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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  Stress, Depression & Sickness Due to Vibration. - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By AMarc37 - November 12 - 2:38 pm

  I have a very wonderful family with a typical normal life, and I bought this Honda CRV 2015 a month ago for my family to enjoy their everyday rides. But this car was a nightmare for all of us. It has a multiple Vibration modes such as, Acceleration at 30-40 Mph, 50 to 60 Mph and the worse is, when we stop and in Drive shift gear, its feel like the whole car is vibrating. Every time I get out of this car my hands feels like I use a "Jack Hammer" after a while. This is very unsafe to drive coz I am always getting out of focus on my driving, and it is very annoying and mentally stressful while driving it. This is frustrating, its caused Our Money, Our Safety and Our Health. I am not sure how long can I keep this car, but for sure, I will not recommend this Brand anymore to all my friends and to all people I know.

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  Such a cool car! - 2007 Honda Element
  By Gale - November 12 - 10:04 am

  Lowest maintenance of any vehicle Ive ever owned, but its time to move on. I dont need the large cargo space anymore to transport my wares. Fun to drive, easy to take care of, I love the element.

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  To many times in the shop - 1997 Honda Accord
  By Troy - November 2 - 5:40 pm

  This accord is the worst car i have ever owned it left me stranded to many times. I strongly advise you not to buy one of these cars especially 1994-1997 go for 1998 or newer. Gas mileage is poor im only getting 16 miles to the gallon and if im lucky 18 mpg. If youre looking to save gas look elsewhere you wont find it in this accord. Acceleration is the worst especially for the engine size im very disappointed its extremely underpowered even without the A/C. The air conditioning system is terrible and weak it does not cool the car down honda could have designed it better. I also have noticed it tends to shut of by itself even when im driving which is a real pain. The only positives is it has a decent look and interior and is cheap to fill up but thats it. Steer clear of the 97 accord

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  pos - 2006 Honda Civic
  By jerry wienstein - October 30 - 7:49 pm

  Worst car I have ever owned , nothing but one failure after another and its only got 80,000 mi . Im not sure if Im going to fix anything more since the engine block could crack and render the car junkyard bound .

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  Dont buy this car - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Bergie Frazier - October 28 - 8:42 am

  I have two main problems with this car. The first is the vibration when at idle and at highway speeds. The vibration at 65 -70 mph is felt both in the driver and passenger areas and Honda has no solution for it. The dealer tried new software but did not correct the problem and said Hoda is working on more upgrades. In the meantime we have to drive a car thats shaking like crazy. The second is the hesitation at low speeds which I understand is caused by the transmission. When trying to accelerate through a intersection the car just hesitates then finally will start to accelerate. This is a safety problem. Dealer says thats the way the transmission is. I thought I was buying a car that would last a long time but now Im stuck with this thing with no solution in site. DONT BUY ONE.

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  BUYER BEWARE - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By J.Booker - October 20 - 4:18 pm

  Do your research - search 2015 CRV vibration problems! It is terrible! When you are in drive and stopped in traffic or at a stoplight, the front seats vibrate so badly it is terrible. This is an issue Honda knows about and yet they keep selling these. The dealers "seem" to be in the dark because they dont want you to know. Do yourself a favor and if you still want one of these cars, take it on a good long test drive so it warms up. This starts once it is warm because the rpms drop so low. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND.

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  2009 OIL DRINKER W/LOUD NOISE - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Tammy - October 17 - 11:04 am

  My elderly parents bought this car without asking their daughters opinions. We would NEVER have suggested such a purchase with this piece of crap. They traded, well got robbed, of their Cadillac CTS and paid cash for Honda and its been nothing but a money pit and a pin in their and my whole familys life. We were wanting something they could keep for rest of their life but holy geez that wont happen. I bought a Mercedes and its simply the best vehicle Ive ever owned and will ever own. Im hoping to get this heep fixed and passed on to a mechanic that can constantly work on and put oil in it weekly!! I dont know where the oil is going but I know this is the biggest piece of CRAP EVER MADE. HONDA NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE PEOPLE THAT OWNS ONE. Seriously a horse and carriage would be more comfortable and less of a pain [non-permissible content removed] and cheaper to run than this heep. They hate their self more everyday it seems and they shouldnt be worried about anything at their ages. They are in their 80s and just need a safe reliable car. Thats it. DONT BUY A HONDA EVER!! Please listen to all these posts. We all CANT BE wrong.

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  What a piece of Crap!!! - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Monica - October 14 - 7:06 pm

  I was a die hard Honda fan, I purchased my 05 Odyssey brand new and it has been riddled with major problems from the start!!! torque converter, catalytic converters , power steering pump, ac condenser, DVD system, struts, engine mounts, and now my transmission went out at 166,000 miles!!! Run!!! dont buy the Honda Odyssey!!!

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  Honda does not stand behind their product!! - 2015 Honda Odyssey
  By Julie Waters - October 12 - 3:37 pm

  We took our 1 year old Odyssey in for its first oil change and they found leaking oil around a head gasket. The head was warped and had to be planed down - major engine repair on a van with 5,000 miles on it. Honda, and the dealership, said "tough". Tried to give us $3,000 less than the trade in value of our van for a new one and wanted nothing to do with us. Unbelievably despicable treatment. The problem obviously originated in the factory - it had 12 miles on it when we bought it. I called Honda corporate and they said they would repair it as long as it was under warranty. We dont want the van because we know it is going to be a problem, but they dont care. They dont want it back. A reputable company would have said "sorry, that shouldnt have happened, let us fix this". They sold us a defective product and now we are stuck with it. We also have a Honda Ridgeline but no more Hondas. Despicable company that does not know how to treat their customers.

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  Vibration!... Everywhere inside. - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Amarc37 - October 12 - 2:14 pm

  I just bought my CR-V 2015 EX two days ago, and start to feel vibration everywhere inside the car (seatings, Steering Wheel, Side Doors, Arm rest) and more severe when I am on stop and on D-shift after a 30 miles of driving. I was so upset when I realized that there is no fix yet to this issue. I brought it back to the dealership two days after to ask for exchange or any option I may have but they refused to deal with anything except to cut-off you a 3K for buy back. I hate those dealership people in San Diego, they are totally liar, they hiding something just to sell their junk to consumers, they are the worst people I ever met. I tell you, you can not feel this problem during the test drive coz they will direct you on where to go for just one mile approx. and not enough to warm-up the vehicle. Now, every time I go out from this car, I feel my hands shaking and with headache and mentally affecting your driving concentration. This issue is a total recall, American Honda should do something so soon about this issue (or fix it) before anything happen to the consumer who experiencing this problems.