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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  Could have been a good car - 2007 Honda Civic
  By kevin - August 24 - 3:50 pm

  Bad car. DonÂ’t buy it. Uncomfortable seats, extra loud alarm chimes and a cheap rattling interior made me sell this car after 6,700 miles. No excuse. Honda costs a couple of thousand more than many of its competitors cars. The plastic interior is poorly assembled and its loud. The cabin electrical wires are housed in a noisy corrugated plastic hose that vibrates at highway speeds. The seats are soft and have no support for long drives. Alarm chimes are aggressive and startling. I want to be reminded, not punished. This was my third and last new Honda. No more, thanks.

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  This is no commuter car - 2005 Honda Civic
  By R. Prenger - August 22 - 3:43 am

  Bought this car 11 months ago and finally relieved myself of this car yesterday. The ride can be likened to an amusement park go cart. I commuted 100 miles a day at highway speeds. Highway bumps in the road were bone jarring at best. There were days when I would arrive at work with headaches from this car. As far as workmanship, the cloth on the door was coming off, the car was delivered with a blown speaker and there were numerous rattles. I definitely would not recommend this car to highway commuters. I bought a Camry yesterday.

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  At best an average!! - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Radha Krishna - August 21 - 6:04 am

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  Vibration Issue with 2015 Honda CR-V EX [SOLVED] - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Steven Dey - August 20 - 9:08 pm

  I have made five trips to the Honda dealer over a vibration issue I had when driving/coasting at 70 to 75 MPH. My Honda dealer finally did a Road Force Balance on the tires and this procedure showed one of my Continental tires had a flaw where the wheel could not be Road Force Balanced. They replaced the tire and did the Road Force Balance. It appears this has resolved my problem. If you are having similar vibration issues, insist they do a Road Force Balance on all wheels. Dealers dont like to do this because it takes more time. This is my first and last Honda purchase. I have bought Toyotas since 1993 and regret not staying with them.

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  Not a Bad Car But Not a Great Car.... - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By zy - August 16 - 11:58 am

  This is a very Mediocre car. The Good is it was under $25K done with the joke... ($24,995). The interior wasnt designed for people who like pockets for stuff like your sun - glasses, purse and or ? Other women have said the same thing. The console needs to be redesigned and it will be... Love the backseat manipulation designed * why I bought the car. Disappointments, yes more than one: 1) How bad it handles in snow for a 4 wheel crossover, 2) lack of Power even for a little old lady... 3) Hatch back sticks and no option for auto release or shut (old school manual shut) If you can get it open!!!! 4) HONDA SERVICE minus 10 company doesnt care. 5) Mileage is low more in the 25 in city. 6) Service at the Honda Dealer in Westminster, CO once youve got the car its your problem. Next car wont be a Honda already looking at the New Mazda 3X after only 18 month driving this car. Think hard Is Honda going on the past history and not living up to their promises. All good things come to an end.......Only thing IT IS Better is the Subaru Crosstreck which we all know is Subarus mistake.

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  Happy at first !! - 2017 Honda CR V
  By Janice - August 8 - 1:55 am

  This car DOES NOT allow the capability of audio gps reception from cell phone through the car audio speakers ! Only phone features can be received through the system ! That pisses me off because my 2015 CRV had ALL that ! I cannot drive AND read cell phone directions at the same time !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Not what I was hoping. - 2007 Honda Civic
  By mugwomp - August 7 - 7:56 pm

  Thought Id switch to an economy car - this car won based on price/gas economy alone. It hasnt been worth it - Id rather spend extra money on gas to have a car with some torque. The resale value looks great - will be moving up to something sportier in the 200+ hp/torque range. Not a bad car but it is the first/last Honda I will ever own. Realized its too vanilla for me. Didnt like seeing commuters driving them everywhere. Kind of a bummer.

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  Disappointed - 2008 Honda Civic
  By hdapt - July 18 - 10:33 am

  Buyer beware. I am very disappointed. The most troublesome problem with the car is that there is a significant, and very distracting, vibration in the steering wheel, driverÂ’s seat, and middle console when the car is at a resting idle. This alone makes me dislike this car. The car has been in for service 3 times. American Honda CorpÂ’s position on the problem is that it is within manufacturing standards. There is also a significant vibration in the steering wheel and roughness at highway speeds. The road noise is loud. This car does NOT get 34 mpg, 30 at best. I would not buy this car again. I would recommend you test drive multiple cars and read many customer reviews.

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  2016 Touring AWD with Options - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By John - July 17 - 3:30 am

  Overall I think this is a great vehicle.Yes as many have read there are some issues with Radio sound. Stations go in and out, takes a long time to load music from BT, Sub seems to stay one volume even though you turn it all the way up. It is a dissapointment that Honda did not have Apple car play or Android Auto connectivity to Radio since this is a 2016 and all of its other 2016 vehicles have it. I have had my Touring for 2 1/2 months and had no issues, I drove From NY to AZ and back again. The Navigation is really good.It new accidents and let you know ahead of time and it was almost impossibe to miss a turn because of the split screen which shows the Road signs.Awesome feature. I have almost 8000 miles and have had no issues. Gas milege was great. Just in town I was getting 23 mpg.Thats good for a SUV. On my road trip I was averaging 28 mpg when speed limit was 65-70 on cruise. Over that cruise control and all its guiding features was set to 79 and I was getting around 24-25 with 4 kids, my wife and me, 4 suitcases(third row split double seat folded down) my daughter sat in the single seat third row. The Sensors on the front bumber can get annoying when in parking lot or just parking. Mine registers close objuct aroud 8 inches so when your turning in to a parking space and ther is a car parked it usually goes off. I didnt pay the option for rear bumber sensors.The Side mirrors are great. I wish it had a warning of some kind for the driver.Some competitors have lights that flash or beep. This does not. Road noise was good but wind noise is noticable more. Its still quieter than some newer 2013-14 vehicles ive driven. Warrenty is great.It was $1300 for additional 5 year and 84000 mies. So I have 8 years 120,000 mile warrenty. Its hard to get a deal on Touring and above. Just to get one you have to wait. It took me a week. I was in the right place at the right time. A lot of people have to wait months.Most Pilots still sell at MSRP. I paid 42,500 but got hitch and cooler package for free. I just asked. I did add Lighted rails,mud flaps,chrome strips on doors and rear, window guards, and color match door protectors for a cost. I also had Honda under spray a coating under the vehicle to protect from Rust from salt from the snow, Its guaranteed for 10 years and it cost $800 so I thought it was a good investment. Next year Im sure most of the disliked issues will be resolved but this is what us customers get since we want to be the New Vehicles on the block. I would recommend this 2016 Honda Pilot Touring. If you dont need 8 seats go for the Elite.

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  Bought 2017 Chrysler Pacifica vs2016 Honda Odyssey - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By Bill ONeil - July 6 - 11:47 pm

  As of September 2016, Honda has no information on their 2017 models. 2016 model pricing is very high. I bought a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica miniVan because it has Stow & Go foldable second row seats.