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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  First Time Accord Owner (EX-L) - 2009 Honda Accord
  By car_nut2 - December 17 - 2:58 am

  Im a car afficionado, so I notice a lot of details. The pluses include great reliability (no probs after 57K), beautiful driveline (acceleration and smoothline) with the upline 189 HP EX-L engine, paint and leather holding up well, first Accord that had enough styling that I would consider getting one. The bad are EXCESSIVE body roll--I came from a sports sedan and in the Honda you simply cannot go around corner fast, its like riding in a tall SUV. Excessive buttons--I still havent changed the clock for daylight savings as Im sick of opening the manual to learn the buttons for everything, rear end styling is droopy (front and side much nicer), ROAD NOISE, lack of any interior luxury.

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  Reliable car - 2008 Honda Accord
  By jthunders - December 14 - 4:18 pm

  Reading some of the reviews makes me wonder if Im just lucky or if it has to do with people driving habits. I bought this car new in 2008, to date no major maintenance has been required. I have driven 70,000 miles and have not done anything other than oil changes and got new tires a month ago. Some people complained about the rattling near the back speakers which is a recall that was rectified when I first bought the car for free. Some complained about the brakes but I havent changed the brakes yet.

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  Some thoughts about my 06 civic LX coupe (manual) - 2006 Honda Civic
  By jack_handy - December 14 - 1:24 pm

  Got this car "newish" as a dealer demo from Richmond Hill Honda with +- 12,000 km on it. I had the HPF skirt package installed before I bought it. Today, (Dec 2012) I have over 210k kms on it. I sometimes tow a 700lb trailer with it for camping, I lug a car full of DJ gear with it too. This cars been a delight - a REAL PERFORMER. Muffler went at 100k, front rotors at 150k, battery after 4 yrs all typical stuff if you ask me. I do the plugs myself and do all the other stuff on schedule. "This car doesnt owe me nothin :) " and has been 100% reliable ALWAYS. Clearcoat on the hood has failed (cracked/split) and others have experienced same (on forums) Im living with it.

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  2010 Honda CRV EX-L AWD - 2010 Honda CR-V
  By chucko420 - December 12 - 12:30 am

  Pros: No problems so far, good gas mileage, not much service work required except frequent changing of rear differential fluid, interior is designed well, lots of room for driver & front seat passenger, good placement of shifter & emergency brake opens up lots of space, arm rests are nice, fold flat rear seats are great, lots of cargo space, low rear end gives easy access to cargo area. Cons: sloppy handling, noisy, poor visability trying to see out rear window or rear side windows but all cars are like this now, heated seat for front passenger only works the lower seat cushion and not your back, front bumper unnecessarily large.

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  OK, but some issues - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By t55 - December 11 - 10:54 pm

  We purchased this car new. Fairly comfortable and rear seat has adequate room and Im 61". Road noise not bad on good roads but irritating on slightly rough highways. Hard to hear conversation on these roads. Engine noise is mild when cruising, but noticeable under acceleration and strained and a bit slow. This is fine as I drive usually for economy and many 4 cylinders are similar. Gas mileage is good on a trip with completely packed car going around 70, we got 29.5 mpg. Issues: weird chirping noise from rear at low speed. Breaks are very touchy. Navigation does not know some old roads. Have to talk very loud for voice activated phone and navigation system commands to work.

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  I love getting in my car each morning! - 2012 Honda CR-Z
  By kristen21 - December 2 - 10:44 pm

  I love this car! I bought it because I wanted a fuel efficient car that was also fun to drive. This car is definitely fun to drive and I love getting into it each morning. Ive owned my CR-z for about 6 months now. This car is really comfortable-- I love that the seats hug you. I also like all the bells and whistles like blue tooth phone connection, radio adjustment from the steering wheel, and a USB port to hook up my ipod. I had to rent a Chevy Malibu and every time I got in the car I missed my CR-z. I hated the way the Malibu handled and I didnt like its responsiveness. I love this car and would definitely recommend it.

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  Stay with your old Honda - 2013 Honda Odyssey
  By luvmycars3 - November 27 - 10:56 pm

  Compared to my touring 2009 the new van falls so short. The inside quality has been reduced to that of an Amerian made van. The ride is not as smooth. Options are now overpriced. My 2009 had an buyer within the hour at above book price. Interesting that even others see he value in the older models. You do better o by a used Honda with the old body style. The old style is a blast to drive.

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  First Honda - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By jarsenal - November 27 - 12:48 pm

  I traded in my 2009 Scion XB for the 2012 CRV a month ago. So far Im loving the upgrade. Power is lacking but gas mileage is beyond what I expected in this vehicle. Im averaging about 29mpg mixed City and Hwy. Nice to make it more then a week between fills. The ride is very smooth compared to my XB could be the "regular" tires vs the low profile tires on the XB. I cant get used to the back up camera and rarely look at it. I dont trust it lol.

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  @118,000 miles - 2005 Honda Civic
  By hiker8 - November 27 - 10:49 am

  Annoyances but not necessary to fix: brake pedal pops, creaking noise from transmission when clutch pressed (difficult to lubricate), drivers seat has a little play when rocked back and forth, brake pads shift in calipers and "pop" when braking forward after braking reverse. Major problems: Head gasket replaced at dealer for $950 @ around 115,000 miles. (If you heat goes out while idling and bubbles are coming from your coolant reservoir while idling you need a head gasket). Other things: Front pads at 90k, oxygen sensor around 90k, fluids, filters tires. The good: no electrical/accessory problems, drives pretty good and smooth with the manual. Solid and reliable despite head gasket.

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  This is my 2nd review here after 1+ year of driving - 2006 Honda S2000
  By kolyan2k - November 26 - 2:14 pm

  Now have almost 47k miles and car runs like a champ. Easy and cheap to do all maintenance, found out since this is a high performance car in needs valves adjusted every 30k or so. Havent had any problems with car. Gets decent MPG for a high performance high rev engine.