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:

• 

  My first Honda, but definitely not my last - 2012 Honda Fit
  By mrj88 - January 14 - 2:51 pm

  Ive owned my Honda Fit for almost 4 years now, and Ive realized why people keep buying Hondas over and over again. After trading in a 1 year old Ford Fiesta that was in the shop over a half dozen times for all sorts of repairs, Im happy to say not a single thing has gone wrong with my 2012 Honda Fit. Nothing. Zilch. Nada. Gas mileage has been around 35mpg with mixed highway/city driving. Cargo space is crazy! The guy at IKEA was floored when I pulled around my subcompact car and nearly put an entire couch in the back. Stereo sounds great and works well with an iPod/iPhone/USB device. 5-speed transmission shifts smoothly while the engine purrs like a kitten. The only negatives should be obvious for a budget-esque small car. Acceleration is lacking to say the least. No Bluetooth. The car handles well, but youre gonna feel most bumps in the road. The air conditioning, while cold, kills the power and tends to freeze up after a 90 minute ride. Seats arent terrible, but overall comfort is so-so for long drives. The Fit is pretty light as well, so dont expect amazing performance in the snow. Base model doesnt come with a center console/armrest (I had one installed by Honda for less than $300 - completely worth it). Wipers only have 3 speeds. Regardless. If you want something new, affordable, functional, with great gas mileage, and incredibly reliable. The Fit is a fantastic choice. I hope to drive this car for a long time.

• 

  Worst headlights of all! - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Cindy - January 13 - 10:28 pm

  We bought our 2015 Honda CRV Ex-l three weeks ago. The headlights are too focused in the front. When making a 90 degree turn, you dont see anything till you turned. It is rather dangerous driving at night. This is fifth Honda we bought, and second CRV we have. We took the CRV back to the dealer, they told us they can only adjust the lights up and down, not left or right. We called Honad, they said it is not defective, so even it is safety issue, they will not do anything for us. If you will drive at night in areas without street lights, you should test drive it under similar condition to see if you think it is safe. Our older CRV has no such problem at all. We are very disappointed at 2015 CRV.

• 

  Otherwise,Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play? - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Wayne - January 8 - 9:13 am

  My new Honda CR-V EX-L is just super to drive in so many ways, and the sound system is by a mile the best I have ever experienced. But like so many other reviews that I have read on line, I am baffled by the unbearable headrests in the front seats. I have read the nonsense about being safer for ones neck in the event of an accident, and if you have progressed beyond the 6th grade you are aware that is simply silly. If one tilts the seat back far enough that the contact point of the headrest is vertical, your seat is sloped backwards so much that you feel like a 16-year-old trying to look cool in his dads car. Further, that amounts to slouching in your seat (just like your teacher Mrs. Wilcox told you to stop doing in 6th grade). You swap neck discomfort for back/lumbar discomfort. So now I have to search aftermarket outlets for decent headrest replacements. Word to Honda- why dont you offer two alternatives to your new car customers- your brilliant improved design, and a standard keep-your-spine-and-neck-comfortably-straight design.

• 

  Surge and skips/hesitation at 45-50 mph - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Nervous Nellie - January 6 - 1:58 pm

  I bought my 2015 Honda CRV in Aug. 2015. It wasnt even 3 mos old (2700 miles on it) when I noticed that it was skipping/hesitating when at a steady speed of about 45-50 mph. The rpm surges from the 1500 mark up to 2000 and right after that there was a momentary hesitation like a skip. It did it about every 10-20 seconds. Only when it is fully warmed up and has been driven at a steady speed. I normally only drive a few miles to work and around town at 30 mph. It is only when I get on a major road and am cruising along. I also noticed a reduction in gas mileage. Dealer could not get any diagnostic codes. They had to get Honda Tech to help. Turned out to be a software malfunction and they had to basically reboot the cars computer. I dont know how this happens with a new car, but I hope it is fixed for good. The dealer staff was excellent and I have no problem with them. They had the car for 3 days. Thankfully I had a loaner. I have NOT noticed the vibration that many people have complained about, but maybe because I rarely am stopped and idling (no streetlights in my town).

• 

  Tried and tested....not much more - 2014 Honda Accord
  By Alvin - January 4 - 8:06 pm

  Purchased a 14 Accord EX-L Sedan, traded it in 6 months later. That about sums it up. Was looking for a roomy sedan (3 kids) and the Accord looked great on paper. It was wider and roomier than most of its competitors (Passat, Camry, Impala etc) and had a stellar reliability history. Add that to the fact it was re-designed in 13, it sounded to be a winner! Got the vehicle for ~$3k under MSRP, I was overly pleased with the car. It was predictable in the fact that it had good resale value, great gas mileage, good maintenance costs of ownership and looks pretty good as well! The safety features were stellar, from side airbags to lane departure warnings and the awesome pass-side blind spot camera. Why did I trade it in so soon (and take a ~$3k hit financially?). It was....meh. Again, nothing against the Accord, it is a great vehicle, it just wasnt inspirational and, in my case, the best use of ~$25k. Ended up trading towards an older Lexus that I absolutely loved driving. PLUS - Good comfort, great interior materials for the EX-L (was actually worth the upgrade compared to the base LX/Sport model) - Great gas mileage, Id get almost 40mpg on the highway and respectable almost-30 in the city - Roomy inside including the backseat - Good navigation and entertainment package, decent sound system and user-friendly Negative - Other than personal preference....actually not much. Price-wise it is competitive against a 14 Camry XLE similarly equipped (Camry rides plushier) - Car is predictable but uninspiring, it is a functional vehicle without much pizzazz This is based on my personal expectations and certainly my view. The 14 Accord is a great sedan, I cant be overly critical of it. Just wasnt for me.

• 

  It s a keeper ! - 2015 Honda Crosstour
  By HanDuyenDat - December 31 - 7:02 am

  You have to drive the car to appreciate it, not just by looking and professional reviews, not a sport car more like touring.

• 

  Floridian Cajun Si-er - 2012 Honda Civic
  By Dave - December 30 - 1:28 am

  Great car for the money!! Lots of power from the K24 engine, even though a turbo would be really sweet. A bit too much cost cutting for 2012 interior plastics cheap, but better than a 80-90s Big 3 car sway bars thinner than previous generation and the 2013-2015. A "sport minded" car should have full instrumentation, not idiot lights!! And the tach doesnt need to be so big. Radio is great, iMid is great, big speedometer at eye level great. Needs a rear window wiper. Economy great! One trip from TN to FL at 80 mph got 36mpg! Not as good as a an EX or LX, but way better than my old Camaro. Would definitely buy another, cant wait to try out the 2017 Si.

• 

  2015 CR-V Touring - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Chris Saleem - December 27 - 11:28 am

  Navigation is not voice activated and hard to use as compared to my 2004 EX-L Accord. Electronics could be be more user friendly for an engineer. Car is a little noisy but you get used to it after some time. This is my second Honda CR-V.

• 

  Its ok for starters - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Jayy White - December 24 - 10:44 pm

  The whole is great Im getting after Christmas only problem is I have to replace the stereo because the aux port was not put in the car even though it displays on the stereo and you have to by a pie adapter if you want to save money but for this model it is hard to find now.

• 

  Fully Japanese CRV - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By M. Nesbitt - December 17 - 3:34 pm

  While Ive had several Hondas and Toyotas in the past this is the only one of two fully manufactured in Japan cars Ive had. The ones sourced and assembled elsewhere Ive never had the same bullet proof luck with. This 2007 Honda has never missed a regular scheduled maintenance . The acceleration was never anything to brag about but it has held its own in the pace with highway and stop and go traffic. This was a CRV we purchased new at the time the new model was available. We had to wait 3+ weeks for the car to arrive. As a commuter/school pickup recon vehicle I love the visibility as we live in an area of the country with some of the worst drivers in the United States. While some may balk at the suggestion that a fully made Japanese Honda shouldnt make a difference Ive noticed the interior plastics are more durable than the newer American Accord we also own. The AC in the CRV is superior to the climate control of the former. I appreciate the exterior appearance of this car as it looks like a hybrid between the newer HR-V and the current CRV. I dont feel like Im missing out by not getting a new car.