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:

• 

  not all its cracked up to be - 2006 Honda Civic
  By mike - May 26 - 5:16 pm

  I bought the car thinking, well i have a Honda so nothing will go wrong.In the first 5,000 miles my drivers side window has fallen off the track, my car idles weird, and the back tires howl so loud i can hear it over my radio when its turned way up. so i took it to dealer first of all they will not give you a car to drive if your brand new car is broken that you just paid 20,000 dollars for . Yes thats right its hondas policy. second the dealer said my car was out of align since i bought it new, so the tires wore weird, but they told me thats not why the tires wore weird???? the dealer said honda will not do anything so now i have to deal with the tire manufacturer. bad customer service!!!

• 

  Awfull Sound System - 2016 Honda Accord
  By Dennis - May 25 - 9:29 pm

  Complained about the sound system sounding like a hand held radio with no depth to it. Lousy Sub woofer. I was informed by Honda that to hear the sub woofer I have to turn down the bass and vice versa. Even then the sub woofer is not that great. The software needs to be updated by a sound engineer. Even an employee at the dealer after I made the purchase said the sound system was so so. You can make it sound better by Bluetooth and playing through an equalizer. My 2006 Accord sound system was 10 times better. Honda told me that there is no way to help. I have to live with it. Update: Rear speaker sounds as if there is a piece of Styrofoam inside it . Buzzing. Road noise is becoming increasing louder as I drive. Wind noise from front doors. Car seems to be made very cheaply. Rattles and noises. Making me regret trading in my other Accord. Update April 2016: Had Honda repair noise in rear speaker grill area. Still noisy but not as bad. Wiper Blades makes excessive noise during rain and sounds as though it is hitting the left side top of windshield corner. Technician says they all make that squishing/banging noise and nothing they can do about it. Only does it while in heavy rain. Also found out when I enter my email address using wifi or tethering it will consistently change what I enter. I have tried different gmail addresses and the system will alter what I input so I am unable to login.. Checks for test drive: Sound system depth and feel Wiper Blade noise in Heavy rain Road Noise at higher speeds/wind noise

• 

  Awfull Sound System - 2016 Honda Accord
  By Dennis - May 25 - 9:29 pm

  Complained about the sound system sounding like a hand held radio with no depth to it. Lousy Sub woofer. I was informed by Honda that to hear the sub woofer I have to turn down the bass and vice versa. Even then the sub woofer is not that great. The software needs to be updated by a sound engineer. Even an employee at the dealer after I made the purchase said the sound system was so so. You can make it sound better by Bluetooth and playing through an equalizer. My 2006 Accord sound system was 10 times better. Honda told me that there is no way to help. I have to live with it. Update: Rear speaker sounds as if there is a piece of Styrofoam inside it . Buzzing. Road noise is becoming increasing louder as I drive. Wind noise from front doors. Car seems to be made very cheaply. Rattles and noises. Making me regret trading in my other Accord. Update April 2016: Had Honda repair noise in rear speaker grill area. Still noisy but not as bad. Wiper Blades makes excessive noise during rain and sounds as though it is hitting the left side top of windshield corner. Technician says they all make that squishing/banging noise and nothing they can do about it. Only does it while in heavy rain. Also found out when I enter my email address using wifi or tethering it will consistently change what I enter. I have tried different gmail addresses and the system will alter what I input so I am unable to login.. Checks for test drive: Sound system depth and feel Wiper Blade noise in Heavy rain Road Noise at higher speeds/wind noise

• 

  Nice car but a bit cramped... - 2016 Honda Civic
  By L Sanford - May 21 - 8:11 am

  Nice car but a bit cramped inside. Driver seat bottom is too short - Im 61", 33" inseam. I prefer the Accord... roomy, better ride, nicer overall.

• 

  Trouble with Hondas bumpers - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Kathleen Pulte - May 17 - 3:46 pm

  My husband and I bought a Honda Accord Hybrid at the end of July . We had a pleasant experience with the dealer, althought he was the fifth dealer we had gone to in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The first problem I noticed about the car was the motor shield was hanging loose from under the car. We had to have that replaced at our expense. The next problem we had was the front bumper was cracked and we are having that replaced at our expense. We have babied this car and the car stays in the garage. The car has never been in a wreck. The Honda body shops seem to be aware of this problem. The Honda Corporation has been extremely rude and and unhelpful. This is a major flaw.

• 

  Love the car at first but not after - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By MrG_ITGuy - May 13 - 4:30 am

  This is our first minivan. The handling part is what makes us decide to get an odyssey instead of the Sienna. I like how comfy to get in and out of the vehicle but I just hope theres an option to disable the VCM because it rides a lot better without it. The only problem Im having with this one is the vibration when breaking even at low speed. @4k miles dealership resurface the rotors. @7k miles they did it again and now at 9k miles they resurface it again at telling me rotors are not covered under warranty and they were doing it as a goodwill. I understand that its not part of the warranty but when its a problem since the start then at least they should fix it. So I think I will trade it in soon.

• 

  Sad with my Honda - 1998 Honda Accord
  By SadWithHonda - May 11 - 2:00 am

  Automatic transmission rebuilt at 95,350. Im so disappointed in my Honda. Bought it for reliability, find that its always run rough and had repeated annoying problems (ie musty smells in AC/Heating, occational water leaks, leaking sunroof) My previous car, a nissan, served me better and have much tighter fit and finish. No more Hondas for me

• 

  Design Flaw - 2008 Honda Accord - 2008 Honda Accord
  By DBurnes - May 5 - 2:10 am

  Only had the car for 1 year and the rear inner pads and roters needed to be replaced already. I bought the car brand new and now only has 18,000 miles. Honda is NOT doing anything about this known issue problem. If you google "2008 Honda Accord brake problem" you will see a thousand complaints about the defective brake system. Honda should be held responsible for defective brake system. Right rear inner pad wears out around 15,000 miles.

• 

  Wait another year or two - 2016 Honda Civic
  By David Payne - May 4 - 3:33 pm

  Wait, and I say wait because I am experiencing audio issues. Hence this being a new car, I figured issues would be popping up. The center consoles bluetooth system fades in and out and the Apple Carplay system does the same. Some days it will connect to my phone and some days it works for a few minutes and says "no device connected." Aside from the audio issues, car is great on gas and is understandably one of the top ranked vehicles in its class after looking into the Mazda 3 and Toyota Corolla.

• 

  Lots of problems? - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By ron p - May 4 - 10:00 am

  I had several bad experince on this car. The first problem was theres a burning smell on the engine. Dealer said its normal for new vehicle. The smell went away only after 10K miles (or got used to it). The second problem is the clicking noise whenever I hit the breaks the first time after its park for a few hours. Dealer says thats normal. #$#@!! Anyway, Im stuck with it so Ill mention its a nice drive.