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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  build quality problems - 2003 Honda Accord
  By ottawa-honda-guy - October 20 - 10:00 am

  Concerned about several workmanship issues with the new 2003 accords.. i have a sunroof that leeks badly.. lumbar support that roke first thing.. mud guards that came of... its also hard to start in the winter and severl little workmanship issues .. while they are relatively minor.. it is not acceptable for $40,000 Cdn price tag.

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  Now 14,000 miles - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By kee choi - October 18 - 2:00 am

  After 14,000 miles and 10 months I think it rides a little better than the first few months. Still very responsive, handles well and very stable at high speeds even near 100 mph.The engine & transmission are smooth and with a slight braiking in downhill, I feel some engine braking automatically engages in. Had a chance to drive almost new dodge grand caravan. The ride was superior to that of honda though the engine wasnt as smooth as honda.The transmission was about the same. Overall I noticed that the Grand caravan was easier to drive than honda. The Sienna has a better ride than honda but not as responsive or stable as Honda.

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  OK Car - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Jake - October 17 - 4:26 pm

  This car could use more room in the back seat. Th front seats have a ton of room. The furl economy could be better. The acceleration is extremely slow. The driver side window is out of line after only 2 years. That is our first repair. This car has a narrow trunk space.

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  Improved and Again the Best - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Homer - October 15 - 12:20 pm

  Honda has returned to the head of the pack of compact cars with the new Civic. The car is great. The New Civic was appealing to at every angle other then front. Steering is improved as is engine and STANDARD SAFETY IS UNMATCHED.

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  Wife loves it - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By RKM - October 13 - 10:00 am

  Wife test drove the CRV and the Escape and she fell in love with the CRV. No problems with the vehicle as of yet.

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  2002 Honda Civic Problems - 2002 Honda Civic
  By Nathan - October 13 - 10:00 am

  I bought a Honda Civic in late 2002 after reading good reviews in Edmunds.com. I was totally shocked to find out only months later that the "new" car came with serious problems. 1. Unlike my Accord, the plastic in the a/c vent of the Civic "sweats" and results in the rear windshield fogging. 2. The "break shift" produces loud sounds often when one breaks. Apparently these are problems that Honda is aware of and working on. However, a consumer like myself feels shortchanged!

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  accord se coupe 2002 - 2002 Honda Accord
  By iam7head - October 13 - 10:00 am

  a sub-class between the ex and the lx, mostly the honda folks called glorified LX big and comfy seat, the seatbelt sometime lock up too quick, especailly for the taller driver, excellent visablity cockpit. good amount of storage space. the bottemline: its better than the lx with a little more money. however i found hondas new car isnt as solidly built as honda did years ago. its a great communter car, its no where near fast but its perfect for heavy city driving, good resale valve, some what cheap to maintenan and keep, good insurance price for the teenage driver.

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  If you need performance, look no further - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Redstar3894 - October 12 - 2:00 am

  The Odyssey is a great van mostly due to the 3.5L VTEC V6, the great sound system, & the carrying capacity. If you have to drive a minivan, the Odyssey is it, the performance even knocks out some sedans. The power sliding doors are also a very nice add-on. Honda has done a great job with this vehicle, and I hope they continue with it for a long time.

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  2013 Honda Accord EX - 2013 Honda Accord
  By Marionhack - October 11 - 9:39 pm

  PROS: The car has gotten better gas mileage than listed. We sometimes can get between 40-45 on the highway, and 25-30 around town. The car still looks sharp despite the issues with the paint, Ill discuss that later. Maintenance is real easy, i.e. changing fluids, no repairs other than just had to buy a new battery. The original tires (Goodyear Assurance) are some of the best OEMs ever. I still have them on at 54,000 miles and they look like I can get another 10K. CONS: The 3-4 things that bother us about the car is: 1) The engine from day two of ownership hums. Not too bad, but almost like there is a hose disconnected. Ive looked under the hood and it looks like theres an air intake cover missing, or not there by design. 2) The salesman went on and on about the paint job, how it would never fade, etc. Well, it easily scratches and does not do well with car repair waxes or solvents. In fact, these products begin to smear the area around the scratch, making it even more noticeable. We have so many dings and chips on the paint, that I doubt Ill ever be able to get anywhere near a "GOOD" rating on trade. Honda seems to always have issues with their paint, and this in just another one. 3) An issue with the A/C odor. No matter how many times we replace the cabin filter, the A/C stinks for a few seconds when we start the car. 4) Resale value. We purchased the car in June of 2013, and now in July 2017, the car is worth half of what we paid new, and that was having them come off $2500 from the sticker.

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  Good but not Great - 1998 Honda Accord
  By khym - October 10 - 2:00 am

  This is my first Honda. Previously I have owned Nissans, Mazdas and Volkswagens. The car is excellent interior room, big trunk, good acceleration and overall it is a good car -- not a great car. I have been somewhat disappointed by its reliability. My previous cars were all more reliable. I have had several repairs and two recalls. Would I buy a Honda again -- probably. But I would look seriously at a Camry, a Mazda6, a Passat, a Maxima, and perhaps a 3-4 year old Lexus.