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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  WE BOUGHT A LEMON - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By t8307 - November 3 - 10:00 am

  Our Pilot has been in the shop 34days for repairs since we bought it. Not happy withit at all.

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  Barely Acceptable if it were a Chevy - 2001 Honda Civic
  By dleamon72 - November 3 - 10:00 am

  Poor performance(slow, loud, bouncy ride)poor build quality(sunroof failed and needed replacement, speakers rattle, big panel gaps)pitiful dealer service at Miller Honda Culver City CA (slow turn around time, poor service advice, surly service advisors). Brakes wear out at 10k miles, battery failes at 24 months. Overall a pitiful car and a pitiful ownership experience. I dont think Honda is trying as hard as it used to with this model.

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  Dont Do It!! - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By DisappointedHondaFan - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Buy new,in shop by 1200 In 18 days as we drove rental waiting for“Honda Tech” from CA.Trans slips/bucks & "Thrumming" noise from drive train while at a steady 45-55 while tach is jumping from 0to3.Gear shift wont go in D3.When accel. from stop engine revs,then it “catches”& shoots out.VERY dangerous when entering road/trying to pass.Wndshld, rearview & drivers side mirror replaced due to huge distortions.New-NO BETTER Dealer says,We drove it, no problem.You must come drive w/us to prove it.WE DID Now they say,we admit there’s a problem,but we dont know whats causing it,we cant fix it Heres your car back! Inside seating design is awkward & uncomfy.

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  Wheres the beef? - 2008 Honda Element
  By tricat - October 20 - 9:15 pm

  I bought this vehicle after owning a Nissan Pickup for 6 years. I bought it to be able to haul my bikes inside instead of outside in the bed of the pickup. The interior is functional, perfect for my needs. The performance is terrible, bad hesitation upon acceleration. If you need to accelerate RIGHT now, forget it. The tires squeal on almost any sharp corner, in rain it feels unsteady, like it could hydroplane at any second. Terrible mileage (21 MPH for a 4 cylinder). I honestly think rollover is a problem or will be soon. The sunroof is unusable in that it is in the back and cannot be opened remotely.

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  Crooks - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By jim - October 20 - 11:56 am

  Like most people with a Honda 03-05 my family has air problems. Last week the condenser exploded, and not only ruined a $300 condenser but did a few thousand dollars in damage. What kind of idiot designs something so that when it breaks it tears up the entire product? If you dont believe this try to use your defroster this winter with the ac not working. This is a known Honda problem that they refuse to fix [via several web sites]. Anyone that has paid out of pocket needs to go to Honda lawsuit and help get everyones money back and save others from this problem. Its defective equipment. They are ripping the public off .

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  Disappointingly Lame. - 2008 Honda Fit
  By MFHalb - October 19 - 4:46 pm

  Weve had it four, long months. We dont drive for fun, merely to get there. The lame mileage of 27 in town and MAYBE 36 on the highway (minimum of 1,000 miles needed) make this a lousy deal. Unless you drive with an egg under your foot, the car jack-rabbits to 35 miles-per-hour and then slogs along. If you floor it, it does the same thing, only more loudly. Power to pass on the freeway (where else do you need it?) is meager, and non-existent with the air-conditioning on. The electric window switches arent lighted and are hard to locate in the dark. All doors can only be locked and unlocked from the drivers door. Otherwise you have to key them individually.

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  Need new transmission - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Bill Michaels - September 30 - 3:38 pm

  We had the same issues with the 9 Speed transmission. Honda advised there was a software upgrade to address the problem so we made an appointment. The day before the appointment, the car overheated. Problem was the transmission cooler leaked coolant into the transmission. Honda is now installing a new transmission and flushing the cooling system. According to the mechanic, there have been other instances where coolant was slowly leaking into the transmission. So well see what happens. Honda installed a new transmission under warranty. However, when I asked if the new transmission was improved to eliminate the defects leading to the transmission failure, the Honda service department could not guarantee that the new transmission would not have the same failure in the future. Since the manufacturer warranty on the Pilot is only 60K miles, we purchased an extended warrantee (100K Miles). The new transmission does not shift smoothly and well need to have this diagnosed by Honda during our next service.

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  Transmission Nightmare! - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By liane robinson - September 22 - 6:18 pm

  Dont even need to write a review, they are all the same! On my third transmission. First one replaced by Honda at 95,000. Now at 152,000 the car will only move in reverse. Honda do a thing! Have had issues with the doors as well. Passenger side door needs new contacts. Wont close and when the door opens, it scratches up against the doors. The path the door travels is now paint free! What a nightmare. I will never own another Honda!

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  NO MORE hondas! EVER!!!!! - 2002 Honda Accord
  By hondaSUX - September 21 - 10:00 am

  CHEAP OVER RATED trash! Leased new in 02......including MANY rattles, gas mileage has YET to live up to promise, screws lying loose in trunk, painted plastic bumper covers aging faster than painted metal, sunroof doesnt open all the way, fabric is wearing thin on armrests, heat/ac unit cannot be turned off, headlights put out little light at night, accelerator pedal sticks when car is first started, etc, etc. Dealer UNRESPONSIVE!

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  An honest review - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Rafael - September 21 - 1:22 am

  One of my worst experience of owning a new vehicle. We purchased it at around 40K and in the first 1000 miles the alignment was off. It kept on pulling to the right. Our family left for a road trip to LA from Seattle, half way down the trip, my front wheel bearings went bad and made a loud noise. So, we get stranded in San Francisco. Its still under warranty, but it had 3 to 4 alignments in the first year of ownership and Honda could not fix it or figure it out. I test drove 06s, 07s Touring models and they too have alignment issue. My Touring Ody spent more time at the dealership than we could trips at it just sitting in my garage. It also, had rattles and loud wind noise, disappointing.