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:

• 

  Snookered - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By Randal Moss - December 27 - 5:33 pm

  I used to own Honda motorcycles back in the 1970s. They were wonderful. So I thought this van would be the same. I was wrong. This thing is a gas pig (Im getting 19, with a light foot). It has also been in the shop twice. It is ponderous. Get this: For an extended stay in the shop, I was forced to rent a Chevy Tahoe. It got the same or better mileage, it drives better and, heck, it can at least tow my Honda when it breaks down in the future. I think Ill buy an SUV next time. Of course, then Ill have to endure the sneers of my environmental friends, who seem to forget that this whale of a minivan (4000 lbs) is no fuel-sipper either. Bye-bye, Honda!

• 

  more time in the shop than on the road - 2002 Honda Accord
  By jonesy - December 12 - 10:00 am

  They got me! Yep I got suckered in by the hype of hondas being super reliable. Ive had the car a total of six months and its been in the shop more than its been on the road. Transmission problems, ac doesnt cool, numerous electrical problems and the engine developed a loud ticking noise after two months driving. I wish I never bought this car.

• 

  Infotainment is Terrible - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Willsboro Bob - November 5 - 7:15 pm

  All Pilots come without a CD player – something that sales people should point out! It costs about $280 to have Honda add one. I had Honda add one. I drive a lot and listen to books on CD while I drive. It is important to me that the car remember where the CD left off when I turn off the car. That way it will continue the story when I start driving again. About 10-20% of the time the car forgets where it was and starts the CD from the beginning. Ive owned 4 Toyotas and this has never happened with any of them. Otherwise, the infotainment system is a mess. It is not at all intuitive. It is difficult or impossible to operate with gloves on (I live in northern NY and it is cold in the winter). The voice commands are finicky. It forgot all the speed dial numbers that I manually entered! The infotainment display occasionally gets stuck - an obvious software bug. As for the rest of the car, it downshifts too far when accelerating quickly. I pull a boat and admittedly, the car is good at that. The drivers seat is comfortable but the drivers seat arm rest tilts down at an odd angle and is next to worthless. The battery is inaccessible - I cannot use the car to jump start my tractor! In short, this could be a good car but it is plagued with a series of small but annoying design flaws and software bugs.

• 

  Seats do not "Fit" - they cause back pain! - 2016 Honda Fit
  By AT - October 31 - 12:04 am

  Bad seats - too soft, flat backs without any lumbar support. The seats are like sitting on a memory foam marshmallow without support. The side bolsters are squishy and do not provide support. Be very, very certain that your back is comfortable in the seats of this car before you buy or lease! I would suggest a 30-60 minute test drive to be certain. I am not tall - I am only 5’4” and 130 pounds, but these seats are not capable of providing support to my small body. I took three test drives of the 2016 Honda Fit. Each was the typical 10-15 minute test drive. I thought I liked the car - it seemed comfortable and like a peppy little fuel efficient car. Except that it is noisy - but I thought I could live with the noise. One test drive was one day, the other two test drives were about a month later on the day I leased the car. Then the worst thing possible happened. The next day after signing my lease papers my back started to hurt. The following day it hurt even more. I only have a 20-minute driving commute, but that is enough for the soft, squishy Honda Fit seats to do their damage. I tried various aftermarket lumbar cushions without success. They either did not work or pushed me too far forward over the edge of the seat. So I could not use any of them. Honda’s customer service department was unwilling to help - since it is not something under warranty. It is just a design defect. An acceptable design flaw. One that your back will suffer with as long as you own the car! My only solution - my wonderful wife is able to drive the car without back pain. So we have swapped cars, and now we are both unhappy with that situation but at least neither of us has back pain. This is our fourth and final Honda. When this lease ends, no more Hondas for us! Just say “NO” to Honda. Friends don’t let friends drive a Honda Fit.

• 

  Honda Accord, Poor choice - 2007 Honda Accord
  By R. Allen - October 25 - 7:03 am

  Ride is uncomfortable. Dangerously pulls to the right, either not aligned properly or there is a manufacturing defect, gas mileage is less than I got on a Buick LeSabre. Very disappointed in this car. Would not recommend it to anyone.

• 

  Clear Coat Peeling All Over Car, Cheap Interior - 2007 Honda Civic
  By hbegland@yahoo.com - September 26 - 9:05 pm

  I bought my Si new in Figi Blue, and about 1 year ago the clear coat began peeling in sheets. Honda will only pay 25% of an estimated $6K paint job to make this situation right. The car only has 55K miles on it, and I always took very good care of it. This is unacceptable that a car known for its longevity looks like a clunker at just over 9 years old. Honda knew there was a paint defect as they extended the paint warranty, but because I contacted them outside of this window they will do nothing to fix it. Also, the visors have both cracked, the luggage hooks are broken, and the seals are starting to peel up. I will never buy another Honda again, and I will certainly tell anyone I talk to that they shouldnt either.

• 

  Horrible car. - 2012 Honda Civic
  By Tony - September 24 - 7:12 pm

  Great on gas but was a horrible car in general... would always break down one thing after another. Did not hold its value at all...

• 

  Junk! - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Steve domanski - August 6 - 10:53 pm

  Had it in the shop six time already for problems with transmission, squeaks, and rattles. Nav wont work when it rains. Water leaks. Terrible build quality.

• 

  Insult to the truck industry - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By george - July 24 - 10:50 am

  This vehicle is the worst vehicle I have driven, and am happy to be selling it and buying a f-150

• 

  So not worth it - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By Jennifer L. - July 15 - 10:09 am

  I bought this car in oct/2015 and my ac has already stopped working. I took it in to pepboys to have the oil changed and have them look at the ac to see what was going on. they said there was nothing wrong and to go to Honda and have the warranty cover it. I took it in to Honda and they said a rock hit the air compressor and thats why it wasnt working. I went online to do some research and guess what I find..... the Honda cr-v has the same issue due to placement and Honda has yet to fix the issue or recall it. this repair will cost me 800$. I am beyond livid since i bought this car. i had a tow hitch installed they never screwed the tail lights back in i had to do it because of the rattle, they chipped the paint because they left the screws on the tailgate and closed it on the screws, the trunk will not always open when i try. and now the customer service it atrocious. i want everyone to know how bad Honda has treated me when they know they are in the wrong. ohhh and yes even better the compressor that they ordered to put in my car was defective so now i have to wait til at least tues to get the car back. and they cant get me a loaner car because they have a 65 person waiting list. this is the most absurd thing i have ever heard. never again will i buy a Honda.