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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  Honda knowingly sells lemons - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Dennis clarkin - April 13 - 10:57 am

  Do not buy the Honda CR-V Honda knows there is a serious problem with vibration,shaking and poor gas mileage. This car will make you sick driving it. It shakes like a 20 year old car and the gas mileage is at least a third less than advertised. You will get no satisfaction from Honda concerning the shaking as they claim this is characteristic of the vehicle. The sleazy dealer Metro Honda in Johnston RI sold us this vehicle with full knowledge of the defect in it. This is by far the worst vehicle I have ever purchased. Dont make a huge mistake by purchasing this car

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  Unhappy with my 2016 Crv - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By F.Litt - April 10 - 7:08 pm

  This car is so noisy its embarrassing, I brought it in June of 2016, I have been complaining to Honda about the noise and vibration since, they keep telling me thats normal, I have never in my life heard such a noisy brand new car, the driver chair is so uncomfortable Ive been having back and leg problems since driving this car, I almost got into accidents a few times because when it rains the rear camera gets blurry, I feel like Im always driving with the Windows down because I can hear every wind that pass by, Honda was no help at all no matter how friendly the staff is that do not help the problems with the car, so basically Honda told me to wait until other people have problems with their Crv then maybe they will accept the fact that the car have problems, this car is such a turn off, I am sooo dissatisfied with Honda, Im stuck with a noisy vibrator, every time I get in my car I hate it. Honda is deceiving people because satisfaction and warranty means nothing, they tell you everything other than they will fix the problem.

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  Dont buy a Honda Hr-V - 2016 Honda HR-V
  By Ilene - March 31 - 10:43 pm

  Had the car for 8 months, 11,000 miles. All of a sudden the battery light went on and a warning to check the charging system came on. Took it to the dealer. They said there was a malfunction in the censor but the car was fine. Two days later I was driving home and the whole car died!! Nothing light up, nothing works, steering wheel wont turn. This is the worst car I have ever owned. Will never buy a honda again!

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  3 Strikes - Your Out - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Jill - March 24 - 11:57 pm

  Strike 1- Styling, It simply looks like every other vehicle on the road. The interior is more of a mini van than SUV. There is no center arm rest or large storage area as in previous Pilots. It has mini van style arm rests. Strike 2 - Too much unnecessary electronics such as the touch screen audio, push button start and electric tailgate. (Are people really that lazy that they can not open and close the tailgate) Strike 3 - Handling. This vehicle does not handle well. The steering is light and does not seem strong enough for a vehicle this size and weight. There is also a weird bottom weight feel. Out here in the country where I live, we have lots of winding roads. I have never had any car or truck handle so poorly and with so much body roll. There is no confidence when driving. In my opinion, Honda has taken several steps backwards with the 2016 Pilot. It is not an improvement from the last 2 generations.

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  Great car with many problems! - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By throw73 - March 23 - 7:10 am

  This truck has great handling and ride. The interior ergonomics are great and the center console is huge. The cup holders are annoying since anything that doesnt fit perfectly rattles like hell. i love the in bed trunk. I have been averaging 19mpg with a mix of CA highways and city driving. Right from the start i had 2 annoying rattles coming from the dash area which originates from inside the dash where i cannot reach. The rattle comes and goes with the fluctuation of temperatures. After 1000 miles my truck has developed 2 loud pops or bangs from the front when i am in reverse with the wheel turned(parking in reverse). After around 3000 miles my transmission developed a faint 1-click under light acceleration in 4th gear. At 5000 miles that faint click has become noticeably louder and now occurs in 2nd, 3rd, or 4th gear. Along with the clicking the truck has developed very aggressive engine braking while low speed coasting or decelerating to a stop. This is a new car owners nightmare. It seems this truck was assembled on a weekend. I have never had a vehicle with this many problems from the get go. I have done some research and it seems although Honda is recently getting a bad rap for its 9 speed transmission, it has consistently had issues with transmissions in general. Also its JD reliability has dropped out of top 10 when in the past it was always top 3 or so. Be careful future buyers.

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  not a Honda lover - 1999 Honda Passport
  By castle - March 1 - 12:49 am

  Brakes not very stiff feels like it will not stop when you need it too.

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  Save yourself a lot of grief...look elsewhere - 2018 Honda CR-V
  By amazed99@hotmail.com - February 16 - 4:03 am

  I purchased my 2018 CRV new. I have had nothing but issues with the heat and defrost functions. I took it back to the dealer four times already and their standard response is that is just the way new cars are now, they dont produce heat. I have even purchased a thermostat for the interior because there is just no heat. The ONLY way I can get the stupid car to heat is if I drive it longer than 40 minutes, then it finally starts to warm up around 70. The windshield is a nightmare, the defrost does not keep it clean of snow and ice. In this area of Wisconsin, that is a necessity, not an option. Either I missed this, or the reviews by Consumer Reports and Edmonds are not reporting this defect. Shame on you, as had I know this, I would never have purchased this car. I cant say enough negative about Honda and the CR-V.

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  Medium/Low Mile Maintenance Nightmare - 2011 Honda CR-V
  By Tucker W - January 25 - 9:47 am

  Heres the deal: Im a car guy and die hard Toyota guy, but I respect Hondas and I promise you I am taking all my bias out of this. My father bought this CRV for my mother with 80,000 on the odometer from a HONDA dealership who did a "pre-sale inspection" and said it passed with flying colors. The car currently has 87,000 and has been a maintenance nightmare. Brakes had to be replaced at 83,000, an easy job and only takes an afternoon in the garage, but it was frustrating that the dealership pre-sale inspection missed simple maintenance like that. Then, at 86,000 the alternator died and fried the battery as well. Ive done a lot of alternator jobs before, and this one is the most difficult to get to. I do not recommend doing this at home as you have to pull the power steering pump. An OEM honda alternator was also $425, and a $60 serpentine belt. Not 300 miles later, the clutch on the A/C compressor seized and broke the brand spanking new serpentine belt. I dont mess with A/C systems at all, so we took it to a mechanic friend. $1700 down the drain. At this point Im just expecting the next $3000 repair job. Its slow to accelerate, handles terribly, what more is there to say? So much for Honda Reliability...DO NOT BUY WITHOUT A WARRANTY.

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  Medium/Low Mile Maintenance Nightmare - 2011 Honda CR-V
  By Tucker W - January 25 - 9:47 am

  Heres the deal: Im a car guy and die hard Toyota guy, but I respect Hondas and I promise you I am taking all my bias out of this. My father bought this CRV for my mother with 80,000 on the odometer from a HONDA dealership who did a "pre-sale inspection" and said it passed with flying colors. The car currently has 87,000 and has been a maintenance nightmare. Brakes had to be replaced at 83,000, an easy job and only takes an afternoon in the garage, but it was frustrating that the dealership pre-sale inspection missed simple maintenance like that. Then, at 86,000 the alternator died and fried the battery as well. Ive done a lot of alternator jobs before, and this one is the most difficult to get to. I do not recommend doing this at home as you have to pull the power steering pump. An OEM honda alternator was also $425, and a $60 serpentine belt. Not 300 miles later, the clutch on the A/C compressor seized and broke the brand spanking new serpentine belt. I dont mess with A/C systems at all, so we took it to a mechanic friend. $1700 down the drain. At this point Im just expecting the next $3000 repair job. Its slow to accelerate, handles terribly, what more is there to say? So much for Honda Reliability...DO NOT BUY WITHOUT A WARRANTY.

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  Nothen but problems - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Howard2 - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Never again,Honda wae suppose to fix Trans problems.NOT This van is and still a peace of crap.Honda has had nothen but problems with this van,$6.000 for a Transmission.We are trading this peace of crap in on a new DodgeMini Van.