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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  Is A/C on all the time - 2009 Honda Civic
  By Nice4 - June 15 - 12:44 pm

  Just noticed the Civics A/C does turn on without my command. The A/C fan turn on first in the morning when I start my car (the command button is OFF and it is not at ON state). Then after some driving, park on driveway, see water drops on driveway (just exactly like when A/C is on in hot Summertime). Then noticed from time to time, I can feel there is cool air blow out and status shown is OFF state. All of all, convinced me that the A/C is some ON all the time. Is any other owner having similar experience? There are annoying rattle sound from the roof and/or dashboard in Winter. Reported to the dealer but the excuses is have to wait for the time when it reoccurs again - next Winter

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  Driving Performance Stinks - 2009 Honda Civic
  By mmp - June 15 - 6:37 am

  My car is 18 months old and I have had multiple problems. First, my check engine light kept coming on. It made the car miss when accelerating and almost caused several accidents on major highway because of this. It also disengaged my cruise control, so it did not work. They told me it was not covered under the warranty, so I had to pay for repairs. Now, it is making a horrible clicking sound every time I put my foot on or take off the gas pedal. I wish I would have never bought this car. It is nothing but problems. What a waste of money.

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  Avoid Honda - 2010 Honda Odyssey
  By Avoid Honda - June 14 - 2:32 pm

  Transmission slipping. I thought Honda had fixed this problem, apparently not. Avoid Honda.

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  Our worst (and last) Honda ever - 2009 Honda Civic
  By Disappointed in PA - June 10 - 1:01 pm

  Honda owners since 99. That all changed about 3 wks ago when my wife was driving our 2 daughters to dance recital about 10 mi from our house. 2-3 mi before arriving, my wife began hearing a terrible grinding noise from the front- end. It sounded like something was dragging. It turned out to be metal on metal front brakes. No warning sign that we were in need of brakes before that night. When she arrived the wheels were too hot to touch. Next day Honda service said we needed front brakes. Duh. They said exp brake life was 15- 20k! Our 04 Pilot weighs 2x as much and we went 50k before needing brakes. Do your research on Honda Civic brake problems. We are picking up Mazda3 today. Honda lost a customer forever.

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  Honda Pilot 2011 EX-L with RES FWD - 2011 Honda Pilot
  By hondaguy - June 8 - 7:35 pm

  I felt regret to get this Pilot. So noisy and gas mileage is not as good as the sticker said. Just got the car for 2 days and found out the defect. The wheel couldnt keep straight, I have to keep it to the right like ~ 15-20 degree to keep my car run straight. Brought to dealer they said that was normal. No way! My wife has the old 2002 Toyota 4Runner and didnt have something like this. I hate my Pilot now.

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  I mean it, dont buy this SUV! - 2001 Honda Passport
  By dont buy this SUV! - June 8 - 4:04 pm

  I owned this SUV for almost four years, and for the first 3 years, it ran well, had no problems. Once I hit about 90K miles, the problems came. First, the oil leak around the front transfer casing (almost $1K), a replaced gasket ($500), then a blown computer chip which immobilized the SUV ($2000). Then, a second blown computer chip, (free, due to warranty of first chip), fuel tank sensor ($150) and last but not least, a short in the main engine wire housing which relays all the sensors to the computer (to diagnose the problem $500, to actually fix, $2.5 K). After diagnosing the wire housing problem, which took two dealerships 6 weeks and no loaner car, I washed my hands of this lemon.

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  Month One and a half - 2010 Honda CR-V
  By Buy another Honda? - June 7 - 10:07 pm

  Questions about build problems have been elevated after I took the car to the dealer for a "once over" - Note: I have been very happy with this dealer, the issue that I have is with the CR-V - produced in Mexico - I am a fan of Mexican manufacturing but not here. I have discovered missing parts, misaligned body panels, strange noises, and after a overnight loaner of a 09 CR-V, I am convinced that my 3000 mile old car has some very serious issues. My wife and son both asked me if the loaner had a v-6 (of course Honda doesnt offer a v-6) the difference in the way the car ran was that noticable. Make sure you look over your CR-V carefully before driving away.

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  Needs some recalls - 2008 Honda Accord
  By McDewbie - June 7 - 8:10 pm

  I bought my Accord new off the lot with 2 miles on it. Have had it 2 1/2 years. Im seeing very similar reviews to my own, only it seems my car has had the symptoms from each of the other reviews. It seems to burn 1-2 quarts of oil between oil changes( and the oil light does not come on to alert me of this), road noise including power steering is obnoxious, its had to be in the shop for 2 weeks due to some issue with the piston timing within 35,000 miles of owning, brakes are about to need to be changed for the 2nd time. Transmission appears hang in a gear too long when climbing or descending hills. Overall, I bought it for look and reliable name of Honda, but so far Im unimpressed.

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  Honda = Lemon - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By paul - June 4 - 10:29 pm

  Ive always been a big fan of Honda. No longer. Had civics, accords, and now the odysseys (owned a 2003 before). Had problems with the steering reservoir, gear hunting at 40 mph, delay in shifting to "d", brake rotors, and now a leaky steering rack! Talked to Honda customer service who was no help and not at all sympathetic. Honda wants $1400 for a new steering rack. Ive owned 10 cars and never had a leaky steering rack. And Ive had many cars over 150k miles. The quality seems to have gone down and the customer service has definitely gone down. After having owned 6 hondas in the past, I will not buy another Honda.

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  Honda still cant fix the steering - 2009 Honda Accord
  By bobby - June 4 - 7:43 pm

  I bought the car a year back. The car is spacious, handles well. Negative side: Excessive road noise. Surprisingly various annoying problems: Steering was making noise. Dealer finally changed the steering, but soon noticing excessive vibrations at highway speed, and when u apply brake. I have been to the dealer 5 times about steering problems but problem persists. Remote wont work beyond 20 ft etc. Let me give you my honest opinion: 1) Accord is not anymore trouble free as it use to be. 2) Road noise makes ypu deaf on longer travel.