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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  Dont believe the Honda advertised mileage. - 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid
  By ben - March 20 - 12:17 am

  The advertised mileage is a joke. Have never hit 45 mp under any circumstances. I bought the car because of the advertised mileage. Should have bought a 4 cylinder gasoline engine and saved the difference in cost.

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  needs some help! - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By sauer - March 19 - 2:00 am

  the seats are not that comfortable, the interior light is manual, a pain at times, like in the dark! radio never has worked right,

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  AN OK VAN - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By J MORRIS - March 19 - 2:00 am

  IM AM NOT IN LOVE WITH THIS CAR BUT ITS BETTER THAN THE 04 SIENA. DISAPPOINTING GAS MILAGE WHY CANT JAPANESE CAR MAKERS INSTALL COMFORTABLE SEATS LIKE I FIND IN AMERICAN CARS?

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  Dont Buy This Car - 2007 Honda Accord
  By Sara W. - March 15 - 3:23 pm

  I leased this car with 122 miles on it and at 800 miles I started hearing a loud popping noise coming from behind the driver. I have had it at two Honda dealerships, for a total of five times and was also assigned a Honda Rep out at their HQ in California. The rep says Honda relies on their dealerships and the dealerships say there is nothing wrong. It sounds like a piece of junk! Honda is not taking ownership for this poorly build car. I wouldnt buy or lease this car, and for that matter, considering the way Honda has handled this situation, I wouldnt buy or lease a Honda again either.

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  Starting to have some problems .... - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By glennlaj - March 11 - 2:00 am

  We bought the Odyssey in July 2001 after extensive due-diligence. Loved the vehicle for next 14 months for obvious reasons, but now starting to have some very annoying problems: 1) body integrity is very poor (have had this problem on prior owned Hondas) as chips in paint on hood, bumper, etc starting to show after 18 months 2) both rear power doors have gone and had to be replaced by dealership (fully covered under warranty, but still a pain in the arse to have to spend a day at the Honda dealership), and now the passenger side has broken yet again (not looking forward to another trip to dealership - waste of my time).

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  No relief from the heat - 2007 Honda Civic
  By D. Hutchinson - March 9 - 7:20 am

  Since purchasing the Civic, weve experienced our share of problems. First, bolts were missing from the lower air dam underneath the front bumper. Weather stripping coming off the rear passenger side window and the air conditioning falls short. At a dead stop in traffic the a/c shuts down and starts blowing hot air. During accelerations it also shuts down and blows hot air. Very uncomfortable to say the least. We had to tint the windows just to stay cool. Honda says it a new design to regulate the power on the engine. If we would have known, we never would have bought it. Funny, my 06 Acura TL (Honda product) never did that.

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  First impression - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By dave - March 4 - 11:40 pm

  Quick notes: (1) How can this car be without day time running lights? (2) Some of the interior feels cheap. (3) The passenger side armrest is an ergonomically AWFUL and skeletally unfriendly design (you will need muscle relaxers on a long ride). (4) This car guzzles gas. Driving just a mere 14 miles cost me a quater of a tank. You can practically see the fuel gauge move. (5) The second row middle seat is a poor design and the storage entry below seems not thoughtfully designed. The hand sized opening is ridiculous in view of the cavernous storage area. You cannot possibly reach items that are not within a few inches from the opening, but there is no way to keep items close to the opening.

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  Bad Honda...bad, bad Honda... - 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour
  By crapcrosstour - March 4 - 4:54 pm

  I traded an 05 Yukon SLT for this farce of a fuel saver when the Crosstour first came out. I thought with gas prices rising, it would be a good move. NOT~This car gets worse mileage (both in city and hwy) than either of my 2 prior Yukies. Honda kept passing the mileage off as the car "needing to be broken in"...seriously? How much breaking in? I have had this car for almost 3 years (46K mi) and it is worse now than before. The car still looks great and the interior has held up nicely, except for the plastic pieces, not built to last. So far, Ive replaced brakes, tires, lights, etc.

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  Lack of power - 1995 Honda Civic
  By Max Shao - February 26 - 2:00 am

  You feel least power driving a CIVIC comparing with other similar size cars with similar horse power, for example, TOYOTA Corolla, Saturn, GEO prizm. Slow in acceleration could be dangerous e.g., when you try to change lane. Fuel economy is not as good as you may expect for a low power engine. 22-26 mile/gallon with combination of local and freeway driving.

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  1998 Passport - 1998 Honda Passport
  By Benton - February 24 - 2:00 am

  My husband and I bought a 1998 Honda passport this past June from a Paramount Honda dealership. We bought the extended warranty and had it certified. That was the best thing we could have done, because within one month of having the car, it was in the service dept. for major repairs. We have had to bring it in for repairs about once a month. This vehicle has been nothing but a headache, and we are now trading for something more reliable.