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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  RNBabe13 - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By RNBabe13 - October 28 - 9:00 pm

  This is the second Odyssey weve owned. The first one was a 2000, and we traded it with about 69,000 miles on it. It performed as it had when new. There were no extra sounds eminating from it. The 2005 model has a few squeaks and a whistling sound that the dealer is unable to fix.

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  safety after crash totaling my CRV - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By ahakooz - October 27 - 10:00 am

  I just wanted to say that my CRV was the only car I was in an accident with. I rear ended a lady at 60 mph when her brake lights didnt work and I hadnt realized she was standing still. My CRV was totaled..but except for the airbags that deployed, You would never have known it from the inside. Now the outside was a different story...but the safety factor is incredible. I walked out .. dazed by the airbag..but unhurt. I did have some seatbelt bruizing to my chest... but thats it. Im on my 5th Honda now.. I have an Accord coupe, and Ill keep going back for more.

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  Hondas - 2003 Honda Accord
  By EdmundsAlex - October 27 - 10:00 am

  The only problem i have with my honda is occasional long ignitions.......... I have 500km on my odometer right now..... that is like 300 miles and im having this problem wtf. The brake also screech and sometime i feel its not even there! I had to brake HARD. There is a sound in the driver side door also, annoying as hell..... The car is also very hot because i use to drive a 1.6EL and i park it in the garage and i never feel the air in the garage hhot, but this accord you can feel the heat!

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  Problems with blue tooth connectivity - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Sam G - October 27 - 2:07 am

  Vehicle works well overall. The biggest nuisance as u probably have read is the infotainment system which is not as user friendly. The blue tooth works ok using Siri to connect for phone calls, but for my music it is staticky and I have not been able to connect to Pandora for a long time no matter what I do. Taking it in to se if they have a patch to fix it and will update rew again later. Wish honda would take notes from the uconnect system in my grand Cherokee; Works way better and very user friendly.

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  Yowzah! - 1997 Honda Accord
  By dreddy - October 26 - 10:13 am

  Bought with 9K miles after searching for 2 mo (5spd was hard to find). This is easily the most reliable vehicle I have ever had. Engine holding up well despite my frequent visits to redline and beyond. Fun to drive. Generally very happy with this car, but could use more power.

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  Buyer beware - 2013 Honda Accord
  By noiseboy - October 26 - 2:22 am

  Buyer beware. Brand new 2013 Accord EX-L comes with an instrument panel that would make Star Trek fans drool but unless you get the 6 cylinder. IT CANT OPEN A GARAGE DOOR. Who thought that was intelligent design.

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  Great at what it does - 2007 Honda Accord
  By Accord SE - October 24 - 4:10 pm

  The Accords have always been great family sedans. I did expect a little more from mine, but then again, the car is meant to be driven with assured safety and reliability. The brakes warped at 3000 miles and were replaced under warranty. AC fan is loud. Also, a loud thumping wind sound is heard when rear windows are opened ,and rough engine noises when accelerating. But none of this bothers as much as the firm ride. This is the payoff for better cornering, but unforgivable in the streets of New York. Stick with the Camry in cities with many potholes.

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  Fit and finish - 2008 Honda Civic
  By carreview - October 24 - 4:26 am

  The Civic’s that are made in Canada has very poor fit and finish. The hood on the left and right fender would not be even, other panels on the car would be off on each side and also the bumper in the back. If they cant even make that right, just imagine the engine and the transmission components. “Honda owner check your civics and you would be able to tell the difference on the body panels are not even on the right and left sides of the car”. I asked the dealer sales people and their replied “they don’t know why”. However the civic hybrids are made very well, those are made in Japan.

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  The Price makes it great! - 2007 Honda Civic
  By themanindbox - October 23 - 4:03 am

  I have owned my civic for 10 months, it has been very, very good to me. It has the typical 3rd gear issue, but if you go to the dealership with this (08-020) Service bulletin they will fix it free of charge. I average about 28 mpg in NYC which is great. In Ohio i was getting closer to 40 mpg on the highway. The MPG is better then my co-workers smart car, and it is much better looking as well. It has terrible blind spots, and the factory head lights are terrible. The stock radio is "ok" and replacing it is a nightmare. But for a stock car at the 20 grand mark. There is nothing more fun, or better to drive. It can use some more torque.

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  Very good van, but - 2018 Honda Odyssey
  By Bill - October 23 - 2:06 am

  Have owned a new 2018 EX-L for two weeks. Very quiet interior. Instrumentation has a learning curve and I must be slow. No compass at all. Major mistake by Honda. With 9 gears it shifts a lot and Im still not use to that. Turned off the adaptive cruise control and now just use regular cruise control. ACC keeps slowing you down and prevents flowing with the traffic. The steering wheel vibration on the lane departure takes some getting used to, but a very nice safety feature. A very solid van with a great ride. And my wife loves it so all is good.