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:

• 

  Expected so much more... - 1999 Honda Passport
  By Musho - February 24 - 2:00 am

  The problem started a month later when I needed to replace the ABS and few times the check engine light turned on with no apparent reason. The driving is very very harsh, extremely bad control (although I have a stick shift) and the worse thing is breaks. The do some weird stuff when breaking on wet asfalt or when it vibrates (somehow ABS kicks in an doesnt let breaks do their work !?!?) Tailgate is squicking all time and there is excessive noice. BTW, a reall weird stuff is that the cigarette lighter is being catapulted off the craddle when heated, I already burned my stick shift boot.

• 

  Unbiased Review - Nice Vehicle BUT........ - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Stephen - February 20 - 11:46 pm

  Before purchasing the new Pilot in Elite trim, I was comparing it to the 2016 Kia Sorento Limited trim with the Technology package. Having owned a loaded 2014 Sorento EX, I needed something bigger with newer safety features that the new Pilot offered. Lets start with the good, its very similar to the look and feel of the current Odyssey; that to me is a good thing. Its no sports car, but handling and response is very good for a vehicle of this size. The seats are comfortable with lumbar support, even better with the ventilation and heating options (Elite only). The Touring only comes with heated seats. Very good visibility all around especially the front A pillar area. The controversial 9 speed transmission has been fine for me. In economy mode, the gears shift quickly and smoothly. Good fuel economy so far; about 23-25 in mixed driving. Low road noise. Plenty of cupholders, plus the ones in the first two rows are lighted at night! The Elite has a 12V plug and two usb sockets under the front console area. In the center console storage, there is another 12V plug and more USB sockets. The center console is deep, large enough to hold an iPad plus lots of other stuff. For a family with lots of tech toys, this is wonderful! The Nav system is decent so far, you can search for a place or address using voice commands. Only one hiccup so far; when I searched for a chain restaurant that I knew was a few miles away (and in business for many years), it listed the closest one as being 27 miles away, weird. Now to the not so good. The touchscreen infotainment system on the Pilot is truly a mixed blessing. The screen is bright and colorful with a lot of tech options, but as other reviewers have mentioned, response is mediocre at best. Some options are so slow that you end up touching the same option more than once thinking you missed it the first time. For example, try touching the audio on/off button. There is a two second delay after you touch it before it executes your command. So if you were trying to turn off the sound system and you touch the audio on/off icon, nothing happens and you think you missed the icon so you touch it again. The system will turn off the audio system after two seconds and a couple of seconds after that turn it back on. Thats just one example. Also, you need to touch the center of all the touch screen icons with a solid tap, if you dont it is not going to register. All of this reminds me of an old Android phone that I used own from 5 years ago. If you own a modern phone or tablet, the Pilots touchscreen will feel painfully slow. The touchscreen has another horrible "feature", its highly glossy. That means it is highly reflective in direct sunlight and a fingerprint magnet. Combining the two makes the screen unreadable at times. My 2014 Sorento had a matte finish so everything was easily readable even in direct sunlight, plus fingerprints werent nearly as visible compared to the Pilot. It had an excellent touch screen. Many other owners have ordered screen protectors (see piloteers.org) similar to what people put on their phones. Im doing the same for sure. There are no analog knobs in this vehicle. So if you want to turn down the radio, you have to use the touchscreen or the steering wheel controls. Good luck trying to quickly turn down or mute the sound. To adjust the temperature controls on the A/C, you have to push a springy flip switch (best description I can come up with). If you want to change the A/C temp from 72 to say 75, you have to push the switch up three times. Or hold it up until the system increments to the desired temperature. To me this is less convenient than a conventional rotary dial and just invites wear. If you are wondering at this point why I bought the Pilot if I knew about the above complaints, its because I thought I would get used to it. Some things I have such as the climate controls, but touch screen response is something I havent gotten used to. I hope Honda listens to Pilot owners and issues a fix soon. Good: Comfortable, Adaptive Cruise Control, spacious interior, plenty of USB slots, driving visibility Neutral: Adaptive Cruise Control (cuts out at 20 mph), push button shifter, mediocre turning radius Bad: No analog dials for audio or A/C, horrible touch screen, no way to permanently disable Auto Stop/Start I purchased the Pilot because of the safety features not available on the Sorento like forward collision mitigation with automatic braking system and LED daytime running lights, and mostly because of Hondas reliability. However, if I had to do it all over again I would probably have purchased the Sorento and waited a few years until Honda fixed the issues with the first year redesigned Pilot. Additionally, Kia is offering some significant rebates at this time, while the hard to find Elites are commanding top dollar. Hope this helps someone make an informed decision.

• 

  2005 CRV Disappointed - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By tom77 - February 20 - 5:00 am

  I researched the Honda CRV for over two years before I purchased a 2005 model. I had to take it to the dealer for missing body hardware, coolant loss and a sensor replacement within the first six months of ownership. I doubt that any of these defects had any thing to do with the fact that it was built in England but thats for others to determine. Recently one of the front Bridgestone Dueler H/T tires, with only 6900 miles on them, blew while my wife was driving in her employers parking lot. She has a broken neck, concussion, facial laceration and head and body trauma. If Honda wants to build a high quality vehicle why are they using a tire that so many people are unhappy with?

• 

  A Different View - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By DanaT - February 17 - 10:00 am

  1) The car is downright boring to drive. It doesnt handle like a car and off-road, is a joke. Is is not powerful. It really doesnt do anything bad but also nothing great. 2) The CRV is one of the noisiest vehicles I have been in lately. There is more road noise than can be imagined. 3) Quality: not what I would "expect" from honda. the wheels are already corroding (and I live where there is no humidity). The black plastic is fading horribly. The car has been in and out of the shop constantly. Everytime the oil is changed there are huge oil spots on my garage floor. Overall, i would give this car a 5 out of 10.

• 

  honda element ex 5sp awd practical - 2005 Honda Element
  By viking - February 11 - 7:00 pm

  a practical auto with good ride and handling characteristics. Performance just ok but fine for a vehicle of this type. gas mileage not great but liveable. Concerned about high rpm. My saab at 70mph operated at 2700, the element at 3700. Should have a 6th gear which would also increase gas mileage.

• 

  Totally Disappointed - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Kathy - February 10 - 12:50 am

  Ive had my Honda for 2 weeks. About a week ago I noticed that my car had a 1 second delay when shifting into drive. When stepping on the accelerator, it would take a moment to actually shift into gear. I also dislike the way the car down shifts when you take your foot off the pedal. Its very noticable...moves you forward in your seat. And when shifting from one gear to the next...well its rough. I took my car into the dealer and they said it was normal for the Accord. We even test drove another car just like mine and it did the same thing. Im in the process of trying to give it back and filing a complaint. Who makes a car that has a delay when shifting into drive? Normal?..whatever!

• 

  Should have kept my 93 Accord - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Bob - February 9 - 5:30 pm

  If Honda made a 90-93 Accord again I would buy in a second. My 93 with nearly 300K miles ran like the day I bought it. It got better mileage than my 08 civic with same driving routine. Best Ive gotten is 27.5 mpg. Civics air conditioner varies temp abut 20 degrees. Barely keeps car cool in So. CA summers. Nearly impossible to clean inside of front and rear windows which haze over from all the plastics out gassing in summer heat. Lots of road noise. Very disappointed overall. Dealer cant find anything wrong. Surprise, surprise. This is my 5th and probably my last Honda. I also have an 03 Odyssey with which I get 22 to 24.5 mpg cruising at 80.

• 

  Piece of junk!!!!! - 1999 Honda Passport
  By Rufus - February 6 - 2:00 am

  This is the worst car Ive ever had. Bought new in 1998. During first 4 years the following had to be replaced/repaired: transmission,engine seal,cracked intake manifold, CD player, gas guage, brakes($600), ABS pump ($560). I hope I can get rid of this car before something else breaks. Fortunately this car is no longer being made. Take my advice: dont buy it!

• 

  Not if youre looking for power - 1996 Honda Accord
  By dolphin girl - February 4 - 2:00 am

  This car is very pretty, and needs to be maintained on a regular basis. The body is way too heavy for the engine and you can feel it struggle. It has lots of trunk space for big speakers.Car people will love this car because it is a hands on car. The alignment, sparkplugs, brakes etc. need to be dealt with.

• 

  Great, but beware of the seats! - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By hrv_girl - February 3 - 12:37 pm