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:

• 

  Do NOT buy the PAX - 2009 Honda Odyssey
  By BrokeHondaOwner - September 17 - 9:22 pm

  Do not buy the PAX model. The tires only last 25,000 miles, if that, and they cost $1,500 for a set of four. This means, that by the time you hit 50,000 miles (when most tires wear out), you will have spent $4,500 on tires. If you get a flat, Honda recommends you buy 2 new tires because the tires are not repairable. Nice going Honda...

• 

  Mysteriously Cracked windshield cannot be replaced - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Joanne - September 17 - 3:34 am

  Honda failed to make enough replacements for the 2016 Civic windshield which dealer and glass companies tell me could take up to six months to manufacture and replace . UNACCEPTABLE HONDA! Car was purchased with summer road trips in mind which are not now possible. No known rock or debris impact -windshield just cracked one day and huge cracks continue to spread into driver field of vision making this a SAFETY ISSUE . Very disapointed! Car was not inexpensive . HONDAs lack of foresight in manufacturing replacement parts is disturbing AND shows lack of concern for product reliability or consumer safety .

• 

  Buy ANYTHING BUT honda - 2002 Honda Accord
  By hondaBITES - September 15 - 2:00 am

  I have TOO MANY issues with this car to list them all. Basically its an overpriced, over hyped piece of cheap trash. Gas mileage varies seasonally, lowbeam headlights are worthless at night, paint chips when hit with an egg, interior fabric on armrests was worn thread-bare at 10,000 miles, wiper blades were replaced at less than 5,000 miles, brakes as well, 150 horses and MOST dead, dealers attitude BITES as well. American Honda Finance has NO email address. NEVER AGAIN!

• 

  Wow - what a mistake - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Hizo - September 12 - 11:40 am

  After having waited for this car, and paying for the upgrades, i feel like my money went down the drain. Day 1, pick up the car, leave the dealership, and there is a popping noise from the suspension, the cd player was broken. Took the car in found that the suspension needed to be fixed, the front tires had to be replaced and the cd player among other items. A month into ownership, the car starts making all kinds of rattles, and loud noises when coming to a stop. Cat was replaced and many clips and molding in the car. Transmission started popping out of third gear, that is still being worked on. All in all, Honda has done over 9K of warranty work on the car already!

• 

  Your average car, nothing special - 2005 Honda Civic
  By TheMike - September 11 - 3:38 pm

  Yawn is the feeling I get when I drive this car, as a younger driver this car is boring. I bought I needed a cheap reliable car and I thought this would be one. After 3+ years of ownership I wish I opted for another Chevy, it would have been cheaper and I think just as reliable. Some interior trim pieces do not stay in place, the suspension creaks, recently the car has had a problem going in reverse, the road noise is pronounced, you feel every bump, the stock bridgestone tires are rubbish, the cloth seats have faded. Its a good car to get you around town and the gas mileage is decent, those are the only high points. The sunroof switch is also REALLY annoying.

• 

  Maybe I got a bad one. - 2005 Honda Civic
  By Ed - August 25 - 3:59 pm

  Overrated but ok for a tiny car.

• 

  Worst new car to the date - 2007 Honda Accord
  By dimasin - August 25 - 9:35 am

  We bought Honda after having small intermittent problems with our Saab 9- 5. Oh boy we were wrong about this "value" jump! I just trusted to BS reviews of majority of people who drove Fords and GM in the past. Although some can say Saab is another GM product, it was quite impressive for something based on Opel chassis. Anyhow, here is a short list of Honda quality problems: 1) Rattle in both front door attributable to TSB in Feb 2008 Service News Article, 2) Shaking, scraping and pulsating front brakes (fixed under warranty - warped front rotors), 3) Tires out balance (fixed under warranty), flat-spotting is something I will have to live with on this car, 4) Scratched cheap plastic panels.

• 

  Disappointed - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By Gail - August 17 - 10:16 pm

  We just leased a 2008 Odyssey last week of May. Barely three months old, on our way for a vacation the car broke down. It was brought into a Honda dealer and they found that there was a leak on the transmission and the clutch was burned. Good thing we were able to stop at the nearest area. So scared of what happened as we were with our five year old son. Now, even if we take it back and they changed the whole transmission, i will never feel safe again especially for our son.

• 

  CR-V almost killed us - 2000 Honda CR-V
  By dld1672 - August 11 - 8:58 am

  I am very disappointed with my CR-V. As a matter of fact it was just towed away this morning. It broke down on the highway last Fri while I was doing 65 mph with my 9 yr old in the car. We could have been killed. The car was inspected last month by the dealership and it passed. This is the final straw. The car has been slowly falling apart. The glove compartment does not open. The rear door does not open. The seatbelts lock up for no reason and choke you. The clock broke long ago. The radio has stopped working at times. The key fob would not open the door for about a year and now that works again. It had to be opened using the key. Its been one thing after another.

• 

  I would never purchase Honda Pilot - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By irelands - August 6 - 5:30 pm

  The heating /cooling ventilation system is poor, bad circulation, side windows ice up inside during driving to ski resorts. Car seats 7 passengers and one driver, but windows fog up all around vehicle interior with only three passengers. Seats are built so close together, impossible to get fingers down to floor level to retrieve dropped coins, credit cards, vacuum crumbs etc, hard to clean carpets as nozzle does not fit in such tight spaces where seats are anchored. Plastic in vehicle is poor quality, breaks easily. Had number of factory recalls for safety restraint systems, All in all, a poorly-designed car.