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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  Hard start from new and transmission problem - 2010 Honda Civic
  By waltersac - January 24 - 1:03 am

  I bought a 2010 civic lx-s and about 4 months after i bought it we started to have a trouble with extended crank time "as the dealership called it" They gave us the run around said they found a loose bolt in the fuse block but didnt put it in the paper work. I have always took the car to a dealer to have all of the services. We had it in the shop 3 times and was always told they couldnt find a problem. We hit 23000 miles and started the car the check engine light came on and when I tried to drive it it would slam into gear and only shift up to 2nd gear. I am completely discusted with Honda and the way they are treating us through this whole issue. I will NEVER buy another Honda again.

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  Bad 2007 Odyssey - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By eric1987 - January 6 - 7:24 am

  First and last Honda. We get only 12 MPG in city and the dealership says it is within specs. At 55K miles on 3rd battery, tire rods had to be replaced, power steering pump replaced and now the motor mounts being replace. When we took it in for the tire rods they informed us that the motor mounts were bad, however, they failed to tell us it was under warranty and wanted us to pay $1K. Read the warranty book and found out it was covered. Discussed with the service manager and got a BS excuse for not informing us that it was covered. Piece of junk.

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  I will NEVER buy another Honda - 2008 Honda Civic
  By morganne - January 4 - 10:35 am

  I bought my Civic brand new off the lot in 2008. It has been a problem since the first year I bought it. Sunvisor broke, air vent adjusters broke, laundry hanger broke, and it vibrates when I put it in reverse. I feel unsafe driving it because it is such a tin can. I will never ever buy a Honda again. I would be more than happy to just give the car back. Not worth the $$

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  Ripped off from Honda Dealer - 2008 Honda Element
  By bproctor - January 3 - 11:11 pm

  Im sorry to say that I didnt do my homework with this car! So, shame on me. However, I was told by the Honda Service Dept that all Honda Heaters dont and wont shoot heat down on to your feet when you point the heater control to feet and defroster! Also, the brakes stick and that seems to be the norm! Anybody else have these issues! Thank you. Major blind spot because of the doors! I would love to return the car!

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  read the long term reliability reviews!! - 2012 Honda Accord
  By kyrider - January 2 - 4:10 pm

  Dont make the same mistake I did and read the long term reliability consumer reports. The car is GREAT for the first few months (2-3k) and then problems start... I can only speak for my dealer (Sam Swope Honda World) which treated me like I was crazy for reporting a shimmy wheel issue and they werent able to resolve the problem but if you read the Edmunds online forums youll see many similar issues with Accords. I wish Id read all these before deciding to purchase this car.

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  Disappointed - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By jrachels - January 2 - 12:11 pm

  We had this car 5 years no - bought it new. No major issues, but the battery sucks. I had to replace it after a year. Also, It will drain if the light are left on for a few hours. Which the fact that the lights will even stay on when the car is off and locked boogles my mind. Esp for a car built to hold small kids. Bumper is really just for looks as its plastic attached to plastic by plastic. When the passenger window is down, and the driver up, there is an annoying and distracting whomp, whomp, whomp sound. Also, in general a lot of road noise. It served a function when the kids were very small, but I am counting down the days to when I can replace it.

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  40 miles on my new car and its in the SHOP THIS IS RIDICULOUS PLEASE READ - 2012 Honda Civic
  By lylarose13 - December 14 - 7:39 pm

  My 2012 Honda Civic had 43miles on it when the Check Emissions light came on. I was near the dealer and took it straight in. He said you have to leave it here. I had groceries in the trunk and had to go home only to bring it back and told I could get it that night. Only to get a call saying its not going to be ready until Wednesday only to get a call on Wed saying the car wont be available till Friday if that because they had to order a part thru Honda Factory that was coming from Kentucky. Only to get find out I am asked to be a "Guinea pig" for Honda to put a "black box" in my car to track my car for two weeks to see if this is going to be a deal they need to bulletin.

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  85k miles and the transmission needed to be replaced - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By mykiddos - December 13 - 6:37 am

  Our family has been a loyal Honda family until this van. We will NEVER again purchase another Honda vehicle. This van has been nothing but problems. Let me just start off by saying this is a one owner vehicle and all maintenance was done on time or early. My transmission went out at 85k miles. Called Honda and they told me to "remember you have ALL those miles." Refused to do anything about a well documented problem and told me to get an attorney. A/C compressor went out (another well known problem). Some of the dash lights have never works and they cant figure out why, battery needs replacing every year, brakes keep making the noise despite the recall. I could go on and on.

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  Not Reliable - No Roadside Assistance on Warranty - 2011 Honda Odyssey
  By 4kennyk - November 30 - 10:59 pm

  At 3100 miles would not start - just clicked. It was a Sunday, there was no one to call, seems I didnt buy an extended warranty which would provide Honda Care/roadside. Charged battery, key dropped at dealership. Dealer advised nothing wrong, but put in a new battery just in case - mentioned no parasitic drain. Looked up parasitic drain, seems to be a chronic problem with Odyssey dating back to 2004, that is difficult to fix, and leaves many stranded. Traded in on a Yukon at a $5k + loss - Honda doesnt care - they dont even answer the phone on Sundays. By the way, fuel mileage was at worst about 20, at best about 25, with a very light foot, flat and 75% hwy w/ normal a/c use.

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  AC drags this guy down - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By timjsmith - November 30 - 9:31 am

  The AC unit in this SUV is the worst. Who cares if you can drive the car for 200,000 miles if every 50,000 you have to shell out 1500 bucks for a total rebuild of the AC unit. The dorks at Honda designed this this to fail, the compressor blows up right into the cooling radiator for the AC. This adds about 400 bucks to your repair total. Honda just settled a class action lawsuit about these crummy AC units. Beware of 2004-2006 CRVs. You need AC more than you might think. You have to get them fixed or you cant drive the car. The belt system requires that the AC unit be connected, and if it blows you cannot use the car.