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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  Transmission problems! - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By SandyG - May 21 - 8:27 am

  The van is surging or hesitating around 60 m.p.h. so we brought it into the dealer and said that is "normal" for the van. Said its the overdrive system and ECO saving gas. I just dont believe that and they also said every new Honda with O/D system will do this. Please, if anyone else is experiencing this and have actually had it fixed, please let me know or tell us what they did to fix the problem. Everything else is great about this van but I dont believe the surging is "normal". I just dont think they want to put a new transmission in it!

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  Space, the final frontier. - 2006 Honda CR-V
  By HM - May 21 - 6:36 am

  I have had this car for exactly 3 years and 69000 miles. Its used for around town and many extended rides of up to 3 to 6 hours each way (the distance to our daughters colleges). No problems. Handling surprisingly good, better than RX300 we had. Interior is huge, cargo space deceptively large. Perfect back for Golden Retrievers. Fabulous visibility. Very good in bad weather. However, road noise becomes tiresome after an hour. Sound system is just adequate. And my 57 yr old rear end gets sore on long rides (Im 58" and 143lb). If youre going to spend lots of time on commutes or long drives, treat yourself to something more luxo. But for around town and near, it cant be beat.

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  I Loved My Little CR-V! - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By Kaylee - May 20 - 6:20 pm

  I bought my 2002 CR-V EX 2WD used, in 2007 & I absolutely LOVED it. It ran beautifully, never once had to undergo repairs, got wonderful gas mileage & was just an overall reliable vehicle--the perfect first car! They are cute little SUVs, typically owned by more females. The interior features are eye-catching & unique & for a smaller SUV, they have impressive storage capacity & spacey passenger room. Mine ran beautifully up to the day I was involved in a head-on collision, and even then I found good news--its a pretty sturdy little car! I am now searching for another 02 CR-V I wont drive any other vehicle!

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  Good rep, bad car - 1995 Honda Civic
  By aec239 - May 20 - 10:34 am

  Have had my 95 LX for just over a year and its sitting on Craigslist waiting for someone to buy it. The car is extremely slow, even with the manual trans. Its tiny which is only good for parallel parking, only fits about 2 adults comfortably. Gas mileage is AWESOME (36 mpg in the city) which is the reason I bought it when gas was almost at $5. If youre a single person that commutes with no kids, pets, or stuff to carry around than its an ok car. Ive found that the car is completely rusted out underneath when a piece of my exhaust fell off on the highway (and you can only go 70 mph or the little engine will blow up). CV joints and rack boots need replacing every year.

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  Good but far from perfect - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By jack - May 19 - 3:32 pm

  Very solid performance, smooth riding, good brake, good acceleration. However, I found the building quality is not so good.

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  Tires are lousy - 2007 Honda Fit
  By hondagal - May 19 - 3:06 pm

  Cute car, great color, in fact I use the thrill of Brazil nail polish manicures and touch ups on the car, nails match car. TIRES - get your act together HONDA! Time to upgrade or give a better option. Am at 32,000 and tires are very loud and worn and gone, will have to replace them tomorrow.

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  No buyers remorse - 2017 Honda CR-V
  By Eric Prescott - May 18 - 12:51 pm

  Ive held off on buying a car most of my adult life, for a variety of reasons, most recently because it has been near impossible to find a vehicle that ticks off all the boxes, but also because auto technology is changing so rapidly now. But living in New England and tired of driving of failing to get hybrid Camrys and Prius Cs through the snow and ice so I can get to my clients, I realized that I couldnt let perfect be the enemy of the good, so I made a list, I checked it twice, and the CR-V came through on everything but the mileage. And, even then, it has no peers in its class. Even the RAV4 Hybrid gets a mere 10% bump, and for that you pay a premium on a base model without all the great features included in a CR-V EX. Having owned the vehicle for a month now, I dont see how I could have done better. Sure, the entertainment and settings interface is terrible, but at least it is CarPlay compatible, so I am using that most of the time, and really looking forward to seeing if that sticks around and how it develops. I like the ride height and feel of the road. The steering is solid and the wheel feels good. The adaptive cruise control is a feature Ive come to really like, as well as lane departure and collision warning, none of which were available on the RAV4 hybrid. Loving having a sun roof now, too. Cargo could be a little more convenient, despite its volume. Theres a ledge keeping me from laying a folded 6 table totally flat in back, even with the seats down, which is annoying. Even the hybrid Camry allowed me to lay the table flat, with room to spare on every side. But I do like the vertical height. Took advantage of it to go car camping. Because of that height, we were able to load up the back without putting down the seats. Everyone remarks at the design and the Obsidian Blue color. People cant believe its a Honda. Neither can I. I should have seen it coming with the new HR-V style that got my attention (not a great car, but a nice design for a small SUV type vehicle), but I thought that was a one-off. Not so. I even like these wheels better than any previous CR-V model. This car went from boring and not on my list to the top of my list when it first came out, and I am not disappointed. Again, Id love to have this exact car with better acceleration and fuel economy (mid-30s seems reachable), but until that perfect car exists, this one will definitely do, and I have no remorse about buying it with the intent to keep for a long, long time.

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  Quality - 2006 Honda CR-V
  By DH - May 18 - 12:11 pm

  This is a reliable car. It is comfortable with kids and car seats, or adults on the commute. The gas mileage is better than listed. With a roof box, we fit 2 adults, 2 kids, a large dog, skis and equipment.

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  transmission fails - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By mtttt - May 18 - 10:00 am

  multiple transmission problems and poor customer service/support

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  CRV or Sorento?...CRV! - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By Jason&Jenny - May 18 - 10:00 am

  We were torn between the CRV and a Kia Sorento. The KIA was much nicer on the inside with many more standard options and a more luxurious feel to it all for the same price. Although we finally went with the Honda pretty much based on the gas mileage factor and the Honda reputation for quality. Although the CRV has a much smaller engine because of the weight it had better acceleration than the KIA. Our biggest problem was the availability of the EX AT model in the color we wanted (waited a month through 3 dealerships). We got the Mojave mist with saddle interior and added wood grain (which looks GREAT), roof rack, fogs, splash guards and a cargo cover.