NO!!

• 

  troubles - 2003 Honda Civic
  By jweer - July 6 - 2:00 am

  bought new in 2002, some major problems...paint, vibration that were not addressed by dealership. Comsumer Reports must be on the take from Honda, Toyota etc. Would much rather have a Ford focus, at least its fun to drive and Ford acknowlodges mfg. defects. Honda is just in denial