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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  Wagons are back! - 1997 Honda Accord
  By choda - April 23 - 12:22 pm

  Bought used with 95000, after selling our 95 Accord damaged in hail storm. This LX wagon has been reliable, although it has a couple of issues. The slow electric windows, starting to smell antifreeze and the worst is the paint clearcoat is failing. The automatic trans requires more frequent fluid changes than most or it will act up. Gets 25+mpg, not quite as good as the 95 Accord sedan. Performance is fine for normal driving. Its too bad the paint is going away. New paint is so expensive I will be selling this car.

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  Accord - 2003 Honda Accord
  By ejr - April 23 - 10:00 am

  Pleasent car, good for commuting, with reasonable gas milage and comfort.Seems to be reliable , not terribly exciting to drive, smooth engine

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  A Sheep in Wolfs Clothing..... - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Unhappyowner - April 23 - 10:00 am

  Honda told me the drastic hesitation experienced after negotiating a turn at an intersection and applying the accelerator normally is just the way the car is engineered, for economy, not all around performance. Dont be fooled by the cars looks! That consistant hesitation ruins the entire experience. From a dead stop there is no problem but if you are coasting or breaking and transition to acceleration you WILL feel the hesitation! Check the trim where the doors meet the windows on the coupe. Look for wrinkles in the glossy film covering the trim piece.

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  Almost Great - 2008 Honda Fit
  By kenshanklin - April 23 - 8:46 am

  I have had this car for almost 15 months. I like the roomy interior design and the handling. I am disappointed in the in-town mileage. It averages 24 mpg. The front air dam is too low and it should come with an arm rest. The suspension is rough on uneven surfaces. The interior fabric is a lint magnet. I added film to the window for sun protection and the vinyl protective mat to rear compartment. Overall I like the car.

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  Mustve gotten a lemon - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By too_bad - April 23 - 2:40 am

  I purchased a new EX Odyssey and have had a lot of problems with vibration. The dealership replaced the tires several times and now that they are sick of seeing me, they are saying that there is nothing wrong with the vehicle. This is an otherwise great minivan, but there is a flaw in the rims/tire combo and my dealership knows this since they did tell me that they have had to replace tires in the past on other 2005 Odysseys...the tires were replaced at 5000 miles due to incredible vibrations. Test drive and be absolutely certain that there are no vibrations or wheel shimmy before buying.

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  1999 Honda CR-V FWD LX - 1999 Honda CR-V
  By Ken - April 21 - 8:28 pm

  Bought our CR-V new in 1999. 10 years later and 145,000 miles on it the thing still runs like a top. The only repairs we have done, outside of new tires, a battery, & routine maintenance, are the front brakes at 65,000 miles and the electronic door lock relay at 72,000 miles. Everything else is original. (Yes, even the timing belt and the muffler!) Looking forward to 200,000 miles +! Very little body rust even after 10 Vermont winters and salted roads.

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  2008 Honda Fit Motor Problem - 2008 Honda Fit
  By Carol Baird - April 21 - 8:24 pm

  At 69,000 kilometers the small engine block went on my 2008 Honda Fit. The Honda dealer will not put in a new engine. Just replace the small block. The Sales Manager at the dealership had the same problem, and Honda again only replaced the same thing. I am worried that the top of the engine will go after the warranty is off. I am wondering if this is an ongoing problem with the fits.

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  From a BMW to a 2018 Accord Touring Sedan - 2018 Honda Accord
  By SCTrojans - April 20 - 1:20 pm

  I traded in my 2016 BMW 330i for a 2018 Accord Touring Sedan and I could not be happier. I am not a fan of Hondas but after reading several review and watching YouTube videos I decided to take a test drive. First and foremost the look is amazing. Looks very similar to an Audi A7. The fastback style it easy on the eyes with the 19-inch wheels and has perfect lines and detail. The interior competes with many luxury cars as the leather and seat comfort is fantastic for long drives. The aesthetics on the console and steering wheel compliment the vehicles upscale interior. The Navigation is average as the Accord utilizes Garmin for services and lacks many custom options you would find on other brands. Boot up time on the Navigation head unit is also a bit slow. The ride on the other hand is amazing. Nice and smooth even with the larger wheels and performance tires. The car comes with Sport and Eco mode options and Eco mode is a serious disaster. It dumbs the car down to something my Grandma would drive. The Sport mode thought is fantastic. You can really see the performance of the 1.5 turbo engine. This is a mode I will never change as it opens up the cars performance. A couple of features I miss are the electronic adjust steering wheel and side mirrors. You need to use your hands to make the adjustments and can be a bit of a pain. The Honda Sensing features are great bit also a but overreactive. I have had by Lane Watch warning go off when a car pulled up to me at a stop light. a bit annoying. Overall. I am glad I purchased this car and would recommend to anyone that is looking for a solid sedan.

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  Nice car, but check the driver seat - 2008 Honda Accord
  By SedanDriver - April 19 - 6:26 pm

  Purchased the Accord EX-L V6 new versus a used Infinity M35 or Acura. The EX-L compares very favorably versus any other sedan in its class and has many of the basic features found in "near- luxury" cars at a reasonable price. Park it next to a BMW 5 series and you see the exterior design similarities. This car would be perfect except for one major complaint, the design of the drivers seat. There is a bulge about halfway up the seatback that is immovable and eliminates any support for your shoulders. This is independent from the lower lumbar support. It may not be noticable to you on a brief test drive so check this out before buying, as there is no solution available from the dealer.

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  Holy monkey!! - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By Spectre357 - April 19 - 5:25 pm

  For something with the aerodynamics of an apartment building, this thing is a nice ride. Its exceptionally quiet, even over marginal pavement or at higher speeds. Seats are extremely comfortable even after several hours of driving. Interior is very roomy - even the 3rd row. I had a 6-foot co-worker back there, and with the 2nd row shifted forward slightly, he said it was comfortable enough for a cross-town jaunt. Engine has a enough grunt to cruise very nicely at 90MPH. Ride is smooth with minimal body roll on turns. The build and design are typical Honda - everythings well laid out (overall), and controls and surfaces have a good tactile feel - some minor styling quibbles (IMHO.)