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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  OK, but the 03 was better I think - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By anghel - June 13 - 8:00 am

  I owned an 03 CRV EX, I bought the 08 model. Other than the turning radius which the CRV, and more stability with strong winds and rain, theres not much comparison. I loved my old CRV way better. First, the new CRV struggles with acceleration worse than the old one. The 6 cd changer is placed on the cup holders between the front seats and the cd holders look like old sandwich boxes. And this structure is permanently attached that if you drop something on its sides, makes for difficult cleaning. There is less head/leg room. Side mirror adjustments were moved. Trunk space is less. No picnic table. The tires gave at 30K miles. So loud too.

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  2009 Honda Odyssey LX - 2009 Honda Odyssey
  By mikecnorthwest - June 12 - 9:02 am

  We replaced our 1999 Plymouth Grand Voyager with this 2009 Honda Odyssey LX. We like to shop for quality products but our budget is also a limiting factor. The LX is a great way to get quality without having to break the bank. We got everything we need in a minivan, including excellent quality, without the added expense of features we dont really need. If you can live without power seats, power sliding doors, a high end stereo, leather, etc., then the LX is a great choice. Mechanically its really the same van as the high end model. You just need to be ready to open your own door and perhaps read a map if you really dont know where youre going.

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  Grab your ankles kids - 2002 Honda Accord
  By NYRangers35 - June 11 - 8:26 pm

  This is my second Honda, first one was a 1990 automatic and gave it to my friend with 235,000 (original trans). Should have kept it. But the 02 Accord, my first trans went out at 88k, second 130k, and were getting ready for #3. Will trade before #3 comes. Has 145k. Its a shame, other than routine maintenance (other than a crankshaft seal fix which was no big deal) everything else was OK. SRS light stays on because of fault drivers side seat belt sensor. They are warrantied for life but need a $100 diagnostic fee first. Honda did replace my first trans for nothing, 2nd one I paid $600 total. I know about cars and do change the tranny fluid. I knew I should have got the 5 speed.

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  Lucky I guess - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By Robert Smith - June 11 - 11:14 am

  I bought my Odyssey new, performed scheduled maintenance and havent had any major problems. Did have EGR valve replaced under warranty. The transmission has a small leak that is annoying but has never failed. As a side note, I never used Honda Transmission Fluid, and I changed my transmission fluid every 40K miles or so - usually after towing a small utility trailer or u-haul. I now have 156k miles and given the history of cars Ive owned before, if it broke down tomorrow I wouldnt be upset. What will bother me more about buying another Odyssey is that inflated price for a comparably equipped model but considering I had to pay sticker for this one, I guess its to be expected.

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  honda quality declining... - 2001 Honda Accord
  By Antun K - June 11 - 10:00 am

  not very fun to drive due to slow acceleration and mediocre handling. both front door speakers began buzzing at 10k miles. Lack of power from a 150 hp I4 is glowing brightly! A huge manual shifter gets obnoxious after 60 miles. Brakes were shot around 36k miles. A/C never gets cold even after tune-ups. Styling is very conservative. On the plus side, CD changer is good and its in-dash so no trunk activity is reqd. Ive had four straight hondas and quality has declined. Also, wind noise and ride noise are problems. But it runs really well, so its not a junker. Im now getting a 525i so all you hondas on the road watch out! 525i=accord eater

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  Love the van, hate the tires - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Texan - June 10 - 6:39 pm

  Dont buy one with PAX tire system. Class action lawsuit against Honda in process. Tires wear out between 20K- 25k. Expensive to replace. Can only be done at authorized location, which is usually Honda dealer. No spares. Ours went flat traveling on Sunday and had to stay over until next day when Honda opened. New tire cost $298, because old could not be fixed (only 16k miles on it). Hotel cost $100. Honda said so sad, too bad. We are going to get rid of ours even though, it is a great van. Dont want to get stranded in middle of nowhere.

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  Bringing Sport To Small - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Erich - June 10 - 3:26 pm

  Ive had mine for almost 3 months now and I still shake my head in disbelief when I look at it. Such aggressive styling on a car this size is rare and in this case very well done. The view of the road is appreciated, but the blind spots are troubling, but I am coming from a Maxima with windows all around and if you actually look and not just rely on mirrors then its fine. I have noticed the occasional rough shift in the transmission and a little hesitation/skipping at idle, but im sure its nothing a quick visit to the dealer wont fix. Im also not a big fan of the fact the rear entry effects the front seat position every time some gets in and out of the back seat.

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  Love My Hondas - 2006 Honda Accord
  By JKM127 - June 10 - 6:33 am

  This is my 6th Accord, and they keep getting better, but less imaginative and lately always seem behind the curve. Wish Honda could do more about the road noise, the car could use some soundproofing; The gear shifter could be sleeker, sexier not sticking up so high; Offer better and more extior colors mixup the exterior and interior colors, would like to have gotten the satin silver with tan intior; do not like the painted bumper they scratch up to easily; and do love the realiability and quality.

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  Happy with Caveats... - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By Larry Smith - June 8 - 4:05 pm

  Overall Ive been happy. Amazing cargo space, comfortable, fun, zippy and good hwy/ok city mileage. My beefs: 1) This thing goes out of alignment too easily although Chicagoland roads are horrible. 12K miles and four alignments! I take the train and my wife works 4 miles from house. 2) Body trim panels are flimsy. Spending $280 to replace poorly designed liftgate trim. Why so flimsy on a "rugged" vehicle. I look at prior models and curse the designer. 3) Paint chips and scratches too easily. I have a 2002 Outback that is wearing like iron and this car replaced a Legacy wagon that I sold for top dollar with 110K in it. I do hope this beast goes the distance like my last Honda Accord.

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  Brake squeaking - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Hondaowner - June 7 - 3:13 am

  Car is really nice, but beginning about 3,000 miles brakes started squeaking. I understand that its happening on many new models and Honda has yet to find a solution for it. No safety concern, but annoying sound when driving, especially with windows down.