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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  2015 Honda Pilot - 2015 Honda Pilot
  By Charles - December 2 - 10:50 pm

  Great dependable, spacious, still trying to figure out all the technology in it. Wish it got better gas mileage, but It has all the features we were looking for in a large SUV.

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  I would save your money and shop other brands - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Jordan - December 2 - 10:08 pm

  Simply put, I would save your money and aggressively shop other makes & models. I really tried to fall in love with this car for over a year but Honda missed the target by many hundreds of miles! First and foremost, it has the dreaded vibration issue that Honda has now quietly admitted to and issued a TSB to dealers - only it moves the vibration from lower speeds to higher ones so the problem isnt really fixed. But I cant dock them for that because I was aware of this going into the purchase. I have owned this car for well over a year and I have found the build quality to keep progressively getting worse. Every time I drive this car I notice a new squeak, rattle or vibration. It has been taken into the dealership many times for things such as brake shoes makes noise when changing directions, on occasion the starter will make a grinding noise on start up, the AC in this car barely cools the car in the summer, the drivers master window switch needed replacing because the auto up/down feature would not work intermittently, the fan speed will not work on the highest setting at random, and finally the interior sounds like it is falling apart during normal driving because the interior materials seem to be so cheap. Now when I mentioned these things to the dealership I was advised "this is all normal" - go figure! My favorite though, and I havent mentioned this to the dealership yet because Im watching this myself - the oil reading on the dipstick keeps getting progressively lower each time i check it. In other words I have reason to believe it may be burning oil. Every time I unscrew the oil fill cap, it is always white and milky underneath - it is as if coolant is mixing with the oil. Im only suspecting this because the coolant overflow tank was almost empty until the dealer filled it during an oil change. This is my conclusion and advice to you: In theory, this car is phenomenal! Good looks, great gas mileage (yeah bull sh** Honda), plenty of storage space and AWD - in theory. In reality, you as the consumer should run far away from this car and realize that what Honda is doing is standing behind a well known reputation for quality and reliability while mass producing garbage and selling it off to consumers. Honda needed to quickly update the CR-V in 2015 to be competitive which other CUVs on the market. Unfortunately they rushed the CR-V through the design phase and onto production so now the consumer who buys this product is left to work out the design flaws and bugs that Honda should have addressed before producing this vehicle. My parents owned a 2005 Honda Pilot (excellent vehicle) with almost 200K when it was traded for a 2015 Honda Pilot (very well made vehicle) - so we are a Honda family! When I was shopping for my next vehicle it was a toss-up between a Ford Explorer (Had a 1996 at the time that I loved!) or the 2015 Honda CR-V. I went with the Honda because I figured I would have no issues with reliability and you could get a top-level Touring for around 30k - more car for your money. I regret that purchase decision each time I get behind the wheel or see a 2015/2016 Ford Explorer zoom by me. Im not saying Honda as a whole company is bad, but this 2015 CR-V (and Im assuming the 2016 as well) are absolute garbage and I would highly suggest you shop other makes and models because there are much better options out there.

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  No Compromise Performance Machine - 2002 Honda S2000
  By Helios - December 2 - 2:00 am

  Honda made this car a showcase for its racing and engineering prowess, in the process creating a future classic. Plenty of other reviewers have it right: the S2000 makes few concessions in its quest to put a grin on the drivers face. The money went where its needed most: drivetrain, chassis, and suspension. I actually like the all- business interior, and the seats are terrific. Ive taken long trips with no discomfort. This ones made to be driven hard.

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  First time buyer of a Honda - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By Matt - December 1 - 9:26 pm

  Excellent vehicle; very smooth, roomy, loaded with features. Plenty of power on the highway, and mileage seems to be reasonable for a large SUV. Had an 04 Jeep Grand Cherokee previously, and the Pilot rides like a Mercedes compared to it.

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  buy one, its a Honda - 2005 Honda Element
  By rick - December 1 - 6:16 am

  bar-none,the best vehicle i have ever owned.not one complaint. goes like a tank in the snow.and in the summer its fun and cool.

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  So far,So good - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By Vin - December 1 - 3:23 am

  Have owned this truck for 2 months and everything is great.Very smooth and solid ride.Great acceleration when needed however when windows are up in the front and the back windows are down you get a real bad thumping sound which can be rather noisy.

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  Great car, but not for everyone - 2002 Honda S2000
  By MR KQ - November 30 - 10:33 pm

  When every dealer around was gouging customers I found one that sold the car at sticker price - no hassles. Performance is terrific, but the ride on city streets is almost unnacceptable and the engine make a lot of (not unpleasant) noise. But, once at speed (and if you own an S2000 youll be at speed any chance you get) the car is in its element. The ride smooths out and everything just feels right.

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  Pleased except for the radio.... - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Mary S - November 30 - 6:51 pm

  The touch screen with the steering wheel controls works well, once you figure them out, but I dont like not being able to tune the AM/FM/XM radio to a nonpreset. It is very cumbersome to change the station to a specific one, especially if the only option is screen touch, & can be dangerous when driving.

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  Just bought another Honda! - 2008 Honda Civic
  By m1e1b1s1 - November 30 - 12:46 pm

  We had planned 3 years ago to purchase a truck when we paid off our Accord, however with gas prices as they are. We were looking at either a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic, Honda of course won out! We now own 3 Hondas, our Daughter has a 94 Civic, which still runs GREAT with 170K (shes a teenager), our Accord is great as well..its only 3 years old :-) I just LOVE my new Civic. Its roomy, amazingly not much smaller than our 2005 Accord, we had thought another Accord, however our teen will be graduating and off to college, leaving my DH, myself and our 8 yo son, so a Civic is big enough. We look forward to many years with our Hondas!

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  Love this car! - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By Phil - November 30 - 12:03 pm

  Pros: Ride, handling, XM, navigation, looks, comfort. Cons: No automatic headlights. Driving experience I was afraid that I might be making a mistake by not buying a 6 cyl. vehicle such as the Toyota RAV4 which was my other choice. My fears vanished when I drove this car out of the showroom and on to the highway. The engine provides easy acceleration and plenty of power. The car handles beautifully, turns on a dime, offers great visuals and is fun to drive. I do not find road noise as described in other opinions to be an issue at all. I find the cabin very quiet. Comfort and convenience: This car is unbelievably comfortable, offers plenty of storage compartments.