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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  Unbelievable Vibration - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Melanie Garnett - May 31 - 12:41 pm

  I am not one to complain about small things, but the vibration felt in my new 2015 CR-V detracts from all the other positives in this vehicle! The vibration only occurs once the car is warmed up and is so bad that it makes the sunglasses on my face vibrate! I have never written an online review for anything, but I felt that others should know about this major flaw. If Honda is able to fix this issue, then I would recommend this car. Otherwise, I would not. Hugely disapppointed in this purchase.

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  Dissapointed - 2008 Honda Pilot
  By Scott - May 22 - 9:38 pm

  Got my 08 pilot and thought I was going to love it like all of the other Honda products I bought in past years. But it turns out, I was pretty disappointed. The suspension is too mushy to tackle anything off-road, I dont know why everyone raves about Hondas interior fit & finish, because the Pilots is horrible. Also, there is a lot of tire noise and a horrible rattle in the passenger side door.

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  no more Hondas - 2002 Honda Accord
  By HYPE by honda - May 21 - 10:00 am

  Had the Accord SE 2door 13 months. Attracted by the exterior looks, promise of GREAT mileage, Honda quality and the best lease going. Been dissappointed for 13 months. Mileage is NOT as promised, fabric is CHEAP and rubbing thin on armrest areas, light put out by headlights is so low that I use the high beams, loose screws found everywhere, constant rattle in the dash, visor mirror covers rattle when visors lowered, heater VERY slow A/C is worse, took MONTHS to coordinate rear view mirror with vertical power seat settings and "tilt" steering wheel to stop my right leg from falling asleep after 30 minutes. The dealer is less than responsive.

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  Beware of the lemon - 2005 Honda Civic
  By Josh - May 15 - 9:06 am

  If you are thinking of buying a Honda beware, I bought a Honda thinking that it would be a great investment and that it would be worry free. Two weeks later, my A/C did not work properly. Two weeks after I had it repaired, it failed to start. I took it back to the dealership and they could not find a problem and I still have this issue. I have called Honda and they are not concerned with having a defective product. As soon as I can I will get rid of this vehicle. The myth that imports are better vehicles are just that myths. There is a lot of noise in the vehicle my 05 will rattle down the interstate, I hear a clicking everytime the windshield wipers come on, and wont start everytime

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  Ten Cu Ft Less than my 2008 Odyssey - 2018 Honda Odyssey
  By Mert Horne - May 10 - 9:06 pm

  The second row seats are on a dolly of sorts that can not be removed. It is no longer wide enough for a 4X8 sheet of plywood to fit without angling it. It has 10 cu ft less cargo carrying volume than my 2008 Odyssey. All of these are non-starters for me.

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  Honda 1999, Honda is not what Honda was - 1999 Honda Odyssey
  By srmorrison56 - May 5 - 1:09 pm

  Honda engineering is not what it used to be. Ive got an Odyssey with 175,000 and two things have happened: 1) The second transmission failed. The transmissions that Honda used for the warranty were rebuilds that were rebuilt with the same garbage parts as the original transmissions. Honda did not fix the design issues. So every 85,000 miles you will need a new transmission for you Odyssey. 2) The ignition switch recall resulted in Honda replacing the contact module. It turns out that Honda used the same approach as the transmissions They used the same faulty design for the replacement and I just replaced the The ignition switch contact module for the second time.

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  Will not buy another Odyssey ever again - 1999 Honda Odyssey
  By Paul - May 5 - 10:43 am

  Since I purchased this vehicle, all I had is problems. First, the battery, then a sensor on the automatic doors, then the transmission, which in this vehicles IS MORE EXPENSIVE because is complicated to work on. After 4 months and a lot of money spent, I just traded in for a Quest. I definitely will not buy any Honda SUV or Van ever again. Read the reviews and you will know why.

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  Needs improvement - 2008 Honda Pilot
  By Joe - May 5 - 10:01 am

  Picked up my new EX-L on Saturday, by Monday the following negative traits were observed in the first fifty miles: Shudders at idle. The transmission and/or engine surges at cruising speed. Road noise is absolutely horrid at highway speeds. My eight-year-old F250 CC 4x4 is quieter. Ditto for handling. The body lean on curves and corners makes this vehicle feel like it is tipping. Even at low speeds. The aforementioned F250, with much greater height, weight, and ground clearance handles better. Suspension allows the front end to "dive" under just moderate braking. Positives: Brakes are excellent. Interior fit and finish are above average. Audio, though outdated no MP3 disc or USB.

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  Hondas Image Is Fake - 2002 Honda Accord
  By BigBoy - May 3 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car and thought I hit the big time. Man was I mistaken. Honda has the worst warranty I have ever seen. You can never get ahold of people when you have a problem. The rear main seal started leaking at 7,000 miles. Honda loosened my oil filter and blamed it on that. The only problem is I put the oil filter on and marked it.They got cought and started to crud themselves (have tape).The windows rattle and the seats suck.The car is slow and unresponsive. Wines but does not move forward. Foreign car makers bull the reliability and probably pay people to sit around and type good things about their cars on web sites. Think about it.WHO WOULD KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.

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  Beware CVT Transmission - 2003 Honda Civic
  By hybrider - April 30 - 2:10 pm

  This car gets good gas mileage (43-45 mpg actual) but suffers from several flaws I see as related to being the first model year of a unique (hybrid) car. Recalls on the exhaust system software (that led to me having 2 catalytic converters replaced before corrected) and the transmission (CVT failed at 102k before Honda extended the warranty to 100k - gee, thanks for the $3800 bill-NOT) have shaken my confidence in Honda quality. My hybrid now has 130k miles and runs well with its new transmission, but I would by the Prius if I had it to do all over again. Acceleration is lacking, to the point of dangerous with 4 riders at highway speed, and overall rattles etc. are disappointing.