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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  Complete Wreck - 2010 Honda Fit
  By David Caines - April 28 - 10:37 am

  Hi all, For anyone considering buying a Honda FIT, I must warn you to expect zero support from Honda should anything go wrong. We were driving home from NY City sunday in heavy traffic and the clutch plate disinterated without any warning. I managed to get the car off the highway without blowing the eninge, only to find out that Honda Inc. finds this near death experience perfectly acceptable and dosent cover the clutch plate under warranty under any circumstances. Saddly this ends a twenty five year habit of buying Hondas and of course we will never buy a Honda again. So, FIT owners consider a trade in at your earliest opportunity. Believe me we are,

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  scared. - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By tom sampson - April 27 - 12:25 pm

  I am getting this car as a teen from my parents and after reading reviews i am scared. the last thing i need is my dad giving me an earful for blowing out the transmission which is bound to happen. after reading other reviews i am surprised it has gone 120k with the stock transmission the service light will NOT turn off. i just found out the bumper is nothing more than plastic. this thing is a hog at an SUV like 15 mpg. pickup trucks get more than that. although having bad mileage, it does have a lot of kick to it. but once again, scared to blow out the transmissiion

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  Rear Brake Burn out - 2009 Honda Accord
  By JMAC - April 26 - 4:28 pm

  Wow poor design!! I have had 5 Hondas none had the rear brakes burn out under 20,000 miles. I would not buy another and advise no one else too until Honda owns up and fixes the braking problem. The sqealing the brakes make do not go away after pads are changed In fact my case Manager from Honda America (Terri) was her name said they will do that for the life of my car. I told her that is insane I have never experienced this from honda that they are going down the same road as toyota it sounds like. So be-ware beware If you buy this car expect every 16,000 to 23,000 you will need a brake job...Very dissapointed with Honda :(

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  Dont waste money, buy straight gas engine - 2009 Honda Civic
  By Mac8 - April 21 - 6:22 am

  Well I have had this car for one year, the only savings I can figure out is mileage, I dont drive it much because it not comfortable, visibility is poor and braking at low speeds it surges as it jumps into coast mode and gas engine shuts off. Therefore the saving is I stay home more. I leased through Honda so I am stuck with it for two more years. Driving in Florida where its as flat as a pancake, around town, Ft Myers area I get a whooping 33 mpg. I took it to east coast and back got around 47 tops. Excuse down here is they use to much ethanol in gas. Its no better than a regular Civic , only less power, dont waste your money, no real saving.

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  Transmission failure - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By eddie - April 19 - 2:32 pm

  99k miles before transmission failed. Bought new late 2004. No warranty, no luck. Others worldwide with same problem. I know for a fact, 2003 extends its transmission failure, not just the media reported for 2000 through 2002. Caveat Emptor.

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  2008 Honda CRV - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By cope6 - April 15 - 2:36 pm

  Of course there is the grinding/annoying brake noise, it has pulled to the right when stopping (deal said that rust/dirt causing the problem), have had clicking sounds at times when I go to start it and for some reason the rear differential has a problem every 10,000 or so miles. My 97 CRVs differential had problems at maybe 150-160 thousand miles .. needed grease! The dealer told me the clicking sound I get at times when I go to start it just cant be the starter because its a new vehicle!! What is it then - battery is good! Pulling to the right when stopping - per them dirt on rotors/brakes - why do they get so much dirt? Why do they want $100 to grease the differential every 10K?

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  Just a headache - 2005 Honda Accord
  By brgls - April 10 - 3:24 pm

  This was my first import car, and I was not impressed at all. The reliability for the car is great, but small annoying things always go wrong. The driver seat started squeaking and making noises at 38000 miles and no dealership would help me unless I would buy a new $1200 seat. The interior makes bad noises over all the bumps and the I4 engine seems underpowered and noisy. The radio has static everywhere and the speakers are already blown out and I never turned the radio up past half way. The dealership also said this was normal. If you get a Honda, at least dont service one at a Honda dealership.

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  A little disapointed - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Bryan - April 9 - 7:06 pm

  Hondas reliability and great resale value carried the day, so I bought one. On balance my Accord has been reliable transportation without too much to complain about. That said, if you fancy yourself a "car" person then do yourself a favor and consider buying something else. There is nothing in an 09 Accord to get very excited about nor terribly disappointed with. The premium 270 watt stereo is on par with a good bed side table top clock radio. The ride is road connected, to me bumpy and a little noisy even with the best new Michelin summer tires installed recently. Its car 101. Plain, simple, safe, reliable, boring transportation.

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  Bad Brakes at 16,000 miles! - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Mike D. - April 8 - 11:55 am

  My 2009 Honda Accord has only 16,000 miles on it and mostly highway miles. A few weeks ago I started to hear noises coming from the front end. I thought I was dragging metal or something. After a few weeks of hearing these random noises I took to my mechanic and he showed me the rear brake pads, which are completely gone and the front, which are 1/2 gone. I called the dealer and they said that it probably my driving style and this is "normal". I have done a lot of internet research and many are experiencing the same issue. I called American Honda Corp and they told me that there are no know issues and there is nothing they can do either. I now have a "new" car and I have to put out $400

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  Money Waste - 2010 Honda Odyssey
  By Mike - April 7 - 12:04 pm

  We bought this in September. Odyssey has a plenty of power and space so you can enjoy a comfortable ride. But.. DONT BUY Touring edition. Its waste of money. All extras are not working properly. You can forget about using Navigation system or rear camera if its sunny day. Instead of the image or your direction, you will enjoy a BLACK screen. Honda forgot to protect rear camera and information screen from sun and rain. Voice recognition system is fun for a while but you are getting tired to repeate your commands 10 times before system will understand it. USE BUTTONS. Much quicker.