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:

• 

  its okay, not my other hondas - 2001 Honda Civic
  By josentoski82 - August 2 - 8:35 am

  I have had my 01 for two years now, i bought it from a friend who was the original owner. It gets great gas mileage and i have put 50k on it in 2 years. seats are comfy, had the same air damn issues. and the struts are horrible. original owner had the tranny rebuilt at 130k to the tune of 2000 bucks. so you would think good to go. nope just turned 201k and the tranny is out AGAIN. Not on par with my 98 accord that had 235k original engine and transmission or my beloved crx. It has never left us stranded but i can tell that there is alot of common issues people are having. i was going to buy another civic but i am now thinking twice. spending $2100 in 2 years on issues not a great deal to me!

• 

  The rattles are enough to drive you crazy! - 2008 Honda Accord
  By dneslen - July 31 - 5:38 pm

  I bought this car because Honda has such a good reputation. I was not impressed! The car had a terrible rattle where the rear window meets the back cheap plastic. I had to diagnose and fix the problem on my own, but never got the rattle to completely stop. The glove box also rattled. It drove me crazy. I would drive with the glove box open so that I did not have to hear the rattle. The interior is cheap- a lot of plastic. The dash is ugly, nothing to be desired. On the upside, I love the exterior look. However, I just sold this vehicle after owning it for only 5 months. I was so happy to get rid of it! I am now going to go with German engineering:) Oh, and the seats are very uncomfortable

• 

  The Good Ratings Are Deceiving - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By hope043 - July 30 - 1:46 pm

  I dont understand how the star rating is so high for reviews that are quite negative. READ THE REVIEWS. Weve had this vehicle almost a year and regret it. Believe what the others have said about the drivers seat and headrest being uncomfortable! You dont really notice it from just taking it out for a test drive. Poor inside storage design - the double glove box and under seat storage is nice, but the other cubby holes are practically useless. And its crazy to put cup holders in the door - your drink spills when shutting the door. The gas mileage is also quite disappointing. Wish we never traded in our 2005 Toyota Matrix.

• 

  1st and last - 2008 Honda Accord
  By lmollstl - July 19 - 7:56 pm

  This is my first Honda and it will certainly be my last! I have a 2000 Camry and I thought the Accord would be at least as good as the Toyota, I was wrong. This car has 52,000 miles on it and has so many things wrong that I dont know where to begin. (1)the rear brakes had to be replaced at 32,000 miles (2)the headlights flicker (3) it dosnt even come close to the advertised highway mileage (4)the dashboard is made out of cheap plastic that scratches at the slightest touch(5)and worst of all, the leather seats are worn out and discolored even though it has had Honda brand leather conditioner applied every three months since new.

• 

  UNSATISFIED!!!!!! - 2002 Honda Accord
  By marceladgomez - July 16 - 10:28 pm

  My first car was a 1996 Honda Civic with manuel transmission LOVED it I only had to replace the clutch. Well needless to say it got recked so I decided to buy another Honda but this one is a 2002 Accord. I didnt start having proplems, real problems until abour 120,000 miles and im seeing that that i pretty good compared to what ive been reading. Now the trany is slipping and they want about 3,000 dollars to replace and the car is now only worth about $5,000. I think this is redic. I thought Hondas were suppose to las for ever. I mean its a Honda. I guess not.

• 

  My 1st and Last Honda - 2009 Honda Accord
  By isabel4 - July 13 - 10:58 am

  Ive had this car as a lease for 2 1/2 years. After 2 months thats when the problems started. 1st, the breaks squealed really bad...it took me a year of arguing with Honda to finally have them fixed after a service bulletin. Then my air conditioning started to make noises, they claim they cannot hear it and nothing is wrong. Sometimes it sounds like metal scraping metal, other times like someone is honking at me. Its much louder then having my music blasting. My steering wheel clicks when I turn, again they claim nothing is wrong. Now at my last oil change they said my rear brake pads needed changing. I dont even have 30,000 miles on the car yet. Glad I leased it! 4 more months...

• 

  Hond Fit may not fit you - 2011 Honda Fit
  By jul7 - July 11 - 4:07 pm

  After a thorough and time-consuming study, bought the well-mouthed Honda fit. Both the Edmunds and consumer-guide recommend subcompact. months of driving, comes comments. 1: its city car, not for highways. you cant over pass anyone, the maximum speed I can reach on Rt 90 is 92mph. 2: slow acceleration ( Mine is auto), the 5sp is likely better, so be prepared, its not CRX or hatch, buy a 5sp unless you have to drive an auto. drive like a Geo Metro in my case. 3: paddle shifter is useless in most cases, the 1st and 2nd gears engagement quickly, thats also make you feel very sluggish. unless you shift into 2nd gear directly. 4 under hood center console ridge touch your knee. beware

• 

  Very reliable - 2010 Honda Accord
  By ndskimr - July 2 - 9:51 pm

  Great car except for all the road noise and the seats are not the most comfortable. Very reliable and good on gas. Would recommend for anyone looking for a sedan that will last.

• 

  How could the maker of Accura have made this thing? - 2001 Honda CR-V
  By desierto - July 1 - 3:21 pm

  Recently purchased in perfect condition, with only 39k miles, for its reliability. Should have spent more time with it before making the decision. The more I drive it, the more I dislike it. The ride is awful. Its harsh. It pitches, bobs, darts...its tiring to drive. Had the struts checked, theyre fine. The seats are poorly bolstered. Controls are wanky. Cant get into the tailgate without a key. Less room than you might think. Noisy. Apparently designed to look "correct"... and thats all. Switching from Subaru Outback to this thing is a disaster. I want to replace it with a Volvo or Mazda 6 wagon. Just as much room, and a way better drive. Dont care about a couple of MPG at this point!

• 

  I was a honda lover - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By hondadalover - June 28 - 6:56 pm

  I have had my V (#Four off the line) for little over a year now...Got it with 65k. Was not even broke in. Put about 90 miles on it before the VTEC switch went out. Thats $300. Put another 2k on it before it went out again...It seems that all the little things that can go wrong has..Well here we are about 6 months in with this car, two sets of brakes, two VTEC switches three sets of spark pugs. a set of coil packs ($90 a pop!), a fuel pump, a new lower control arm. ex ex In the past year i have sunk a little over 2 grand into the accord that wanted to be a "SUV". lets just say i have been thinking about setting it fire