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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  Loss of features over 2000 honda - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By ms. mimi - July 21 - 8:47 pm

  How I miss my Honda 2000!! The interior of my 2009 is crap. Stains on the upholstery, mostly from water and it looks worse than my trade in which was ten years old. Also, they took away the seat pockets on back seats, made the under passenger seat drawer so small it cant be used and took away two of the cup holders. I have to use one cup holder for storage of personal items. I also do not like the outside design. Loved my other one with the wheel on back. I needed a new car and went with Honda but do not like this car because of interior features mostly and outside design.

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  Disappointing - 1999 Honda Odyssey
  By Bill - July 20 - 7:56 pm

  We purchased a 1999 Odyssey new at a local dealership and have owned it since. We are very disappointed in the overall quality and reliability. We have had some recalls, sliding door problems, suspension problems, rear brake problems, and the transmission needed to be replaced around 64,000 miles. Honda covered the transmission, but no vehicle should have that after only 64,000 miles much less one that is known to be very reliable. This vehicle has made me believe that foreign vehicles are really no better than American vehicles as my parents have a Ford Freestar and have had absolutely no problems at all at the 80,000 mark and counting. Buy American!

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  Poor customer service/backseat danger - 2004 Honda Element
  By Gwendolyn - July 20 - 8:25 am

  Wrote Honda that backseats do not lock, will not take child car seats, very dangerous, was like this when we bought it but did not know as we did not use the back seats until our granddaughter was born 2rs ago when we tried to install her car seat, discovered locks do not lock, never did since purchase. Local dealer said cost would be over $700. Wrote national Honda. Got uncaring follow-up phone call, they hung up when I explained this was NOT about a part under warranty needing repair, but a life threatening problem existing since purchase. We cannot take passengers/children in backseats ever--a huge flaw. But worse was lack of concern by Honda. Probably my last Honda. Safety matters most.

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  No Next Tme - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By Warren Norman - July 19 - 6:34 pm

  This car runs me crazy downshifting back and forth on slight grades, not enough power unless using lower gear. Dealer says this is normal. Will not buy this car again.

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  Tire and AC problems - lemon - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By BH - July 19 - 3:54 pm

  First problem when car was around 1.5 years old with 31,000 km I was told I needed new tires. Dealership indicated they put cheap tires on the vehicle. I have never had to put new tires on any of our vehicles until the 70,000 km mark. Next problem when car was 2.5 years old, in July, on one of the hottest days in Canada, the air conditioning stopped working. We were told after a $99.00 diagnosis problem that we needed a new part - a sensor wasnt working but there is one small problem, the part is on back order and you cant have it fixed until October and guess what it is not under warranty. Cost will be approximately $700.Our AC will work about the time the snow flies.

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  Not impressed - 2008 Honda Civic
  By rlb3232 - July 18 - 10:49 pm

  This car was decent overall, im 611 and drove it for almost two years. The gas mileage is really good on the highway (38-44) with a full car and two large people in it, but gas mileage in town is not too impressive (25-28) when driven very cautiously. The interior design is cool but materials used are very cheap feeling. The ride was loud on the highway and bumpy to say the least. The cloth seats seem really cheap and i hate the light gray interior because it stains so easily. Overall a good car for a high school student since its kind of sporty with adequate gas mileage. I traded up to a dodge charger which im extremely happy with, what a different ride.

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  Honda Pilot Sunroof problem - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By hondaguy - July 18 - 10:01 am

  After getting a lot of hassle from purchasing a Honda Pilot, the sunroof still does not work well. Dealer reset once and worked for a while now I got the same problem again: sunroof can not be closed all the way when it opened. Driving this Pilot for a month, too much noise, specially the road noise so terrible. I did a drive test again on Toyota Highlander and so much quiet. Gas mileage is not so good ~ 15 mpg in city, ~20 mpg on freeway. Well, thinking of trading this Pilot and get the Highlander. Wasted my money on his Honda.

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  Sorry I bought the pilot - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By FloridaMike - July 16 - 6:47 pm

  I leased my Pilot in Pgh and immediately drove it home to Florida. I didnt even get 20 mpg even with eco mode in flat FL. The cruise control drives me crazy, constantly slowing down and speeding up, it varies from 2-3 miles below set speed to 2-3 miles above. Dealer says this is normal as well as the gas mileage. Ive never had a cars cruise do that. Trying to figure out how to get out of the lease.

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  Pulls to the right! - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By kellit - July 13 - 10:10 am

  My mothers 2010 4wd pilot is great except it pulls to the right! Its been taken to the dealer 5 times and theyve said theres nothing wrong with it, they all do that, they were made to do that, its the crown in the road, it falls within specs so theres nothing they can do blah blah blah! Why on Earth do you want your car to pull either way? How will she know when its pulling due to there being something wrong? Sure the pilot looks great but how is it safe for your car to pull to the right? The dealership has yet to do anything to help my mother and now they are not returning her calls.

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  Plus and Minus - 2009 Honda Accord
  By delphi - July 12 - 9:31 pm

  I have owned this car for 2 years. The positive is that it handles well on all road surfaces including ice/snow. Mileage is almost the same on the highway as my 2003 Cadillac SLS at slightly over 26 mpg. The seats are terrible. After 3 hours, my legs and back ache. I can put up with the user unfriendly center panel controls but am ready to sell due to the seats. I test drove the Accord for 2 hours prior to purchase. Wish I had driven it another hour. The A/C is barely able to keep up with 90 degree outside temps.