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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  Should be happy - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By MrUnhappy - November 10 - 8:06 am

  I went from a V8 Sierra, to the Honda CRV Touring. The gas mileage is very good, average around town 25-26. Dont pull out in traffic, it doesnt have the fastest get up and go. Love the heated seats (would be nice to have more temperature control, not just hi and low) Moon roof leaked a little in some car washes, but liked this option. Navigation too hard to set up, Bluetooth worked but sounded bad to callers, and you really had to speak clearly and loudly. Turned off collision braking, not a good option in traffic. It braked, if you had to quickly go around someone in traffic. (almost got rear ended) Drivers seat is on the smaller side for someone with long legs. Touch pad screen hard to navigate when driving, especially fast forwarding a song, or trying to turn the radio down. Albiet you can use the steering wheel button. There are 3 different screens to look at, everything should be more centralized. It rarely understands voice commands. Im pretty good with new technology, but this car is frustrating to use all its gadgets.

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  Swiss Army Knife of Vehicles - 2013 Honda Ridgeline
  By Steve Rosenberg - November 9 - 9:14 pm

  Just like the knife, it isnt necessarily the best when compared to more targeted, specialized tools, but you love it because it does so many things well. A very competent daily drive that goes to work with you on the weekends.

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  Suv Cruising - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Mark Sanchez - November 9 - 10:31 am

  Great car that maneuvers very well ha the horse power to pull you through anything even on inclines great car overall

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  Im happy! - 2015 Honda Civic
  By Shaun - November 8 - 8:44 pm

  I have a silver 2015 Civic that I got a month ago. Im happy with it. Its a very good mpg & family car. My first car with the cvt, but I like it now, probably wont have anything else from now on. Over all, a super car that I plan on having until the wheels fall, and knowing Honda reliability, that should be a very long time. Go get one, you wont regret it....I dont.

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  290,000 Now !! - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Clubber1 - November 8 - 5:34 pm

  290K and still going strong. Might have to replace CV Axles, they having been making a clicking noise for about 80k miles now. Engine still as smooth and powerful as when new. Goes like a tank through the snow with Blizzaks on. Power doors having issues. Just have open manually now, good exercise. Still on only second set of spark plugs, all original exhaust, transmission. This van is pretty amazing.

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  Oil Burner - 2013 Honda Accord
  By myounger - November 8 - 6:55 am

  Im being generous giving this car three stars. My wife and I have owned this car for three years. Currently, the car has 20,000 miles on the odometer. Since day one this car has suffered from oil consumption, at least one quart, between oil changes. I change the oil every 4,000 miles with full synthetic, 0W-20. The dealer told me this was normal. Last week I got in the car and when I started the engine I could tell not all cylinders were firing. The car would barely idle and all warning lights illuminated. After a week in the shop the dealer discovered the number one cylinder had a fouled plug and the rings for that cylinder were aligned. This condition allowed oil to bypass the rings fouling the plug. The rings for this cylinder were replaced. The car runs better than day one and the VCM seems to work more efficiently and not as noisy. Only time will tell.

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  We got a LEMON! - 2015 Honda Odyssey
  By Kerri Tibbs - November 7 - 5:08 pm

  As owner of only Honda or Toyota for the past 20 years, this will be a fair and honest review because I want/wanted to love this van forever...really! Heres the good: overall feeling of Honda quality. The van is VERY well designed for families! Pretty sure a woman was involved in that aspect...theres a spot for everything and more. Love the looks in and out. Overall design is fantastic!! Feels very safe, LOVE the side view camera!!! Fuel efficiency is amazing, especially on highway we easily get 27-29+ MPG. What I hate: cheap feeling cloth interior and transmission! I do a lot of city driving and initial acceleration causes whiplash...very jumpy and noisy. So I wanted to say this is my favorite vehicle ever but unfortunately ours has been very troubled. At 2,000 miles the steering wheel randomly "popped" loudly while turning. Was told Im "the 1st one to have this complaint." It was very difficult to reproduce with Honda tech (of course!) but finally did. Tech said his wifes 2015 does this also. So dealer took new one off the lot and that one did it too!! After keeping my van a few days the dealership along with Honda tried to tell us it was normal. Trust me, if I heard this steering wheel pop when I drove it off the lot w/4 miles on it I would have brought it right back!!!! So finally at 3,800 miles at our insistence (we had to raise a stink) they did replace the steering column which has been a good fix so far. Next, at the 5,000 mile mark the sliding door motor failed causing the door to become STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION! This happened on a rainy holiday weekend. The van is not fun to drive with an open door! Eventually rain stopped and I was able to drive it to the dealership as other drivers honked/gestured at me. The tech couldnt get the door closed after trying for an hour. Required the entire interior being dismantled. New door motor from Honda ordered and installed but FAULTY! Another door motor finally did the trick. What a mess!! So glad we did a sign & drive lease as I think my van was assembled the day after the Super Bowl. My in-laws bought a 2015 EX-L the same week we did and have had no problems. Thankfully our dealership has taken care of us so far (reluctantly) but theres NO WAY Im keeping this van once the warranty is done!!! Its been "undriveable" 3 days PLUS 10 days in the shop over the course of 5 months. Honda IS NOT what it used to be :(

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  2013 Honda Accord Sport - 2013 Honda Accord
  By Hondaownersince2004 - November 7 - 1:36 pm

  I purchased my Honda Accord Sport brand new in October 2013. Since then, my screen/monitor, starter & battery have been replaced under warranty. The screen went out within a few months, the starter went out in July 2015 at about 17,000 miles and my batterys cell went bad this week at 27,000 miles. After being stranded twice by my car, Im questioning its reliability & wondering what will happen next. I owned a Honda Civic for 10 years & did not have any issues with it. After reading numerous complaints and talking to a Honda salesperson, starter and battery issues are fairly common with newer models. I travel a lot for job purposes, so I must have a car that is reliable. I will be trading my Honda soon.

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  LOVE - 2015 Honda Civic
  By Brooke - November 7 - 9:23 am

  I absolutely love my civic. Good look, ride, and technology. The fuel efficiency is amazing! Some may disagree, but I also feel like it accelerates very well. I went from a Durango to a civic. I do not feel cramped at all!! Great car. Dont regret it one bit!

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  Great car - 2015 Honda Civic
  By Jorge - November 6 - 1:23 pm

  Great little fuel efficient car. Good handling, love it.