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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  Never a Honda Again - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Rod - July 12 - 10:29 am

  It must not rain in Japan. Honda routes the air intake toward the bottom of the engine, resulting in sucking in water when driving through a not-that-deep accumulation of water in a road. Cost, $4,000 for a replacement engine. The drivers side window motor failed after four years. Cost, $600. The two oxygen sensors failed after five years. Cost, $500. Now there is a problem with the keyless entry/alarm, which wont lock and arm. All this on a car bought new and currently having 18,000 miles on it and 8,000 miles on the engine. Also, we only get maybe 16 or 17 mpg in town. Should have listened to my wife and bought another Toyota!

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  Neve will I buy another Honda - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Spodie - July 10 - 2:04 pm

  32,000 miles and Im on my second set of rear brakes. Front brakes still look like the day it was drove off the lot. Im starting to think Honda is another Toyota. Lets not do anything about it until people get killed.

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  Transmission/Brake Problems DO NOT BUY - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Gene - July 7 - 4:08 pm

  Horrible transmission shudder. Rotors warped at 28k. I usually get 70k out of brakes. Transmission has been in twice for updates, etc. Still horrible. Huge delay when shifting into park. You sometimes end up doing a neutral drop by accident. Gear hunting at 35-40 mph. Cant make up its mind and just pulses. Did I mention transmission problems? You can take to dealer but there is no "real" fix. Just a bad product. I was a Honda person, through and through. Now, not so much. This cost me 35k and it drives like a 15k automobile. Extremely disappointed. Glad I bought the 7 yr 120k warranty as I think I am going to need it. Pretty sad to say that about a Honda.:- ((

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  Severe Transmission Problem - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By 2007 Odyssey Owner - July 3 - 11:31 pm

  My Honda Odyssey is less than 4 years old and it now has 53K miles. It started juddering slightly soon after I got it. Every time I took it back to the dealership, I was told my brake was bad and my tires were bad. With a new front brake and all four new tires, the judder continued and got much worse. I again took it back and also received the recall notice Honda at about the same time. I was told that the software update should take care of this problem, but it did not. I took it back again and another software update and the transmission fluid flush was performed. It was good for three days and the problem returned. I contacted Honda CS and did not get a decent response.

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  New meaning for the word JUNK! - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Lee F. - July 3 - 11:27 pm

  Door panels rattle, sunroof controls rattle, shifter rattles, trunk rattles, brakes had to be replaced at 5000 miles, rear brakes have a class action settlement, hesitates when going around a corner, glove box rattles (replaced three times), drivers door wouldnt open (had to crawl over console from passenger side), both front and rear doors on drivers side had to be "readjusted" because they wouldnt open, squeak under dash, air conditioner makes a popping noise, drivers seat belt had to be replaced because it was making a ticking noise, and the list goes on and on. Car was in the shop 12 times before it even had 5000 miles on it. Last time, they had it for 11 days!

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  Stranded - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By dalo25 - June 30 - 5:41 pm

  This car has been used up in NH which is rough on cars. I have had to replace the AC compressor twice. AC Compressors cost around $1200-$1400 to fix. Both times it has stranded my family on a main road. AC is lousy unless youÂ’re in the front seat. Other issues have cropped up such as leaking engine mounts and various electronic issues. CanÂ’t recall the last time the rear windows worked. Bullet proof reliability? Ride is very stiff and noisy. I think Honda just doesnt report their problems. Dont drink the Imports are better than Kool-aid. This mini-van is no better than a domestic model or a Sienna.

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  Overall a good car - 2009 Honda Accord
  By EyLct - June 30 - 4:05 pm

  I drive a lot for work. There is never a time where I doubt the dependability of my accord. Within the first 5k miles I had to have a tire sensor replaced. After 12k miles all of a sudden it started making this really loud grinding noise. I took it to Honda and they said it was the brakes. They replaced everything free of charge. So far so good. I do notice while idling the car with rev really low like its about to stall out or jump suddenly where if I didnt have my foot on the brakes I would have hit the car in front of me. Very concerning. Very poor acceleration. Horrible gas mileage. Though I love the look of the cars exterior.

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  Disappointed - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Marcie - June 29 - 8:58 pm

  Very disappointed in my minivan. I love the power sliding doors and roomy interior. Trans has had problems from day one. It acts like it doesnt know what to do, go up or down. Taken it in several times, they said had to replace torque converter then another recall. All that messing w/trans has caused motor mounts that need to be replaced and last week the ac went out. They said compressor is bad. Very sad customer.

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  Seats not comfortable - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By sl - June 29 - 6:07 pm

  Took a 3 hour trip and the seats are very uncomfortable. Around town is fine but for the long haul, no way.

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  Bad Brakes - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Bad Brakes..... - June 28 - 8:14 pm

  American Honda need to own up to the brakes issues they have. At least Toyota did the right thing and made it right. We are now in the process of trading in our 2009 Accord on a Toyota.