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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  Bad Decision - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Odyssey EX - August 28 - 12:30 pm

  Bought used April,2010 My complaint issues are cheap plastic on the interior that seems to scratch if anything touches it. The passenger slider door needed guide roller replaced at 47,000. It now sometimes jams when opening. The dealer tells me this is a safety feature that activates when the window is down. It activates on ours without the window down. Also, that door sticks and our 9 year old daughter cant open it. They have put their door grease on it several times and it doesnt help. Transmission labors at 50 mph. Recall did not help this. Service rep says he has one that does the same. Also The seats are not even close to Chrysler for ride comfort. Im trading for Chrysler

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  Can I return it? - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By Tracyp - August 27 - 12:15 pm

  I just purchased this vehicle a week ago and typically you are suppose to be excited when you get a new car but I cant seem to get there. Here is what I have noticed so far. It drives great and has a very smooth ride but for the price I think it is missing a lot of features that should be standard. To get blue tooth or a better stereo you have to purchase the $2000 navigation system. Unless you can afford to purchase the Touring model I would look elsewhere but Ill bet in that price range other models would still have better features. Honda claims that you get more at trade-in for their vehicles, I hope so because I dont think I will own this long.

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  The 2005 had better additions - 2010 Honda Civic
  By wshazbot62 - August 27 - 4:09 am

  I had a 2005 VP same as the 2010 I have now, big difference. The 2005 had keylock doors, smaller dashboard, a lid to the center console, ya really. I would have thought it would have new upgrades, not take away upgrades. I am so upset with how they took away minor options, that I thought were standard. You can hear the road noise a lot more in the 2010 then the 2005 too. All in all I am not happy with the new one, the car has made odd noises since day 1 and I have never heard a car sound like that before. But when I take it in, no noise. The 2005 had a grinding noise in the brakes, I take it in 5 times and the 5th time they find sand, and find mine was not the 1st to have that problem.

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  I just run and run - 2001 Honda Accord
  By Alain Boutin - August 26 - 7:45 am

  Transmission misbehaved at 99.8K miles, warranty covered those models up to 100K miles ! The dealer replaced it for free. They replaced also the air bag for free. Noisy, stiff, it is a torture chamber. Both rear seat panels fell off. That is all. After 132K miles, the car still runs fine. That is what we expect from a car. To go from A to B. US market Honda are hard to repair in Canada. They are not even listed on their computer system. Relatively stable under slippery condition. Pedals too sensitive. It is a Canbox on 4 wheels. But a good Canbox.

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  Second Honda that is really Bad - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By SSS - August 25 - 5:35 pm

  Crack on Windshield within 18 months, Battery went dead with 12 months, One tire had to be replaced since it bulged a bit (paid >$200), dealer never accepted that it was manufacturing mistake, Feeling air flowing through vent even when A/C is off, Alignment gets messed up immediately after 2 weeks of aligning at the dealership (lots of wasted money), not a comfortable ride at all (My Honda Civic had similar problems too not the same, bought both at the same dealership). I really dont like driving Hondas anymore.

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  More and More Disappointing - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Steverino - August 25 - 3:21 pm

  With a growing family, my wife and I bought a new Odyssey in 2003 and had to replace the transmission within a year (on recall). Its now at almost 190,000 miles and the 2nd tranny is shot. What makes this so disappointing is that we have taken very good care of the minivan, following Hondas maintenance schedule to the "T" with the dealers service department --- "regular maintenance" for this vehicle has been to the tune of $1000 to $2000 PER YEAR. Ive never heard of regular maintenance being so expensive for any other car. This minivan has proved over 6 years to be a very poor value --- we now wish that we had paid a little extra up front and bought the Toyota Sienna instead!

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  Nothing But Problems - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Todd - August 23 - 6:35 pm

  Let me start off with saying that this is the first and last Honda that I will ever owned. The car shakes when the VCO light is on (3 cylinder mode). The car has been into the dealership for transmission updates to correct this problem. I had a VSA light on the dash and the dealership had to replace the VSA module at a cost of $1350.00 and the car is just 20 days out of warranty. Brake rotors had to be turned at 15,000 miles due to a wheel vibration. DVD monitor was defective right from the factory.This car has poor mpg at around 20 on the highway.

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  Good and Bad - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By supernerd - August 20 - 12:58 pm

  I am very thankful that this vehicle has side curtain airbags for all 3 rows. My family experienced a major side impact accident and they worked beautifully. Ill only buy vehicles with side airbags for ALL 3 rows from now on. That being said, this has not been the best vehicle. We had the power steering go out twice which was not covered under regular warranty (thank goodness for the extended warranty). I also had the brake pedal go down to the floor once and nearly didnt stop us in time. That was fixed under recall. Also, we were lucky to get 14 mpg in town and the dealer told us that was normal. Great driving vehicle but with these type of issues I wont buy again.

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  Overheating transmission - 2009 Honda Ridgeline
  By Don - August 18 - 7:50 pm

  Transmission warning light comes on, the transmission is overheating, the oil has a burnt smell.

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  My experience - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By robbie - August 18 - 2:47 pm

  The interior on this vehicle is extremely easy to get stained. I had to purchase seat covers at over $300.00 to protect the interior.