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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  a rough ride - 2003 Honda Accord
  By drup - September 4 - 2:00 am

  I feel every bump in the road--and every gear shift is shaky--the first time I took it off an expressway it blew a tire--the donut at 50 mph with trucks approaching you from behind at 75 is more than enough to give a new term to the need to drink when you drive this car!!! The car veers to the left and them to the right--I think all the tires were out of alignment--and Ive only got 400 miles on it...cant wait for more???

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  49 - 1999 Honda Passport
  By Joseph F. Bland - September 3 - 2:00 am

  WIND NOISE HORN SOUND, TAIL GATE RATTLE, RIDES VERY HARD. FEELS LIKES LOOSE CONTROL OVER RR TRACKS. DRINK HOLDER IN REAR WILL NOT HOLD DRINKS.

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  Not a great Car for the Price - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By romsaldan - August 29 - 2:10 am

  Car comes with a donut tire, disappointed not told about it by sales people. I had to put a full size tire and it was difficult to find a rim that fits the wire that holds. For the price it should some with a full size tire. Quality of Goodyear tire on my vehicle is very poor. Fuel efficiency is not great. Ride is not smooth.

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  Honda refuses to warrant AC condenser - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By homesteader - August 27 - 8:13 am

  The AC condenser developed a pinhole leak with no apparent road damage. Honda refused to cover under warranty. Cost me almost $800 to repair. I have found dozens of odyssey AC condenser problems on the internet. Looks like Honda is trying to deny the problem so they dont have to recall. I never had an AC condenser problem with other cars in 40 years of Florida driving.

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  Overall good vehicle, but some annoying items - 2017 Honda Pilot
  By DD - August 26 - 4:13 pm

  Overall, I am happy with the Honda Pilot, and would recommend. However, because of some of the items noted below, I am not able to give a rating higher than 3 stars. I really wanted to purchase the EX-L trim with V6. But ending up purchasing the Touring trim. With respect to the EX-L trim. Why is Honda forcing the consumer to select between one of: Honda Sense, navigation, or rear entertainment? These three options can not be combined on the EX-L. A Honda salesman tried to convince me that built-in navigation is no longer necessary with addition of Andriod Auto and Apple CarPlay. If you have ever traveled to rural areas without cellphone data coverage, youll understand the need for built-in navigation. The Honda Lane Watch. If this is such a great feature, why doesnt the Elite have two cameras (both driver and passenger sides)? Instead, the Elite adds real Blind Spot detection feature. I would much rather have the blind spot detection with large illuminated icon on the side mirrors, instead of the Honda Lane Watch. If the majority of your turns are in the right lane, you will quickly understand the annoyance (dont need to see grass or sidewalk). An illuminated icon on the side mirror is quick for the driver to process. Whereas, the "Honda Lane Watch" requires the driver to remove their eyes from the road, and look at the in dash monitor to determine if there is a car in the lane. The main point of safety features is to help the driver focus on the road. Which "Honda Lane Watch" doesnt, because you have to watch live video feed and make decision. The Touring and Elite has Engine Stop feature. The Honda Pilot isnt a hybrid like Toyota Prius, so not sure why Honda engineers felt this feature was necessary. Really annoying in stop-and-go city traffic. When you come to a complete stop, the engine shuts down. There is capability to disable Engine Stop, but must be disabled each time you start the car. In 2017, a lot of manufactures offer the motion activated rear lift gate. This should be included at the Touring and Elite trims. If you dont care about connectivity (Andriod Auto or Apple CarPlay), go with model year 2016. It is the exact same as 2017, without connectivity. I can confirm what has been said in other reviews: the active safety features are overly sensitive, and shifting is rough at low speeds.

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  Honest Opinion - 1997 Honda Passport
  By David22 - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Here are the problems that I encountered: power windows regulators kept going out & noisey lifters during colder seasons. I did research and found that the noisey lifters are a common theme with these vehicles, but no recall existed. I decided to get rid of the vehicle since different noises started to occur sporadically from the engine and no shop could diagnose the problem. I was concerned about reliability and longevity. Overall, if the vehicle didnt have the engine problems, I would still own this vehicle. Other than build quality issues, I loved the vehicle styling.

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  . - 1997 Honda Passport
  By Teletac - August 25 - 2:00 am

  This car was ok at first, but the more ive driven it the more i have grown to dislike it. It has a poor ride, wind noise becomes a cacophany,every bump is pronounced, the engine is quite loud and not smooth at all, steering needs improvement, the rear seats become uncomfotable on long trips (especially for taller people), it lacks adjustable seatbelt anchorages, and it lacks power rearview mirrors, adjusting them becomes tedious. Lets just say im glad Honda got rid of this Isuzu SUV and replaced it with its own.

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  Late Model Lemon - 1999 Honda Passport
  By dpgrant - August 25 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used from a reputable Honda dealership. I have only owned it for nine months and now I have to do all kinds of repairs to it, just so I can trade it in and wash my hands of a second rate psuedo Honda. Since my purchase in December 2001, I had the fuel gauge fixed ($450), and now the ABS pump isnt working ($500), and the clutch humms loudly when depressed ($600-$1000). I cant wait to get rid of this lemon. Do yourself a favor, when you want to buy a honda, make sure it is actually a Honda.

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  UNCOMFORTABLE!!! - 1994 Honda Civic
  By Bethany - August 22 - 2:00 am

  If it wasnt for being the most uncomfortable car ever to exist, this car would be great.I have sinced sold my car because of this.It was a very reliable car, it is a shame it was so uncomfortable. The seat was so sloped it was like sitting in a hole. I started suffering from coccyx pain not long after I bought it. I had to see a physical therapist who said I will probably have this pain for the rest of my life (I am in my 20s). Now every time I drive,I am uncomfortable and have pain(and I drive a minivan). I don t think I could bring myself to ever buy a Honda again, even though they are probably one of the most reliable cars on the road.

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  Not a great car - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Jignesh Vaghela - August 20 - 11:34 am

  The car price Vs feature value is not really matching well. Like Ive purchased EX version(middle range variant) and it does not have climate control, It is just and ordinary AC. No Digital speedometer. Prior to this, I used to drive Toyota Prius. It is very old model-2007 base, but still, the base version was covered climate control, digital speedometer etc. I feel, these basic has to cover in all car, at least mid variant).