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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  Cheap Piece of Junk - 2007 Honda Civic
  By greendaisy - July 27 - 11:12 pm

  I bought a Brand New Civic LX 2007 4dr. Sedan. It has 57,000 miles on it now. It is made cheaply. The sun visor has fallen apart 2 times, the first time 3 months after I purchased it. The battery goes dead all the time and leaves me stranded , I have had it checked several times and they said nothing is wrong with it. I finely just replaced the battery, car is only 3 years old battery should still be good. It is the worst riding car I have ever had, I have replaced the tires with better tires, that help a little bit. I will never buy a Honda again, I am very disappointed with this car.

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  Pilot engine is up roaring... - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By hondaguy - July 19 - 10:18 am

  After driving my brand new Honda Pilot 2011 EX-L with DVD, I felt like the engine is up roaring when driving with speed < 60 mph. if I drive more than 60 mph then engine is kind of smoother. I havent noticed the noisy engine after driving ~ 3000 miles on it. Will bring back to dealer to check if there is any problem with the engine. And I hate to go back to the dealer since all I heard "work as expected" but it does NOT.

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  Honda CR-V Air Conditioner Issue Cover Up - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By Mac PSP - July 12 - 11:56 pm

  Purchased my Honda CR-V new, it now has just over 70,000 miles, last week the air conditioning system failed and wiped out the entire system. The dealer wanted $2000 to replace the system. I refused and checked out the issue on line. As it turns out there are multiple year air conditioning failures on the CR-V. Hondas USA Corporate office is refusing to acknowledge to there is an issue. I am contacting the California State Attorney General and an attorney. Hondas Corporate Customer Service Rep would not let me make a point on the phone and told me, "I might want to be quiet before I stuck my foot in my mouth!" This is typical of how Honda has handled this problem. Stay tuned!

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  AC blows up - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By dave - July 12 - 3:07 pm

  I had a Honda accord hatchback in the 80s that was great. I bought my wife an 04 c-rv and it held up pretty well until this weekend . At 59,000 miles the ac locked up and the clutch assembly violently was ejected from the car. We limped home from Iowa to Oklahoma,and lo and behold there are at least a thousand other people online that have had similar experiences. Honda, shame on you for not fixing this. Hello Ford, we will be in contact shortly.

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  Never Honda again - 2010 Honda Fit
  By no_honda_eve2 - July 12 - 12:27 am

  After I bought this car I found numerous customer reviews reporting uncomfortable head restraints and seats. I cannot drive my brand new Honda Fit for more than 15 minutes without feeling pain in the neck and back. Head restraints push too much forward and hurt your neck and it seems to be a problem for many of Honda models for 2009 and later.

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  Not your "usual" Honda... - 1995 Honda Accord
  By texas89 - July 8 - 5:52 pm

  When I bought this car in early 2009 to replace my 1993 Corolla, I expected the famed Honda reliability. I bought it for $5000 with only 70, 000 original miles on the car. I assumed I would get at least 100, 000 more miles out of it, not the case. Five months after buying the car, the AC and brakes went out, and I replaced the AC compressor fan and refrigerant ($350), brake pads, shoes, rotors, and master cylinder ($800). The steering is very "sticky", a problem that has mystified at least 10 mechanics. Back in March, less than a year after doing all that repair work, my AC and brakes went out again. The mechanics I have visited estimate repairs will total upwards of $1000.

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  Worst Purchase Ever - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Honda Odyssey EX-L - July 8 - 8:30 am

  This is by far the worst Honda Ive ever had the displeasure of owning. Since I started driving in 1996 I have had several Honda vehicles and NEVER had a problem with them. Then I decided to trade in a 2005 Chrysler Town & Country on this piece of junk. In 3 years of ownership and 36,000 miles I have taken it in to be fixed so many times that I literally have a repair record stack 1" thick. The automatic door on the passenger side has broken 3 times, the brakes have broken, the transmission has needed to be overhauled, the power steering has leaked, and too many more things to list. The final straw is the door breaking after being "repaired" three weeks ago. This will be gone ASAP.

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  Quart of oil every 1,000 miles is OK?! - 2010 Honda Odyssey
  By Gerry M. - July 7 - 7:12 pm

  At 7,000-8,000 miles, the engine light came on & the car ran so rough my wife was afraid to drive it 1/2 mile to our house. After a tow to the dealer, they cant figure out where the oil is going, but replace the oil and the spark plugs (which are fouled). After several 1,000 mile checks on the oil consumption, I am told today that HONDA USA finds the disappearance of one quart of oil per 1,000 miles to be Acceptable, and there is no repair to be made. But they are researching it and will get back to me. Um, yeah, right. I had a 1987 Honda Civic that gave me over 120,000 miles before it was wrecked by another driver. Quite a letdown to know Honda quality has sunk so low today.

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  Bad transmission - 2001 Honda Accord
  By John - July 2 - 6:09 pm

  I have had the Honda Accord 3.0 L V6 sedan for 9 years and I drive it only to work with a mileage of 90,000. The transmission failed but otherwise it looks like brand new with regular maintenance. Fixing the transmission costs $4,100 at the dealers and after 7 years is no longer covered by warranty. I though that I bought a reliable car that will drive up to 150,000 miles but not so! I will never ever buy Honda again.

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  Speechless - 2009 Honda Accord
  By tporta911 - July 1 - 11:05 am

  I purchased this car 10/09, my 4th Accord. I was so excited! Brand new, black on black, I felt a little "classy"! All of that excitement ended in 5/5/10 when I began to have engine problems that left me stalled in busy traffic 4 times. After multiple visits to my dealership and 2 returned phone calls from Honda "customer service" out of 9 messages left I am still no where. Corporate is stalling (pardon the pun, just like my car). They are doing the 3rd oil consumption test after the last 2 failed miserably! Why? They have told me to check the oil every time I get gas, really? Isnt that one of the perks of owning a new car? I cant believe Im dealing with this. Beware and dont buy!