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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  Great everyday Car - 2015 Honda Accord
  By Tarique Mosharraf - October 17 - 12:14 pm

  Overall very nice. Pretty much everything my wife mdx has with tech package. Blue tooth stopped working in two days. Had to do multiple trips to dealer to isolate module ,order the part and repaired Other than that all well. Month into driving so will see

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  2009 OIL DRINKER W/LOUD NOISE - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Tammy - October 17 - 11:04 am

  My elderly parents bought this car without asking their daughters opinions. We would NEVER have suggested such a purchase with this piece of crap. They traded, well got robbed, of their Cadillac CTS and paid cash for Honda and its been nothing but a money pit and a pin in their and my whole familys life. We were wanting something they could keep for rest of their life but holy geez that wont happen. I bought a Mercedes and its simply the best vehicle Ive ever owned and will ever own. Im hoping to get this heep fixed and passed on to a mechanic that can constantly work on and put oil in it weekly!! I dont know where the oil is going but I know this is the biggest piece of CRAP EVER MADE. HONDA NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE PEOPLE THAT OWNS ONE. Seriously a horse and carriage would be more comfortable and less of a pain [non-permissible content removed] and cheaper to run than this heep. They hate their self more everyday it seems and they shouldnt be worried about anything at their ages. They are in their 80s and just need a safe reliable car. Thats it. DONT BUY A HONDA EVER!! Please listen to all these posts. We all CANT BE wrong.

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  Great car, cheap parts - 2014 Honda Civic
  By Jen - October 16 - 9:04 pm

  Ive always wanted a Honda civic because of the great reviews and good gad mileage. I get 35 city and 42 highway which is pretty great. I think the car overall is great, but there are some things Im not a fan of. The Lx version only has 3 windshield wiper settings which is frustrating. Also the headrests sit too far forward, the interior seems pretty cheap, the Bluetooth is loud for those calling you, and the acceleration is kind of sluggish. My most recent problem though is the paint. I wax my car once or twice a month because I live in texas, and wash it almost every week. Youd think the paint would be in great condition. Wrong, after a year of owning the vehicle I have rock chips all over my hood. The paint is cheap and they wont cover it under any warranty. Overall a great car, but not worth the price tag

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  enjoy this car - 2014 Honda CR-V
  By Jamie Bailey - October 16 - 7:45 pm

  I really enjoy this car, and here is why. 1) the transmission shifts like I think a transmission should. Nice clean shifts, no hesitation, quick to downshift. Ive had GMs version (Equinox/Terrain/every other 2.4L GM car) and I hate the way their tranny shifts. 2) the seats have fold down armrests - they are perfect for me. 3) the center console with the sliding door - so easy to open and access from the drivers seat. 4) the controls for heat/ac and radio are so simple and straightforward. 5) the mileage - i regularly get 28mpg on my 65 mile roundtrip to work and back through mixed hwy/city. If I had to complain about anything there are two things. 1) on startup in colder weather, the engine makes a quick rattle that sounds like metal on metal. Many Honda 2.4s have this, apparently, but the dealer says its nothing to worry about. So i dont worry, but it sounds bad in the morning. 2) wind noise is more noticeable than in my wifes Ford Focus. Its not bad, but could be quieter. All that being said, I cant really say for sure what I like best, just that I really enjoy driving this car. And Ive had a lot of cars. This is one of my faves. Got about 15,000 miles on it so far.

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  CR-V - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Ken - October 15 - 3:17 pm

  Make sure you check all dealerships for the best deal.

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  Ill drive this car into the ground... - 2015 Honda Accord
  By MG in Chicagoland - October 15 - 2:49 pm

  Bought my EX-L v6 with navi in July. I just did a 3000 to Houston and back. The vehicles performance was great . I was shocked getting 35+ mpg doing 75+ mph on the trip. The v6 is great to have and made acceleration effortless. My only regret was not getting the v6 sport to have a better performing tight suspension.

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  Solution to vibration issues.. - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Mark - October 15 - 2:20 pm

  I bought this "truck" for the wife despite having an 06 Tacoma that I would like to keep the rest of my life if it lets me. So I have Toyota bias. This being the first Honda I felt a little nervous, but the reviews were great and the test drive convinced me this car was a good choice. The first one I got vibrated which was very disappointing. I brought it back to the dealer and they let me test drive as many as I wanted until I found the one I liked best. Unfortunately it was an eggplant color but Im not big on aesthetics so no worry there.. IF you are going to buy this car test drive a bunch and make sure the one you choose is not vibrating before you buy. Please dont test drive one and let them give you another. Your dealer might not be as kind as mine.I felt what people are complaining about and it sucks.. Had I known about the vibration issues before I bought I simply wouldnt have bothered but it sure is a nice truck when you get a good one..

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  Happy with my first Accord - 2015 Honda Accord
  By Danni - October 15 - 10:39 am

  After my Nissan Sentra flooded this summer, I had to buy something new. After reading reviews and test driving a few cars, we settled on the 2015 Accord EXL. I was a little apprehensive because of all the bells and whistles (did I really need them all?) but after having had it for 5 or 6 months, Im very happy for the splurge. It rides well, its comfortable, the back up and side cameras are very nice additions. The moon roof is nice as well, although living in Houston, it hasnt been cool enough to really open it up yet. The infotainment system is nice and I like that its not a touch screen. Since the screen sits further back, I never have a problem with glare. The wheel-mounted controls are nice as well. The only complaint I have about this detail is that sometimes the Pandora wont connect, and my text messages dont come through the infotainment system like theyre supposed to. The trunk is big, but I do wish the rear seats had a 60/40 split. The only other thing that Ive noticed is that it tends to vibrate a little when it is idling. The Honda service technician said this is because of the air compressor and that its nothing to be concerned about. I do wish the car had more features like tire pressure psi, digital speedometer, etc. A lot of other reviews have mentioned a bumpy ride, but this has not been my experience. Weve taken her on a couple of shorter (5-6 hours) road trips, and theyve both been smooth and comfortable. Overall, I bought Honda for its reputation and reliability. So far, so good.

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  CR-V Vibration Issue Continues - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Nic - October 15 - 8:04 am

  Purchased our CR-V two weeks ago and immediately noticed significant vibrations both at idle as well as under way (typically under 2200 RPM). Trips to two different dealers with recommended software updates, rebalancing of wheels and alignment checks have not resolved the issue. A Web search shows that the issue seems to be fairly common with this years model with no solution in sight. Honda has actually issued the following Youtube video (www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEJ45wX9ycI) acknowledging the problem. We are now stuck with a defective product with no accommodation from the dealer. Recommend not purchasing this vehicle given a number of better options (i.e. Mazda, Hiyundai, Ford, etc.)

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  Dont buy unless you like bumpy rides - 2015 Honda Accord
  By Manda Chuva - October 14 - 8:26 pm

  I cant wait the end of this lease to get rid of this 2015 Accord. I replaced my comfortable 2011 Accord with this new cheap design. You can feel all bumps and cracks on the road. It drives like a donkey. In long trips, you shake all the way and arrive very tired and annoyed. Dont buy unless you like bumpy rides.