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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  93 Prelude Si - 1993 Honda Prelude
  By HwkWings - June 22 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for over 4 years, and I still love it. I bought it with 132K miles, and it now has 185K. The only problems have been a small oil leak and a worn out distributor. The sexy curviness of this car is way better than the ridged design of the 5th gen. Prelude. Criticism aside, I love the "funky" mid-dash display of the interior. The gauges are easier to read than some other cars that clutter the gauges in front of the driver. A few complaints include: the headlight components are a bit cheap, road/wind noise is more than abundant at highway speeds, rear visibility is less than adequate and the speaker covers are a bit flimsy.

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  Great vehicle. Great price. - 2017 Honda CR-V
  By Likesfishing - June 21 - 7:57 pm

  Amazingly spacious. Handles very well. Excellent gas mileage. 32 mpg average in the mountains of Utah. Navigation is very good with the single exception of recognizing some named locations. Navi is excellent on addresses. The display. This CRV is very comfortable to drive for someone 63" and someone 54". Excellent value. Cross-shopped against the new VW extended Tiguan (unimpressive) and the Subaru Forester and Outback. The 2017 CRV is totally new and is much longer with much more luggage space than prior CRVs.

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  I want to love the car but I cant - 2016 Honda Accord
  By Denis Be-n - June 21 - 1:19 pm

  Purchasing a brand new vehicle for the first time in my life is a very exciting event. I had very high expectation from upgrading from used up 2004 Accord to brand new 2016 EX-L model. I love the design and acceleration, CarPlay is cool.... This could be a perfect car, BUT I can not understand how Honda can ignore two simple issues, that just make me thinking that this is my last Honda. The first problem is wind noise. It is simply horrible, not better than any other car from 90-s. No improvements at all on trying to make it a little quitter, to match up with competitors. This is really annoying and doesnt make any ride enjoyable. The second problem appears when I try to eliminate the wind noise by playing loud music. Guess what, load music causes vibration of the whole rear deck with the subwoofer. The stop light is so close to the glass, that light vibration of the deck causes the plastic to vibrate and periodically with high frequency hit the rear glass. This creates annoying rattling noise. So I make the volume lower, but then I here annoying wind noise... Most importantly, the dealer agreed to repair both of these issues, that cost me nothing but loosing hours of my personal work time. Both repairs are not successful and it was just a waste of time trying to fix manufacturers pour design. Btw, the dealer doesnt accept that this is a result of pour design.... They offered the repairs covered by warranty, but they all were not effective with no improvements. Such confusing situation. Even if I am willing to pay to fix it, I cant fix it and no one can! I had to do what I originally planned to do, buy a more luxury but slightly used vehicle, in which, at least I would enjoy the ride while paying more for the repairs....

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  Horrible vibration and heater - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Springtime - June 21 - 10:48 am

  The vibration is ridiculous. I had two fixes and still have vibration. The amount of time it takes for the cabin to get warm is unacceptable. I live in the NE and if it wasnt for the heated seats Id freeze to death. I drive both city and highway and I havent even achieved the listed city mpg. This will be the last time we buy a Honda.

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  Wonderful - 1997 Honda Accord
  By kp - June 21 - 9:10 am

  I have never had a problem with this car. It just rolled over 80k and it still drives like new, very responsive. Ive thought about getting a new car, but its hard to leave such a great one behind.

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  Love my Accord - 2006 Honda Accord
  By jag57 - June 21 - 4:06 am

  Great Car! This is the first Honda I have ever owned and I love it. I have owned my LX for one month now and have 3400 miles on it. The 4 cyl. is great. We drove 4 adults with lots of luggage and traveled over Colorado mountain passes and you couldnt believe how much power it had and the gas mileage was still 30 mpg. On one trip I got 38 mpg. I also got my 1st ticket in this car, it has so much power and fun to drive that I wasnt paying attention.

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  The Cars I Missed Buying Rolled Into One - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Crabby Guy - June 21 - 2:00 am

  Its just not possible to go 100 feet in my S2000 without breaking into an ear-to-ear grin that lasts for hours after leaving the car. This is truly, by design, a racing car. The S2000 does not really handle like a car--its somewhere between a go- cart and a motorcyle. The engine is perfectly satisfactory up to 5000 RPM for driving in even stop-and-go traffic. From 5000 to red line at 9000, you go into warp drive. I missed buying a Porsche Speedster and a 356SC, I turned down a great deal on a 289 Cobra, and I passed on a Lotus Super 7. They are all in the S2000 with the reliability of a Honda. I will keep this car for the rest of my life.

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  Dont Believe the Negativity - 2008 Honda Accord
  By HondaLover - June 20 - 3:50 am

  I have read the reviews. I have nothing bad to say about my car. I bought the Red Coupe 24 hours ago and I have already put 150 miles on it. I read the negativity, I have not any of those issues thus far. There is no noise when driving. There are no blind spots, just use your side mirrors correctly. The plug for my iPhone is in a great place. This is my fourth Honda and my first Accord. I had my last 1993 Honda Civic for 11 years. I was just ready for a upgrade and it was good to me until the last few years. Follow the instructions on how to buy a new car. It really help me get my car only $500 over invoice and 4.9% interest rate. I came in already financed, so I came with buying power.

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  Let er scream - 2006 Honda Civic
  By lookingglass - June 20 - 3:20 am

  With about 25,000 miles on the car, and having read most of the online reviews of this car I wanted to add my two cents worth. The car is great as a small performance car. Handling is superb, it is quite fast. The two tiered dash takes a lot to get used to. The throttle hang that many complained of began to disappear at around 15,000 miles and now is mostly non-existent unless shes cold. The third gear notchyness that many complained of was noticeable when the car was cold during the first winter but this winter has not appeared. Honda has a new gear lube for this tranny for winter driving. Overall, the car is a gas to drive, is very comfortable for two, very high build quality.

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  Alive in 95 - 1995 Honda Odyssey
  By moonchild - June 20 - 2:00 am

  I bought this Odyssey in 1998 with 45k miles. In 2003 it has 150k miles. It has been a dream except for the brakes/rotors which seem to wear out too soon and I live in the flat midwest. I did not have the oil changed as often as I should which has taken its toll on the engine but instead of purchasing a new Odyssey, Im having this engine rebuilt. The newer Odysseys might be okay, but the body/style of the 95s are the best. WHY did Honda have to change it? It was perfect to begin with.