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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  It is bad experience to have honda CR -V. - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Kim, kiyoung - November 10 - 10:34 am

  I have a honda CR-V 2015 only 3000 miles drive. I felt my brand new car shaken a lot. When I visited dealership, one answer there is normal. How can it be? Brand new car vibration was like 20 years old car. I am very disappointed. I will never buy honda car at all.

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  DO NOT BUY CRV OR ANY HONDA - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Jason - October 16 - 9:50 am

  I wrote 2 letters to Honda about the vibration they keep replying to me its a feature of the car.. I never get a written letter back only voice mail.. DO NOT BUY HONDA BOYCOTT HONDA.. They screw a lot of people on a car and they wont buy it back because its not a "safety" issue.. Car was fix the only way to not feel it is to use headlights.. I buy a car and I get a lemon I WOULD NEVER EVER BUY HONDA.... no body even the lemon lawyers wont help.. God bless America.. Going back to American cars I will never buy Honda again. Also cheap car I wounded how many beer cans they use lol

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  Bad investment for an hybrid - 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid
  By RA - October 12 - 8:01 pm

  Poor mpg average is 40 instead of 48-52. Radio/ radio Bluetooth is given problem and dealers can’t fix it. Bad customer service at Honda

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  First gas grizzlers from Honda? - 2003 Honda Element
  By RobertCollins - September 28 - 2:00 am

  Hey I have just bought the car, I love the space inside, it is like another little living room just for myself and my dog. But, wait, why does it consume so much gas???? I thought that Honda cars are better than others in terms of gas-mileage. Does anyone else has the same problem? I averaged only about 18 mpg in 90% city and 10% freeway of driving. My civic gives me 28 mpg in same driving manner.

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  No longer an SUV - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Mike - August 6 - 10:16 am

  The redesigned Pilot is more of a minivan than an SUV. Just sitting behind the wheel makes you feel like your in a minivan with the lack of a center console and flimsy fold down arm rests. The quality of the materials is very good, however it does not drive well. The ride is very smooth, but the steering is very light and does not feel stable. There is a heavy bottom weighted feel that is very weird and unnatural. You really can not feel the road at all. The lane watch feature and the back up camera are welcomed safety features, however the touch screen display is just annoying and is cumbersome to operate. I personally do not like it, nor do I care for the push button start. These are not welcomed features. The one touch seat decline/ movement is a nice feature, but more money and engineering should have gone into the steering and handling to make this a better handling vehicle. Sadly, the salesman told me very few people that have driven the new Pilot have liked the way it handled. I am not sure what Honda was thinking, but they need to go back to the drawing board on this.

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  Not the typical Honda quality - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Marilyn - August 5 - 8:16 am

  CVT Transmission failed within year 1 of ownership. Dealership service wasnt prepared to do the repair and spend days talking to Honda Tech Support. Collectively spent near a month with a loaner. Service department sent me home without completing routine maintenance twice stating the car didnt need to be serviced even though the service warnings were present. Overall this is an experience I hope to lay to rest very soon. Hopefully this dump car with hold its value when Im trying to trade it in.

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  Not the typical Honda quality - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Marilyn - August 5 - 8:16 am

  CVT Transmission failed within year 1 of ownership. Dealership service wasnt prepared to do the repair and spend days talking to Honda Tech Support. Collectively spent near a month with a loaner. Service department sent me home without completing routine maintenance twice stating the car didnt need to be serviced even though the service warnings were present. Overall this is an experience I hope to lay to rest very soon. Hopefully this dump car with hold its value when Im trying to trade it in.

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  DO NOT BUY THIS CAR!!! - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Lindsay - July 13 - 9:43 am

  I bought my 2009 Accord, and I HATE it. I have previously owned 2 civics and an Acura CL and this Accord is by far the lowest quality car of them all. After two months the paint on the front started chipping and Honda refuses to do anything about it. It has been the WORST customer service experience EVER. I am trading in the car after 6 months of ownership. Seats are uncomfortable and the car is expensive for the quality. Gas Mileage could be better. I get about 400 miles per tank, but that is 18 gallons of fuel. PLEASE do not make the same mistake I did, Honda has really let the quality consumers are used to go downhill.

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  there are much better cars out there - 2003 Honda S2000
  By HondaMan - July 4 - 2:00 am

  I have always owned Hondas. I wish I hadnt got this one. I had a flat, and the tire wont fit in the back. All the power is at the very high RPM bands. it is cramped inside. There is no low end torque to speak of. Man what a waste.

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  Horrible Honda - 2004 Honda Civic
  By Nomer - June 1 - 10:00 am

  Never again, what a piece of junk. The transmission went out at a little over 5000 miles. The interior lights quit working. My dash lights flicker. The ride is less than comfortable and it doesnt have the get up and go I expected. No more Hondas for me!