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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  Do not buy this car like I did - 2007 Honda Accord
  By fcsys - June 23 - 1:40 am

  Do not buy this car you will be sorry if you do. You will not be able to resale it, because all the dealers know that they cannot resell this car. If you live in Hawaii you will only get 23 MPG and a car that make all kind of noises and is difficult and unpleasant to drive especially when going from auto stop to drive. And a hill out of auto stop, good luck. You will also be entertained by a load low harmonic pitch sound and vibration when braking from speeds over 35MPH. The hybrid battery will only last for 4 minutes of full use then you back to charging it. What using up gas to charge your hybrid, yep. If you have this car I feel for you. If you thinking about buying this car or any of the Honda hybrid models your making a mistake that will cost you 5 to 7 thousand dollars.

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  Overheating problems - 2005 Honda Civic
  By engs - June 21 - 11:22 pm

  I use to love driving my civic. It handled well and is suppose to be a safe car. The first four years I had the car I was very happy with it. Just over 100k miles while driving my daughter and my two young grandchildren from Fl to Pa it overheated on Interstate 95 at night. that was three years ago. Since, I havent been able to travel farther than 50 miles from home. We have had the car to many shops and they cant find the problem. You name it we replaced it. Still overheating! If you go to hondatech.com you will find this is a common problem with Honda. So next we will have the head gasket repair which may run as high as $1,500. Im not happy with Honda and would never buy another.

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  Hard Steering - 2012 Honda Accord
  By diwakar - June 18 - 12:36 pm

  Steering in 2012 makes of Accord is extremely hard and impossible to manauvre the vehicle with one hand.The previous versions including 2011 make had softer steerings and I dont know what made the company as good as Honda to come up with such poor steering. There is no comfort in driving this vehicle and the steering feels like that of a truck at slow speed

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  Vibration in steering when driving low speedand steering same time (walking speed, like parking) - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By chris_puente - June 18 - 11:07 am

  We got the Honda Pilot 2011, since it was the best option for us in the market. I have this SUV already a year and so far I have only one issue/ concern with it. I brought the car to the Honda Dealer for schedule oil change. I made them clear that I feel vibrations and noise coming from the steering wheel during parking of the car ( you have the steer for parking) or when driving out, all this vibrations are very noticeable at low speed. I did a drive with the mechanical specialist from Honda where he said that this is the first time he got that vibrations. I request to do comparison with another pilot, same year, and till today I am waiting for their feedback. issue with hydraulic oil?

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  Probably Best Looking accord, but otherwise mediocre. - 2001 Honda Accord
  By jagalag - June 9 - 8:59 pm

  Im not going to talk about reliability, because that is assumed, demanded and granted for this brand of car. A/C motor is weak, My kids R/C car has more power!!! Battery cables suck, they corrode like nobodys business, even if you put those inexpensive greasy, fuzzy red and green washers on the terminals. Front seats give you back pain, butt pain, and are incahoots with an unforgiving suspension. Seats on my 5th gen. 96 EX accord were much better. I have no idea what all these other reviewers are yapping about, but fuel economy is DEPLORABLE!!! Dealer replaced the transmission under warranty, but you wouldnt even expect Hondas design team to screw it up! Just knocking on wood now!

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  Eh... Automatic DX - 1999 Honda Civic
  By laken - May 21 - 4:28 pm

  As you read this, please keep in mind that this was my second vehicle and I purchased it from an individual who bought it new from the dealership. When I purchased the vehicle in 2010 the guy handed me a grocery bag full of receipts from all of the maintenance he had to do while he owned it - red flag #1. 2 years later I have had to replace the exhaust manifold and the radiator. Also, the air conditioner is broken and I refuse to fix it for $900. Im pretty sure it eats spark plugs and wires because Ive replaced them twice. It sounds terrible when Im driving on the highway, shaking & whatnot. However I do drive it a lot and I have put about 40k miles on it and I also get 35-40MPG.

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  Nice Car but Having Some Mechanical and Mileage Issues - 2012 Honda Civic
  By happykt1 - May 20 - 6:43 am

  I like my car even though it looks like a 10 year old fuddy duddy Toyota Camry from the rear. With the Eco Assist on, the acceleration is very mediocre on this car. I also havent gotten over 30 mpg because of stop and go traffic on the freeways in Austin Tx, which is a huge disappointment to me. I expected better especially since I keep the car in the green zone according to the Eco Indicator quite often. The first month I had the car, it stalled out twice and I was going to take it in but the problem went away. However, four months later in 90 degree heat, the car is once again stalling out, especially in the morning. I only have 5.4 K on the car and drive 22 miles a day to and from work.

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  A good car, not great. - 2011 Honda CR-V
  By g35twilight - May 10 - 9:32 pm

  6500 miles on the odo. Made it through our first northern Idaho winter with no problems. With winter tires we were able to get around almost as if there was no snow or ice on the roads. Gas mileage has been acceptable but not great, averaging 20mpg in mostly town driving. Other than the winter performance, I find it difficult to get very fired up about this car. The transmission shifts up and down abruptly, the interior is noisy and as mentioned below, the headlights are terrible. Weve also had some issues with the sunroof refusing to close. I have no doubt the car will start every time and get me where I need to go but some details need to be addressed.

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  My worst purchase ever - 2011 Honda Insight
  By vadbrown - May 9 - 7:15 pm

  I loved the test drive. I should have spent more time doing it. I would have found out what was wrong. I realized it was a mistake to buy the car as soon as I got on the highway after leaving the dealership. I noticed several bad things immediately - road noise, very bumpy ride and no passing power. After driving it for a few days commuting back and forth to work, I began having horrible headaches. This was the thing that really made me sell the car. My guess is that it had something to do electromagnetic radiation from the hybrid motor and wires that go through the cabin. Never buying a hybrid again until they do studies on this. Lost $7k selling it back in 2 months.

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  55mph Humming - 2012 Honda Pilot
  By baron1797 - May 9 - 4:16 pm

  Well... where do I start. I have had a lot of issues with my 2012 Pilot... starting with the replacing the brakes, roters, tires by 12k. Yeah you heard me correct. I had to replace them because later found out at 18k that the front barrings were shot. Now at 26k... I have a LOUD humming noise which absolutely drives me bonkers. I hate driving my car... I changed my music from Coldplay to loud punk so I do not have to listen to that humming noise. This is my 4th Honda... this one has been my problem child.