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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  PROBLEM WITH THE RADIO - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By Ed - September 20 - 5:19 pm

  September 12 2017 Edmunds.com Honda still refuses to replace the defective radio. I had three different experts in automobile radios review mine and they all concur that it is distorted and defective, But Honda denies that they can hear any distortion and refuses to do anything about it. ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE A second more serious problem came up. The electric parking brake comes on by itself while the car is in motion. It occurred to me once. Honda refuses to do anything about, even though they have a WARNING printed in their manual, indicating that if it occurs to take the car immediately to the dealer to correct the problem. They took the car around the block to test it and because it did not happen they refuse to do anything about it. Honda tells me that they have to observe the problem to correct it. I am not using the car to drive on the freeway because if the parking brake comes on while I am driving at freeway speeds, it could be a disaster. Honda does not care about that possibility and has refused to do anything about it. It has been more than a year since I have asked them repeatedly to correct the problem. Edgar Romo SEE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AFTER THE FIRST COMPLAINT: PROBLEM WITH THE RADIO After purchasing the HR-V 5DFR 2WD EX-L, and while on my way home I turned on the radio and was greeted with a distorted sound on AM stations, on FM stations and when playing CDs. On the next day, I took the car back to the dealership and I was told that the radio was working as designed. One week later with 140 miles on the car I took it back again and I asked the customer service department to check the radio for distorted output. I left the car with them and they told me they would call me back later with results. They call me in the afternoon to inform me that the radio was working as design and there was nothing they could do to it to change and they were not able to verify my complaint. I have since made several recordings from the radio’s AM station, FM stations and when played back it is obvious that the distortion is very high and some times it makes the output unintelligible. Honda so fart refuses to accept any responsibility for this condition. Has anyone had the same experience or know how to get Honda to correct this problem? ADDITIONAL BAD EXPERIENCE WITH HONDA ============================ September 12 2017 Edmunds.com Honda still refuses to replace the defective radio. I had three different experts in automobile radios review mine and they all concur that it is distorted and defective, But Honda denies that they can hear any distortion and refuses to do anything about it. ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE ATIVATES WHEN CAR IS INMOTION A second more serious problem came up. The electric parking brake comes on by itself while the car is in motion. It occurred to me once. Honda refuses to do anything about, even though they have a WARNING printed in their manual, indicating that if it occurs to take the car immediately to the dealer to correct the problem. They took the car around the block to test it and because it did not happen they refuse to do anything about it. Honda tells me that they have to observe the problem to correct it. I am not using the car to drive on the freeway because if the parking brake comes on while I am driving at freeway speeds, it could be a disaster. Honda does not care about that possibility and has refused to do anything about it. It has been more than a year since I have asked them repeatedly to correct the problem. Edgar Romo 10/11/2016 Edmunds.com Thanks for your inquire about the Honda HR-V. Unfortunately, my experience with Honda and with this car has deteriorated. The radio system is distorted to the point that I do not turn the radio on any more when driving. I have gone to Honda three times to ask them to do correct the problem and they refuse to do anything about it. After the third visit, they now deny that they hear the distortion, something that was obvious and accepted in the first two visits. Now they claim they cannot hear any distortion. I took the car to four different car audio specialists to ask them to diagnose my problem and all four of them detected the problem right away. Honda refuses to write in my complain about a defective radio, they told me that they will not acknowledge that I brought the car in with a complaint of a defective radio. Now there is no record at Honda that I have a car with a defective radio and that I have tried to have Hoda correct the problem. Edgar Romo.

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  2 problems - 2007 Honda Civic
  By kurt cain - September 20 - 10:16 am

  This Civic (07 Lx coupe, 5 speed trans) is fun to drive, peppy, has no problems handling the Ozark mountains, at or above the speed limits. Is stylish gets very good gas mileage, but the seats headrest sticks out to much and always seems to bump into the back of my head. Also the a/c vent for the driver is almost directly behind the steering wheel which blows cold air onto your hand. 2 very minor things. You get a great little car for a reasonable price

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  Quiet little car - 2005 Honda Civic
  By Megan Matney - September 20 - 1:40 am

  Its very quiet and overall a great first car, wish it would have been my first car. :) The gas mileage is excellent. I hate to get rid of her, but I need something bigger. If you have a teenage daughter, (Im a young lady, myself,) I would most definitely suggest this little companion.

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  Quiet little car - 2005 Honda Civic
  By Megan Matney - September 20 - 1:40 am

  Its very quiet and overall a great first car, wish it would have been my first car. :) The gas mileage is excellent. I hate to get rid of her, but I need something bigger. If you have a teenage daughter, (Im a young lady, myself,) I would most definitely suggest this little companion.

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  Its good, but not great - 2006 Honda Civic
  By djs - September 20 - 1:10 am

  Not sure how I got so lucky, but my gas mileage has been ranging around 36- 38mpg this summer. I like the interior and dont have any problems with the digital speedo or the parking brake lever digging into my leg (Im only 58"). Inside of windshield does get dirtier than in previous cars Ive owned. Squeaks and rattles are MUCH more numerous than in my previous car, the Mazda Protege. Body roll and handling in general is inferior to the Mazda, but I can live with it. Factory Honda stereo is significantly better than the Mazda, and I like the aux input on the EX. Seat comfort on long trips could be better (little too firm for me).

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  Love my Honda - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By ShaKay - September 19 - 12:30 pm

  I love my honda, it is the first one I have owned and purshased it after driving all the competors vans. This one drove the best and was the most comfortable, not only in the front but the second and third row seats are comfortable as well, cant say that about some of the others we tried. So far the only problems we have had are with the tires. I feel Honda made a bad choice on tires, we are having to replace ours and we dont even have 30,000 miles on it yet, and they cost almost $200 each. According to our service rep. this is only a problem on the touring model and not the others. Other than the tires this van is perfect!

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  New Thrill Car - 2004 Honda S2000
  By brilliantbeaute - September 19 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car for fun. It is impractical for families (ha-which is why I bought it). You get the tremedous fun of a 2 seater convertible matched with the reliability of a Honda. Also, the 6-speed for those of us who like to drive fast is wonderful! It is a little small for my husband who stands 64, but great for me. I LOVE this car!

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  Losing its shine - 2002 Honda Civic
  By Scooterberrycrunch - September 19 - 10:00 am

  I have had no major mechanical problems with this car in 21k miles in 20 months, but it is literally losing its shine. The paint seems kind of dull, I always thought it was applied rather thinly. Way too easily chipped and the body panels are showing lots of dings from rocks and parking lot incidents. Doesnt take much. My biggest concern is the rattle from the dash. It used to be intermittant but is now a constant nuisance. My car and a friends 03 both share the same rattle from the exhaust near the muffler.

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  Single Cam is Weak get a Dual Si Model - 2004 Honda Civic
  By RomeoWu - September 19 - 10:00 am

  This car is awsome, only one thing sucks. The performaance is horrible. Everything else is perfect. Good price ,good mileage, no more worries of it breaking down. I just wish they made a 4 door Si model like in Japan.

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  I LOVE MY HONDA - 2004 Honda Civic
  By Delsi Diaz - September 19 - 10:00 am

  I have had wonderful experiences with my car. It has never let me down, and I know that it will last forever. I recomend Hondas to anyone who wants a reliable car.