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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  Grinding Noise/VTC Actuator Problem - 2013 Honda CR-V
  By J. Hamby - September 4 - 11:49 am

  Beware! I have a 2013 CR-V that has been making a terrible grinding noise since about 6 months after purchase. Honda Service has diagnosed it as the VTC Actuator. Noise has become much worse over time and this noise occurs almost every time I start my vehicle. Very annoying!! Ive been told Honda Motors Tech Division has been working on coming up with a fix but there is NO FIX at this time. I was basically told by the Honda Service Dept to drive it till it breaks. Not what I wanted to hear. This problem has been occurring in various Honda vehicles since model year 2008 and they still dont have a fix. Why? Why keep producing something with the same problems?? Honda wont even attempt to replace the part to see if it will remedy the problem, because they say the new part wont fix it. If you cant fix it, then you need to replace the car!

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  CR-V 2015 Vibrates badly! My body is shaking. - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Lana - August 31 - 12:31 pm

  This is my third Honda. Vibrations started from the beginning and got worst. It is difficult to drive Honda CR-V 2015. My body vibrates, a couple of times I was very close to be in accident. I was waiting on the Red signal and car started acting very loudly. Car also vibrates on "P" and when I push gas pedal. In the beginning I though it was my imagination, I trusted HONDA so much. Dealership knew that those cars have significant issue and they keep selling to make profit.

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  Disappointed :-( - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Veronica - August 26 - 11:50 am

  Vibrations worsening. Purchased my cr-v 2015 at the end of May this year. I started noticing Vibrations not long after purchase. I purchased this vehicle because I had been in a car accident and my 2006 Toyota RAV4 V6 unlimited (which I Miss) was totaled. I owned a Honda Prelude as a kid in The 80s (LOVED that car) and I thought Id give Honda another look expecting the quality I was familiar with. I cant begin to describe my disappointment. Every thing else in the Crv 2015 is up to par, but lets face it, the most important is how it DRIVES. I wanted to ignore the initial vibrations. After all the crap I went to due to the accident, I stuck my head in the sand. I thought perhaps it was because of the cvt transmission which is something Ive never driven before. Now I know this is NOT NORMAL. The vibrations have worsened. I sometime feel like the car is going to cut out on me and now Im feeling vibrations in the steering wheel. I noticed that there was a recall back in March of this year after I did some digging. I called my dealership and according to my PIN number, my vehicle is not part of that recall. [non-permissible content removed]. Bringing it in this Saturday to be analyzed. Lets see what happens. Car has about 3700 miles on it. Im pretty sure the dealership was aware of this problem BEFORE I purchased it. I am PISSED!

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  Please read this review before you buy this car. - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Heather - August 25 - 8:59 pm

  I bought my CRV in May after doing a lot of research. Unfortunately, I did not come across the information regarding the CRV vibrating when the car is idle. Not only do I experience this issue with my car, but the vibration is actually getting worse, and it is very uncomfortable. Additionally, my brand new car also has a very loud rattle in the dashboard area. I will be bringing my car into the local Honda dealership to see how these problems can be resolved. Even if these issues are resolved, I predict that I will never buy another Honda vehicle. In summary, dont let the attractive aspects of this car (safety features, overall design) fool you, because the problems that go along with this car are not worth the price.

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  Terrible road noise - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Gary Benson - August 20 - 11:17 pm

  Terrible road noise above 40 mph. On rubberized asphalt noise is ok, but on normal roads its terrible. I have been a autobody tech. for 40 years, worked for Honda several times and have owned several used Honda cars. Honda has a Great reputation, but I wish I would have done a longer road test. I wont have bought it. Also gas mileage 26.8 city and 27.6 highway ?

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  probably my last Honda - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By Ginger Davis - August 20 - 4:14 pm

  After owning EIGHT previous Hondas in this family (several Civics, Accord, CRV, even one previous Pilot), this one has convinced me to look at other cars. Its either a lemon or Hondas just arent made like they once were. I have had many, many minor annoyances and a couple major ones that have cost us a fortune. Its been to the dealership FOUR times for a problem that still isnt corrected despite several claims that it was just the sensor so they adjusted it, then it needed parts which I bought and paid for labor to replace with no difference...and we still have the issue with the back hatch. We also have horribly squeaky brake-like sounds when backing out of our inclined driveway which they cant figure out or fix. And the biggee was something that was actually recalled and, despite always taking this car which was under warranty only to the dealership for service in order to be covered without a doubt for years, I wasnt told about until I took it somewhere else. That shop took me and showed me that it was leaked fluids from some joints behind the front wheels and they easily found a service notification for my model and suggested I take it to the dealer that had always serviced it because "they would have to cover it since they were the only ones that touched it while it was under warranty". Well, guess what...they knew that was a problem but didnt mention it WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY because it wasnt bad enough yeah, waiting until it progresses and is NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY seems legit. Im done with Battema Honda in OKC and probably Honda altogether. Maybe going to check out Toyotas this time around.

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  Strong Vibrations in Car - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Girish - August 19 - 5:30 pm

  My car is 1.5 months old, bought new from dealer. I noticed this vibration problem 3 days after I bought the car. I bought it back to dealer one time with no fix. I just dont know why some cars have no vibration issue or maybe they can live with this issue. But I cant.I thought Honda should not be selling this kind of car if they know there is problem. Also I have one more Problem in car when I start car from stop I feel vibration in car for few seconds, I showed to dealer. He told me that Honda knows about that they are working right now on that issue. I spent $30,000 for a brand new car that has problem in a month. If I know this kind of issue I never never bought Honda.

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  An Utterly Depressing Car - 2012 Honda Accord
  By E_W - August 18 - 2:39 pm

  Powertrain: Slow slow slow acceleration. No torque, with flat spots and hesitation everywhere. 5-speed manual has had a crunchy 1-2 shift since new - Im not a rookie driver. Geared for fuel economy with long jumps between 1-2 and 4-5. Falls on its face when you shift unless youre perfect. E-Throttle is absolutely atrocious and unpredictable. Once I turn the A/C on in the late spring, it stays on until October, because it takes two days to re-learn how to drive the terrible E-throttle and jumpy engine when you toggle between A/C on and off - the engine response is different to the point of multiple personalities. Engine is quiet at speed but thrashy if (when) you have to rev over 3500 RPM in search of some power for everyday acceleration needs. Be prepared for tailgaters unless youre comfortable shifting at Nascar RPM levels. Highway driving is better - 5th is just right for economy vs. not having to downshift much. Interior: Cheap materials. Ok layout and good space. I dont share the complaint about the seats, I can drive this car for 10 hours without back issues. Im 240 lbs, maybe I have a different spine than most. Road noise is insane, louder than commercial trucks Ive driven. Ive never owned a louder vehicle in my life. Honda doesnt even pretend to make an effort to quiet these cars down. The stitching on the most frequently used seats hasnt separated yet, but its looking pretty sorry. Economy: Until about 60k miles I averaged right around 30 MPG in highway-biased mixed driving with A/C on. Good real world mileage for a bigger car. 33-34 MPG fully loaded on family roadtrips with A/C on. MPG has dropped to about 26 in similar driving, but Im on factory spark plugs at almost 90k so its probably time for a tune-up. Reliability: No check engine light for 90k miles. 3rd set of rear brakes, but factory fronts - common complaint in these cars but abnormal for a passenger car. Weird popping sound when I first pull out of a parking spot after sitting - happened since day 1 and I dont hear it anymore. Uneven tire wear despite alignments and rotation. Terribly, horribly loud tires as a result of cupping and no sound insulation. Second set of tires, different brand, same result. Had to replace two lower motor mounts at 85k due to clunking, and the car still isnt right. Im afraid it needs axles although I dont know why it would after 90k of mostly highway. The boots are fine. Overall Driving Experience: MISERABLE Slow, hesitate-y, boring, loud, depressing. What seems like a smart buying decision on paper leads to disappointment. Value: I got what I considered a screamin deal on a no-option stick base model. The car feels every bit an economy car although it is economical.

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  Disillusioned - 2010 Honda Accord
  By Michael F. Kelly - August 15 - 12:24 pm

  Most disappointed. At 50,000 problems with coil, not once, but twice before 64,000. Cracked spark plug in addition to front end problems. Perhaps Honda needs to keep manufacturing in Japan or stick to four cylinder engines.

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  Got Snow? Dont Buy Fit! - 2015 Honda Fit
  By Mari - August 14 - 4:12 pm

  Yes the electronics console is fussy and not intuitive. Its way too easy to drive off the road while trying to find things on a tetchy touch screen. Its a lightweight on snow and ice. Youll need to buy studded tires for it. It was stuck at the end of a plowed driveway this winter (upstate ny), on a slight grade which had just been done in my 04 Toyota Corolla. It does get ok gasmileage, tho my Corolla still does better on highways (verified by tracking gas and mileage between fill ups, not going by the manufacturer). I think my biggest beef with this car is the ice build up behind the front wheels. It is soooo low to the ground that slush and ice accumulates over the joint of the front doors. When you open the doors, you have to first knock the chunk of snow off the wheel well, then crack chunk of ice over the joint as you open the door. I have had this 2015 fit since July 2014 and the drivers side door joint is already scratched from the ice. I see rust in its future. As for service, dont ever expect to spend less than two hours at the dealerships even just for an oil change. If there is a service recall, they will not release your car AND they will not tell you they are fixing it till the end. I will not buy another honda mostly because of what Ive detailed here. Also, good luck with car seats if you have more than one kid. It works but is TIGHT!