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:

• 

  97 Honda Civic - 1997 Honda Civic
  By aeriellele - March 19 - 10:02 pm

  I bought this car as my first car from a private seller for $1400 with 146K on it only 3 months ago. When I first bought it, it needed a new oil distributor and radiator. I replaced them both thinking I had gotten away with an awesome deal. Then one of my tires went flat, spent a pretty penny on that too. Shortly after, on a long trip to my favorite state park, the transmission gives out in the middle of the road when I was almost at my destination. I had invested too much money on repairing this car for it not to last and I would never buy it used again. For the short while it lasted though, gas mileage was AMAZING.

• 

  Economic and reliable, but terribly built - 2009 Honda Civic
  By connorhol - March 17 - 9:51 pm

  The car handles well enough and has decent power. A 6th gear would have been welcome, but there 5spd auto is sufficient. Its a good looking car with good featured and it gets good gas mileage. The area where the civic FAILS is Im build quality. My rear LED brake light had to be replaced due to a bad solder point - a known defect. The interior rattles more than it should. The clearcoat on the hood was cracking and failing, but thankfully was fixed when I got a new hood due to hail damage. The driver seat has started squeaking loudly when I go over a bump, sometimes while entering and exiting the vehicle as well. This is a known issue with seat frame and Im working with the dealer.

• 

  Almost 220k and going strong !! - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By clubber1 - March 16 - 6:25 pm

  2007 Ody, bought new in May of 2007, now has 218k (wife has long commute), had power steering issue a few weeks after purchase, dealer fixed. I have changed oil with Mobil 1 Extended Performance Synthetic every 10-12k miles. Been through three sets of front pads, rotors, rear pads and rotors replaced once, full timing belt service at 135k. Changed plugs myself at 176k, they still had more life, but changed anyway. Had tranny reflash, brake recall done (air in lines) , tranny fluid done twice so far, three sets of tires, two alignments, rear liftgate struts failed at 200k and five years. Looking to get at least another 100k out of her !!!

• 

  Honda Crosstour - It is not an SUV - it is a versatile mid size hatchback sedan - 2012 Honda Crosstour
  By mwatsky - March 16 - 1:13 pm

  The typical auto industry reviews I have read of the Crosstour simply do not get it. It does not fit neatly into their ideas of a sedan, so they lump it in with SUVs and wagons, and the say it is lacking because it has less cargo capacity than square SUV designs. I spent 22 yrs driving mini-vans and full size SUVs. My kids are grown, and I could shop for what I wanted. I did NOT want the SUV, or just a smaller version of it (CR-V RAV-4 Mazda 7 or 9 Ford Edge, etc etc.) I wanted a capable, comfortable, sporty, sharp looking mid size sedan but with the versatility of a hatch back so that when needed, I could open it up, flip down the seat backs and have the space. I got it!

• 

  Happy with my 13 HCH!!!!!! - 2013 Honda Civic
  By coppercuckoo - March 15 - 12:43 pm

  I got the Green Opal one 2 weeks ago. I now have about 500 miles on the car, and it came with 106. It was the only one available in the Tri-state area that was equipped as I wanted! It drives so nice and smoothly and I enjoy the great technology upgrade from the 2005 I sold in order to get this car. The Winter mpg change from the 2005 HCH to the new one, is pretty significant. I was told to keep the Econ button on all of the time to get the best mileage. If you are expecting a Green car, you will be surprised by the color changes the metallic paint makes. There are times the car looks light blue, blue/green. and an almost sea foam green. This is all dependent on the lighting!

• 

  good value - 2007 Honda Element
  By boeserkritiker - March 14 - 12:38 pm

  I bought this vehicle new in 2007. got 97K miles now. It has served us reliably well as you hope from a honda with 2 exceptions. right after the warranty expired we had to shell out 500 bucks to replace a rear strut that was gone. and the original battery left us stranded multiple times when it was only 3y old. . i read on blogs that many people had that problem. since it got replaced, out of my pocket, that issue is gone. the door design is weird if you have people actually using the rear seats. especially in tight parking spots. you get trapped in the space between 2 doors. it gets worse if you have to get little children out of their child seats in the rear.

• 

  Greatest Dissappointment Since 1992 Civic - 2010 Honda Civic
  By 3waystoplay - March 13 - 5:03 pm

  Nothing like older Civics in terms of its soul or lovability. Ride is moderately rough but still wallows over undulations on the highway. The increased power is at a severe cost to fuel economy (as low as 24 mpg without much sporting) and the automatic transmission does a poor job of utilizing the power vs fuel economy curve. Its like they took the shifting map of a V8 and copied it exactly. It is obsessed with micromanaging. Moreover, it doesnt even get it right. It will skip 2nd up a hill when it should have just left the power on tap, then doesnt have the power to make it in 3rd and shifts back to second. My passengers often think Im moving the throttle. My malaise grows.

• 

  Drove them all chose a Honda - 2013 Honda CR-V
  By soccermom4ever - March 13 - 10:38 am

  First we test drove just about every SUV made and kept notes on accessories and price of each one. I never gave them my name just took their business card.Also noted if the sales guy was high pressure. Our choice was narrowed by comfort, style, accessories and cost. When it came down to it the Honda was by far the best deal. Everytime I changed from cloth to leather and back or navigation no navigation, AutoNation Lewisville had lots of choices. Our sales guy Jim Ross gave us the grand tour of the vehicle before our test drive. There was no pressure, we asked him questions and he let us talk through the differences.

• 

  If you want reliability... - 2005 Honda Accord
  By stepay - March 12 - 2:44 pm

  ...get this car! Bought this car used in 2008 when it had 39,000 miles. Now has 78,000 and going strong. Have purchased new tires and then just oil and gas since. The Accord is just a great solid, safe, reliable car. If that excites you, then youre golden! Its not the most exciting car to look at, and its not all that fun to drive, but you turn the key and it starts and you get to where you want to be...that makes for a great car in my opinion. It has decent power too which is nice. Theres no reason we cant drive this car to 200,000 miles or more.

• 

  Great SUV! I would buy it again! - 2011 Honda CR-V
  By stepay - March 12 - 2:02 pm

  Bought this car in Feb. 2011, and I still love it today like I did the day I bought it. Honda quality, looks better than what they did to update it to 2012 (not sure what they were thinking about the back of the 2012 - looks weird), but the real thing here is value. Im still amazed I could buy this car brand new for the low price I paid for it. A 2011 Kia Sportage with similar options was a couple thousand dollars more. Also, those complaining about road noise should have investigated that beforehand. Honda never claimed this was a super quiet car. Reliable, drives great, lots of room, looks great. Intended to be a family car. You want smooth and very quiet, then pay more next time.