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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  Money pit - 2001 Honda Civic
  By ttemp - January 12 - 6:29 pm

  I got the car 3 years ago with 115K on the odometer. Instantly invested 2000$ and replaced almost all suspension, motor mounts, power steering pump, timing belt, water pump. At 120K the transmission suddenly died. I replaced it. Now car has 180K. Water pump replaced, wheel studs replaced on 3 wheels. Having electric problems now. This car has good MPG, but requires constant repair.

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  its slow but it gets you there - 1993 Honda Civic
  By porksoda1 - January 6 - 10:14 pm

  I traded a beat down 97 blazer for my 93 civic coupe. The car has 230,000 miles and still runs strong. It has the 1.6 vtec and a 5 speed manual. Its slow and its ugly but it gets 35 mpg. The handling is amazing though. My civic is lowered a couple inches and has a little negative camber and you can throw it into some corners at fairly high speeds. Its no hot rod but it gets me where i need to go.

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  Rethink Your Decision - 1993 Honda Prelude
  By lukewagner002 - December 26 - 11:29 am

  I had purchased this car in Jan of 2012. It has 193k on the odometer. After being a Honda Mechanic for a few years, I was confident in the vehicle, but had seen very few of these. I had nothing but problems when owning mine. Within a few weeks, my timing belt had broke, and left me stranded. After rebuilding the entire top end of the engine, I drove it for two weeks when the clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder went out. Two days after that it was the TPS sensor. After repair almost everything, I thought it was safe to drive, and drove it for 4 hours and it would not start again, which is where I gave up. I suggest going to a VERY well maintained one, or finding another vehicle.

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  Bad car no dealer support - 2010 Honda Accord
  By dennisrk - December 25 - 6:37 pm

  My 2010 Accord uses oil 1liter every 4000 km, gas milage is very poor 9.5 km to the liter best I ever got on a trip.The bumpers are a different color than the rest of the car.Dealer blames milage on blended fuel ,I get 8km to the liter with my f150 4wheel drive.

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  Dont buy if you live where it snows - 2010 Honda Odyssey
  By rarcj - December 19 - 5:41 pm

  I have had this van for a year, and have missed my SUV ever since I bought it. The dealership was great, the service is fabulous, and Hondas reputation is the best, which is why I bought the van in the first place. However, I will not buy another Honda or a van. I was just stuck on a tiny hill in the snow for :15 minutes until some good person towed me up the hill. EVERYONE was going around me, including cars and other makes of vans. This van is not comfortable to me to drive, and it does not allow electronic devices to be charged when the vehicle is off.

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  Not what was promised in milage. - 2011 Honda Accord
  By hondaaccord11 - December 15 - 1:20 pm

  We do not know what other cars like this one does, but our car averages 13 miles per gallon in San Francisco driving. Most of our city driving is done on flat ground. Very little driving is done on hills. Our 2000 8 cylinder Chevy truck makes 11 miles per gallon with the same type of driving. We had expected to average less than the 24 miles per gallon advertised, but not at the ridiculously low rate of 13. The other major gripe is the seat belt. It has to be one of the most inconvient in buckeling. If you do not have the rear view camera, you will have major problems is seeing where you are backing into.

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  BEWARE - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By etgold - December 11 - 6:30 pm

  Technology is sorely dated. IPhone 5 does not sync and no idea if or when it will. FM Radio real time traffic is never correct. Shows accidents a mile away from actual location, wet roads when no rain for a week, heavy traffic on clear roads and clear roads when there is heavy traffic. Hands free commands very difficult to use. Sorry I bought a CRV. Went to buy an SUV for my daughter and did not consider Honda. You have been warned.

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  Take a longer test drive!! - 2012 Honda Pilot
  By larabie1967 - December 8 - 11:46 pm

  Have a 2012 Pilot for 6 Months bought brand new . The seats are extremely hard and an inch shorter than my jeep , the lumbar does not retract far enough , cant shut the middle vents off , accidently knocked it out of gear changing the radio dial, sunroof blow directly on your head , very loud over bumps and on highway, cant open one or all the windows without a very loud noise that sounds like it will blow your eardrums out ! Radio / heat controls Not at all easy to control , inside of front tires wearing badly after 12000 miles, 4 adults cant fit comfortably , vibration in the front end . the wiper, and light controls are hidden behind the str wheel , Cant wait to get rid of it !!!!!

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  Too many problems @ 144K miles - 2001 Honda Civic
  By dragonsssix - December 5 - 5:59 pm

  Bought used almost 10 years ago and it has ~144K miles. I did rev-up quite a lot to its readline (6800rpm) - most of ~144K miles are highway except for the last couple years which I put maybe ~5K miles during 3 year period. I started to have lots of issues for the last year or two: - has crack in exhaust header - gears are slippery above 3000 rpm Good thing about the car is that: - engine is still strong - brakes are really good (havent replaced, yet no sign of wear) - pretty good gas mileage

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  2012 Honda Civic Sedan - almost love it - 2012 Honda Civic
  By ejje1 - December 1 - 4:00 pm

  Im impressed with the styling of my new car. It rides well and is pretty quiet on the road. The gas mileage has been excellent and will get better once I get more than a few thousand miles on it. Buy the side moulding and put it on yourself... because The only issue I have with the car is the extremely thin metal. Dont lean on the front fenders or close the trunk or hood too hard you will easily move, dent or crease the paper thin metal. Interior uses too much hard plastic and the carpet is really better suited for a a scouring pad. For an MSRP of $21,900 Civic DX, Honda seemed to have gotten the message to do better in 2013