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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  Some Issues - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By Honda owner - October 25 - 3:28 pm

  Two big problems with the 2000 Odyssey. First, the transmission tends to break and has design issues. Second, the automatic sliding doors tend to break also. Both of them on my Odyssey have had issues, and are expensive to fix. Other than those, it is comfortable and handles well for a minivan.

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  97 SE accord - 1997 Honda Accord
  By SeattleGirl - October 25 - 11:53 am

  I purchased this car with 55,000 miles on it in Nov 00. I now have 140,000 and its still going. Do regular oil changes and maintenance. The dealer tells me the oilpan has slight leak, which I wont pay to repair and they say I might never need to repair (pricey fix, like about $1000). Slow window motors, weak AC, great gas mileage, reliable car that looks good too. Ill drive it until it dies, which I hope isnt before 200,000 miles. It is my daily driver to work, Id love to get a new one but cant see getting rid of such a great car. It was worth the $14,000 paid 7 years ago.

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  Happy Honda motoring - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By RCM - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Overall, we are very happy with our purchase. A couple of things that I have noticed, as have other Pilot owners, are that the leather on the seats tends to get unattractive wrinkles in it quite easily and the paint seems to scratch/chip quite easily. The Pilot is a solid vehicle which provides the room and seating capacity of a van and the versatility of 4WD. On a trip to Colorado right after our purchase, the DVD entertainment system was worth its weight in gold with our two young children riding in the back. We averaged in the low 20s for mileage.

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  2015 Honda CRV EX-L - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By kingairpilot - October 23 - 6:40 pm

  Our family purchased a 2015 CRV EX-L in October. Since then we have put about 5,000 miles on the vehicle. I think it is a good car; however, we have run into some issues. To me, road noise seems like it is still there. I guess it depends on what you are comparing it to. My second car is a 2003 Toyota Tacoma, so compared to that, the road noise isnt bad. Second, the CVT: It isnt bad; however, after the car has warmed up, the shifter is in drive, engine is idling, and the car is stopped, you can notice a significant (annoying) vibration. Finally, at lower speeds it has the feeling you get when driving a manual and you have accidentally shifted from 1st gear to 3rd.

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  Wanted to tow my Harley in style - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By Russ Kubik - October 23 - 5:47 pm

  I was looking for a compact pickup to do some light towing, some low-stress off-road stuff and Home Depot for plywood or fertilizer. This RTL is the ultimate fusion of a luxury car and a utililitarian truck. The fit/finish is impeccable. The lockable bed trunk is amazing. No more cranking down the spare from underneath the bed if you have a flat. Its on a slide out tray in the bed trunk. Easier to get to than most car spares. Interior is well thought out from cup holders to flip up rear seats which yield plenty of room for 2 yellow labs in comfort. Only knock is blind spot caused by those "wings." Other than that, well, its a Honda so you know the reliability will be there.

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  Lots of bang for the buck - 2007 Honda Civic
  By ALB SNWBRDR - October 23 - 7:33 am

  The Civic SI has grown up, and so have I (....sort of). I recently purchased (3/08) a 2007 left over Civic SI sedan . I sold my 2005 Civic SI Hatchback. It was a great car. the 2007 has improved all of the features that I didnt like in the 2005 such as: less aggressive racing seats, adding a 6th gear, larger rims, and an armrest (front & rear). The 2007 is fast & can still can zig-zag through corners like a cars twice its price. The exhaust has a nice throaty sound.

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  Nice car, but... - 2017 Honda Accord
  By Jim Kay - October 22 - 5:13 pm

  Reading another Edmunds reviewer comments about their Accord wandering on the highway I have to agree, my Accord does the same thing when reaching speeds of 50 MPH or more. Should have taken on the highway during the test drive but this dealer was surrounded by roads with traffic and residential streets. I did get a great deal so I went for it. With that being said things I like - looks, comfort, CVT is really cool, dual temp controls as well as heated seats will come in handy when driving with my wife, auto head & tail lights setting so they come on when dark, fog lights included, dash and instrument panel looks great, lots of interior room. Im 62" and can sit comfortably with lots of head room and people can sit behind me with plenty of leg room. Back up camera helpful, bluetooth works fine, and for about $800 more you get the red thread stitched black leather seats with front buckets heated, worth it. Trunk is huge for a mid size. Car drives around town great. Dont likes - car wanders with speeds over 50 MPH. Wheel alignment checked and is fine. (?) So make sure you test on a highway before you commit. Radio sound Is just OK. Cup holders have retractable, square, kinda chinsy plastic pegs designed to firmly hold different width cups in place but rattled when I placed a paper coffee cup in it. Floor mats are kinda thin.

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  To Be Decided - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By JK - October 22 - 12:20 pm

  We took delivery of our 07 Odyssey only to be greeted by a dead battery the next day. The battery was found to be defective and the battery was replaced. The van is currently back at the dealership for replacement of the rear brake discs with 300 miles on the vehicle. THe service advisor defined this situation as "lot rot." I will presume that these are just issues that need to be worked out with delivery but so far this is the least reliable initial quality for any vegicle I have ever experienced. This is our first Honda but we have previously purchased new 3 Fords, 1 Saturn, 1 Chevrolet and 1 Saab and have never had any delivery issues like we have experienced with this vehicle.

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  great value - 2003 Honda Civic
  By Jeem - October 21 - 6:00 pm

  Great car, good on gas, needed struts after only 40000 mi. Had brake shake in the front and grinding in the rear. Three year/36000 warranty isnt very good.

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  I expected better from Honda - 2001 Honda Civic
  By CrackerJack - October 21 - 2:00 am

  I have been a long time believer in Honda but the 2001 Civic DX has really let me down. Apart from the small things that keep breaking...(gas cap release, peeling upholstery, constantly locking seal belts, the biggest dissappointment has been the pathetic suspension. The MacPherson struts had to be replaced at 30K. Now at 45K I am faced with having them replaced again. Honda has been very good at fixing everything under warranty, but Im going to trade the car in, because things arent going to stop breaking when the warranty runs out!