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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  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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  love this car - 2001 Honda Accord
  By love4honda - July 19 - 1:40 pm

  I purchased this car in 2008 from a friend who was the second owner. I drive this car like crazy around town and have put on over 100k miles in the last few years. My car now has about 220k miles and is still running great. The clutch still hasnt needed to be replaced. Have had to do the normal maintenance on it like belts, spark plugs, tires, battery, brakes and of course the AC, but that goes for any old car. Yeah the windows dont even roll down any more, but thats because both windows had been broken into and had to be replaced by first and second owners. I honestly think this car can go at least another 100k if I continue to take good care of it!!!

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  CR-V getting better with age - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By karsrus - July 19 - 11:29 am

  We traded our 2007 Honda CR-V EX-L in for a new 2012 Honda CR-V EX-L after doing due diligence and exploring all the other new models. Like many others looking for a high content, high value CUV, Its really difficult to beat the combination that the CR-V offers. With 1,400+ miles on ours now, the gas mileage has averaged 31mpg both highway & city. Weve seen as high as 38mpg. The 4cyl does fine, and living in TN we have a good mix of hills and valleys with no issues passing on the freeway. Both front & back seat space is really good, and we continue to marvel at how spacious it is on the inside compared to small footprint on the outside. Fit and finish are very good.

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  This car was great! but boring as ever! - 2005 Honda Civic
  By jrx45x - July 18 - 4:30 pm

  I owned this car about a year ago, and i tell you now, this is the best car out there....for reliability....It got me from point A to point B everytime. I was at 80k miles and never had a check engine light or any problem at all, and i ragged on that little engine..It got great gas mileage. I filled up every other week and i was a teenager at the time so i was everywhere pedal to the floor. But let me tell you before you buy it...I got to the point where this car was so boring for me...so slow for me that i went and bought a Volkswagen GTI..ya it breaks alot but its way more worth it then my civic ever was because i have fun everytime i drive! But Honda really is the best Company ever.

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  Touring Elite Owner - 2012 Honda Odyssey
  By norcalhills - July 16 - 10:12 pm

  This is our first minivan. We traded a 2008 BMW X5 for the van and so far we love it. At the time we bought the van, we also traded a 2006 BMW 550i for a Mercedes E350. We NEVER use the Mercedes, my kids think its boring. They always want to use the van. We have put 8K miles on the van in 6 months. It handles great, rides well, has plenty of horsepower (for a van), and our kids actually like taking road trips, something we could never get them to do before. We got the Touring Elite, and the only problem so far is a warped windshield that Honda agreed to replace. The fit and finish look great. We got Black with the Truffle interior and we get a lot of compliments from others.

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  2005 Odyssey - Disappointment - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By - July 16 - 5:35 pm

  I purchased a 2005 LX new. Things started well, but excessive tire wear, sliding door issues, interior lighting issues, bad starter, bad wiper motor and A/C have soured me. After the second major A/C issue I ask Honda for help. The Honda customer service folks did not care that I was a Honda supporter on my 4th Honda. When I needed Honda they turned their back on me. This will be my last Honda and I will give them the same support I was given which is ZERO. I am moving on and you should to when you buy your next car.

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  Love this CRV - right on GAS too! - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By granyjany - July 14 - 12:56 pm

  Had my CRV just 3 days now and love it! My first fill up showed me getting 29 mpg.. I honestly expect more once the car has a chance to build an average. It handles well in the curves and it has so many toys on it! Maybe one of the coolest things is the way i can flip those back seats down with one finger! A great value for just shy of $30K !!

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  HONDA JDM <3 - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By melomelo - July 12 - 4:10 pm

  Okay so I love LOVE hondas but my crv i bought because i wanted a car that would best fit me and my new family i had a daughter two years ago and i wanted something more reliable and more room well.. of course looks like a mommy car off the bat but drives smooth i just changed my air box my bushings went bad but thats cuz i drove 145000+miles on it so everyday i drive 35 miles going ONE way so in one day its like 70+miles on my car but its built strong i love it i bought the car at 103,000 and i have had it for almost two years i love it! still going strong minor things have to be done like those bushings but its okay i drive alot and any car can last long as long as you MAINTAIN IT!!!

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  Very Satisfied - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By cwbarrett - July 12 - 3:01 pm

  I purchased a white ex-l 3 weeks ago. Im getting about 27 mpg. I havent established the value in the eco feature yet. That aside, the car is comfortable and I know I wont have any major repairs for several years. It handles very well. I like how honda simplifies the options. I would like to do a dna test to see if this is really leather. As a four cylinder it gets all it can out of it. I think I would prefer a six but the four will do. Sound system is ok but I have a 9 year old highlander with JBL that sounds better. I wish I had bought this years ago instead of a different AWD that uses a boxer engine.

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  I will never buy a honda again! - 2008 Honda Civic
  By hatehonda1 - July 12 - 11:48 am

  Like I said I will never buy a honda again... prior to this car I had a Pontiac Sunfire which was way less expensive!! And more reliable. I have gone through 4 sets of tires (97ks)... and ignored by my local Honda. Then contacted Honda Canada who told me that my local Honda said they only did a visual inspection of my tires for my wear!! Honda Canada as been less then helpful that I gave up. I am so mad at Honda I will never buy another Honda car sucks as bad as the service!!!!!!!