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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  Great and not so great. - 2015 Honda Accord
  By Hector Mercado - October 25 - 3:26 pm

  Im a 27 year old man with a large upper body (a little over weight) and I drove an 09 4 door civic till this year when I decided it was time for an upgrade, or so I thought. Like most civic owners, buying an accord v6 feels like your entering the big leagues of Honda, and I was so happy when I got a slammin deal for my 2015 V6 accord. Fast forward 3 weeks later and I notice Im starting to get back aches in my lower back. At first I ignored it and blocked out any idea that it was the car, but I came to the realization it is my new car. The leather seats have 0 give. Theyre way to firm, and it feels like your sitting on hard wood. No matter what adjustments you make to the seat, including the so called lumbar support which honestly feels like someone is pushing you forward, roughly, and not supportive like, your back will be telling you it hurts eventually. I have read many reviews about the accord seats after I started getting back pains and Im not the only one with this issue. On top of the horrible back support and lumbar support, the seat feels like it was designed for primarily "small" people. My upper back has no support since the "bucket" style seats have side cushions that feel like theyre pushing my arms and sides forward, not allowing me to actually relax my back whilst diving. The entire car outside the drivers seat is beyond my expectations, considering Honda is not a luxury brand, but how can I enjoy my fabulous monster of a car when I cant sit in it comfortably? Ill be switching to Acura when my lease is up.

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  Quivering in anticipation - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Al - October 23 - 6:19 pm

  Its a rolling vibrator, they seem to have lessened the at idle in D shaking but when you get to Road speed its darn disappointing. Had I known about this on going problem I would not have purchased this CRV. After 30 years of Honda products this one is a downer.

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  1st Honda, a bit of a disappointment - 2013 Honda Civic
  By Paul H - October 21 - 7:48 pm

  I bought my civic after quite a few Nissans and Toyotas, wanted a Toyota but could not get a stripped down Corolla with a manual transmission. My Civic started out good, but like other reviews the paint chips off quickly, after 2-1/2 years it looks like my Black Corolla did after about 8 years. Im on my third battery, I think there are plenty of reviews on here and the web about issues with batteries that the dealers just deny any issue, they run a load test on a known dead battery at the dealer and replace under warranty so I guess I am stuck buying a new battery every 8-10 months, and I drive 40 miles a day minimum. The car has developed numerous rattles that my Toyotas never had and a nice knocking sound out of the right rear strut, my Nissans had plenty of rattles and knocks but they were cheap. My brakes have developed a heavier pulsation and fade that the dealer says is normal, finding a good Honda dealer for service has been a challenge, I have found one but its a drive but they at least try to fix my problems. My steering wheel has rubbed and made a grinding sound since I got it, things have been replaced but it comes back after a few months so hopefully it doesnt end up being something that gets worse and causes an accident, the dealers dont seem to be to bothered they just tell me it should be fine until the warranty runs out. All in all the car is good out of the dealership but Im not sure it is going to hold up over time, I feel like a bought a VW, my car has been in the dealership more than my 10 year old Corolla in only 2-1/2 years. This may be the first car I get rid of, before it goes out of warranty, but I wanted a Civic and I liked the look of the car, I was planning to get an SI or an accord but I think I will look elsewhere for my next car. The 2012 received some bad reviews and I should have known better than to believe it was all related to the design of the car, I think Honda just doesnt build their cars like they used to and from my viewpoint they dont back them up very well through their dealerships either. One last thing, the fuel economy is all lies, the best I have got on mine is 33 highway, this car needs a 6th gear for a manual transmission, and my 27 mpg is real world driving in Southern California where you accelerate from one light to the next and idle for 45 seconds at each light.

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  Vibration - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Richard Murphy - October 19 - 9:41 pm

  We have just under a thousand miles and just noticed the vibrations well stopped, RPMs go up and down, while down car vibrates. Really surprised to see how many reviews with the same problem. I havent had the car back to dealer yet but when I do, they will hear about it. If they knew this problem existed before I bought the car I should have been informed of the fact.

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  Engine Vibrates - 2015 Honda Civic
  By Junsuk Oh - October 19 - 11:32 am

  I have leased 2015 civic SE. From the very beginning, I noticed engine vibration with clear noise. It usually happens during reverse mode and frequently on drive mode. I dont understand the dealer keep saying this is normal. I wonder if this is true or not but obviously this civic has built poorly regardless of its reputation. I am quite disappointed by Honda as this is my first car from Honda and it gives me bad impression.

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  Not as good as the 08 - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Th Chandos - October 18 - 7:05 am

  Interior cubbies, storage, are lacking. Rear-view camera & guides are totally useless, I only use mirrors. Radio with single optical disc far too big, poorly laid out, long long learning curve. Bluetooth for phone okay functionally, hard to program. CVT was not an issue, but just as noisy inside as ever. Very bad carpet-plastics matching: brown with black? baby caca. Aggressive up-selling of bs options at finalization, no deals on financing. Stuck with this turkey for 3~5 years, depreciated one-third within first year. Last one of these, ever.

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  CR-V - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Ken - October 15 - 3:17 pm

  Make sure you check all dealerships for the best deal.

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  Good car Except for expensive A/C repair - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By Mark - October 13 - 1:54 pm

  Bought this w/ 94K miles and overall its an OK vehicle but very weak and slow. However, I expected that, as long as it got good gas mileage. Well this car is both slow and thirsty! I only get 20-22mpg mixed and for a 4cylinder this is unacceptable. Ive gotten better gas mileage w/ V-6s. Also, the A/C compressor problem is not a rumor or a joke. I knew about this problem after reading reviews but I did not thing it was common enough to be a risk, so bought the car anyway. I was wrong and 3 months after purchasing it the A/C compressor broke. Seems like not a big deal since its not engine/trans related but guess again. From the dealer, the A/C repair was quoted at $4000! because they need to replace the entire system. Thats more than an engine or transmission. Luckily I found an indy mechanic that fixed it for $1800. Still alot of $ to spend especially when comparable RAV4s dont have any of these costs.

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  Very Disappointed.... - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By P. Martin - October 11 - 7:51 am

  This 2015 CRV has a serious problem with vibration while idling in gear. It took a while for me to notice how pronounced the vibration is because I had the A/C on all summer and for some reason having the A/C on masks the vibration. Honda is aware and so are the dealerships. I am appalled that they are still selling this car with a known defect and no fix for the problem. And no, the update does not correct the issue. I think that the pursuit of a lemon law complaint is in order!

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  Nice car except user technology - 2015 Honda Accord
  By Skip - October 11 - 1:15 am

  The Accord requires top level to get nav and other entertainment/communication features. Thus premium price to get. No HD radio. Voice actuation for anything is poor at best. Navigation simply is not useable in most cases. Limited features, for example it does not show speed limit. No way to upgrade or enhance. Slow to work. Complicated user interface with many steps. Nav directions interfere with phone calls with voice over. No touch screen except for radio. Typing is terrible without touchscreen and regular keyboard. Often give totally wrong directions. Or you cant input the address or gives choice no even close. Worst such system Ive ever encountered. Technology not on par with Ford or many others. Dealer even stated system is weak but the 2016 is better? No recalls or upgrades to make it work are available. Waisted money buying something that does not work. Rest of car is mostly fine with only minor design issues. Miss having a manual mode on auto, was told Sport mode controls shifting buy actually does not. Got V6 because I dont like how CVT transmissions work. Pretty good mileage, get over sticker mpg most of the time.