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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  Warning.. Will Not Recommend this Car To Friends. - 2015 Honda Civic
  By Aimar - August 14 - 10:50 am

  No Water Temperature Gauge is on this car. It has the idiot lite instead. I tell my friends to stay away from this civic. In my opinion, a water temp. gauge is critical to being able to prevent problems before things get out of control. Example: When in stop and go traffic or on trips where there are lots of hills you want to be able to monitor if your engine water temp. is starting to go up ... Why? because if you have your air conditioner on, you will want to turn off your AC for a while so the temp. gauge does not go up and stress out your water hoses and engine. When this car gets to be a few years older and i put stress on my old water hoses because i cannot see What the temp. is, the car will be less reliable.

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  Transmission Failure - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Shannon - August 13 - 1:53 pm

  I bought this car as my first car. It worked wonderfully, I loved it! Then two weeks later the transmission fails. Everywhere I read says this is a common problem with this year. I spent all my money I saved on this car, I dont have enough to buy a new transmission.

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  Never again - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Sharon - August 9 - 5:23 pm

  At 96000 miles, I just put my 5th set of back brakes on the car! Honda tells me its the way I drive... Funny Im driving a Toyota for the last two years and the back brakes still need replacing... Other than a new battery at 3 years and problems with spiders and webs causing a sensor to break, front brakes x 1 and tires etc its been reliable that is if you dont mind replacing back brakes every year or two!

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  2015 CRV strong Vibration while idling!!!! - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Mark C - August 7 - 12:04 pm

  My car is 1 month old, bought new from dealer. I noticed this vibration problem 3 days after I bought the car. I bought it back to dealer two times with no fix. I just dont know why some cars have no vibration issue or maybe they can live with this issue. But I cant. I spent 30,000 for a brand new car that has problem in 3 days? Honda should not be selling this car if they know there is problem. I dont know what else i can do besides writing bad reviews here and there.

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  Vibration feels like a JACKHAMMER - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By EJShep - August 7 - 9:09 am

  I bought the car with rave comments from Honda of Fishers ( Indiana) It had 200 mls on it from being transported from another city. Day after purchase I drove to Ft Wayne, discovered the car had major vibration issue. Was told they couldnt take it back becasue I had put 200 mls on it myself! Took it in for service and they said they couldnt feel the vibration. I have taken it to two different locations to get opinions and no one can believe this problem was not disclosed before purchasing. I get online and see hundreds of others going through the same thing. The dealershp said Honda is going to find a fix, but so far nothing. They said the problem doesnt cause issues so there is nothing I can do. I honestly feel the vibration in my body even when Im not in the car. I drive a lot for my job and concerned that this may be causing me headaches..my arms and hands are itchy when I get out. It vibrates all the time but severely when foot is on break while in drive...the jackhammer name was given by a friend who could not believe Honda is not standing by this.. The management at this store has not contacted me and I bought this in April and have called and left messages, no response. I was deliberately lied to at sales. I am very upset and so disappointed. I dont think this will go without issues arising in other parts of the car with such a problem as this. Never will I trust this dealership again and until Honda takes care of this I will spread the word because YOU do not need to go through this!

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  rich mans trap - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By rich man trap - August 6 - 5:33 pm

  Piece of crap. Not good for anything other than saying you own a truck. All dash lights gone out or going out at 50000 miles. Radio light out at 60000 miles. Odometer light on dash blinks on and off. Every trip to dealer ship for oil change recommends a 400$ service. Pushed me rite into a Toyota Tacoma. Never will I own another honda. Better have deep pockets. Pos!

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  thought I was going crazy - 2015 Honda Odyssey
  By day1 - July 25 - 1:25 pm

  I have been a loyal Honda owner for years. Just bought the 2015 odyssey after having owned one before and after driving it home started to get a dizzy feeling that made me sick. I am about one month into owning this car and the vertigo still hasnt gone away. Very disappointed but was comforted by knowing I was not going crazy and others were having the same experience.

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  Not ready for prime time - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Bruce Walker - July 20 - 9:00 pm

  Honda knows about the vibration issue with transmission/motor match-up- when I talked with Honda of North America, all they said was they "were working on it". I have driven Hondas for over 20 years and relied to heavily on my past experiences with Hondas in buying this clunker.

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  Smart cars are dumb - 2014 Honda Odyssey
  By Arnoldo Betong - July 19 - 8:42 pm

  Our car detects imaginary individuals in the heat, opens the windows and sunroof, and floods when the rainstorm hits. A lemon of a design. I will never buy Honda again

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  Reliable? No - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Martha Lamb - July 19 - 10:59 am

  I bought my 09 Honda Accord sedan because I wanted reliability, and I was willing to pay more up front to avoid the repairs that one expects from less reliable American made cars. When I bought my dealer certified Accord, it had 65000 miles and now it has 165000. During the time Ive owned it I have had to replace the rear brakes, the drivers side window control, the entire air conditioning system, and now, the rack and pinion steering. I am bitterly disappointed with this cat and will NOT purchase another Honda.