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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  Should of kept my old car - 2002 Honda Accord
  By tonieJ - May 28 - 10:00 am

  And thats not saying much....my old car was a beat up fifteen yr old hyundai excel with 250,000 miles. A shopping cart hit my car in the parking lot and caused $1500.00 worth of damage. Looked like it was hit by a tractor trailer....the drivers seat detatched from the body two wks later sending my head crashing into the windshield....this is a safe car?!?

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  Do not buy a 2013 Honda Accord - too many problems - 2013 Honda Accord
  By reviewer24 - May 26 - 3:53 pm

  Im curious as to why people like it, since it is the worst, most unreliable, problem filled car Honda has ever made. I have 20 unreolved problems with my car with the NAV, audio, transmission, seats. The seat is curved like an airplanes seat, the headrest pokes you in the back of the head forcing your head in an unatural position. Honda customer relations are useless. The dealer does not believe the owners when complaining about the problems and even refuse to look at them more than once. Look for "2013 Honda Accord Radio problems" in you tube. Also, look at this thread: http://www.hondaaccordforum.com/forum/audio-visual-electronics-10/2013-accord-problems-nav-blutooth-51172/

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  Not all its cracked up to be! - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Oh Noooooooo - May 24 - 10:00 am

  This is my first Honda and my last! The front brakes were shot at 9000 miles. Pads and rotors had to be replaced. The suspension came loose one week after purchasing the car. Dealer tightened, but still makes noises over bumps and feels loose. Dealer says nothing they can do. Anti-lock brake on right front only engages while going over bumps. Again, dealer does not know why. Engine vibrates at idle in drive gear so much that it shakes my whole arm. Dealer says nothing they can do to fix it. I dont see the situation improving anytime soon!

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  Worst Vehicle - 2001 Honda Passport
  By Bill O - May 13 - 7:17 am

  This is the absolute worst vehicle I have ever owned in my 27 years of driving. For an SUV, it is really noisy and the ride is horrible..( suspension) I have spent many wasted $$$$$$ on constant repairs and maint. I have spoken extensively to many mechanics and dealerships and ALL of them familiar with this vehicle say that its Hondas ( Isuzu ) biggest black eye hands down...This vehicle make me shy away from ever purchasing another Honda product. Sad...real sad!

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  CVT plus turbo lag = poor performance - 2017 Honda CR V
  By Car fanatic - May 5 - 5:00 pm

  I really liked everything about the 2017 CRV, materials, comfort, safety features etc. That was until I did a test drive. On the street it felt heavy and somewhat underpowered. On the freeway, it was really bad. The midrange power and torque is really inadequate. If I wanted to speed up, I would press the accelerator and the SUV would start to accelerate but then the CVT "upshifted a gear". I would then have to press the gas pedal further but the same problem would recur again and again. There is no sport mode to make the CVT hold a "gear". This was really bad. The sales person also admitted that theres always a delay with the CVT which is then aggravated by turbo lag plus the CVT always moving "up a gear" making the engine bog down. Great for mileage, bad for driving. My driving is between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, as well as Los Angeles to Mammoth, so there are hills, steep grades and passing. So this SUV is not suitable for my driving conditions and style.

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  This will be my last Honda - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By ajaca5 - April 26 - 8:59 pm

  Horrible interior and exterior fit & finish, rattles and hard wind noise. Been in the shop for 3 times (replace misaligned top & bottom glove box, streaks on passenger window, and rattles from both front sash trims), bought for steep discount and good experience w/ my current 2002 Odyssey, poor fuel economy, dangerously soft brakes, so-so road handling, cheap plastic interior, poor front ventilation controls for rear, uncomfortable bucket seats (too short for my thigh) poor paint jobs, and etc. Been driving hondas since 1990 (1990 civic, 2000 accord, 2002 oddysey), this will be my last.

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  Not too proud of honda - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By nunchuck - April 26 - 10:02 am

  After purchasing a 2009 Honda ex-l pilot I realize that the pre-wiring connection was a dummy connection. I am not able to connect a trailer wiring harness unless I purchase the expensive kit from Honda. The kit cost more than if I had bought the tow hitch separate and had it wired. I also found out splicing into the wiring voids the warranty. Then I learned that remote start is a problem. Turning the car off after remote start just to enter the car is the dumbest idea I ever heard. It is my understanding both of these feature was pre-figure to get you to come back to Honda. I just wonder what else have Honda done to steer you back to them. My first Honda and my last. Bad mistake of Honda.

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  2016 Pilot EX-L Hard Shift Issues - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Tim L. - April 21 - 1:11 am

  Wait on buying this car. Horrible, frequent, but random hard shifting w/ the 6 speed tranny. Wife will not drive it anymore. New 7/2016, we have 6K miles on it and the hard shifting is damaging the whole drive train.. Horrible new car experience. Car is at the dealer for the 3rd time on this as I post this. Looks like Im not the only one..

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  Concerned About Safety - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Diane Larkin - April 15 - 3:14 am

  After 6 weeks of driving the Honda Pilot Elite, I have a growing concern that the user interface to the electronics package may be a safety concern for drivers. I am very confident that Honda builds a safe vehicle in terms of physical structure, air bags and collision avoidance technology, but there is a "huge" distraction issue with the center stack of electronics (nav, audio, RES, cell phone). My concern is the drive must spend an inordinate amount of time interacting with the center stack touch screen. Is is very cumbersome and has many layers to accomplish simple tasks. To make it worse, after several touches on the screen, the finger prints show and if the sun hits the screen a certain way, you cannot see or read the information on the screen. I spend way too much time interacting with the screen when voice commands would accomplish the same thing in a more efficient and "safe" manor. The same principle applies to the RES (rear entertainment system). In order to play a DVD for a child, you must put the DVD in the center console, stop the vehicle, get in the back seat and use the rear control remote to start the movie playing. You cannot do this from the "Rear Audio" screen that shows on the center console. How inconvenient and dangerous (stopping on the side of an interstate highway) is this? What little voice activation has been provided by Honda is really useless. It is very slow and you usually end up using the touch screen which is not organized very well. I am really shocked at how little effort was put into the design of the electronics package. Again, this is a very "unsafe" system given the amount of time and effort the drive must expend at the expense of paying attention to the road!

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  Design Flaws - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By Swammee - April 9 - 6:53 pm

  We know 6 people with 06 or late Pilots- all have been into dealer because mice crawled into to HVAC. Why? Its not covered enough in undercarriage. Design flaw. $250 each visit. Side trim on front leather seat on ours (and 3 others wecknow of) has worn through. Why? Cheap material. Design flaw. We get snow. Dont buy a Pilot with 4WD and expect anything but nasty control issues on slippery roads and steep roads: ABS locks up, auto 4WD has no bite (even with new mud/snow tires). Design flaws. If you need room, good traction and no mice or trim issues, buy something else.