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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  LOVED 2007 2015 DISAPPOINTMENT - 2015 Honda Odyssey
  By Richard Grand - July 18 - 8:14 am

  LOVED 2007 TOURING. Had 2 minor gripes: Passenger seat too close to dash Proprietary run flat tires could only be repaired/replaced at Honda dealer. 2015 TOURING NOT SO MUCH. Ride way too stiff. Amplifies road noise. Front seats difficult to ingress/egress (~12" laterally from ground, hard to get into contoured seat). Ledge under door collects water/dirt which gets on clothes. Awkward steering wheel adjustment required for drivers of different size. Infotainment system not intuitive and way too complicated. One tone for all alerts is a safety problem (have to take eyes off road to determine cause). Nitpicking interior items include: no coin holder, front cup holders not convenient, no storage for headsets in second row. PLUSES: Rear view camera is great. Setting Navigation screen back into dash with cowl is a major improvement. CONCLUSION: Very disappointed. Will not keep this van for usual length of time

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  Dead Battery - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By ggage - July 18 - 1:11 am

  i love my CRV except for the battery going dead occasionally for no reason at all. Have had it checked. Dealer did an update , but it still happens. They also checked the battery and it is ok. I am tired of calling friends to jump start my car when I go out and it wont start. COme on Honda, admit you have a problem and fix it.!!!

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  CR V ibration - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Tim - July 17 - 8:49 am

  With two small children, and living in the country, where winters can get bad I was looking for a practical family car with AWD. I decided to lease the CR V because the lease deal was excellent. Very glad I leased (which I never do) and did not buy the CR V. The vehicle is nice (havent got to test out the AWD in snow yet), but like many others have commented the vibration while at stop with car in drive is maddening. And its not minor! I had a hat sitting on the passenger seat, and the letters literally looked like a blur! Sometimes you can even feel it through the steering wheel. I thought I was making a good decision, getting a well known, reliable car, but I was wrong. I have never written a review before iny life, but buying a vehicle is a huge financial decision and I wanted to make others aware. Please, if you are in the market for a compact SUV, do yourself a favor and look at other options. This vibration thing IS REAL! Luckily Im 3 years I can turn this vehicle back in...just hoping Honda comes out with a fix soon. I will repeat one more time...DO NOT BUY a 2015 CR V.

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  My 3rd CRV - 2014 Honda CR-V
  By KB - July 16 - 8:46 pm

  This is the 3rd CRV I have owned. Jimmy Sears at Autonation Honda in Chandler, AZ was my sales person and the experience was exceptional. Now I am the proud owner of a 2014 CRV. I have owned two others previously and traded them in to drive other vehicle I thought would be THE vehicle for me. Obviously I have come back to the CRV. In my opinion it is tough to beat the convenience and reliability of these vehicles. They give you the comfort of a sedan with the convenience of an SUV and the gas mileage of an economy car. Im done experimenting with other vehicles. I have my CRV and this what I plan to drive from now on.

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  Liking It! - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By LC - July 16 - 2:15 pm

  Upgraded from a 10 year old car so enjoying all the new technology! Loving the gas mileage - getting about 30-31 around town, and hit 35mpg on a 1,200 mile trip. Ive had no vibration issues the vehicle is quite, handles well, and Im loving the keyless entry (which surprised me). I do wish for the price it had the automatic lift-gate, but I didnt need a nav system so didnt want to go a model up. Like the sun roof, love the ease of folding down the back seats, and enjoying the back-up camera. Dont love the auto dimming review mirror and wish they also had the blind spot camera on the left side, or at least a blind spot mirror. My biggest issue/complaint is that the inside plastic is a bit cheap - my dog got a few scratches in the plastic by the windows on his 1st first ride, worried how bad this will be in 10+ years, ha! Really it is a great looking, great driving car. For the size (coming from a small car) I am so happy with the mpg, and how well it handles.

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  My 4th and last Honda - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By K Stiefel - July 16 - 8:46 am

  Everything was going well until 89000 miles when the A/C started blowing warm air. Honda, after settling a 40 million dollar class action suit for failed compressor clutches on these A/C units extended the warranty to 7 yrs or 100,000 miles. I never received notification about this. Ive had the vehicle for almost 8 yrs but well under the mileage. Honda service said "oh well". Honda of America may pay "a portion" of the repair but wont tell me how much. Honda has known about this problem and did nothing for owners to remedy it before failure. I guess the good Honda name means nothing now. Honda does not stand behind their product. Google this and you will see complaint after complaint about this problem. Also OEM tires ride horribly and lasted 25000 miles. Highway ride is rough. Inside dome light doesnt work. I am so done with Honda.

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  My favorite car EVER, and Ive had quite a few - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Chris K - July 15 - 6:06 pm

  My first car was a 1981 Accord coupe. Later a Civic, then a Prelude, Another Accord Coupe (all were manual transmissions). This EX is an automatic. Luxurious, comfortable, fast with the V-6, and has only required normal maintenance aside from a power steering pump/hose (recall), starter, a couple of belts and tires. At 11-yrs-old and 96000 miles, it is still our chosen "road trip" car, although our other car is newer. Huge trunk, back seats that fold down, you cant beat it. I bought it at 3-yrs old from a friend and still just love driving it. Close to needing the brake pads and timing belt replaced, but so what! Drove a Saab for 3 years in the middle, and after all the breakdowns, sold it and went back to Honda.

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  Ridiculously Dissapointing - 2010 Honda Accord
  By Courtney - July 14 - 4:44 pm

  I am a first time Honda buyer. Purchased this vehicle with the knowledge that I commute 100 miles a day. Wanted something large enough to contain passengers comfortably and was reliable and going to give me a decent amount of years before needing to purchase a new vehicle. I have had nothing but problems from about 20k miles. It has had several "safety bulletins", basically Honda recognizes there is an issue and doesnt fix the problem until you are in the dealer complaining or broke down and have been towed in. I have broken down 7 times in the last 5 years, 4 times in the last 2 years since getting a new engine. I was breaking down on the freeway about 2x a year, everything was blamed on oil consumption after several fixes and "safety bulletin" fixes Honda agreed to replace my small block since I had purchased the extended warranty. Since receiving by new small block I have been stranded or limped my vehicle to the dealer 4x from a busy metropolitan freeway in the bay area and still received an oil consumption explanation. At one point I was told that I needed to be checking the oil in my 2 year old vehicle every time I pumped gas, umm NO I am not making a payment on a new vehicle to treat it like a 1970 Nova. Im now at 100k miles and am still breaking down. I know have unexplained engine issues that the codes will not translate. I feel like I am the one in a million people that hate Honda and have had a horrible experience. I am convinced it has to do with the fact that I got the V6 instead just the basic 4cylinder!

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  [non-permissible content removed] - 2010 Honda Civic
  By Dan Sylvia - July 14 - 11:09 am

  This car I got a good deal on getting for about 14k used with roughly 35k miles. Gas MPG is way off, theres no way I get 36 highway or 28 city. Acceleration is very poor especially coming from a 6 cylinder maxima. Car is a good first car maybe because of its poor acceleration and ease to drive. Not really a fun ride, however it is reliable. I havent had to repair anything and now Im a little over 60k miles. Im personally not a fan of the car with the way it drives.

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  2013 LX civic "prone" to hail damage - 2013 Honda Civic
  By Marty Lundeen - July 14 - 10:04 am

  To reduce vehicle weight the metal skin is very thin, compared to earlier models...press on it, and you can dent easily. This is the second time in one year that i have suffered significant hail damage. A diameter of 1/2" will do it! If you dont have a garage, I would not purchase it. Other than major draw back, its a nice car.