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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  Transmission --> Honda odyssey = Junk - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By beaver8 - July 23 - 1:02 am

  We are Honda family with a Accord and a Odyssey. I have only but heart burn with Odyssey With only 80K miles on it - I was told my transmission is junk and I have to shell out $5k more to get it fixed. This is the last straw. I had to replace the door system, ac and you name it. Per my San Jose Honda dealer, this is extremely common in Honda odyssey - i.e transmission and other issues. The dealer replaces an average of 5 transmissions a week for Odysseys between 1999-2007. So for those Odyssey owners - watch for any sluggishness in the performance. I am not coming to Honda again.

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  AC is a money pit - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By timjsmith - July 20 - 8:17 am

  2004,2005,2006 AC units are so bad Honda had to settle a lawsuit regarding this piece of junk. Do not buy a used Honda CRV unless the AC unit has been replaced, it will cost you $1400.00 bucks to replace it. Eventually you will have to if you drive it over 50,000 miles that is about how long it will last.

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  Terrible Car - Never again - 2009 Honda Civic
  By primetime8032 - June 22 - 7:22 am

  Bought this car about 4 months ago, ready to trade it in again. This car is absolutely terrible. The AC BARELY works, I went back into the dealership and they "recharged" it, still doesnt work. The sound system, lol what sound system, you can put the volume all the way on 40 (as high as it goes) and its still quiet (and sounds like [non-permissible content removed]). The car lags a lot when you hit the gas, very slow car, cant even keep up with traffic when merging onto the highway. Probably would be better in manual. The interior design is OK, only good thing this car has going for itself. The brakes are terrible, I bought the car as a Honda Certified car, I had to return it TWICE for the brakes and still squeaks.

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  Problem child - 2001 Honda Civic
  By romapav91 - June 5 - 1:52 pm

  In a span of 11 months I have replaced both control arms, the motor mounts twice, the clutch 2 times, oil is leaking from the transmission. Performance wise, dont even think about putting any rims on it. it brought my MPG from an average of 33 in the city to 27 which is a big difference. Ride becomes very bumpy and scary at times. So far has only been giving me problems.

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  Team Honda will not help me - 2011 Honda CR-V
  By dmedica - May 16 - 7:56 am

  TEAM HONDA OF BATON ROUGE,La offered a trade in programs on 12/29/11 I traded my wonderful 2009 in for a 2011 CRV. Starting in Feb 2012 I have been bringing my car in asking them to take the horrible vibartion and noise out of the engine. I have asked to get mey 2009 back, another 2011 or I would pay more for a 2012 ( in the 2012 they FIXED the vibration). Ihave been told this is NORMAL for the 2011 and there is NOTHING they can do. To stop the noise and vibration I have to turn my AC off when I am sitting still in the car. If anyone suggest help I will appreciate it.

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  Unreliable in its later years - 2006 Honda Civic
  By _pioneer_ - May 6 - 7:42 pm

  Look at the problems people are having with this generation of Civic at 8thcivic.com forums. My vehicle did not want to start and it was a key mobilizer problem. The sun visors kept falling down and blocking half of my vision and it took Honda years to issue a service bulletin to get it fixed. My driver window fell down inside the door TWICE due to a plastic clip. Now I just had the engine block crack and the dealership tells me a motor mount is broken and my transmission fluid is leaking a bit. Ive had a 1983 & 1999 Civic and currently have a 2000 with 172K miles that has had less problems than this 2006 with 132K miles. Hondas cost cutting has made me buy a Sonata. Honda isnt the same.

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  MOST UNCOMFORTABLE CAR EVER - DONT BUY ! - 2012 Honda Accord
  By chris319 - April 20 - 12:10 pm

  We have owned this car for 3 Weeks and myself and my husband now both have back problems due to the drivers seat in the vehicle. It is complete torture to drive this car for more then 20 minutes at a time. When you test drive it for 5-10 minutes you will not notice it but if you drive it for 20 minutes+ you will soon realize just how bad the seat design for back support is as well as the awkward positioning of the headrest. We called the dealer within 24 hours to try & return but they were not of any assistance

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  I am soooooo sorry I bought this car. - 2011 Honda CR-Z
  By ihatethiscar - April 17 - 6:25 am

  I hate this car. I bought it on an impulse and am sorry I did. I actually waited almost 5 days to go pick it up from the dealership after I had purchased it. I am sure that it is a good car (after all, it IS a Honda), but I swear it is among the ugliest cars on the road - especially the back end. I do not like the car because of its impracticality. Too small, very uncomfortable, slower than I would have expected, noisy interior on the open road. There is also no place to rest your arms. Cup holders cannot accomodate anything too large - definitely a hazard when you are trying to get stuff in and out. My car is for sale and has been since about 3 months after my purchase. Hate it.

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  Always getting repairs - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By mom4girlz - April 5 - 8:03 pm

  I bought this brand new and expecte to get a long time out of a Honda with few hassels. So many recalls, so many repairs! I replaced the tires every year because of uneven wear - dealership never seems to be able to fix the problem. AC has gone, breaks have gone, bearings have gone, power doors dont open properly, radiator has gone, the list goes on and on. I figure in the last 12 mths alone I have spent 5grand in repairs. Parts are always expensive. All problems have been "out of warrenty coverage" according to dealer. Just not like my old civic or 4runner. Saving for a Subaru or Toyota!

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  Dont buy the pilot - 2012 Honda Pilot
  By hondasucks5 - March 29 - 6:36 pm

  I bought the 2012 Pilot because of its reputation for being both dependable and reliable. How wrong I was. The car has 500 miles on it and wont start correctly. Honda aware of problem and offer no solution. Customer service is horrible. Ive been told to keep turning the key until the engine starts. "Its safe to drive." No one from the company will put any of this in writing. Buyer beware !!