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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  Glad to be rid of this problem - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By carol Carter - June 30 - 6:27 pm

  Have had transmission trouble almost from the day I bought vehicle. Transmission has trouble shifting gears. Traded vehicle in less than one year, lost money but at least I am through with that vehicle. I will never buy another Honda.

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  Too Much Mechanical and Rust Problems - 1995 Honda Accord
  By spark - June 30 - 4:54 pm

  I purchase the Accord expecting a better experience than the Civic I owned. I was so dissappointed with this car after having numerous problems under warranty period. These are some of the problems with the car: ABS fails repeatedly (ABS lights up), window rolls up and down slowly, AC is never cold and warm/hot air is always comming out of the vents when the AC is off, Automatic shift lever keeps locking up in Park position, ignition key gets stuck, odometer gets stuck, engine idles very rough like an old diesel truck (it shakes and vibrates), and repeated rusting on back fenders which honda wont cover after 5 years if the rust reoccurs (and it does). More problems but Im out of space!

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  Disappointed with my 2018 Honda Odyssey - 2018 Honda Odyssey
  By AVerayB - June 17 - 7:32 pm

  I had a 2005 Honda Odyssey for 12 years with over 200K miles on it. I loved my Odyssey as I didnt have any major problems with it until the end of its useful life. So naturally I thought my best option for my new vehicle was to get another Odyssey. In June, I decided on the 2018 Honda Odyssey Elite, top of the line. Before my first oil change I noticed so many issues. I never had that problem with my first Odyssey. One major issue is my GPS system. It has given me the wrong directions several times. I brought it to the attention of the dealership when I got my first oil change. They said they could not duplicate the problem. They only drove it around the block. I told them that I had specific addresses to prove it to them. I called American Honda Care. They suggested I video tape some examples. So I did that and e-mailed them to my Honda dealer. They are still telling me that they would need to duplicate the problem. They can easily do that by driving to the locations. But they arent allowed to drive more than a couple of miles away. I told them it is not very likely they would be able to duplicate it at the dealership. They can see in the videos that the directions are telling me to turn right when the destination is visibly on the left. Another issue I had recently was that I pulled into my driveway, push the button to turn off the radio and then proceeded to get out of my van. I noticed my radio hadnt turned off. So I pushed the button again. The screen said Audio Off. But my radio was still on. I couldnt even turn it up or down. Even when I opened my car door it would not turn off. I decided to videotape that situation as well. I called Honda Roadside assistance as it was night time and the dealership was closed. They could not help me. After about 15 minutes the radio finally turned off on its own. I didnt want to go into the house with the radio still on as it could have drained my battery over night. Another issue is that my Apple CarPlay does not work well. Honda told me the problem could be that I am using an after market USB cord from Verizon. I told them when I bought my Honda I still had my original Apple USB cord and I had the same problems. The screen will say that my CarPlay isnt connected even when it is. I have to keep putting the USB cord in and take it out for it to work. Most of the time I dont have the functionality to do a voice text or have the system read me a text. I have had to reset PBS for my daughter a couple of times already. The van is loud for a new van. My 2005 wasnt even that loud after 12 years. For the money I paid for the van I dont expect to hear it at all. The last time I called Honda I was told they are waiting for other reports of the issues and recall information from Honda. My report and videos should be enough to at least get my van repaired while it is still under warranty. My van is only a few months old. I should not have these issues. Other issues that dont happen all the time is that the hands free rear door process doesnt work all the time. I watched the YouTube video on how it is supposed to work and I do that each time. It is faster for me to unlock it with my remote. My right side blind spot indicator doesnt always work either. Several times cars will pass by and the light will not come on. That is another issue Honda couldnt duplicate. These things dont happen all the time. Another issue I had while driving home one day was that my radio/GPS panel completely shut off and went blank while I was driving. it came back on before I got home. I have no idea what happened. I was driving. So I couldnt investigate anything. My A/C doesnt work as well as it did on my 2005 model. On my 2018 in order to cool my van down I have to put it on Lo and turn the fan up full blast. In my 2005 Odyssey if it was 100 degrees outside I could put it on 72 and feel cool inside. If you are having problems as well, please let Honda know. They told me they didnt have any reports of complaints. But I have seen a couple on here with different issues.

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  worst car ever - 2018 Honda CR-V
  By be - June 16 - 8:24 am

  My husband traded my honda pilot for this piece of crap 2018 crv. If you wan t to drive a 1999 car, then buy this. no storage space in the back every thing is just going to fly around or you have to put the thing were your tire goes. camera suck if u use it u will hit something this camera show thing s are far away when they are really close, and its blurry. I hate it with a passion worst thing my husband did to me and he financed it which makes matters worst. Horrible!!!!! A very dissatisfied customer!!!!!

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  Honda civic EX - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Ahsanul - May 14 - 10:18 pm

  i bought Honda civic EX is not even four months, this car already start to giving me transmission problem. Also sensor and brake problem. Any way 1 thing that benefit me is good mileage. However dont buy this car!!!!!

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  POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE HARNESS & BATTERY - 2013 Honda CR-V
  By Steve Sumner - May 12 - 11:23 am

  BEWARE. Very poor design of positive battery cable connection. Instead of an adequate battery post clamp, it has a copper wire braid instead. This makes it EXTREMELY vulnerable to corrosion if battery leaks. Corrosion eats through copper wire braid and connection to starter is terminated. Car will not start. Fix includes replacement of the entire positive battery cable wire harness. Dealer priced new wire harness at $800 plus labor. Bought new battery and our mechanic rewired new cable to starter because the corrosion traveled down the cable to the starter. Battery should last more than 3-4 years. Googled to find numerous people have had this same problem on other models and years. Registered problem with NHTSA government agency for possible recall since it could result in serious injury or worse. Honda denied having had problem reported.

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  Little scared to drive - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By P.P. - May 7 - 1:26 am

  I love Hondas. Have had a few. Was excited to purchase the 2016 Honda Pilot. We have had the Honda for 1 year and 2 months..it has approximately 19thousand miles. Unfortunately, as the time increases things are starting to break. The passenger windows have had problems going back up...once down it may take several minutes to get the windows to roll up. The dealership is going to replace some parts and hope this will allow them to work again. The second row Passenger seat broke and was unable to move forward or back..the dealership fixed and I hope the other seats do not have problems. The biggest problem is the transmission. The engine started to make a chirping noise about 2 weeks ago when shifting into 4th gear or when you got to about 10/15 miles. I took it in to find out that it is unable to drive and will take 2 weeks to repair because it needs a new transmission. I find it a little scary after researching on the web that this is a common problem. I contacted the dealership where I purchased the car to express my concern. They suggested I call Honda directly. I have done this and now have a case file and they are to contact me tomorrow. With 3 kids and reading a lot of reviews of transmission problems and brake problems will admit am a little scared to drive once they fix. How do I know that this will not happen again or something else? I cant get over the fact that it has only 19 thousand miles and only about a year old. My husband is ready to trade the car in and call it a loss. Recommend doing a bunch of research before purchasing this type vehicle.

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  Disliking this car each day even more !! - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By yajaira Jaquez - April 30 - 4:33 am

  This car seems very nice and comfortable at your eyes, but the truth is that it has many things that do not work properly. The oil gets bad fast and i have to change it too often. I can`t stand the brakes on this vehicle, very poor acceleration, I feel the transmission on this car is no good at all. Ac does not cool enough, the car gets hot in minutes. The brakes make a strange sound and i can feel as if it hit my foot as I press the brakes. I don`t feel safe at all. Also the interior looks very nice but I only have this vehicle for ten months and the seats look like a five year old car. The sound from the outside, inside the vehicle is too loud. When I am driving I feel like if the windows are open when they are all close. If I am park any sound from outside is heard clear inside the vehicle, sometimes people close their vehicle doors park behind me and I can hear like if someone hit my car with something. I definitely want to give this car back and get my money. I paid around $35,000.00 for this car and is not worth half of it.

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  Looks Like a Ferrari drives like a Fiat - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By ChuckTX - March 29 - 6:17 pm

  We leased the 2016 Pilot with the expectation we were getting the same quality as the last 3 Pilots we leased. This was not the same Pilot we had come to love. This vehicle is tinny - the vibration and awful performance are staggering. We recently took it on a 10 hour road trip. It was like sitting on an airplane next to the motor. As we traveled down the highway I felt as if the hood was going to peel back like a sardine can. I am hoping the dealership will take the vehicle back as we have just exceeded our 30 day period. I should have been more aware of the fact there were 3,200 miles on the vehicle when we leased it realizing someone already knew what I was about tho find out. I would not recommend this vehicle to anyone.

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  A great car with a poor driver seat - 2016 Honda Accord
  By Tanmoy - March 11 - 5:55 am

  The driver seat takes out all the pleasure of driving this beautiful car. A 30 mins drive will cause severe back / leg pain.