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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  New 2016 Odyssey -- First 1,000 miles - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By Jim Carlins - October 30 - 10:00 pm

  The main difference between models is features. The basic vehicle is the same. There is no factory protection applied to the fabric interior. A real oversight for a vehicle to carry around sloppy children, or in our case grandchildren. I added a dealer protection package which included interior and exterior clear coat and was the only option. It would be better to negotiate this adder before agreeing to purchase. Internet pricing for the dealers allowed me to get the best price and the color I wanted. I highly recommend using it for your shopping.

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  So Fun & Stylish! - 2006 Honda Civic
  By mayday2779 - October 30 - 8:56 pm

  Purchased this car November. I had to wait 3 weeks for the car, but well worth it. I have over 2,000 miles. Great in snow and rain held the road great. Love the new design. People are always turning heads. Smooth ride! Cant even hear engine. Cabin Noise is so Quiet. Got over 40mpg on highway! Comfy seats. Love big windshield. Great turning radius. Looked at Prius and this is more stylish and about 5K $ cheaper! Very spacious for a compact car. Highly reccomend this car!! I never write reviews but had to with this car.

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  My 2nd CRV - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Shoshana Mahler - October 30 - 7:37 pm

  Its no mistake Ive owned two CRVS. I love these cars. Hondas are the best.

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  2016 pilot Elite transmission is crap - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Glenn Kim - October 30 - 7:29 pm

  Loved the Elite. Great car. Took it to Telluride and San Diego from El Paso during the summer both about 9 hour drives. Splurged for the AWD, top of the line. Last week when I was driving it , I noticed the transmission jerking and not shifting appropriately. Mind you I did two summer cruises in this car. Few days later my wife tells me the car is accelerating in a jerking way. I told her I noticed it too and suggested we take it to the dealer. Guess what, the computer found nothing. The car is not the same. They have a new fancy 9 speed transmission and it has PROBLEMS! I did a quick Google search and I am not alone. Honda is not addressing it , like the Takata air bag issues. BTW I have a 2009 Ridgeline waiting for new air bags to arrive on recall. I will open up a case with Honda North America and take it back to the dealer if the problem persists. I am sure they will say its my imagination. My options are burn the car, sell the damn thing or trade it in for a lower level pilot with the old 6 speed transmission. I should have known a new model with new this, that new fancy transmission might have new PROBLEMS. My Mercedes CLS 500 the first year they made it has been in the shop more times than I can count. I thought Honda was different than the fancy German cars but I was wrong. It was the Pilot, Audi Q7, Toyota Highlander, and several others with 3 rd row of seats my wife looked at. Honda had the best reviews, picked 2016 SUV of the year. Thats why we bought it. Now I am ready to crash the damn thing into the dealership and set it on fire. Buyer be ware. The new fancy 9 speed transmission has problems. Others might not notice it . It can be a subtle difference, but we did because of our summer road trips. I guess a few dozen people have to die for Honda to wake up. Just like the air bags.

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  Poor build quality - 2017 Honda CR V
  By Brett - October 30 - 5:57 pm

  Hood and tailgate came misaligned from the factory. Large gap on one side and almost touching the surrounding body panel on the other side for the hood. Tailgate flush to surrounding body panel on one side and inset with larger gap difference on the other side. Dealership acknowledged issue but diverted me to Honda to resolve. Usually this is something you only need to look for in a Used vehicle to check if it has visited a body shop before. Not something that crosses your mind to look for with a new vehicle. Overall driving is good but does have more road noise than an MDX or larger vehicle. Gas mileage is good. Interior is nicely laid out. CarPlay works great for navigation and playing music from Amazon Prime or Pandora. Bluetooth phone works great using an iPhone 6s or newer. Heater painted on lines on back tailgate window peel off if the dealer tapes your temporary license on the lines.

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  Honda has a winner - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By zeroagenow - October 30 - 11:20 am

  Honda has made a truck that performs, is fun to drive, very safe, affordable and not only out innovates all others but does so in a way that will affect truck manufacturing in years to come. All you have to do is test drive one and you can feel right away the difference between the Ridgeline and all other trucks ever made. They beat out the engineering of all competitors and for a better price so the only thing you can ask for is even more standard features I guess. No I dont work for Honda!

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  The CRV is a great SUV!! - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By Ute Vilfroy - October 30 - 9:13 am

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  Rid of the gas guzzling pickup - 2008 Honda Civic
  By John from El Paso TX - October 30 - 3:33 am

  OK, I went from a crew cab, fully loaded, Nissan Titan LE pickup to the Civic EX-L -- and I have not had this much fun in a long time. I traded, taking not too bad a loss on the trade, because of the gas prices, and long-term questionable reliability of the Titan. The Civic EX-L Coupe is another story. I am 62" tall and weigh 240, yet I can easily get in and drive this little pocket rocket and feel very comfortable doing so. Styling is great, love the leather, and acceleration is whatever you want it to be. Some comments note a blind spot. Can you people not adjust your mirrors? Properly adjusted, you never have to turn your head to change lanes. Buy this car for fun and economy.

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  Should have bought a golf - 2007 Honda Fit
  By jimmy - October 30 - 12:30 am

  Total let down, everyone told me how great Honda is and I bought it. My friend picked up a golf and it is wayyy better. This cars just feels cheap. It looked kinda cool at first but after taking it all in I see that there cars are not as good as the rest of the honda line up

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  Honda Accord Hybrid Poor MPG - 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid
  By Shawn Wilcox - October 29 - 3:58 pm

  My wife and I purchased a new 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid in late 2016. We expected to see around 40 - 48 Mpg from this car. With now over 1000 miles on this car we have managed to average 32.4 Mpg from this car. We have been driving this car as we would any other vehicle that we have owned. The car does not go into electrical mode unless you going under 20 Mph and is rarely seen at highway speeds of 65 Mph. We live in the Northern part of the United States and the Dealership is telling us that due to the cold weather and different gasoline blends used in Winter this is normal. We will be reviewing the mpg vs the pump calculation the next time that we fill up. The car looks and rides nice, but if you are looking to save money at the pump or think you are helping the environment by getting a hybrid car, stay away. My suggestion would be to buy the Accord with a 4 cylinder motor and skip the electric portion since it really serves no benefit besides taking up trunk room for the batteries that are never being used.