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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  Miss Firing or Vibration - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By narotham - June 2 - 8:26 pm

  I purchased this vehicle (CRV - Touring 4WD) on March 31, 2015 I read all the comments, then I want to share my taught Im thinking that there is a misfiring (Spark Plug) Fuel supply is not correct in the vehicle, its in Parking or stopped at red light. In Parking: If you push the gas pedal. vehicle moves forward/backward....(an Inch or so) @ Stop light the vehicle in Vibration.... I want to go to dealer (Millennium Honda) in LI, NY Also I ordered the Remote Start, still now I didnt get that and I called several times and they are saying that you may get a call from the parts, also they are providing non Honda Remote Start and I have to carry 2 remotes/person(4 Total), not original.

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  Love my 2015 CR-V EX AWD - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By justlou - June 1 - 11:08 pm

  My first Honda since I owned a 1995 Civic, and I couldnt be happier with my CR-V EX. I really need AWD for the Winter, and the Cr-V was a great choice. Fun to drive. Runs and rides great. Great gas mileage too.

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  What you expect from Honda - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By briankennedyy - June 1 - 4:48 pm

  Traded in my 2011 CRV EX AWD for a new 2015 LX AWD. After a heads up about vibration problems from reviewers, I took a ten mile test drive of highway and winding country roads. Drove two CRVs and one Odyssey. The CRVs were flawless. The Odyssey was slightly dated. The new CRV is quieter, smoother and handles better than my old CRV. Highly recommend the CRV but test drive before you buy .

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  The Vibration problem is Real - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By emilyv3 - May 31 - 5:21 pm

  Just spent close to 30,000 dollars on my first brand new car and one day into owning it noticed the vibration problem at idle. I am so disappointed and feel Honda and the dealerships are scamming consumers. They dont yet have a fix and are not telling potential buyers about this problem. I would have definitely bought a different car had I read the consumer reviews (not the biased corporate reviews) prior to purchasing. Having owned a reliable and smooth operating Accord for 13 years, I trusted the brand and the dealership. A Honda loyalist no more. Major disappointment.

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  5 Stars Across The Board - Best Car Built - 1992 Honda Civic
  By cool_breeze1 - May 31 - 10:45 am

  Best built car ever in my opinion. Great built, reliability, design, fuel efficiency, repairability. I still have this car - 156,000 miles, body and frame are still holding up after a decade in salt country, parts are easy to find, inexpensive, easy to replace. By the way, this is the second one I have owned and real MPG is actually BETTER than the government-stats posted online - this one gets 38 MPG highway, my previous one got 44 MPG highway, both are in the 30s in the city - better than many older hybrids without all the batteries. I dont drive it any more but really cannot part with it because it is a rare gem of an auto - one designed with quality in mind rather than profit.

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  Been driving it for 12 years - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By manyhondas - May 31 - 12:40 am

  Bought it new as a family van and now has 178,000 miles. In early years, we used it for long trips to Florida, New York, & Canada. Got power and accelerates well. Comfort is fine for local driving but on very long road trips, I wished I had more seat adjustments. The design ambiance is awesome and thats why its still in our driveway. Had two repaint jobs, one major maintenance overhaul, and transmission was rebuilt once. For many years, this minivan has performed better than I expected. Now that its 12 years old, our air conditioner acts weird about every 6 months until my mechanic tinkers around with it. We are tough and assertive urban city drivers.

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  Honda pilot SE - 2015 Honda Pilot
  By trickyfl - May 29 - 9:28 am

  Since day one i took it back next day has a dangerous problem hestates when you lease expect it. sitting a light go to take off it like someone hits the brakes. taken it in twice they say nothing is wrong. one day im gonna pull out and im gonna get hit. ASk a friend who use to be machanic at honda now head mechanic at acura , he said it was transmission, not getting right info from computer .he decribed it perfect told that to honda goes in one ear and out the other. i traded a perfect honda 2011 pilot in for this . i want that one back. HOnda service has not done anything helpful . as soon as i can afford to get rid of this i will.

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  4th S2000 Ive owned. So far the best! - 2004 Honda S2000
  By revs2k - May 28 - 2:12 pm

  The title is correct. Ive owned 4 of these amazing roadsters. 2007, 2002, 2003 and now a 2004. The 2007 had the VSA and the throttle-by-wire feature where there is no physical throttle cable to the manifold. The larger 2.2 engine in the later models makes commuting easier and less noisy. The earlier ones rev higher,are louder and (in my opinion) faster. The 2004 is my favorite so far. Not as encumbered with electrical nannies. The immediacy of the throttle mirrors the earlier model and the styling changes are very much to my liking. Overall this is a great car for any enthusiast. Ive owned many cars and this is the most visceral car Ive owned. My advice is get one while you still can!

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  Vibration when in idle - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By nishd - May 27 - 12:09 pm

  I purchased a 2015 CR-V EX on Memorial Day and only one day after owning it I am now experiencing the infamous vibration issues (here is a link to the problem posted by Honda on their YouTube page - youtu.be/a6K6JPh7zak). Clearly, Honda has known about this problem for a while (the video was posted in April) and yet they continue to sell the car. They say they dont quite know what the problem is but are confident that there is no operational hazard! Unfortunately for me, I didnt know about this problem until after I bought the car or else I wouldnt have purchased it. I spoke to the Sales Manager and Salesperson at the dealership and both say that there is no "cooling off" period in Cal

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  205k and counting - 2000 Honda Passport
  By megsmce - May 27 - 9:40 am

  My grandma bought this car used in 2008, and I inherited it in 2011. We had to replace the transmission in 2009, then it worked fine. More recently, in the past two years, the air has quit working and due to the poor road conditions and salt in the harsh winters of wonderful Michigan, Ive had several problems with the wheel bearings, fuses, axle, struts, shocks and rims. I know it sounds like a lot, but aside from the AC, they were due to very poorly maintained roads. Otherwise its been a great, reliable car considering the miles Ive put on it, and Ill be sad to see it go in a couple of months.