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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  Sorry I bought it. - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By Hannah Lechenstien - March 10 - 1:43 am

  I have only driven this van about 3000 miles and I have to say that I am VERY DISSAPOINTED in HONDA PRODUCTS!. I have been to the dealership a total of twelve times for an array of problems. The sliding door fell of its track onto my 7 year olds foot. The DVD player keeps skipping. The lights on the dash will go out with no warning. The brakes are starting to squeek when they are hot. It has terrrible gas miledge (13 city/16 hwy). I had traded a Dodge Durango that got better gas mpg than this thing. And it never broke down or sent me to the dealership for any repairs. I have almost three years left on the lease of this scary creature. I dont think Im going to make it.

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  Bad back? Do NOT buy this car! - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By IHateMyHonda - March 3 - 9:15 am

  I bought one of the first HRVs at my local dealership and its been the WORST car that Ive ever bought! After 5 month and 8K miles, its been to the service dept repeatedly for squeaking, rattling and suspension issues. The suspension rides very rough and I bought the car because I have a bad back and its higher than my last Honda. Big mistake! My other Honda was lower (2013 EX Civic), but it didnt cause pain when I went over bumps in the road- the HRV does! On a recent road trip, the freeway was under construction and the car was difficult to drive on the uneven road. It was swaying and hopping up and down soo bad that it literally "jumped" into the lane next to me! It scared the death out of me! The dealer would not document the freeway event and maintains that there is nothing mechanically wrong with my car. The service manager told my that the what Im experiencing is "inherent" to HRVs performance. The dealership was talking about getting me into another car but decided that it wasnt "cost effective" for them. After one of the many visits to the dealership, one of the squeaks was thought to be coming from the drivers seat and the guys in the service dept eluded that maybe it was "my weight" causing it! Im 65" 225lbs. I was very offended, but I didnt say anything in the hopes they would just fix the problem. It didnt happen. On the most recent visit to the service dept, the car had 61 miles put on it overnight without anything being fixed. When I asked why so many miles were put on my car in one night, a person in the service department became confrontational and screamed at me. Despite being in the shop MULTIPLE times, my car still has the same problems. In all good faith, I could not recommend this car or even Honda as a brand anymore. I have waited weeks to speak to a rep from Honda about their "brand new car," but they have NOT contacted me. The dealership tells me a rep will be here in the next few weeks. I have been a Honda customer for the last 10 years and have bought three brand new vehicles from them, but this is the last one. I have never been soo disrespected by a retailer or ignored by a manufacturer like I have been in the last few months by Honda and the dealer. Ive been meeting with attorneys to find out what rights I have as a consumer because neither the dealership or Honda is fixing this car or care about how bad it is or my safety! WARNING! Its VERY easy to get into this car at the dealership but VERY hard to get out of it once you realize how bad it is (and drop thousands for tax, license, doc fees and extended warranty). Outrageous amounts of road noise, the A/C is under powered, the list keeps going on and on. Read some of the other reviews on this car before you buy! Its not just the HRV either. Research the vibration problem with 2015 CRV. Shame on you Honda!

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  safety defect - 2003 Honda Element
  By big defect - February 26 - 4:26 pm

  Be forwarned the element has a safty defect. The front windshield breaks due to a design fault in the front pillers. Honda needs to recall these and fix this problem. Several web sites are now dedicated to this. Just search element windshield cracks or failures. this car deserves a zero rating until this is corrected. Our element has had 2 failures in less than 6 months. This appears to now be the norm with this car. Edmunds should tell it like it is and not allow cars with defects to be listed on thier site unless the problem is fixed. Honda wont own up to it and it is now time to trade this defect in.

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  Thanks for nothing - 2001 Honda Accord
  By hose_job - February 18 - 7:12 pm

  I was looking for a reliable car for commuting purposes that I could put a decent amount of miles on without having to invest a big chunk of change into some major repairs a few years down the road. I decided to go with supposed "head of the" class when it comes to reliability. Sure enough, less than 4 years and 130K into into my transmission falls apart and they want me to stick another $5000 into a replacement. The jerks tried to blame me because I only changed the fluid once a year at every 40,000 miles, when the truth is the failure was caused by a terrible design that they openly admitted to by extending the warranty to 100K miles. OWN UP TO YOUR MISTAKES HONDA!!

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  Thanks for nothing - 2001 Honda Accord
  By hose_job - February 18 - 7:12 pm

  I was looking for a reliable car for commuting purposes that I could put a decent amount of miles on without having to invest a big chunk of change into some major repairs a few years down the road. I decided to go with supposed "head of the" class when it comes to reliability. Sure enough, less than 4 years and 130K into into my transmission falls apart and they want me to stick another $5000 into a replacement. They tried to blame me because I only changed the fluid once a year at every 40,000 miles, when the truth is the failure was caused by a terrible design that they openly admitted to by extending the warranty to 100K miles.OWN UP TO YOUR MISTAKES HONDA!!

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  I wish I wouldve read a review first!!! - 1997 Honda Passport
  By ms.d - January 30 - 9:57 pm

  This car was great for the first year and then the engine started clicking. It only stops after you get the oil changed and the noise elimination only lasted a month. It sometimes felt like it was trying to pull itself. I was told that this was the worst used car to buy after the fact. The driver leg space is horrible b/c the seat doesnt adjust back that far. Im 53 and had trouble when i wore stilettos. If you hit the slightest bump it knocks it out of alignment. It seemed like the longer I drove it the gas mileage got worse. Overall do not buy this car!!!!!! Its a waste of money. No wonder you see so many used ones on car lots.

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  Very noisy cabin - 2018 Honda CR-V
  By John Brown - January 22 - 6:44 pm

  I am really upset on 2018 CRV Touring. Before buying I did test drive for about 2-5 miles and everything was ok. But after driving car about 50Miles, started to hear very loud noise like a drum noise/rattling noise. This noise is specific to Touring model as stated by dealer. If I knew at the beginning why I am going to spend $35K for a car. Now I have to live with that noise. I strongly advise to new buyers do not buy touring at all. Heres is the link for recorded video:https://youtu.be/6oxQjXOQRVo

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  Honda Quality has come down - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Basheer - January 12 - 7:20 am

  I have new Honda CRV 2016. Quality of interiors is very poor. The car starts to vibrate within 10 minutes and it is very irritating. Has transmission issues and Electronics is outdated. Noise is very irritating. It has resale value just because of name "HONDA" but is not value for money/comfort what you pay for.

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  Total Garbage - 2012 Honda Odyssey
  By Sunil Marolia - January 11 - 12:52 pm

  I had a great experience with my 2009 Odyssey and made the mistake of purchasing my 2012. This van has had one problem after another and the dealer (Norm Reeves Irvine) uses every opportunity to try and rip me off. A noise complaint turned into a $650 power steering pump replacement that did not fix the noise. The sliding door has always had an intermittent grinding sound and was finally recognized by the dealer after the warranty was up. The car broke down and left us stranded with the main computer completely malfunctioning. The brakes are too weak and constant require maintenance. Im absolutely done with buying any Honda in my lifetime.

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  Dont!!!!! Just run the other way! - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By Ralph666 - November 29 - 1:14 pm

  Like everyone else here, the doors stuck, the seats were uncomfortable, the rear washer quit working and finally the transmission went out. We bought it new. It had 76,000 miles when the transmission went. The second transmission lasted less than two months. The third is starting to go. I will be leaving Honda soon. I wont be back.