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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  Car for the People - 2012 Honda Civic
  By Mary - September 1 - 9:54 am

  I am in my 60s and I cannot see the front end of my 2012 Civic. I will be taking it back. Honda is making cars for the dumbing down public. If you cannot see the front when driving, then you and everyone else is at risk.

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  bad car - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By bad car - August 14 - 12:16 am

  I thoughtn the car was cheaply made and it didnt last long before I had to have repairs....I would strongly reccomend American cars over Japanese cars because the Japanese are cheaply made....theyre like tinker toys and the engine was slow as a dog.

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  watch out before you buy 2018 odyssey - 2018 Honda Odyssey
  By Imran - July 25 - 6:44 am

  I just bought 2018 odyssey less then 1000miles and my rear entertainment system stop working and went to dealer and find out software problem and honda cannot fix it until they have new update software so I was upset because its not my fault honda has to replace with new RES but they are not so please before you buy make sure it works and its not only mine there so many people having same issues....Go to Odyssey forum and you will find details..

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  I hate it! - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Janey - June 16 - 2:33 pm

  This will be my last Honda or Japanese product. The build quality is terrible on this thing. It rattles and squeaks with only 4000 miles on it. I had to have the whole Nav system replaced. Every bump in the road makes the cd player skip. My other car is a honda too (2004 Accord). It has already had the transmission replaced on it, as well as not wanting to run in the wet or cold weather. Japanese quality? Never heard of it.

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  bad customer service - 2017 Honda CR-V
  By Deb - June 15 - 1:26 pm

  Look closely at paint especially the lift gate....underneath mine had like paint bubbles or runs and now it is chipping off...found several on lots with the same thing...just have not chipped off yet....customer service was the worst...dont expect help from corporate because they do not care...I have owned several Hondas and asked them if they were ok with the fact that they would lose me as a customer...and they had no concern

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  WARNING!! - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Flyingpaperman34 - June 9 - 2:00 am

  This has been the worst Vehicle ever! My wife and I bought it for 4000 dollars over the retail price! We have only 22000 miles on the odometer and it has had many problems the power sliding doors have numerouse problems the right side doesnt even work. the left side almost closed on my daughters hand!My next van will be a Chrysler! Numerouse problems with the transmission(and I do not shift it while the car is moving)Transmission Fully Replaced At 10000 miles Luckily it was coverd by warranty! Tons of problems with climate control to! Heres a note to edmunds STOP REFFERING THIS VAN!!!!!! ITS A PIECE OF JUNK! Also the climate control is not working properly!

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  New car needs new transmission in 1 year! Beware! - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Disappointed Honda Owner in Florida - June 1 - 3:29 am

  I bought my 2015 CRV last year and immediately had difficulty with the vehicle shuddering and then stalling. Now a year later, the transmission has been replaced, but the experience has been horrible. I had to call Honda corporate and have a case manager because the repairs, even though they were all under warranty, took more than a week to get approved before they could even order parts or begin repairing it. I was without my car for all of that time, and they wouldnt approve a rental because they said the car was drivable. ( I did finally get a rental, but only for the last 2 of 10 days) If the car needs a new transmission, how it that considered drivable and safe? 10 days later I had my CRV back, and I immediately took it to another dealer and traded it in. I have lost confidence in Honda products and in their service department. I have always owned Hondas, but never again.

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  Never by an Civic - 2001 Honda Civic
  By Gail_VI - May 29 - 10:00 am

  Straight off the lot this car gave me problems, stalling in the street, radio scanning on its own. Finally that got fixed after less than 2 years somthing on the car is clunking. I never had any of these experiences with my Nissan Sentra. Hondas in my opinion are OVER- RATED. Im not the only one in the VI having HONDA problems. Is it the car or the dealer?

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  Just Another 2016 Lemon - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Lanie - May 28 - 5:24 am

  Worst mistake I ever made. My 2016 Pilot was purchased new in March 2016. First problem was the transmission searching for gears, "thats normal, just v-tec". Second was the AC only blows out of vents at 67 degrees, 55 when they "fixed" it but in the South, that makes the air temp of the car 87+ depending on the weather, but "that is normal". Fuel economy, thats a joke! 13.1 average but "that is my driving style". Fourth, popping in the front end, "cannot duplicate". Fifth, put the car in drive and it wont go, "thats downhill assist and normal". Sixth, car wont start but that "cant be duplicated and it might have been because the driver didnt press the brake". Seven, no heat! So no AC during the summer and now no heat during the winter, that is "just the new normal with these new EPA regulations". Eight, the radio may or may not pickup local channels but "thats normal". Nine, the radio and camera dim to where you cant see it, but "cant be duplicated". Ten is when you press the gas to go and the transmission doesnt catch a gear, that my friends is why I traded this car today.

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  Frustrated and Disappointed!! - 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour
  By WR - May 22 - 4:48 am

  The VCM system is a disaster. I have 2010 accord crosstour with cylinder misfire, oil consumption, and fouled plugs. While driving to work, I experienced a loss of power and check engine light came on. I limped to a local garage that services asian vehicles. He read the code (misfire cylinder 1), pulled the plug (fouled), and checked oil (2.25 quarts low). Within 10 minutes he diagnosed the problem and told me there was a class action lawsuit forcing Honda to extend the warranty for this condition. Great I will visit the local Honda Dealership. Upon arriving I spoke with the service manager, explained the situation and he was well aware of the issue but wouldnt do anything because the code had to be read at the dealership with their equipment (code had been cleared by previous mechanic). I called Hondas corporate office and spoke with a representative and the response was the same: must read code at the dealership. Wow! How could I possibly benefit from fixing this issue (I felt like I had done something wrong). This issue has been known by Honda and it took losing a law suit for a resolution (which is difficult - hopefully breakdown occurs near a dealership) to be reached. I feel the company is chasing the bottom dollar and the customer is 2nd. My question: if this were the 1st vehicle Honda had built, where would this company be today? The representative I spoke with said she would make note - what does that even mean? She told me I could submit a request for reimbursement of my costs from the previous shop (would I really be reimbursed after experiencing the above behavior). This is not about the $70 I spent, it is about doing the RIGHT thing. Sincerely, Frustrated and Disappointed!!