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 a Civic / Major quality problems - 2007 Honda Civic
  By Doug Hilbert - September 28 - 10:06 pm

  Bought new, maintained 100% on time at a Honda dealership. MAJOR transmission problems, major paint problems, total engine failure without warning at 131,000 miles. DO NOT buy this car, at any price.

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  Battery died - 2014 Honda Pilot
  By Tito espinal - September 28 - 6:51 pm

  I have a 2014 Honda Pilot EXL The car its been killing the battery for the past 5th on rounded days. I but the truck from paragon Honda in queens [contact info removed]

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  Do not buy this car - 2007 Honda Civic
  By Maggie - September 25 - 8:13 pm

  This is not a hybrid, do not pay the extra money! I previously owned a 2002 Prius but when it was up for renewal and had over 120k miles I thought it was a good time to trade it in. Thinking that Honda was a solid company I felt confident about buying the 2007 Civic Hybrid. It was the worst decision! Advertised mpg of 40+ I only get <27mpg - I could have spent thousands less for a regular Sudan with better gas mileage. The acceleration is also DANGEROUS with the IMA motor sometimes it will accelerate and then others it will barely move almost causing multiple accidents. Do not waste your money!!!

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  Is Honda pulling a Volkswagon? - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Roger Wright - September 24 - 3:45 pm

  Good news about the rough idle/vibration design flaw---they have acknowledged it exists. Bad news? Everything else. There is no word on when a fix will be available. And of course no clue as to what the constant vibrations mean to the long term stability of the car. No urgency because they arent killing anyone with the car or polluting the planet. They are simply selling a car that vibrates like crazy every time you stop in traffic. Nice huh? Im a lifetime Honda owner. Have never seen anything like this. A car that cant operate without vibrating --and Im talking serious vibrating and a rough idle that feels like you are about 3 seconds from a sputtering stop--a car that does that is a nightmare. Cause there is nothing you can do and no one cares. Stay away from this car!!!

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  It vibrates - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Ken - September 22 - 9:24 am

  This suv should be recalled due to excessive engine vibration at idle. Just imagine what this will be like in 5 years from now! Just test drive one to find out for yourself. Go with a Forester or Rav4 instead.

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  Very Disappointed Honda should be ashamed - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Nicole Franks - September 20 - 8:45 am

  As with other people. Wish never purchased this car. Dealer covers up the issue with vibration just to get them off the lot. Then will not acknowledge or make an attempt to help. It has gotten to the point that asked them to buy back the car. There offer a 5k loss. They admitted do not want to take the loss themselves nothing they could do. Sales manager showed me the door. Now car sitting in driveway with 59 payments to go.

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  Danger awaits unexpected acceleration - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Ron Walli - September 9 - 4:12 pm

  We bought our sixth -- and last -- new Honda in March 2015. We drove the CRV-EX AWD just 1,600 miles before trading it for a 2015 RAV4 because we experienced unexpected acceleration on several occasions and received no help from Honda. I was stunned. I couldnt believe how a longtime loyal Honda owner could be treated so poorly by Airport Honda in Tennessee and American Honda. I wanted American Honda to buy it back and told the representative that I would gladly pay for the mileage. Heres what happened: I took the car to Airport Honda on Aug. 26 so they could check it out. Since the problem was intermittent, I halfway expected that they wouldnt find a problem, especially given the way they treated me upon arrival. Despite showing them Internet reports of unexpected acceleration in CR-Vs, they said that they had never heard of such a problem. I explained that theres no way I would make this up since it caused me a lot of trouble taking off work and driving 40 miles (round trip) so they could see if they could "replicate" (wink, wink) the problem. The best I could get was a car that functioned properly. After keeping the car for two days, of course they told me the car was fine. So when it became obvious that the service department was of no use, I tried to trade the car for either a 2016 Pilot or another CR-V, although that prospect scared me somewhat because I didnt know if I could trust another CR-V. They said theyd call me with a trade figure, but they never did as they obviously didnt want the absolutely pristine gray CR-V with the added $500 options of a hood deflector, mud flaps and a sunroof visor -- all genuine Honda parts installed by Airport Honda. I called them back and spoke to Bruce Wayne (no kidding), and he wouldnt provide a trade figure many hours after he said theyd have those numbers in a few minutes. In the end, I lost several thousand dollars and all respect I had for American Honda and Airport Honda. Our RAV4 with a conventional six-speed transmission is rock solid and the dealer, Fox Toyota, is perhaps the most honest and best in America. Reports of Hondas decline certainly dont seem to be exaggerated based on my experience. Oh, and I forgot to mention how the CR-Vs engine sent vibrations through the cabin with the car in drive and the brake pedal depressed. Airport Honda acknowledged that problem but said there isnt a fix at this time. Anyway, I just hope no one gets killed in a CR-V when it takes off.

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  Vehicle stopped/not starting out of no reason - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Cheyyene - September 7 - 9:16 pm

  I dont know whether other 2015 CRV owners are facing similar issue or not. My vehicle once stopped all of a sudden for no reason while I was driving on highway. All the maintenance indicators of my car like Low Engine Oil Pressure, Vehicle Stability, Tire pressure, Battery etc got switched on and my vehicle came to stop. After several attempts to start it, it finally started after 40-45 minutes. Honda on-road support told that it would take around an hour to reach me, even though I was within the city limits. The same issue occurred when once I was starting the car. The car stopped within a few seconds of my starting it. After several attempts to start it, it finally started after 20-25 minutes. This happened twice for my 8 months old car.

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  Worst Vehicle I Have Ever Owned (out of 22 cars)! - 2012 Honda Civic
  By Bob Woliver - August 30 - 1:24 pm

  I will try to start positive here: this car would get 42-45 MPG on a routine basis in city driving and I got a peak of 55 MPG on the highway. Unfortunately, that was the only positive point about this vehicle! Honda redesigned the Civic Hybrid in 2013 for good reason. Wind noise from poorly fitting doors, an interior door panel that would bow in about a half inch when the power window hit the top, deafening road noise which included the sound of fuel sloshing in the tank, stumbling and hesitation out of stops, a film that would appear on the windows about every 2 weeks requiring they be cleaned, oil accumulation in the air filter during heavy load situations (fully loaded, highway driving) and uneven, rapid tire wear. At 24K miles the transmission (a CVT) started slipping and I traded the car.

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  Vibration Problem - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Judy Nelson - August 29 - 12:57 pm

  Please.please...before you buy one do your research on the vibration problem that Honda is saying is a characteristic of the new Honda 2015 CRV. Met with a Honda America guy 2 weeks ago and he is saying All the 2015 Honda CRV have a characteristic of vibration. It comes with all the new cars. Honda not willing to do anything about it. Driven Hondas all my life. Never agin. Even if you do not know it your car will vibrate. My car started vibration problem.. 2 months after I bought it. Please do not buy one. You will be sorry.