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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  Like it! - 2014 Honda Odyssey
  By dowpwr - April 18 - 9:19 pm

  Just got my Odyssey a little bit ago and I really like it. The tech features are nice especially pandora and the text on-screen. Its very quiet and handles good. Plenty of space in it for kids and gear. Does handle like a minivan as expected. Make sure you get the Michelin tires rather than the continentals. There is a big difference and trust me the Contis are horrible. The best bang for you buck is the EX-L in my opinion. My kids use iPads and iPhones and have no need for a rear entertainment system. Nav would be nice, but I use my phone for that stuff on the fly. The one thing I will be keeping track of is the Tranny. Had an Accord with Tranny issues and hoping honda fixed it!

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  Good Honda! - 2002 Honda Accord
  By dowpwr - April 18 - 8:25 pm

  2002 EX V6. Put 230,000 miles on it. I bought it new. This has been a good car overall. Yes, it did have some transmission issues, but over 230k, it never let me down. The issue was between 1st and 2nd gear, but if you dont beat on it, it will last. Still original Tranny! It is noisy on the highway as well. Never had an electrical problem with the car, and it has never left me stranded. I took great care of the car, waxing it twice a year, changing fluids, etc. The paint started to fade out a bit after 10 years. Car was garage kept most of its life. Id buy another honda accord.

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  Hidden Gem - 2010 Honda Accord
  By jrasero23 - April 16 - 4:59 pm

  Odd to say an Accord is a hidden gem, but Honda sells thousands of more 4 door sedans compared to the 2 door coupes, so its easy to overlook the coupe. The coupe is 70% mid size sedan and 30% sports car. No one will ever think the Accord is a sports car, but with its sporty coupe shape, Bentley like back, and aggressive front the coupe looks great. Pair the coupe up with a V6 and you have 271 HP to whip you around. Where the coupe falls short from a sports car is steering which is numb and while the VCM saves gas, acceleration isnt always 100% smooth with the auto. By far the Accord coupe has one of the biggest backs and trunks for a coupe.

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  2003 used purshase - 2003 Honda Insight
  By wildbill53 - April 15 - 11:55 am

  I Bought it with 76,000 miles. IMA battery was replaced and all recalls/updates completed. I drive 240 miles a day from Tucson to Phoenix and back. I have 109,000 on it now. Fun to drive but does require a certain personality to drive. Meaning that you cant get on the gas all the time and expect the battery to stay charged. Also staying light on the gas will defiantly improve mileage. If I keep it around 65 I can get over 80 mpg going to Phoenix and around 65 on the trip back(Phoenix is 1526 ft lower than Tucson). So my tank average is around 67 to 72. My worst is around 57mpg but that is a windy day, no drafting, A/C on and going 75+ mph. It can top 90+mpg with drafting and 62mph

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  VERY GOOD USED CAR - 2003 Honda Accord
  By hondas_rule - April 14 - 3:25 pm

  Bought this as my work car this past Christmas break with 121k miles on it. These are great cars but Honda did have some troubles with this new body style in 03. The V6s eat up transmissions if you are the type to mash the gas and make the transmission shift under full throttle acceleration. The 4 cyls dont seem to have transmission issues. I had to replace the cruise control switch on the steering column which was an easy and cheap fix ( $35 on eBay ). The driver side door lock actuator which requires taking the door panel off went bad ( $20 on eBay ). Drivers seat belt light on the dash wont go out even though I have it buckled. Not that big a deal. Overall a great car for $5800

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  BUILT FOR THE LONG HAUL - 2005 Honda Accord
  By hondas_rule - April 14 - 3:01 pm

  For the money the Accord EX-L 4 cyl is one of if not the best used car out there. Legendary dependability. Good on gas. Comfortable nice driving cars. Parts are cheap and easy to get. Cars are easy to work on. Bought mine with 38k miles. I do all the maintenance myself. The only thing I have had to fix with this car is the serpintine belt on the engine started to squeak at 100k so I replaced it. You can classify that as regular maintenance BTW. Car has 132k miles now and I need to adjust the valves since they starting ticking more than usual from a cold start. Its an easy job requiring no parts, just labor. 05, 06 & 07 Accord EX-L 4 cyls have to be the best used car period!

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  Coming from 10 years of Subaru - 2014 Honda CR-V
  By square85 - April 12 - 9:18 am

  Recently picked up a LX AWD model a few weeks ago after driving Subarus for 10 years. The Honda is much quieter and the seats are much more comfortable than my last Legacy. The folding rear seat mechanism is slick and has come in handy a number of times already. The radio is the base unit but sounds fine to me ears when streaming bluetooth. Now that I have the back up camera, I will never have a vehicle without it. MPG has been round numbers 21-22 in mixed NYC driving hope it goes a little higher once the engine breaks in more, I only have 480 miles right now. So far very happy with the purchase and look forward to many years of ownership.

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  CRV #2 Better than ever! - 2014 Honda CR-V
  By upstatenymom - April 10 - 5:20 pm

  My first CRV was a 2005 with 120,000 miles and other than routine maintenance the only extra cost involved was a single rear caliper repair. LOVED it! Totally reliable vehicle that never let me down. Test drove a 2014 EX-L and was amazed with the comfort and handling. The interior is open and comfortable. Love shifter location, more room up front than the Rogue and Rav4. Headlights are def not as bright as my 2005 but thats a positive for me...was tired of drivers flashing their lights at me assuming I had my high beams on when I didnt. The fog lights do help to illuminate the road well when using low beams though. VERY pleased with my newest CRV :)

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  Problems and how to deal with them - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By harrys1 - April 9 - 4:49 pm

  1. A/C compressor. Often is stator that pulls clutch in to engage the compressor, but dealer will replace compressor anyway--more money to dealer and less chance of car return. Stator costs $75 and takes 2-3 hr. to replace=$400 repair, not $1300 for compressor. 2. Power steering noise requires new reservoir NOT pump. There is TSB on this. Total parts and fluid around $45. Takes 20 minutes. 3.Transmission not shifting well. Honda changed fluid spec to DW1 from Z1. Put new fluid in before replacing transmission--requires 3 fill and drain cycles of 3.5 qt 4. Power doors. You need to lubricate channels at least yearly. My doors have no problems after 9 yr. and 130,000 miles and 3 kids.

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  How do you get excited about an appliance? - 2014 Honda Odyssey
  By obyone - April 7 - 12:07 pm

  This is the first and probably the last minivan. Based on recommendations we purchased this van with the only requirement being a powered tailgate. Most friends commented that we were moving backwards going from SUVs to a minivan. Personally didnt matter to me since I dont drive it.