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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  not worth it - 2002 Honda Accord
  By corry williamson - May 25 - 2:00 am

  Hondas are great cars and this one is too but lacks so much. If your going to purchase any accord buy the v6!!! its well worth the money

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  Low on power - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By jack frost - May 24 - 2:10 am

  I have a CRV as a company car so I driven several diffrent year models. I would not buy this car for myself, it is way too low on power for me, it needs around 50 more horsepower, I often have the gas pedal to the floor trying to gain speed or get out of the way of some crazy driver in Texas. If you are on a single lane road and want to pass an 18 wheeler you need to be able to see far in advance and plan the pass, because the pedal will be on the floor and there is no rush of power. Every year they seem to take something out of the car, one year they removed the pasenger arm rest, then they took out the driver arm rest. Around 20,000 miles the front rotors warped and needed to be replaced, I went to the Honda dealership and they said it was not covered, so I went to a repair shop and had new rotors installed at my cost. The CRV is loud inside, if I receive a phone call when I am driving on a rough road I will not answer the phone because the raod noise is really loud.

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  Lots Of Quality Problems - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Odyssey 05 owner - May 23 - 1:23 am

  Fun to drive and comfortable but has been in shop 7 times with quality issues. Steering wheel pump replaced, sliding door problems, seat fell apart, etc. Lots of wind noise. Have talked to dealership and corporation and they dont care that a brand new car is in the shop all the time. I dont recommend this car to anyone!

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  too many problems - 2006 Honda Civic
  By jkrumm - May 22 - 8:20 pm

  This car has more problems than any new one Ive owned. We finally got the alarm system to stop blasting us when we opened the door after the 3rd or 4th trip to the dealer for replacement parts. Then we had to get the window seal replaced because the window wouldnt close. The worst part is how unstable this car is in snow and ice. The rear end feels like its going to cut loose at any moment, even with new snow tires. Im going to bring it in for that, see if the alignment is off. I feel an odd swing to the side when I go over bumps in the rear, could be related. I cannot recommend buying a 2006. Maybe the 2007 will be better. I feel like I deserve a replacement.

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  Disappointed - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By Sue - May 13 - 10:36 am

  I purchased the CR-V EX because of gas prices going up. However, the seats are very uncomfortable. I had a wreck several years ago, so the seat comfort is a big issue with me. After 4 days of owning this suv I traded it in for a Highlander (better seats). Will not buy another Honda.

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  Hybrid Not as Good as Expected - 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid
  By rgh4 - May 12 - 4:17 pm

  I now have 8,000 miles on my Accord Hybrid. The mileage claims are extremely optimistic. I live in Wisconsin and in cold weather you will be lucky to get 30 MPG in city driving. In the summer on highway driving you can get into the middle 40s MPG. I have never seen 50 MPG and my Accord is always in the eco-mode. It has also left me stranded once in the winter as it would not start due to the cold. I am also having issues with the paint chipping. This was no surprise as the paint quality on Hondas has gone down a lot in recent years. Overall it is not worth the extra money over a regular Acord.

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  Air Leak - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By cncvir - May 8 - 10:00 am

  I have had my minivan for only three weeks and I am taking it for service tommorow with a list of 16 repairs to be done. My luggage rack broke before 500 miles. The air noise most of the time sounds as if there are no doors. I can hear sounds such as other transmissions shifting and birds chirping. My passenger sliding door freezes half way open and will not move by any remote means and must be manually closed before it will work again. My drivers side front door is full of dead bugs that have accumulated from day one. Honda does not have loaner cars but my dealership is giving me one because of my instant disatisfaction with this vehicle.

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  Worst Honda Ive Had - 2003 Honda Civic
  By wondertrev - May 4 - 2:00 am

  5th Honda/Acura Ive owned, and certainly the worst. Had to have alternator repaired at 12K, and now the clutch bellows at 29K. The other Hondas Ive owned have been bulletproof, but Car and Driver is correct about the quality control problems for this car. My sister isnt very impressed with hers, either.

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  Learning the hard way - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Jewel - April 30 - 2:00 am

  Our transmission died at 26,000 miles. We were also told that we would not be provided a loaner or rental car because that is not HONDA policy. It was over two weeks before we got our van back because transmissions are back ordered. Honda has extended over 1.2 million transmission warranties in the past couple of years. Why dont they just recall the transmissions? Oh yeah, then edmunds would not keep them as an editors choice.

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  2007 Honda CRV -AWD - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By 2007 CRV AWD - April 29 - 2:23 pm

  It looks good, performs poorly. The gas mileage is 20-21 mpg City and 23 mpg Highway. CRV has Squeaks & Rattles in car. Vehicle shifts rough from 1st to 2nd from stop, start and go. The dealer says its in electronic program transmission. CRV Pulls hard to right on road at low/high speeds. I have been to a Honda Dealer who says there is a Honda Service Bulletin out Since 01/2007 prior to the car being purchased and requires New Steering column rods/pins to be later installed which are back ordered from Honda so a proper wheel alignment can been done on a new car, what?) I was Never notified by the selling dealer prior to or after purchase, So be alert for that. Noticeable wind noise at 55 mph