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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  Gutless Wonder - 2008 Honda Fit
  By ronsbiz - May 29 - 10:30 pm

  I bought this Honda Fit in 2012 with 37,000 miles, and have since put 91,000 on it. Like some Hondas, this is a well built, functional car but not well engineered. I cant explain why Honda has a penchant for putting under-powered engines in their cars (like the 2.0L engine in early CR-Vs), but here they did it again. 109 horsepower and 106 pounds of torque may be fine for over-taxed and over-regulated Europeans, but when you are competing with V-8s for lane space on American highways, 109 horses relegates you to the slow lane. I understand the new Fits have 117 horses, but the vehicle has gotten bigger since 2008 as well,so youre back to square one. If Honda were to offer the 1.8L en

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  My last Honda product - 2013 Honda Fit
  By retiredjoe - May 21 - 9:39 am

  There is a difference between a cheap car and an inexpensive car. This Honda is just plain cheap! And what is worse, the Honda service groups at the dealer have a take no prisoner approach to dealing with the customers. You sell these cheap cars and then treat the customers like they are wealthy people and money is of no concern. The dealer tried to do things like $100.00 to change a cabin air filter (I found one on the internet for $9.80 and it was easy to change)... and I can give a dozen other examples. The air conditioner has a design flaw with the condenser being easily damaged, and the list goes on and on.

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  Not a bad car but not a great car - 2009 Honda Accord
  By jbaby79 - May 20 - 7:19 pm

  I bought it used with about 38K on it and it has 76K on the it now. I drive roughly 19K a year and have had no major issues. Got the rear brakes taken care of with the Honda settlement. It gets me from point A to B just fine. The interior is just ok. Seats are not comfortable for long drives and the driver side showing signs of wear. There is a lot of road noise and the car ride is a little floaty. There a are a few rattles. I replaced the stock wheels with the V6 Accord rims which improved handling a bit (wider rim size). Also will put on TSX sway bar. VCM can get annoying at times but thats how it gets the better gas mileage.

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  Great Mileage, but feels cheap - 2013 Honda Civic
  By ms568 - May 18 - 3:08 pm

  Bought the manual because I did not like how bad shifting felt in automatic. Pros: mileage is insanely good - averaging about 37 combined with 75% highway and 25% around town (I drive pretty conservatively, highway is cruise control with econ button on). Safety - was rear ended, not injured, car held up fine. Fairly quiet and comfortable - good space for a smaller car. Cons: It was relatively cheap and it feels cheap. I had a VW golf before this and it felt like a tank in comparison (mileage sucked). The paint already has a chip after one month. And there is a sloshing sound that comes from the gas tank that is really noticeable if you have the radio off.

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  Good, except for rear entertainment center - 2013 Honda Odyssey
  By tallyesq - May 18 - 3:03 pm

  I like most everything about this van, except the rear entertainment center. Traded in a 2002 Ody with 176k for this one. I have 3 kids and want to be able to play movies and music for them. I pop a DVD in on the first road trip and the kids in the third row cannot hear the dialog unless the volume is turned all the way up. I take it back to dealer to make sure all settings are correct and they tell me it is working as it should. I call Honda and they tell me passengers should wear the headphones?! The old Odys RES worked great in all rows. Pretty angry that RES will not "entertain".

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  2010 civic - it us up to Honda now - 2010 Honda Civic
  By btbarryt - May 15 - 8:38 pm

  I bought my daughter a new 2010 civic to start college. Everything has been good up until now. Coming out of winter, we discovered her air conditioner is not working. The local Honda dealership in Gadsden says the compressor is out. The car has 40,000 miles, which is just past warranty. The local service manager says he is going to bat for me with the District manager to honor fix this for us. He committed to calling me yesterday with an answer. Still waiting - what do you think will happen? I own 6 cars, but this is my first Honda. It is up to Honda if this is my last purchase of a Honda product. Hopefully they will do the right thing and fix it. I will update as this unfolds.

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  Poor Reliability - 2006 Honda Civic
  By jessecornel - May 10 - 4:15 pm

  From the time that we bought this vehicle new from a dealer, we have been disapointed. Within a few weeks the battery failed, and was replaced. Within a year the condensor of the airconditer failed and was replaced. Due a manufacturers defect the exhause bubbled the rear plastic bumper, and Honda denied responsibility. At 35000 miles the struts wore out and honda denied responsibility. At 60000 miles the air conditioning compressor failed. At 75000 miles both the front struts and rear shocks failed causing a $900 repair and then a new set of tires. So the struts failed twice in 75000 miles. There is no warranty, and Honda denies culpability.

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  Transmission Replacement at 18K - 2012 Honda Odyssey
  By jcv77 - April 29 - 8:04 pm

  My wife and I decided that the Odyssey would be the best bet based on our growing family but soon had doubts. 1. After 4K miles the windows started rolling down automatically when the car was parked - at home, in the parking garage at work, in downtown DC. I took it to the dealership twice before they diagnosed a defective key fob and replaced both keys. 2. At 18K miles we started noticing a little hesitation when driving on the highway between 45-55 miles per hour. I took it to the dealership where they told me the transmission needed to be replaced. Now with a new transmission we have 25K miles and I feel a similar hesitation. I think I need to trade the van before the warranty is up.

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  2010 Civic Not What I Expected - 2010 Honda Civic
  By kcgent - April 23 - 12:03 pm

  Bought the Civic used with 11,700 miles in March 2012. Noticed a bit of abnormal tire wear at that time. Ive rotated and balanced the tires twice since then, still getting more wear, probably rear suspension issue. Front brakes went out at 30,000 and I drive mostly highway. This shouldnt have happened. Handling bumpy and it tends to skate over larger bumps. Wish it ran 1/2 as well as the Accord I had with 285,000 miles on it. Planning on dumping it soon.

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  Average car, not worth the money new - 2011 Honda CR-Z
  By rlangsh - April 19 - 11:12 am

  Just traded in my Honda CRZ after 2 years. Bought it new, not at all worth the 20k I paid. This is a car that has all the potential, but none of the thought process it needs to be unique and worth it. The interior is typical cheap crap that scratches VERY easy. Since the car is low to the ground, youll mainly do this getting out of the car. The engine shuts off when you stop the car, and this car dents VERY EASY. Engine shutoff was getting worse in mine. Also, its slow as hell. Get ready for insane blindspots in this car. The hatch is not positioned properly, so changing lanes on the highway/backing up will be, lets say..fun LOL. My new Dodge dart is faster and gets the same gas mileage.