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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  Could have done better - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Darrel Shepack - July 4 - 6:38 pm

  The hood flaps in the breeze at high speed with a cross wind. The push button transmission is a pain. The automatic braking feature is dangerous. I have had several near accidents because the brakes are automatically applied. Instead of the brakes being applied normally, they are slammed! The drivers behind me are none too happy. I have learned a whole new language as they pass me and give me the one finger salute. Getting my vehicle washed is a joke. You have to go through a series of button pushing to keep the vehicle from being damaged. Now, I have to take it to a self wash facility. Honda has found a way to ruin the new car experience with a CD instead of an owners book. there are several other things that are very annoying but not worth the trouble to list. If you buy one, make sure you understand EVERYTHING about the operation of the vehicle before taking it off the lot. This was my first and last Honda.

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  Loud noisey on the inside - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Please help with the noise inside of the CRV - July 4 - 3:16 pm

  I love the Honda, however, this CRV has loud noise from the tires, or the windows not air tight, I thought my sunroof was open because of the noise, you can hear a lot of air coming inside or the tires are loud too. I have a 03 Honda accord and I ride in it more because it is old but no loud and it came with Michelins Tires a very good ride. This CRV came with Cross or something, tires something I had not heard of before, and they have very noisy sound. I love the Truck, however, something needs to be done about the noise. I rather ride in the 03 Honda Accord and it shakes & vibrates but has a very quiet ride, the window comes down to get the heat out before you get to the care by holding the unlock button and it has six CD changer inside not sure why they deleted those options, BIG MISTAKES.

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  Those d*mned interior lights! - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By AR22 - June 29 - 2:00 am

  In our Ody, if someone is reading with one of their individual seat lights, those lights do not go off, even if you turn off the engine, leave the car, and lock it with the keyless entry system. So, the light stays on until the battery is drained. This is a definite design flaw since this is a common problem. Its happened 3-4 times with me when one of the kids leaves the lights on, we park in the bright garage, get out, lock all doors, and dont realize its on until the next day when eveythings dead.

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  I wanted to like this car - 2013 Honda Fit
  By Nicole - June 27 - 7:15 pm

  I did extensive research on the Honda Fit and test drove the 2016, 2015 and 2013 models before purchasing a 2013 Honda Fit Sport. At 511.5, I knew a small car didnt appear to fit my frame, but as a long time driver of other subcompact cars I wasnt worried. After 3 weeks of driving, I developed moderate back pain. It doesnt help that the car handles poorly and gets blown around by the wind. I seriously regret buying this car and am planning to loss several thousand dollars to sale my car and get another car. The gas mileage is good, but my health and comfort is not worth.

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  Bad Tranny - 1999 Honda Odyssey
  By 99 Odyssey owner - June 23 - 2:00 am

  Ibought this van brand new,this van has tranny problem on most 99 models, put Honda Corp will not admit it, they replace all the 2000,2001,2002 tranny for free and extended their warrenty to 100,000 miles but not the 99 models,if you still have this van and under warranty, bring it back to dealer for a tranny check. I have my tranny replaced at 70,000 miles. whoever own the 99 models, have your tranny check or buy extended warranty.

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  Worst car I have ever owned - 2009 Honda Civic
  By Zach Hill - June 22 - 3:09 am

  This vehicle, my 3rd new car and my 7th car overall, has required more preventative maintenance and more repair than all my other vehicles combined. I have had to had the transmission rebuilt every 65k miles. This vehicle is not modified (minus rims, which were only added 8k miles ago) nor ever been taken to a track or ridden hard but the transmission has utterly failed multiple times. The paint (which is covered by warranty) peeled off the car within 65k miles as well, requiring a piece-meal repair job resulting in a vehicle which is now multiple shades of blue. The interior, which is this soft-touch foam/plastic combo, cuts easily from any impact leaving scars all over the interior and the pseudo-suede used on the seats and arm rests easily gunks up in high-humidity resulting in a filthy-even-when-clean appearance. The performance leaves much to be desired, as there is ZERO clutch-feel and the throttle is unresponsive and "mushy". The steering does respond well with wider tires, but the stock tires sizes were appalling. Moderate acceleration resulted in a burn-out in first and second didnt have the power to pull you from a stop. The tires themselves, even after twice-a-year alignments, never lasted longer than 30k miles per set (typically 22k) because of Hondas drastic negative camber recommendations for rear-wheel alignment.

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  I want to love the car but I cant - 2016 Honda Accord
  By Denis Be-n - June 21 - 1:19 pm

  Purchasing a brand new vehicle for the first time in my life is a very exciting event. I had very high expectation from upgrading from used up 2004 Accord to brand new 2016 EX-L model. I love the design and acceleration, CarPlay is cool.... This could be a perfect car, BUT I can not understand how Honda can ignore two simple issues, that just make me thinking that this is my last Honda. The first problem is wind noise. It is simply horrible, not better than any other car from 90-s. No improvements at all on trying to make it a little quitter, to match up with competitors. This is really annoying and doesnt make any ride enjoyable. The second problem appears when I try to eliminate the wind noise by playing loud music. Guess what, load music causes vibration of the whole rear deck with the subwoofer. The stop light is so close to the glass, that light vibration of the deck causes the plastic to vibrate and periodically with high frequency hit the rear glass. This creates annoying rattling noise. So I make the volume lower, but then I here annoying wind noise... Most importantly, the dealer agreed to repair both of these issues, that cost me nothing but loosing hours of my personal work time. Both repairs are not successful and it was just a waste of time trying to fix manufacturers pour design. Btw, the dealer doesnt accept that this is a result of pour design.... They offered the repairs covered by warranty, but they all were not effective with no improvements. Such confusing situation. Even if I am willing to pay to fix it, I cant fix it and no one can! I had to do what I originally planned to do, buy a more luxury but slightly used vehicle, in which, at least I would enjoy the ride while paying more for the repairs....

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  Lemon From Honda West in Las Vegas - 2008 Honda Accord
  By JM in Las Vegas - June 15 - 1:53 pm

  New Accord purchased from Honda West in Las Vegas. There is a major problem with it! Ive had it for 5 days and it needs a two day major service! The service adviser said it will be TAKEN APART in order resolve the problem. The dealership has not been responsive thus far. Since they lied to me when they tricked me into taking possession of the car (they said the issue was no big deal-easy fix), Im surprised. Ive had two other Accords. It might be that every 1 out of 3 are lemons? Beware of the 08 Accord and Honda West if you live in Vegas!

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  1999 LX Wagon - 1999 Honda Passport
  By Chawtho - June 10 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned a lot of Hondas in my life and its very obvious this is not a Honda. It looks good from the outside but the Honda quality that I have become accustomed to is not there. Tailgate is very squeaky and poorly designed. Also the ride quality is sub- standard compared to other SUVs in this class. Just an average vehicle and nothing to write home about. I bought it used about a year ago and have had no major mechanical problems at this point.

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  Just Another S-Box - 2007 Honda Fit
  By joet - June 3 - 2:56 pm

  Better to spend the same money on a used Nissan which would be far more fun and COMFORTABLE to drive. I regret the trade. This car is noisy, gutless and cheap.