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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  Problems, problems problems.... - 2001 Honda Civic
  By nicoleb - October 3 - 12:52 am

  I wrote an article a year ago or so, but i really want to warn anyone looking into buying this year of civic. Dont. This car is not abused but somehow i have managed to go through 3 sets of struts, new wheel bearings, a new front bushing, my air conditioning is going out, the TRANNY BLEW @ 100k that alone was $2000, the air bags suddenly stopped working, it sputters at stop lights. I have two loans out on this car. one for the actual car and one to fix it, and I am only one of the few that this happened to and i am mad. if i can persuade just ONE person to rethink buying one, i will be at least partially satisfied...

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  The best vehicle I have ever owned. - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By Todd Caudle - October 2 - 8:27 pm

  My 2002 CR-V EX is the fourth Honda I have owned and my eighth vehicle. My last four vehicles have all been Hondas. I dont have much negative to say about it. The only trouble Ive experienced, has been with Gas Filler threads causing the Gas Cap to be a little hard to put on. I had one of the front stabilizer links to pop off on one end. Other than that it has been a great vehicle. It has over 100,000 miles on it, but looks, drives, feels and sounds like it only has 100 miles. I will probably never own anything but a Honda.

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  really satisfied - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By zack - October 1 - 9:22 pm

  Looked at Explorer Track and Toyota but the in bed trunk and Honda reliability got me. Priced a little high and designed a little younger than I wanted. Ive got 60,000 miles on it and have only had regular service. Put 5200 mile on it on one trip in June this year and it rode great.

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  Look at accessory photos before you purchase - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By J.McGuchi - October 1 - 2:38 pm

  I am slowly liking my new car more and more. Ive owned the CRV for one month now had have driven approximately two thousand miles. I average 500 miles a week. I have no mechanical complaints. The new variable transmission is a little whiney and noticeable at times . But nothing to complain about. My former vehicle was a fully loaded 2012 Odyssey except navigation to a base model 2015 AWD CRV. The two vehicles are very different. I was trying to downsize, get better mpg, and AWD. My chief complaint is that the accessories I had put on the CRV were not the same size as the Odyssey. The raised roof rack is not the same as the raised roof rack on the Odyssey. The tow package with the 2" ball is not what I expected either. My kids say the back seats are uncomfortable . I am going to get memory foam back support pads for them. They also miss the XM radio and entertainment package. I did buy a portable XM radio receiver it was free with subscription . The rear view camera is much smaller. I must say I really enjoyed working with Phil Ha at Stevens Creek Honda in San Jose, Ca.. Phil got back to me within minutes every time I contacted(email,text,voicemail) him. Phil give me the best price for my CRV within a 500 mile radius . I had contacted 4 other dealerships and Phil still had the best price. I really enjoyed working with Phil Ha and edmunds. I would recommend working with Phil and edmunds.

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  Superb truck - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By jgonzalez - September 30 - 9:52 pm

  I bought this truck to replace a 2002 Ford Ranger. I am very pleased with my purchase. The truck rides like a car, has lots of interior room and I really like the "trunk". Honda definitively builds quality vehicles.

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  99 Accord LX V6 - 1999 Honda Accord
  By Krishna Prasad - September 30 - 4:48 pm

  I bought my Accord in 99. I have clocked 113K so far. While the car has generally been low maintenance, the transmission had to be replaced at 102K. After reading the comments, looks like transmission has been a problem on 99-03 edition. And now the rack and pinion assembly needs to be replaced. Has anybody faced this problem? Brake rotors and power steering pump were replaced too. I guess after 100K, there is no escaping from frequent maintenance expenses. But the engine and performance is still impressive. I do 60 miles round trip daily and the drive is very comfortable with the V6 notwithstanding the $4 gas. I hope to get it to at least 125K without much expense

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  Ugly but love it - 2004 Honda Element
  By cje - September 30 - 12:50 pm

  I am happy with my Element. Took some time getting use to fine styling :-( (much like an English taxi) But it is so useful, comfortable, cleans up really well, great for hauling stuff and mine is basic beige which really hides the dirt well. I plan to drive it for at least a full 200,000 miles and forgo car payments for sometime.

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  Not sure about this car - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By Phred - September 29 - 7:47 pm

  I have owned the van for about a month and have driven 3K miles on a trip. On the positive side the van is nice to drive, looks good and has power. On the negative side the road noise is excessive. When passing a truck you can hardly hear anyone else in the car. The noise from bumps in the road is also very loud. Automatic shifting is rough. The front seats are not very comfortable compared to my 2005 Dodge van. The radio sound is very good but it has the poorest station range of any car Ive owned in the last 20 years. The little mirror on the sun glasses holder is useless. It needs a compass. At this point Im not too thrilled about this purchase.

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  Better than it looks - 1998 Honda Accord
  By Tom - September 29 - 6:09 am

  Purchased the car with 127,000 miles and now has 142,000 and the only problems were a failed cam sensor ($400) and corroded plug wires ($120). Not bad for its age and mileage. Have heard horror stories about Accord auto transmissions. Mine has been fine but doesnt shift smoothly and sometimes makes a really unnerving clunk. Ive driven similar Accords with manual transmissions and the experience is much more rewarding. Four cylinder models seem to be more reliable than V6s. The six was all-new in 98 and had some kinks to work out, apparently. Both are terminally boring to drive so you might as well save gas and money with the four. A great transportation appliance, but kind of a sedate car

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  Good Mini-Van, Poor GAS MILAGE - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Eitan - September 28 - 1:13 pm

  My Odyssey drives well, The driver seat is good and supports the drivers back (Driving a Toyota Sienna for few hours every day caused me back pain, the Odyssey is much better). Gas/mileage is poor 17 mixed city/hwy (40/60%), and 18.5 hwy. with or without Air, 70 mph, Driver only. My other vehicle is SUV with 4.5L engine, much heavier, with 340 Hp, does 14 city, and 19 Hwy. Sales sticker 19/26. Honda dealer found that the Gas/mileage is within spec. Another problem is the paint that peals of the bumpers. My 2004 Odyssey had a similar 3.5L Engine, but gas mileage was ~20 city/hwy