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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  Do the research before buying - 2007 Honda Civic
  By Christian - December 4 - 4:00 pm

  This is my first car. Bought it all on my own and was fairly proud of it. But right after buying it, things started going down hill. Bought it in December, and whenever it is very cold, the engine makes this rattling sound. It is the most irritating thing on the planet. Makes me feel like I bought a junker. It makes this puttering sound too when every you turn the wheels when its cold too. Asked my dad about this problem and he said maybe the heat shields are faulty. Looked it up and saw other people are have the same problem. Then my motor mounts completely broke. Bought a warranty with the car, so that took care of it, but I was without a car for a week. This car cannot idle properly. This thing will idle at less than about 850rpm, and then slowly drift down to 500rpm. It makes the entire car shake. It will do this ALL the time. I just turn the steering wheel to make it rev up a little bit. Then recently my engine block cracked. I read reviews saying this happened to cars, but of course I had the attitude that it wouldnt happen to me. Sure enough, the engine block cracked and leaked all of my coolant. And an important note, if you car smells like maple syrup PAY ATTENTION TO IT AND CHECK YOU ENGINE COOLANT!!!! My car reeked of it days before this happened and couldnt figure out why. Sure enough it was my engine coolant. Fortunately Honda replaced it for free. It was still under the extended warranty they were forced to give. Hopefully this will help out some people. This could be a decent car for some, but having to do these types of repairs on a car whose brand is recognized for excellent quality is a little ridiculous. My parents have owned other Hondas, and those cars refused to die or get repaired. Maybe this model and year was just a hiccup for Honda. Just hoping this will be the last of major repairs. If not Im either selling it or sending it to a scrap yard. Other than these complaints it drives well, and gets great mileage. Was getting 35mpg+ on the highway. I love the sunroof and the navigation is kind of nice when I need it. And I can fit in it comfortably (Im 63), just no one can sit comfortable behind me. Just be aware of these problems before you buy it.

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  Poor fuel economy and vibration - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Charles Simons - November 30 - 11:38 am

  I am getting terrible fuel millage 22 city and 28 hwy my 2013 did much better and it has a vibration on acel. I do not like cvrt trans. for this reason. I can not believe Honda puts only this trans in vehicles. I may have to quit buying Hondas

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  Stop and Shake - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Julia - November 27 - 7:54 pm

  Stop and feel the shakes before you buy this crossover. I did not notice the shakes of the crossover I test drove. I was heart broken and called the dealer right away after my new ride arrived. The Honda dealer is going to fix my car next week.

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  NOT good, good, good.... good vibrations - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By John Sullivan - November 24 - 8:07 pm

  Check for vibration at idle and at 1100-1300 RPM and with light acceleration. My EX AWD started a vibration at about 500 miles and is getting worse. The vibration now has an accompanying rumble up to 1800 RPM. I had taken it back but the FIX did not work. Service dept is aware of this and claims that Honda is working on a fix. Meantime I am getting more irritated with the car. I also have a 2013 Accord with the same engine and CVT with no vibrations. If it is simple harmonic motion then I suspect that engine and CVT mounts might be the culprit. Strangely if you turn on the a/c at idle the vibration stops but not at the higher RPMs. Vibration and sound reminds of how a standard transmission behaves when you are in too high a gear for the speed you are traveling. If Honda can find the FIX I will be very happy with car sans the infotainment system.

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  Vibration nightmare - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By dan - November 20 - 6:05 am

  This car has a serious vibration problem when at idle when in gear at stop lights which Honda has admitted to but has not been able to fix!!

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  So sad! - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By Linda K. - November 19 - 8:51 pm

  I loved my car, but the transmission is a piece of junk. The door mechanisms are terrible. We replaced them five times, and the doors freeze shut in bad weather.

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  Lot of Wind nose from front of passenter - 2015 Honda Odyssey
  By HKB - November 19 - 12:28 pm

  Everything else is good with the car except the wind noise above 45mph or even in low speeds if there is a lot of wind outside. Cannot believe such kind of quality control from Honda....

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  Clipped by independent car dealer - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By Basil - November 18 - 5:26 pm

  #1 check trans fluid. Pull dipstick and wipe on white paper towel. If fluid is black or otherwise not red, avoid the car because it needs a new torque converter. That is expensive. Otherwise, it is a comfortable, easy to drive car.

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  Honda Civic Hybrid Discontinued for 2016! - 2015 Honda Civic
  By Paul Contos - November 10 - 8:50 am

  I was poised to buy a 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid, and almost signed the paperwork on a late Sunday afternoon in Oct. 15. A tiny glitch in the negotiation w/the dealer stalled the process momentarily, and I put on hold the process for later in the week. That Sunday evening, through my own research, I discovered that Honda is discontinuing the Civic Hybrid for 2016. No one of the group of dealers I had been in touch with mentioned that fact to me (understandably so) and, as everyone knows now, the 2016 Honda Civic is a complete redesign from bottom to top, offering the 2 engine choices, a bit more internal room, etc., and many upgrades. That gave me a slight bit of pause as to, "Do I want to get something that is going to be the end of the line?" Tho I was for the most part impressed with the 15 Civic Hybrid, intelligent and discerning shopping behooves one to take time to research, if possible. There was a press embargo until Oct. 19th, when, after that time, much more info on the 16 Civic has become available. While not absolutely doing cartwheels over the external body design of the 2016 Civic, the new engine choices/specs, mileage specs, internal design, pricing, and recent reviews, etc. seem to be enough for myself to wait for the 2016 Civic to become available to check out. *Note: as this review does not allow me to press "submit" without making a choice for "Overall Rating" - though I did not purchase a 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid, Ill enter a 3 stars, for the test drive I took.

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  Should be happy - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By MrUnhappy - November 10 - 8:06 am

  I went from a V8 Sierra, to the Honda CRV Touring. The gas mileage is very good, average around town 25-26. Dont pull out in traffic, it doesnt have the fastest get up and go. Love the heated seats (would be nice to have more temperature control, not just hi and low) Moon roof leaked a little in some car washes, but liked this option. Navigation too hard to set up, Bluetooth worked but sounded bad to callers, and you really had to speak clearly and loudly. Turned off collision braking, not a good option in traffic. It braked, if you had to quickly go around someone in traffic. (almost got rear ended) Drivers seat is on the smaller side for someone with long legs. Touch pad screen hard to navigate when driving, especially fast forwarding a song, or trying to turn the radio down. Albiet you can use the steering wheel button. There are 3 different screens to look at, everything should be more centralized. It rarely understands voice commands. Im pretty good with new technology, but this car is frustrating to use all its gadgets.