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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  Oil Burner - 2013 Honda Accord
  By myounger - November 8 - 6:55 am

  Im being generous giving this car three stars. My wife and I have owned this car for three years. Currently, the car has 20,000 miles on the odometer. Since day one this car has suffered from oil consumption, at least one quart, between oil changes. I change the oil every 4,000 miles with full synthetic, 0W-20. The dealer told me this was normal. Last week I got in the car and when I started the engine I could tell not all cylinders were firing. The car would barely idle and all warning lights illuminated. After a week in the shop the dealer discovered the number one cylinder had a fouled plug and the rings for that cylinder were aligned. This condition allowed oil to bypass the rings fouling the plug. The rings for this cylinder were replaced. The car runs better than day one and the VCM seems to work more efficiently and not as noisy. Only time will tell.

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  We got a LEMON! - 2015 Honda Odyssey
  By Kerri Tibbs - November 7 - 5:08 pm

  As owner of only Honda or Toyota for the past 20 years, this will be a fair and honest review because I want/wanted to love this van forever...really! Heres the good: overall feeling of Honda quality. The van is VERY well designed for families! Pretty sure a woman was involved in that aspect...theres a spot for everything and more. Love the looks in and out. Overall design is fantastic!! Feels very safe, LOVE the side view camera!!! Fuel efficiency is amazing, especially on highway we easily get 27-29+ MPG. What I hate: cheap feeling cloth interior and transmission! I do a lot of city driving and initial acceleration causes whiplash...very jumpy and noisy. So I wanted to say this is my favorite vehicle ever but unfortunately ours has been very troubled. At 2,000 miles the steering wheel randomly "popped" loudly while turning. Was told Im "the 1st one to have this complaint." It was very difficult to reproduce with Honda tech (of course!) but finally did. Tech said his wifes 2015 does this also. So dealer took new one off the lot and that one did it too!! After keeping my van a few days the dealership along with Honda tried to tell us it was normal. Trust me, if I heard this steering wheel pop when I drove it off the lot w/4 miles on it I would have brought it right back!!!! So finally at 3,800 miles at our insistence (we had to raise a stink) they did replace the steering column which has been a good fix so far. Next, at the 5,000 mile mark the sliding door motor failed causing the door to become STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION! This happened on a rainy holiday weekend. The van is not fun to drive with an open door! Eventually rain stopped and I was able to drive it to the dealership as other drivers honked/gestured at me. The tech couldnt get the door closed after trying for an hour. Required the entire interior being dismantled. New door motor from Honda ordered and installed but FAULTY! Another door motor finally did the trick. What a mess!! So glad we did a sign & drive lease as I think my van was assembled the day after the Super Bowl. My in-laws bought a 2015 EX-L the same week we did and have had no problems. Thankfully our dealership has taken care of us so far (reluctantly) but theres NO WAY Im keeping this van once the warranty is done!!! Its been "undriveable" 3 days PLUS 10 days in the shop over the course of 5 months. Honda IS NOT what it used to be :(

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  The vibrating is a small yet extremely irritating. - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Brit - November 5 - 9:45 pm

  I love the way the car drives, until you stop. While idling the car shakes enough to the point when I have got out I can still feel it in my back. Honda claimed to know nothing until I copped an attitude, they have been extremely helpful but can literally do nothing. Im young, first car I have ever purchased, I am not very happy to have a payment sky high when the car is not perfect. Ive had it for three weeks it should not be shaking. Also the vibration causes things in the car to vibrate and make a rattling sound which is also annoying. I have had issues getting out of the car because of where the E-Break is placed, my foot snags on it everyday. Another thing that bothers me is that when I put the car into "drive" it appears as its in drive but is actually in neutral. I was also told that there is a breaking system that wont let the car roll when you park on a hill, yet everyday it still rolls about two inches after putting it in park and putting the E-Break on. I am very annoyed with the car, I will not be buying from honda again. The vibration is what irritates me the most, the other things I mentioned would not bother me as much is those were the only things wrong with it.

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  DO NOT PURCHASE 2015 - VIBRATION IS AWFUL - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By SANDRA SPURLOCK - November 4 - 3:40 pm

  Cannot believe Honda is still selling this vehicle with all its issues. There should be a class action suit against them. They are selling CR-V that they know have major problems. Really! Do not buy Honda CR-V.

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  Good car if honda solves vibration issue - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Jose - November 3 - 7:59 pm

  Overall a good car beside vibration issue. Good acceleration, good quality interior, good apearance. But vibration issue is annoying. It can make you sick if you have too many stops on your commute. I took my car to delership all they says it is characteristic of this vehicle and they dont thing anything wrong with it. They did software update and no improvement.

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  Bad Quality - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Robert Murray - November 2 - 12:58 am

  Vibration. CVT transmission shifts badly and jumps forward. Back hatch leaks and window not aligned. Should have stayed with 2012 Toyota

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  great vehicle until its not - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By mark weiss - November 1 - 3:46 pm

  My 2012 CRV developed a very common widespread problem in Honda 4 cylinder engines, at about 49000 miles. A defective vtc actuator which causes a loud grinding noise at start. This is clearly something that should be covered by Hondas 5 year 60k power train warranty. Honda claims they having been researching how to repair it for four years without success. Meanwhile my vehicle is worthless in trade. just google crv makes noise at start

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  VTC Actuator defect - 3 yr/36000 warranty useless - 2013 Honda CR-V
  By ckholmvik@gmail.com - November 1 - 9:40 am

  I bought my Honda CRV in mid-2013. By the time the car was 1 year old, with 10,000 miles, there was a grinding noise when I would start the car. The grinding noise lasts about 2 seconds. It has been into a Honda dealership several times. I was told Honda is working on a "fix" and that the problem would be addressed when the engineering department had the issue figured out. One year later (but still under warranty), the grinding noise is louder and longer than before, and happens almost every time I start the car. Upon doing some research, I learned that Honda has been installing the defective VTC actuator since 2008, in Accords. The defective actuator was also installed in 2012-2014 CRVs. It appears that Honda continued to use the defective actuator since 2008, yet customers are being told that a "fix" is in the works, 7 years later. American Honda has advised Honda service departments to not replace the actuator as it is likely that the replacement actuator will present the same grinding noise. A regional case manager also assured me that a "fix" was in the works but did not comment when I pointed out that Honda continued to use a defective part from 2008-2014. Honda repeatedly emphasizes that this is not a safety or performance issue, to which I have replied that is likely the reason it has been 7 years with no fix -- it is a low priority and Honda chooses to direct its engineering resources elsewhere. Dealerships will not do anything as American Honda will not allow replacements to be made. This is my last Honda. Their way of doing business is horrendous. What I have now is a vehicle that definitely attracts attention (but not in a good way) when it is started as everyone in the vicinity gets to enjoy the grinding sound of metal-on-metal.

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  Steering wheel is a vibrator - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Mike McDaniel - October 26 - 5:43 pm

  Loved the CRV (EXL with Nav) until we took it on interstate. Really bad vibration in steering wheel and dashboard at 70+MPH. Have had it back 4 times, they re-balanced everything and it still has bad vibration....hands go numb on interstate. Dealer on last visit said it is a software problem and Honda is doing a recall and would get us a fix, but nothing yet. Now at 4,600 miles. Have 4 cars, so I know this is not normal. You must drive one at 75 MPH before you take delivery. If they dont get this fixed, am gonna do the lemon thing!

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  210,000 miles - 2008 Honda Civic
  By D - October 25 - 7:24 pm

  210,000 miles and still going strong, BUT mileage is down to 39 mpg and I have to keep replacing the rear tires do to a recall of the rear control arms years ago. The Honda tire warranty is horrible. I would not buy another one!!