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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  Good car for the price - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Photoarts - December 7 - 10:00 am

  Ive bought an Accord V6 EX in January. The 5sp auto transmission is much smoother than typical Hondas but it still hesitates to downshift. The ride has very good damp and not too harsh like the Maxima SE but it does not corner as well (trade off here). Too bad they leave out some of the convenient features that should be standard in this car: memory seat, heated outside mirror and steering wheel, fog lights and auto dim rear view mirror. The fog lights and auto dim mirror cost a fortune as a dealer options. All in all, a decent car but I think that the Maxima is a still better car for the money.

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  almost a home run - 2017 Honda Civic
  By Scott Mitchell - December 7 - 8:26 am

  I have the CVT 1.5 L turbo sedan. This car is outstanding in every way except for two things, one big and and one small. The display screen is just as bad as everyone is saying. Its not at all intuitive, is way too complicated, and simply has too much technology which is accessible only by staring at the screen and figuring out how to find what you want. That dangerous when youre driving and dont have anyone to do it for you sitting in the front seat. Changing a radio station, for example, thus becomes more complicated than in a car with simple dials to turn and buttons to push. This is a major drawback. A second drawback is the tilt and telescopic controls cant be felt, and thus cant be located when youre driving. Theyre hidden away so badly that the only way to know where they are is to pull over, stop the car, get out and stick your head underneath the stearing column and look for them. Despite these weaknesses, though, the car has really good power and acceleration and amazing gas mileage, and lots of room and storage space.

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  Honda Known Quality - Not Quite - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Honda In Texas - December 6 - 6:33 pm

  I have been a Honda fan since 1990 - first Accord. I have had a total of five Hondas. Issues w/current 03 Odyssey: "engaging" noise w/back calipers (brakes) - Honda response: normal "slipping" of transmission seems to be looking for first - Honda response: normal characteristic of new five speed transmission "sputtering" when RPM between 1500 and 2000 - Honda response: EGR valve, replaced didnt help. Interior is awesome - got leather w/dvd road noise still pronounced, but overall comfort very nice. Van has plenty of power fuel economy not bad either (19 town and 26 on highway). Not very pleased at all w/customer service at Honda dealership - nothing seems to be Hondas fault!

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  passport - 1997 Honda Passport
  By Ty Mosler - December 6 - 3:04 pm

  Performance is good. Roomy interior - especially passenger seating. Poor gas mileage 15-20 mpgs. Minor issues - broken passenger window mechanism, broken driver windshield wiper mechanism.

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  Short seat belts - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Vern - December 5 - 3:46 pm

  i purchased a CRV for my wife. Im a big person (340 lbs) The seat belt on the pass side lock in place as soon as it is connected. My Honda dealer doesnt know what to do and states thats how Honda made it

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  2 years and Done with CRV - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By Joe in IN - December 3 - 12:54 pm

  Weve owned this car for 30 months and 43K miles. Boy this car started to wear on us. Had to replace the tires, the Firestone tires were coming apart in little chunks. Every other OEM tire has lasted at least 65K. Armrests are terrible. The check engine light always comes on. Stereo is weak. The most odd thing is the handling on ice/snow. The car feels like it is sliding all over the place, even though it isnt. It always goes exactly where I pointed it but has a lateral slide feel to it.... CRV has worn us out, but I have faith in Honda so on to the PILOT.

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  Best all around low priced car - 2010 Honda Civic
  By BigBear123 - December 3 - 4:40 am

  So, love the car... except the interior, interior for this model just feels cheap all around from the visually unappealing "cock pit" dash to basic button layout for controls, and cloth on doors. Girlfriend just got 2010 mazda 3, its interior blows civics away, from tech to looks. Super fun to drive, even just around town, but really is not that fast which is good and keeps me out of trouble. Fuel is what u expect, but uses premium, if u care that much get a different car. Bang for your buck, cant beat it though, good looking, fun to drive, reliable, car has everything for a reasonable price... except interior, well I like the seats, they are comfy, I am also not a big guy though.

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  Not all 10s - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Missing My TL - December 2 - 3:53 pm

  I have had the car for 13 months. I am a bit disappointed with the interior planning. The heated seat button on the driver side is obstructed by the hand brake and the mode button to change the heating and cooling is at the farthest reach of the control panel. Additionally, it is puzzling that despite the purchase of an EX-L you need to get a v6 just to get something as simple as a universal garage door opener. I have had Hondas and Acuras in the past and there used to be a distinct difference from domestics, that isnt so for this model.

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  Great car but tranny problems - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By rsmg - December 1 - 10:40 pm

  All-in-all, I think the reviews I have read here are quite hard on the car. We have put it to tough use and had virtually no problems with the well-designed interior. Yes, the left slider sticks despite periodic lubrication by dealer. The brakes have always felt overworked but have been replaced with disks all-around on later models. The big problem IS the tranny. At around 82,000 miles, it was replaced under specially extended warranty for the second time. That was a couple of months ago and wife, tonight, reports same warning lights are on again, although it could be anything, of course. If you buy one used, please get the whole situation IN WRITING, about any tranny warranty extension!

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  Reliable Car - 1998 Honda Civic
  By mattdoggydog - December 1 - 6:54 pm

  This was my first Honda purchase. I own a 98 Civic EX with Auto. I bought this one with 66k. Before this I drove old American-Made beater cars. I am now a Honda buyer for life. My civic is responsive but it certainly is not a sportscar. I wish I would have purchased the 5sp. The only maintenence I have done is a tune up at 70k, Catalytic converter/exhause at 85k, new tires and battery. Its now at 92K and it rides great, ready to go another 100K.