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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  ROLLAWAY! - 2013 Honda CR-V
  By unhappywithcrv - December 15 - 10:16 pm

  We parked my 2013 Honda CR-V on a < 30 degree incline, put it in park and turned off the engine. After going behind it, opening the hatch and taking out 2 bags it began to roll backward. I had the car for only 3 months and have had no warning of any problem. I have reported this to NHTSA and am waiting for a resolution but will not drive this car again. As a side note: even though I drive with ECO on, I have never gotten close to 30mpg. The best is around 25.

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  Good value horrible ride - 2013 Honda Civic
  By jac2007 - December 9 - 8:00 pm

  Great car, love the test drive. I now regret the purchase. I have NEVER experience such an uncomfortable ride. It hurts to drive the care, Im now debating to lose $2K and trade the car in for something else. I was a true Honda fan, I have owned Honda vehicles for over 20 years. Im very disappointed "Honda you should be ashamed".

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  Overheating since 70,000 miles - 2005 Honda Civic
  By eememymo - December 6 - 7:53 pm

  I sold my beloved and trusty 2000 Civic EX for this p.o.s. in 2011. The 2005 EX SE came with 24K miles on it. At 68,000 miles (2012) with the heat on vent... heat ceases, cold air starts, temperature spikes high, heat comes back on, and gauge drops. The thermostat has been replaced twice. The coolant system has been flushed multiple times. The sensors have been replaced. The radiator, water pump, and timing belt have been replaced. Next thing to try = head gasket. After contacting Honda directly this year, I was told that a product update was given on 05/06 Civic radiators, but "oops sorry" any manufacturer replacement of parts ran out in 2011. -_- Very, very disappointing!

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  Dear Honda Designers: - 2013 Honda Civic
  By white_tea - December 6 - 4:14 pm

  The ride is comfortable. The noise level is reduced tremendously. Rear Windows -dont like feeling like I own a Dodge Avenger. Prefer a temp gauge-not icons. Get rid of split level dash board!! Get rid of digital speed. Prefer Odometer to include *simultaneously* Total Miles Driven & Trip Miles. Poor Sun Visors-Poor quality. Poor Interior vinyl quality-cheap quality. Exterior Paint--Poor Quality. Prefer key hole on Passenger Door & Trunk. Hood construction is odd-- dont care for the leaf trap or sensors. Need a junk trap under the Hand Brake. Need more space on door panels. All of the AC Buttons/AC Unit/Design is a Hazard (to me)

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  Disappointed - 2008 Honda Civic
  By wak52 - November 10 - 1:36 pm

  In November 2013 my 2008 Honda Civic experienced a motor mount failure. The vehicle has been well maintained, driven easy and only has 57,000 miles on it. Investigation on the internet shows this to be a very common problem. Honda absolutely refuses to do anything about the problem, other than charging their customers a hefty fee for the repairs. This generation of Civic has also had issues with the windshield visors failing after a few years. Unfortunately the Civic has become an under engineered vehicle that Honda has cut too many corners with.

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  Nice car......too bad about the seats - 2014 Honda Accord
  By motorman409 - November 7 - 10:00 pm

  I have owned this car for 7 days, and even though I love the ride, power, CVT, looks, and all the other stuff, the bucket seats are awful. I am 6 feet tall, 195 lbs, and there is no way to adjust the seat to fit my size. The seats are built for a small framed person (like my wife, 57 130 lbs). When I sit in the drivers seat I actually sit up on it, with no butt support, and no back support. The drivers seat is crippling me. The back seats are much flatter, and better. Take the car for longer than a 15 minute test drive, or rent one for a weekend. I made an expensive mistake.

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  Bad electrical system. - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By shinhoo - November 7 - 6:37 pm

  Car has had a lot of issues with recurrent dead batteries. Strange since the car otherwise works fine, but having to jump start car every 2-3 weeks. Found out that there was a software glitch that affected the way the car was charging the battery, required an update under Honda service bulletin 12-041, this has apparently been a common issue. However, even since the update, have had to jump start 3 times. Have taken to 2 different Honda dealers, they have no idea what to do. They are telling me to drive with the radio, lights, fan, etc. all off. Quite absurd.

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  Steering Wheel Noise & Break Noise - 2013 Honda Accord
  By inkwell4ll - November 6 - 3:04 pm

  I purchased my 2013 Honda Accord V6 used with 10k miles on the odometer I now have 12k after a month of driving. I’ve noticed the ticking noise in the steering wheel and a metal on metal scraping noise coming from the brakes. I’m taking it to the dealer tomorrow for their diagnostics of the problem. The exterior redesigned is one of major reasons I settled on the Honda not to mention its track record for reliability. The DNA of this car is Honda, I’m positive the engineers were not shooting for a 4dr NSX when they redesigned the Accord. With that being said, what I was looking for was a middle of the road transporter with decent gas mileage.

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  Failed Transmission - 2003 Honda Accord
  By willm3 - October 30 - 3:28 am

  Great car but transmission is not dependable. I would not buy this car unless you are a transmission mechanic.

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  Severe Floor Board Shake - hesitation - 2013 Honda Crosstour
  By lneil06 - October 19 - 8:40 pm

  This is our second V6 AWD crosstour. We have a severe floor board shake at 22mph- 30mph. If you in stop and go traffic - the car will even hesitate along with shaking the floorboards and gas pedal. This is a major design flaw and its much worse in normal drive then in S drive - using the paddle shifters. The car also shakes real hard at 70-78mph on the highway as - tires are balanced This is a Engine and or Transmission design flaw. Had it in our 2010 and now worse in our 2013 - The put the VCM in the Acura RDX and people are complaining about the same problem. Im just waiting for something to break loose under the hood and cause a accident. HONDA FIX YOUR MAJOR DESIGN FLAW