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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  Honda is Slipping - 2015 Honda Civic
  By J - March 24 - 10:32 pm

  Having been a Honda owner all my life, the 2015 Civic will be my last! Buick here I come.

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  Really Uncomfortable Driver Seat!!! - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By Kim A. - March 23 - 12:27 pm

  The car itself is great. What you will realize after driving for a while is that the seat will cause back pain. It is because the seat tips backward a bit. No matter how you adjust it, it will be uncomfortable. If you like sitting up straight - dont buy this car.

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  Unimpressed - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By jtulin - March 12 - 11:10 am

  The seats are uncomfortable, handling and ride are poor. I am having problems with the rear differential. In the rain the when the front wheels lose traction the rear wheels suddenly kick in and the car jerks. This is very disconcerting, not a well designed AWD system.

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  Fraud - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By disapointed - December 24 - 2:00 am

  I Purchased a Honda Odyssey and driving it home from the dealer it began to shake consideralby. Turns out the Axle is bent on the Car. The car had 8 miles on it. Of course Honda wont exchange the vehicle for one that is not damaged. My new goal is to make people aware of these types of issues. I am screwed. Make sure you drive the car YOU are going to buy not one "just like it."

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  Ridgeline Disappointment - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By gjj - December 11 - 7:25 pm

  After 11 months of ownership, and 6 trips to the dealership for repairs, I have decided to sell. Rear window that would not roll back up (11 miles on truck), front strut coils would bind and then release when turning the wheel (3 trips to repair shop on this problem alone). The large back side panel would flex in while reaching into the bed for items, and then pop back out, leaving a noticeable dent (3 in 11 months from lifting bikes out of the bed). There were numerous, loud rattles in the dash area, and a very loud buzzing noise when driving at freeway speeds. Gas mileage well below sticker estimates. Limited leg room, at 65" this truck was not comfortable.

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  Horrible!!! - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By Mrbigg - December 7 - 8:53 pm

  Front driver seat is not designed to fit a human being. Incredibly uncomfortable! The head rest on the driver seat tilts your head forward and cannot be adjusted. Absolutely no lower back support or adjustment ability to the lower back driver seat. So many corners cut to cut costs on this thing. If it was 12k I might give it more stars, but for 24k, no way! No cupholders in the backseat. No side storage space in the back hatch section. Left-hand driver side armrest is rock hard and uncomfortable as hell. No knobs on dashboard controls make it very difficult and awkward to adjust the music and climate controls. A few positives with this car would be good gas mileage comfortable right arm rest for the driver seat and the right turn lane camera. Gutless motor and no legroom for the driver made this a bad choice for me and lm pissed I bought it. I had to eat my loss and trade it back.

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  In the Shop at 1100 Miles - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Nate - November 25 - 1:02 am

  This is the fourth Honda Ive owned. Never had too many problems with the others so I decide on the 2016 Civic for my newest car purchase. Its a great car, as long as you dont care to know how much gas you have. With only 1100 miles on it, the gas gauge stop working. Well, not entirely. It has a bug where it only wont work in the morning. If you drive it around, turn the car off, and then turn it back on, it will work. But its a brand new car; I shouldnt have to do that. I took it back to the purchase dealer and they said there was absolutely nothing wrong with it. Took it to a second dealer (now at 1600 miles) and they currently have it in the shop and are keeping it overnight. Im very very disappointed in Honda and in my purchase of this vehicle. Who knows what will go wrong next? Think long and hard before purchasing this vehicle as the quality of Honda has gone significantly downhill.

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  Only one Honda - 2001 Honda Accord
  By blazer - November 19 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car new. Most overrated car in America. Radio was defective new, replacement has problems. Front driver seat rail was defective new, replacement no better. Paint holds wax about 45 days, then dulls. Bought body side moldings new. Within 10 months the paint failed and dealer had to pull off moldings and replace. When I asked about warranty on replacements, dealer shrugged. Paid for mud flaps. They do not keep anything off body. What are they for? Worst problem is car hydroplanes above 35 MPH in moderate rain. And the traction control only functions up to 15 MPH. First and last Honda for me.

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  The worst midsize sedan available. - 2000 Honda Accord
  By beemerboy147 - October 23 - 11:00 am

  I wouldnt reccommend this thing to my worst enemy. Outside, the design looks terrible and none of the panels are aligned properly. The sheet metal dents and bends very easily. The engine has no power, and runs with lots of drone and vibration, even on premium gas. Inside, materials are cheap. Period. There is plenty of road and wind noise, and poorly-sealed doors allow plenty of air to enter from the outside through the latch handles and window switches. The ride is stiff, and handling is lackluster at best. The interior is cramped, even up front. The backseat may be able to seat a Barbie doll, but it would be a tight fit. Reliability isnt that good either.

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  WATER LEAKING INTO THE CAR - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Bala - October 18 - 2:32 pm

  I have a Honda pilot 2016 LX model, this is my second Honda car. The experience with this car is horrible. Recently, I noticed the water leaking into the car. During the rain in Fremont, CA, the water went inside the car all the way to the floor mat thru the dashboard. I took the car to the local Honda dealer to fix the leaking problem and inspect the dashboard and the floor. Water leaking could spread the rust quickly and may cause some electrical problem. A week later, I got my car back and within 2 days I noticed the water leaking problem is not fixed. I also noticed the metal inside the car dashboard is rusted. I believe, the service center didn’t inspect the dashboard, floor and find the root cause. Now, the car is at the same service center to fix the same problem. The car has not only this problem, it had other problems like remote key was not working, tail light assembly was broken when I got the delivery, screws in rear of vehicle were stripped, takes too long to stop vehicle completely and ON and OFF smoking while driving. The new car has too many issues, I’m also wondering how this car passed the quality control test and testing for water leaking. My main concern is a safety since I have a newborn baby(5 months old) and a kid. I feel traveling with my family in this car may cause issues like computer failure, sensor failure, etc., so I’m avoiding to drive this car with the family. I don’t recommend this car. Honda Customer Service Honda customer service is also worst. I tried to contact the case manager, but I couldn’t reach him to know the status of the car. After several attempts, I reached him, he was simply saying busy with his work and he couldn’t answer all my questions, just saying “he is not a technical person”. I spent $ 35,000 to buy this car and it’s Honda’s responsibility to clarify all customers queries.