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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  Eats OIL - 2009 Honda Accord
  By robell - November 27 - 10:23 pm

  Beware after 50.000 miles this car started using oil . Last oil change went 750 miles and used 3 quarts of oil . They did extend warranty because of this problem but good luck getting them to honor it. Just search oil usage Honda. They say one quart for a thousand miles is normal. Also say to let sit 15 min before checking . If there isnt oil on stick when you pull it out it isnt good . The oil pan is the reservoir for the engine if it isnt there the engine isnt getting it. I would really think twice about this car before buying . I was a GM Pontiac mechanic so I do know engines and cars.

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  Jerking transmission - 2014 Honda Odyssey
  By Shannon - November 22 - 2:08 am

  Mother-in-law, my one year old and I were driving to Colorado from Arizona while ascending up a hill my van violently jerked after a couple of loud clunks and the van lost its ability to keep up with the speed limit ( we were almost rear ended by a Semi truck.) I pulled off the highway at the next exit and called Honda Cares. The mechanics at The Honda Dealership in Flagstaff AZ. looked at me like I was crazy. The Van was parked and turned off while we waited for a mechanic to take it on a ride. I was told that there was nothing wrong with my van and he told me to read my manual so I could learn about the D4 button that I should of used while going up hill. (I was utilizing the D4 button when this clunk happened) He said it was safe to drive to Colorado because there was nothing wrong. We went on our way. The van was terrible going up hill and shuddered when down shifting. I took the van into the dealership the day after we reached our destination and they acted like I was totally nuts. I told them about the transmission issues that I read about the night before my appointment. I was told that they never heard of such a thing and that the Odyssy was bulletproof and that they dont pay attention to online complaining. I mentioned that a person stated that they took their van to a dealer and they called Honda Tech and were told that there was a software update. The mechanic said it was a lie because only the dealership can call Honda Tech. (didnt I just say that the dealership called?)I left the van there overnight and was told that there was nothing wrong and that there is no software update. I didnt drive my van for the next couple weeks then it was time to drive back to AZ. No problems on the trip back except the transmission does not shift as smooth as it had the first 10,000 miles. The transmission still shudders on occasion and its get up and go has got up and went. I am so sad and disappointed in Honda, this is my 5th and maybe my last Honda vehicle.

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  Vibration when you stop - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Donny genao - November 13 - 10:20 pm

  I bought a crv EX-L 2015 las sep 30 2105 and after 2 weeks l start feeling a vibration when im at the light waiting. I went to the dealership and they say its normal for a cvt transmition .

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  Most uncomfortable driving position ever! - 2015 Honda Civic
  By Lorax Lorax - November 12 - 3:08 pm

  The head restraints (mandated by the U.S. government?) push your head forward and down as if you are reading an iPad. In order to see the road in front of you, you must tilt your head forward and look through your eyebrows while cricking your neck. In that position, you will get a neck and backache in five minutes of driving. The head restraints are not adjustable, just up and down. You have to set the seat uncomfortably back to have any reasonable driving position. These restraints will probably save your neck and back in case of a collision at the expense of definitely wrecking your neck and back every day. A new Civic sedan should come with a lifetime free weekly visit to the chiropractor. The base of the front seats are also unusually thin and non supportive. I did not buy this car because I cant imagine driving it for any length of time. Also, there is significant instrumentation far forward (where the wipers are!) that make them impossible to read if your wear bifocals (too close for far vision and too far for close vision). Do not buy this car if you wear glasses or if you dont want to destroy your neck and back.

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  Honda sells a name, not quality - 2014 Honda CR-V
  By hondahater - November 11 - 6:07 pm

  Arrived to dealer from factory with a defective windshield- replaced. Battery leaked acid after 7 months - replaced, stealership tried to charge for battery service - battery leaked acid and it had to be wiped - failed, warranty service. Uncomfortable seats, no arm rest on passenger side, impossible to vacuum debris magnet upholstery, carpet, worst materials ever, plastic is prone to scratches, no hand brake, only parking brake pedal too low, seat height adjustment lever in a bad spot, touch with the thigh every time get in and out, seat lowers and needs to be raised. The more i get in and out the more often it happens. Paint prone to scratches. Radiator is open, no grille, not possible or difficult to custom install, MPG combined stop-and-go bumper to bumper or highway normal conditions low 20s. No maintenance schedule, have to go by the stupid maintenance minder. Nothing like my previous 2004 honda. This one is my last.

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  Blown transmission.. Maintained - 2012 Honda Accord
  By John - November 11 - 5:13 am

  Purchased this car new, maintained it to Spec. Transmission blew at 120k miles. Had to replace. :(

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  CVT=junk - 2014 Honda Accord
  By Dave - November 2 - 9:56 pm

  2014 accord sport 2.4 currently 14k miles and no longer my headache....

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  The vibrations are real - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By John Tully - November 2 - 6:39 am

  I bought a 2015 Honda CRV Touring in December of 2014. I noticed the vibrations shortly after buying the car. I have 12K miles on the car now. The vibrations have gradually become worse, and Im getting extremely annoyed by them. Its not only at idle when the vibrations occur. Its also at any speed while accelerating gradually. The whole car shudders, the vibrations resonate through the entire car, and my entire body. They seem to get very bad at highway speeds (70+ mph). Its to the point where I dread driving this car, and I dread pressing the gas pedal at all. Its by far the worst driving experience Ive ever had, especially for a new car (that I paid well over 30K for). I have finally had enough, so Im going to start voicing my frustration. If I could get a refund on this car, I would in a heartbeat. Im hoping Honda finds a solution, but Im certainly not holding my breath on that. I have debated posting this, because I know all these vibration complaints will kill the resale of 2015 CRVs. So I may be stuck with this lemon for a while, unless I want to take a huge monetary loss on a resale. If Honda cant come up with a fix, or compensate the CRV owners in some way, this will be my last Honda ever. I should note, if not for the vibrations, I would be mostly happy with the car. Since Im here, Ill make a few other comments on the car. I dont like the low beam headlights. They have a very sharp cut-off line on top. It makes if very difficult to see on rural roads, especially those that are curvy and hilly. On some hills/curves, you can only see 20 yards ahead. I dont think this is an issue specific to CRVs though. Other Hondas, and other makes of cars, also have this sharp cut-off line. The Collision Mitigation System (CMS). This is the system that (supposedly) detects a potentially collision, and will warn the driver via an audible warning, light breaking, or heavy breaking. I was driving to work one day, going around a curve to the right on a two lane highway, with traffic coming the other way. Out of nowhere, my CRV beeped, and applied light breaking. It scared the crap out of me. The CMS radar erroneously detected a potential collision, because of the angle of the curve Im sure. If I was on icy roads, this could have sent my car out of control. I was tempted to disable the CMS system (you do have that option via a push-button on the dashboard). I have not disabled it yet, but if this happens again, I will seriously consider it.

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  worst civic ever made - 2001 Honda Civic
  By jason - November 1 - 8:22 pm

  I was very excited to buy and own this car brand new from dealer. it wasnt until about 85000 miles the problem started. I started to lose the overdrive over a period of 5 to 10 thousand miles. The transmission would shudder while transfering gears from 4th to overdrive lockup. The check engine light then appeared with 2 codes, 0740 tcc circuit lock up solenoid and a honda specific code related to the ELD unit in the fuse box. I brought to the dealer, after auto shop said they cant repair that trouble code. The dealer plainly says that i need a new transmission even though the car drove fine, outside of the overdrive failure. I waited 2 years trying to decide if i should spend 3000 dollars on something that honda should repair, or take a loss and trade or sell it. Just when i decided to have them replace the transmission because the car was still in great condition and low mileage another problem, which i found is another common problem occured. The instrument panel now fails and find out that it will cost about a 700 to 1000 or more to repair. After researching online about hondas since 2000, that they have become one of the top ten worst cars to own. I will never again buy a honda

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  Accck, where is the Honda quality? Love the design - 2009 Honda Odyssey
  By Shannon - October 29 - 7:57 am

  We are on our 2nd Honda Odyssey. Our first died at 135K with a starter problem that couldnt not be fixed, by anyone! That car also had transmission failure at 100K, replaced under warranty. ( a different dealership) Our 2009 Odyssey has had power steering pump replaced- twice, fuel pump replaced and now, the same starter problem at 135K. The starter has been replaced but it did not fix the problem. We are done with Honda, though I think the this dealership has gone above and beyond in trying to make us happy. The cars - both of them, not up to our quality standards. Love the minivan, hate the repair hassle.