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:

• 

  Seats 8, hauls, tows need nothing else. Code confusion. - 2014 Honda Odyssey
  By jonrobertcar - December 7 - 8:36 pm

  Why is reliability stars required? How would I know as it is new with less than 200 miles. There are only a few choices to seat 8 people -sub as light tow truck/haul cargo. The Honda Odyssey rose to the top no matter how I sliced it and diced it. The Toyota seemed very dated on the interior. If I am going to spend 30ish grand then I would expect a little more pizzazz in the interior. Otherwise the Toyota was a solid contender. We would seldom need to seat 8 but for the times when parking is a problem we can all meet and pile in and make the last drive/arrive together at the event. Therefore I spent the extra to upgrade from the LX 7 pass. to the EX 8 pass.

• 

  Despite reviews, still a great car ! - 2012 Honda Civic
  By hondafan88 - December 6 - 10:53 am

  Had my 2012 Civic for 2 years now and have already put 61.950 miles on it with zero problems ! Have only put new tires on it since purchase, well taken care of. This car has taken care of me ! Love to drive it everyday and gas mileage is superb ! My only complaint is the road noise and the glove box sometimes rattles..handles beautifully in the snow and ice and never lets me down. Love the leather bucket seats for comfort, its a great car for reliability and value. I will buy another one when I reach 500,000 miles with this one ! Driving a Honda Civic is just plain smart and recommend it to anyone over any other compact ! This is my second Civic and never disappointed !

• 

  Honda all the way! - 2014 Honda Odyssey
  By metro21 - November 30 - 1:26 am

  I had an 09 Odyssey that I traded in for a Dodge product- worst mistake ever! Ended up trading the Dodge in for this one. The 14 is so much better than even the 09. The 6 speed tranny is now standard which bumped up MPG and the drive. The 3rd row seats also fold down much easier. The dual screens are a unique touch which I like. HondaLink is kind of a joke at this point (downloaded the app on my I-Phone) but I do like that the car will read you text messages and let you respond while driving. I looked at other vans but no one was even close to the Odyssey when all is considered. Note: The CoolBox does NOT make things cold, it uses the car A/C to keep things cold.

• 

  Great Small SUV - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By spin24 - November 28 - 1:34 am

  Purchased June 2012. Driven over 10,000 miles. Fun to drive, comfortable, safe, reliable, with good gas mileage and lots of storage room for tools and spare parts.. I use it for personal transportation and as a work vehicle for real estate maintenance. Back up camera and maintenance minder are nice features. Replaced weak OEM headlight bulbs with X-treme power Phillips bulbs and @ 10,200 miles replaced surface cracked rear brake rotors with new , manufactured in Italy, brake rotors and new brake pads.

• 

  Great Car, Great Price - 2013 Honda Crosstour
  By jjcaddy - November 27 - 10:26 am

  How could a guy whos used to Cadillacs and Corvettes end up with a Honda Crosstour? Believe me, Ive heard this more than once from friends and Family. Im actually a little surprised myself. But the plain truth is this... Cadillacs just arent Cadillacs anymore and Corvettes are priced higher than my first house... And Im not THAT old. I went looking for a new car for <$30K. What I found, after going from dealer to dealer, was this... They all looked alike... Ford, Chevy, Toyota... It didnt matter... They all ran together in my head like a myriad of counting sheep. Then it happened... Driving north on I-75 one Saturday afternoon... Im clipping along at a speed slightly higher than the

• 

  LOVE my accord. - 2011 Honda Accord
  By vegas71 - November 24 - 4:50 am

  I had a 94 accord ex coupe as a first car- literally could not kill it. So after some not so great luck with a nissan, and deciding a toyota was too bland for me, I decided I wanted another accord. Got an awesome deal on this one! Love the heated leather seats and the leg room (Im 61). I didnt think a 4 cyl could move a car this heavy, but it actually has some pretty decent power (for what it is). Love the safety features, especially after a recent wreck. I wanted a safe, reliable car and the accord is just that.

• 

  Only minor issues - 2008 Honda Civic
  By donjames150 - November 21 - 2:57 pm

  I bought this car in December of 2008, it now has 75,000 miles 5 years later. The only "repair" has been to add 2 strong clips to fix the broken sun visor hinges that melt in the southern sun here in NC. And the paint job is of poor quality, but still good enough after 5 years. I had to have the AC charged this year. And brakes after 60k miles. Normal maintenance really. The passenger side front electric window motor is wearing out but still working. The factory tires were loud and hard riding. Do yourself a favor (and this goes for any car), buy the best tires you can afford. I like Goodyear ComforTred. They are quiet and give a softer ride, worth the extra money. Drives like new.

• 

  230K and no major problems - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By danielc2 - November 19 - 10:00 am

  Bought the Van new. We drove it a lot. Never had any major problems. We lost it when it was totaled in an accident. We miss it. We used Mobil 1 and changed the oil about every 5,000 miles. Changed the timing belt at 110K. Changed the brake pads myself and never had to replace rotors. The only thing not working when it was totaled was the clock light, rear windows and temperature control. Otherwise great van. I would by another 2004 but we are out of the kid mode.

• 

  2014 Accord Sport Manual - 2014 Honda Accord
  By accordsportman - November 18 - 9:40 am

  Love the 6 speed manual transmission on this car... Drove the Mazda 3, Mazda 6 stick shifts and the transmission on this car is what helped me make the decision to go with the Accord. Probably the best manual trans out there. The Mazda 6 may look better than the Accord now but I was just worried whether Id still like it in say 1 year. Many cars look real good at first but after a while not so interesting. Maybe Mazda wont be like that.

• 

  Hard to find any fault - 2014 Honda Accord
  By rsr72 - November 15 - 5:02 pm

  I have had numerous Hondas. Last Accord being a 2003. Had went to a 2012 Fit Sport after that Accord, wanting something different, good car, but missed the Accord. Lots of smiles per miles in my new Accord. Hard to find any faults. EX-L. Was a little leary of a CVT transmission, having heard Car and Driver say they did not like them for years, but they said they liked this one, so I gave it a try. Pleasantly surprised with how much I like the CVT. The Fit had a 5-speed manual. I have had the 2014 Accord for a couple months and would buy again without hesitation.