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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  troublesome - 2008 Honda Civic
  By charley33 - March 13 - 4:30 pm

  I have this civic since new. Its got 60k miles. During that time I have the cv joint replace 5 times and battery replaced once under warranty. I had the starter replaced once at 40k miles for $500 and engine mount replaced once at 59k miles for $300. Now I think my civic has a suspension problem. I wonder if honda quality have declined or my dealership (northwest honda, MD) is incompetent and causing problems.

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  Disappointed - 2008 Honda Accord
  By 2008accord1234 - March 2 - 11:09 am

  This car is not typical Honda. As in the other posts, there are many rattles with this car. I believe the cheap plastic cover over the rear speakers accounts for one. Dash panels do not line up properly. My brakes made it to 48k, which I guess is pretty good condsidering others experience. The VCM is very noticable. On long flat highways, it constanty switches from the 4 to 3 mode which causes a shutter (and nausea). The seats are terrible. Way too hard and too much lumber even in the min setting. After a road trip, your back aches from the seats and you want to throw up from the VCM. Get 29 on the highway. Avg 24 summer, Summer, 21 winter.

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  Disappointed! - 2012 Honda Odyssey
  By mom_on_the_go - February 23 - 8:56 pm

  We purchased a new 2012 Odyssey in Dec. I traded in my 2008 Sienna with over 100,000 miles. Big mistake!!! I really enjoyed driving the Sienna. It was easy to maneuver and I had no problems getting in and out of parking spaces. It also had nice leg room in the front. The Odyssey leg space is so small my husband sits in the back with the kids even on short trips around town. The worst parts are the SLOW back doors and the fact you have to hold down on the remote key for 3 seconds before the doors begin to open. Big issue- the car pulls to the left when going over 60 mph in fast lane. Service dept said it was because of minor slant in road for drainage?!?!

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  There are better options out there - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By oc_kdawg - February 20 - 5:32 pm

  It handles like a truck and not an SUV on a uni-body chassis as claimed. It is under powered and not very responsive. I travel for work and have had other SUVs that put Pilot to shame in terms of performance. DVD navigation is already outdated, dont pay for it, use your phone and have better technology. Voice recognition is horrible. No other way to add/delete/pair phones. I rented a Toyota and it took less than 15 seconds to learn how and pair a phone. Plus it played music through BT. Sound system in this "loaded" Pilot sounds horrible. Honda will not be on our short list when its time to replace. Theyve lost touch with whats important to consumers, hence Civic redesign.

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  Civic quality getting worse - 2012 Honda Civic
  By pa_rs - February 15 - 2:28 pm

  I just bought an LX manual, and ... basically I m kind of dissatisfied.I traded in an LX 2000 manual that lasted me 12 years which I think had better interior fit/finish and less road noise. I dont see this car lasting that long. When above 60mph the road noise is really unacceptable. No carpet on the inside but a weird flimsy material that looks like what they put under the mattress box to cover the springs. The 2 level dashboard is BS. Must have been designed by a drunk engineer because the speedometer is perfectly covered by the steering wheel. why didI get it?looks good,handles well, good mpg,i-pod hookup. Like the climate control that stay the way you put them and dont reset

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  Mine must be a lemon?? - 1994 Honda Accord
  By jsalter - February 10 - 10:55 am

  Im not sure what everyone else is raving about regarding how great and reliable this car is, because mine has been quite the opposite. I bought mine in 2007 with 98k miles on it from a friend who had just replaced the timing belt. Still, over the past 5 years, I have replaced more things on this car than I ever have on any of my other vehicles Ive ever owned. Ive owned 3 Hondas in the 90s, 2 Toyotas in the 90s, 2 Nissans 80s, a Volvo 90s, and a Pontiac 80s. This was the worst car out of all of them.

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  Transmission - 2002 Honda Accord
  By xyz14 - February 7 - 8:36 pm

  I had transmission breakdown in my 2002 Accord EX, 4-cyl just close to 70,000 miles. The dealer price was $3500. This was too much and I got it fixed outside for $1500 which is not performing very good. Now I am hearing from several mechanics that you are lucky if you did not have transmission issues with a Honda before reaching 100,000 Miles. Note that Honda transmission flush needs the most expensive oil and costs more than some luxury cars may be to compensate for their bad design.

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  Nice but poor MPG - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By randluke - January 29 - 5:47 pm

  My wife and I bought a new 2012 2WD CRV EXL. The handling and Interior design aspects of the CRV are nice. But for a model that is touting its fuel efficiency it does not deliver. I am getting 16 mpg in the city. Not at all what I expected.

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  documented torque converter problems...DON"T BUY - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By hapeacres - January 27 - 11:08 pm

  I purchased a used 04 Pilot with 100K from a used car lot for 9,000. The car drove great during the test drive. On the way home I felt a "rumble strip" like noise under the car when exiting the highway at about 40 mph. I found out that the torque converter is a common problem and leads to transmission failure on the 03 to 05 Pilots. Acura did recall on this same problem. Why not Honda? Are they waiting for someone to die? My car was bought "as is" so I am S*** out of luck. I am still a Honda fan as I bought an 08 CRV for my wife which performs flawlessly, as well as two ATVs which I beat the snot out of. However, I am ready for a class action suit on this one!

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  Worst vehicle Ive owned, by far - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By greghodg - January 25 - 1:14 pm

  Good looking, comfortable for six, fun to drive, it should have been a great van. We bought this van new in 2005 after our third child was born. Quick list of problems - vibration in steering (through multiple sets of tires and countless rebalancing), replaced starter, power steering pump, alternator. Rear motor mount went at about 50k miles ($800 covered by honda out of warranty). Both power doors have been repaired, and both are still flakey and frequently dont work. But really the biggest one is that the A/C has been replaced THREE times, at almost exactly one year intervals. First time cost me $1400, second time honda covered it, third time they split the cost. Just awful.