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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  Great Little Car! - 2005 Honda Civic
  By Kimyung - September 19 - 7:14 am

  I had this car from 82K to 135K miles. I had the stick shift model. I would have kept it too, but I got rear ended and they totaled the car out. I didnt do anything to the car besides a tune up and basic maintenance. Im really happy with my experience with this car. The AC compressor started to go towards the end. Ive only driven Hondas my whole life and I have had it happen a couple of times. I wish I didnt get hit, Id still be driving this little car.

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  Worst Accord Ever according to my mechanic - 1998 Honda Accord
  By Kimyung - September 19 - 7:08 am

  I had this car some years ago, the V6 model was a bad one for them. I think they made the engine too big for the transmission or something like that. Beyond that, there were a bunch of electronic problems. I think the 98-02 model was just bad for the V6 automatics, I cant speak for the 4 cylinders.

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  MUST READ- SERIOUS VIBRATION PROBLEM - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Ashok - September 18 - 11:17 am

  I recently bought a Honda CR-V EX-L W/Navigation. I did test drive a CR-V and it was ok but, I changed my mind for another color and bought a same car with different color assuming both performs the same. Honda CR-V has a serious problem of VIBRATION. When the car drives at some particular speed (like 20-30 and 50-60 mph) or if the vehicle is stopped at a signal or a stop sign, the car vibrates like anything. HONDA KNOW THIS ISSUE but selling cars without fixing the issue. When I noticed the problem just after a couple of days and took my car to the dealer, they said " THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. HONDA KNOW THIS PROBLEM. WE CANT DO ANYTHING AS THIS HAS NO FIX YET. WE DONT KNOW HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE TO FIX THIS ISSUE. WE WILL LET YOU KNOW ONCE WE HAVE ANY FIX. THIS HAPPENED TO ACCORD 2 YEARS BACK AND FIXED AFTER A WHILE. EXCEPT THIS ISSUE, YOU GOT A NICE CAR". I dont know what they mean by NICE car if it has a serious problem in the core, and the NICE car they said costs $32000. So, please make as many test drives as possible. Dont get disappointed after buying the car. Dont just trust the car by its brand image (as I did). i assume that my warranty period would be completed by the time they got a fix for this and I may have to pay again for the fix. VERY DISAPPOINTED.

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  So Uncomfortable . . and Dirty! - 2014 Honda Accord
  By gina - September 17 - 3:59 pm

  Ive had my car for just over a year. I love the way this car performs. Its smooth, quiet, peppy, gets great gas mileage, and is and good looking. BUT Im a 52" female and cannot get comfortable in the front seat! Its hard yet has absolutely no lumbar or side support. Ive tried every imaginable configuration including bringing pillows from my house. Body fatigue sets in after only a half hour of driving. Also, the fabric on the seats is horrible. It shows every bit of dirt. Its entirely unforgiving and although Ive only had my car for a year the front seats are very dirty. Ive tried washing them with upholstery shampoo but theyre still dirty. The door handle is another problem some genius at Honda decided to put cloth on it! So youre grabbing cloth (beige in my case) every time you open the door.

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  Great car - 2011 Honda Civic
  By jay clark - September 17 - 3:53 pm

  bought it new, so far 85,000 miles not one major problem, it is a little noisy on the highway, tire noise, great in town, one of the best cars I ever owned. Dealership is OK I guess have never been there again, except to look for a new car last week In town it is the best, for traveling it is a bit small, next car will be accord or like, more trunk room for traveling but we love the civic. I average 30 mpg in town and around 40 on the highway, only problem is the trunk lock (inside the car no longer works, can release it and open it from outside but Honda had a lock so you could not release the trunk from inside and it does not work, stuck otherwise no problems in 85,000 miles, pretty good now days! would recommend it to anyone needs reliable transportation, not luxury for sure but very dependable and inexpensive

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  Great interior but missed the mark on engineering - 2014 Honda Odyssey
  By MrD - September 17 - 11:37 am

  I have a 2014 Oddy EX-l. Loved it when we bought it. Interior is much roomier and more refined compared to sienna. Fuel economy is great too. However, this is the first new Honda I had that had problems this soon. Rattle in the tailgate on rough roads. Warped rotors at under 20k miles (warranty is only for 12k), I do not drive it hard and never had this problem before. Strange Chubaka-like noise when turning in parking lots some time. Windshield wipers skipping instead smoothly swishing over the windshield (dealership replaced them but that didnt fix it). Tailgate turned out to be a little misaligned when we took it on to repair the rattle for the second time (we never did anything to it). Of course there is also the infamous kick when decelerating to about 10-15mph and stepping on gas again. No codes for that Honda reset the computer and said operation seems normal. Tires will likely need to be replaced before our 2 year safety check (at about 30k miles), because Honda put on cheap tires. I expected much higher quality from Honda. Our Accord and CRV had 0 problems.

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  Best Ive had in 50 years of driving - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By Frank - September 17 - 9:47 am

  Not enough superlatives. At 140k original brake still good. Replaced battery at 120k. Oil change every 5 with synthetic.

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  The Last of the Simple Hondas.... - 2000 Honda Civic
  By Kris - September 16 - 6:45 pm

  Absolutely love this car! Purchased a respectable example with low-mileage five years ago. Gave it a very comprehensive service and full detail and she has been running like a clock ever since then. Almost 130k and it consistently nets me 38-45mpg with a mix of 80% highway and 20% city driving. Although highway merging requires planning with only about 105hp, the 5sp manual helps control the power band better than the automatic. Winter conditions in an FWD are no problem with good tires and a manual. Interior has worn very well for its age. Although not modern, it is simplistic, which is a major antithesis to the gadget-laden stuff on sale today. Hatchback is cavernous for its size with folding seats. Exterior has held up mostly well, although there are initial signs of a few rust bubbles around the rear wheels. Washed monthly and hand-waxed every couple of months has kept the paint mostly bright. Lives up to the "bulletproof Honda" mantra. High-quality synthetic and filter every 7500mi. Issues I have had are very minor (cracked distributor cap, frozen crank window regulators, lower ball joints, wonky A/C clutch) and have been low-cost to fix with good parts. Normal schedule for filters/fluids and preventative replacement of major wear components in the last 40k miles (clutch, brakes, full exhaust, shocks/struts, ball joints, etc.) should see this car get to 200k no problem. Id most certainly buy one again!

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  LOVE LOVE LOVE MY HONDA!!! - 2013 Honda Accord
  By Kayla - September 16 - 5:59 pm

  I bought my 2013 accord about 2 months ago pretty much brand new!!! it was a rental with only about 9k miles!!! so take my review into consideration knowing I am a picky ass 20 year old female! i love everything about the car! I fall more in love with it all the time. I sometimes get 38.5 mpg!! the radio & entertainment is very user friendly & safe to use while driving! & dual climate control is my best friend. very roomy full sized car, could fit 2 car seats very nicely in the back maybe even three! I love that it is a full size car (good for family!!) but still has a very nice sporty look!!! I find it to be very comfortable, not to mention the back up camera is a life saver! Ive experienced no problems & have no complaints. wouldnt trade my car for the world & would recommend to ANYONE!!! :)))

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  its awesome - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Andy - September 16 - 3:11 pm

  Ive owned this car for only a couple months but its amazing how good this car is it gives me about 28-30 mpg and its not a slow car all i had to do was the regular service(oil and filter change) it has a 106,000 miles and it feels like it has a long way ahead of it