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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  Known Glitchy Navigation & Pairing Issues! - 2016 Honda Civic
  By JC - January 7 - 3:53 am

  Known issue with Android Pairing & Navigation Screen that flashes constantly when the car is started ... have to put the car in reverse to make it stop! WTH! Superstition Springs Honda Dealer doesnt know if the right hand and the left hand are connected. Dealer says originally a fuse and it happens, service says never heard of it before, internet knows about it Honda doesnt fix it! Android Pairing DOESNT WORK!!! Say its a Samsung issue ... I think Samsung is somewhat popular brand ...

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  Worst car ever ! Never again !overrated car - 2016 Honda Accord
  By Robin jones - January 4 - 11:57 am

  Worst experience ever. Starting from the buying procedures, do you have the car in stock ? They say yes , cool , drove 20 miles to find out the car is not available yet and it is in another facility, they told me to try the regular accord 2016 , it would be the same , ok , i did not want the HONDA CARE ! And i told them NO I AM GOOD they still tried hard to convince and the financing manager did not feel ashame to keep telling me about how good it is and it would cover more things that the 3 years manufacturer warranty would , cost is $2400 , i only said ok because i knew i have 60 days to cancell , !!! And guess what eveytime i go to the dealership to fix an issue the first thing they say , oooh this is not covered !! Really ! What is covered then ! I had problems with wheel alignment the car was pulling , took it 3 times for the same issue , oh its not pulling and COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM and bla bla bla BS , i said fine. I will do that on my own never mind , then they called and say oh the manager said he will do the alignment for you , its like they giving me a favoy! Oh nice thank you!! And guess what. That paperwork that they gave me to show the alignment was performed was fake ! I still have the car pulling !! WTH ! When i boight the car i had a $1000 saving from a different dealer , but i still paid the $1000 extra for this dealership. ! The front and back suspension noise is very aggravating , you will feel like driving a tractor on a corn field!! The gas mileage is low 22 mpg combined and now its getting worse about 15 !! They only say oh we cant do nothing about it ! Really ? Who can ? Toyota? Probably yes ! Wind noise at highway speed , mirror shaking a little at high way speed , smoke burning odor win accelerate all COULD NOT BE DETECTED!! I think there is many fake reviews and ratings about this car ! they also offer me a FREE oil change to give then A GREAT feedback on a survey they would send to me ! Really. !? How about i will pay you double the price for your oil change and you just do honest work and service ! Never seen something like this before i owned 3 different vehicles and drove 7 different ones they were all used and never had an issue like this , this honda accord was brand new , tires and rims warranty was about $800 for 5 yrs or 100k miles , did not use so far , but we called once and they say we have to fix the wheels if we have an issue with them then they will send us reimbursement!! Will never buy a honda again.

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  too expensive for such an ugly - 2003 Honda Element
  By Daniel J. Graber - December 27 - 2:00 am

  This has to be the worst looking car my company could have bought. It is terrible. It drives worst than my John Deere tractor. Ride is not good at all. I would have liked the company to have bought a Kia. I think this is one of the worst vehicals I have ever seen or owned

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  Sold it within a year - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By gift4gab - December 27 - 2:00 am

  Maybe Im just not a minivan person, but I hated this vehicle. Where were the memory seats, what about the wind noise, gas mileage bit it and for the amount of money we spent, they couldve made the interior design more appealing and less plastic. The automatic door openers were too sensitive, but if you turned them off, the doors were too heavy to open or shut. We sold it and got the Volvo Suv and I feel like Im in heaven now.

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  Did i make a mistake buying this car ? - 2015 Honda Civic
  By Mike Ortiz - December 24 - 9:46 pm

  It is not worth all the money and sure ass hell the slowest honda i ever bought. Thumbs down to honda for ruining the si. Supposed to be fast and they keep making these things slower and slower. I made a total mostake buying it. Now stuck on a 6 year plan to pay as much as if i bought a left over evo or sti. Give or take a few thousand ..

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  Gasoline fumes in the passenger cabin - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By concerned parent - November 30 - 12:37 pm

  I leased my 2016 CRV in August of 2016. By November 2016, my husband and I began to smell gasoline fumes that would overwhelm the passanger cabin while the car was idling. Honda has admitted that it is a known problem with the 2016 CRV models. PLEASE do some research before leasing or buying. My car has now been at the dealership for FOUR WEEKS without a fix. I am paying for a car that I cannot safely drive. Prolonged exposure to gasoline fumes can lead to a variety of medical issues. With a one year old son, I refuse to allow him to be exposed to the fumes. I hope no one else has to experience the stress that buying a 2016 CRV has caused on my family.

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  The best SUV!! - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Arica - November 24 - 6:28 pm

  I love my CRV TOURING. But the brakes sound like their dragging when the vehicle is cold. Every time I take it in for service I tell the dealership about them and they tell me their fine. I HOPE SO!! Makes me a little uncomfortable. The back up camera needs a beeper if something is in the way. But other than those 2 things all is great!! I depend on that Honda reliability. I drive 80 miles a day to work. I need it.

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  2015 Honda CRV- ENGINE FAILURE - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By xa3point10 - November 21 - 1:49 am

  My father just Bought a 2015 HONDA CRV Touring model which is their highest end. The interioir and exterior design are great. However, the ENGINE FAILED after having it only 3 days. The car was bran new and came off the lot with less than 7 miles on it. We traded in our 2014 CRV which we loved for this new lemon. Now we are fighting for a refund to get our old car back but they are not letting us return it. It has now been 10 days. We noticed vibration in the vehicle at medium speeds (30-50mph) and then some studdering at stop signs and red lights. Turns out there is something wrong with the engine. When we brought the car back they were not surprised, we are not the first to report this

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  Serious Brake Problem - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Ron - November 12 - 4:36 am

  Rotor problems at 3,000 miles, replaced front pads and turned front rotors . At 10,000 miles had to replace rear pads, at 18000 miles had to replace the front rotors, the rear rotors had to be turned and the rear pads had to be replaced. At 23000, had to replace the front rotors and rear rotors. Honda installed a re-designed and upgraded spring loaded brake pad on both the front and rear, that is supposed to correct the problem. Well see. Come on Honda, Fix the problem once and for all.COMPLAIN LOUDLY TO HONDA PEOPLE

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  Not so Hot Van! - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By RJ - November 11 - 3:38 pm

  I bought a Honda Odyssey in June 2005 and I had a problem with the brakes after 13 months. I ended up trading it for a 2006 version and now I have even more problems with it. I needed to buy 4 new tires after less than 2 yrs. The battery needed to be replaced and now I am hearing a whistling noise whenever I step on the brake. Now, the backside of the passenger side is falling apart and they tried to blame it on my kids. I took it to be fixed on 10-10-08 and now, it is 11-11-08 and I had to go back and get it fixed again. What is up with that? I am realizing that after 2 yrs. Honda Odyssey tends to fall apart. After 2 yrs, imagine that? Most people are not done paying for the van then.