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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  CRV horrible parts availability - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By Al D - February 25 - 11:20 pm

  I have had two issue with parts availability which has kept me from my vehicle for over 1.5 months. An alternator failed after 2,000 miles stranding me in a snow storm. It took over two weeks to get an alternator in. An unfortunate accident caused over one month wait for a headlight assembly and Windshield.

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  Disappointed - 2008 Honda Accord
  By panda - February 10 - 3:00 am

  I bought a Honda because I thought it would be reliable. So far the A/C system broke twice. The second time I was told that it was caused by road debris and the warranty would not cover it. I had to shell out $724 + tax. A call to American Honda was no help. It seems there are lots of Honda owners with this problem. The condenser is vulnerable to damage. I also had problems with the rear brakes. The inner pads wore out at less than 20,000 miles. They claim the caliper slider got corroded. No warranty coverage. Rear trunk lid rattles. Lots of road noise. Yes, the paint chips easily. No mirror defroster on this. The warranty is good for nothing. Anything that goes wrong is not covered.

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  Overall just a barely average vehicle - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Jay - February 7 - 10:41 pm

  The Pilot looks great on paper and in pictures, but dont be fooled. The specs are good and it looks good in photos as most vehicles do however the reality is much different. While fuel economy and engine performance are good, those seem to be the only things that dont disappoint. But to get straight to the point, here are problems that Ive noticed: 1. The infotainment is a really terrible system. It is underpowered, unrefined, unintuitive and cumbersome. It is really slow and unresponsive, probably because of outdated/cheap components used to power the system. Every tap lags, every single one. The interface is also very unintuitive, common features such as playlists, albums, genres are buried multiple menu layers deep. When you plug in your device, it defaults to playing your entire library of songs alphabetically. I get random error messages that cause the audio or navigation to close on a fairly regular basis of about once a week. An error message will just pop up and close the current app. 2. The navigation, probably in part to being underpowered, has been terrible so far. Ive only used it a few times so far but each time is has incorrectly calibrated my location and it would take a few minutes of driving for it to properly recalibrate my location. Ive driven and used many vehicles with navigation and this is honestly the first time its ever happened, on each occasion. 3. The radio is complete junk. It sounds like listening to a 30 year old clock radio because the reception is so bad. Sound is constantly fading, crackling or has static. There has been speculation that this is something that has only impacted a few Pilots however I am convinced this is a design defect. The antennas on the Pilot are similar to the antennas on the iPhone 4 and consist of bands on the rear windows. Whats worse is that despite this being an issue since the release of the 2016 Pilot, there has been no official response or acknowledgment from Honda yet. 4. Because the radio is so bad on the Pilot, most people such as myself will often listen to the music on my device. There is nothing wrong with the sound system itself, just the reception. However, since the infotainment system is so incredibly bad, even trying to listen to the music on my device is a major pain. 5. The footwell heat simply doesnt work well. It seems like a minor issue until you have consecutive single digit degree weather and realize only a very small portion of the area above your ankles are warm. The footwell area never completely warms, no matter how high you set the temperature or how high the fan is. Your lower legs will always be cold, or at least mine have. 6. For the trims below Touring with the 6 speed, the shifter is so poorly and terribly designed, it looks like it came out of a 1990 Corolla. Above all, my impression of the 2016 Pilot is that it was severely rushed and a lot of cost cutting was involved. There really is no excuse for the radio to have such horrible reception in this day and age. The infotainment system is clearly the result of cost cutting as its so terrible. The main benefit of the Pilot is the engine performance. I highly recommend anyone considering the Pilot to take it on an extended test drive and really pay close attention to the radio and tinker with the infotainment. Drive it back to back with any other vehicle and Im certain most will recognize a clear difference in radio quality. However, if literally none of these things matter, than the Pilot may be a good choice, otherwise I would at least hold off until the 2017 models arrive before even considering one.

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  Bad Apple from the Honda Tree - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By Dante - February 6 - 12:47 pm

  The day we drove off the lot and started driving our shiny new EX on the highway I tested the cruise control. It wasnt working. Had to leave the car with the dealer for 2 days to fix. Then within 8 months had 3 recalls on this . At 18000 had to get new brakes and at 26000 new tires. At 78,000 2 of my engine mounts broke which affected the axles. So for $750 got that fixed (by my mechanic), the dealer told me that it will cost me $1,600. Now I have to replace the bushings. Its been not a good experience owning this vehicle. By the way most of the driving is highway and local. I wouldnt dream of taking this offroad. Never recommending a Honda product to my worst enemies (or friends).

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  Questioned Reliability - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Max Epr - February 4 - 1:27 pm

  Bought this car new. The 8th Honda product in my family... 3 Acuras. Auto transmission failed at 76,000 miles. All scheduled maintenance has been performed. Car was out of warranty so took it to local transmission repair shop. Cost $2,200 for overhaul. Faulty torque converter was cause. My next car will be a Camry.

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  Steve in Guelph - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By Steve in Guelph - February 3 - 8:39 pm

  This is the worst vehicle I have ever owned. Passenger window rattles, brakes are poor, seat is hard and uncomfortable, radio sound quality is dismal. Also the paint is rough to the touch as though it has dirt embedded in it. The steering wheel does not return to the on center position without assistance. I read all the reviews before purchasing and cannot believe that they were mostly positive. Perhaps the higher models are more comfortable.

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  Bad - 2001 Honda Civic
  By Not another Honda - February 2 - 10:00 am

  Bought the car new. Has been in the shop 16 times going on my 17th. I have never had a car with so many problems. This will be my last Honda. Trying to get Honda to buy it back b/4 going to BBB.

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  Unreliable - 2009 Honda Odyssey
  By Rita Brogonsian - January 30 - 1:21 am

  I have a stalling problem my Honda dealer (and another) will not fix. It stalls every time I get hard on the gas pedal. I have been on the 400 trying to merge and the van just dies. I have it towed to Honda but they cant find anything wrong. I dont like this van as much as my old Caravan. It not very reliable. I think I made a big mistake.

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  Highly overrated - 2009 Honda Fit
  By steve - January 13 - 2:20 pm

  Do not believe the hype. The engine is buzzy and the transmission hunts for the right gear. The ride is extremely bumpy, you feel everything. The seats are uncomfortable, and cant be height adjusted. You would never take this on a trip longer than 25 miles. It has beautiful styling, but thats all. A huge disappointment that I bought into because of all of the raves from the so-called car experts. Im trading this in on a larger and more comfortable car.

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  Way Overrated - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By Gusto - January 13 - 12:30 pm

  Went from Chrysler T&C LTD to this vehicle based on reviews. Big mistake! Interior features were completely lacking, although have been improved in subsequent redesign. Very uncomfortable seats. As many mechanical issues as any domestic I have owned. Worst vehicle I have ever driven in the snow.