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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  crap entertainment and touch screen - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Dank - April 24 - 7:12 am

  Do not buy this unless if you can live with crap entertainment system. Very poor metal cone like sound, smudge touch screen. Biggest issue is entertainment turns off when we stop engine from running. When starting engine, all blue ray unit will start the track from beginning. These vehicles are use for long trips. when having a break and starting again, blue ray also start running from beginning. My family hate this thing. Also would you believe it can only play USB drive when only engine is not running. Soon as engine starts, it says cannot read. Very poor quality.

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  DONT BUY THIS CAR - 2014 Honda Accord
  By David - April 19 - 4:31 pm

  This car rides like an old army jeep. If you are in the passenger seat, you will lose your false teeth if you hit a small bump. It seems they took a standard Accord and just cranked down the suspension as far as it would go thinking they would somehow make it perform like a BMW. Next, these crack engineers decided that anyone who purchased this car would not have the intelligence to make their own decisions, so they decide for you when they want to AUTOMATICALLY LOCK YOU OUT OF THE CAR. For example, if you come home from Costco with your car fully loaded and want to unload the trunk first, dont leave your keys in the car on the seat, because with the trunk open and while you are humping your groceries into the house, the car will decide to lock you out after 30 seconds. And, yes, I have contacted the dealer and read their 385 page manual written in 47 languages and there is no solution to this problem. And, lets say you are driving with your lights on during the day for extra protection against other drivers, who are sharing their attention with their smart phones, and you stop to let a passenger do some shopping while you wait for them with the engine off. You can do that, but keep a tow truck number close at hand, because the lights will not turn off and, of course, there is no warning since you did not open your door. This is a slam-bang, cheap imitation wannabe of a quality performance car, that will, unfortunately, last as long as any Honda and still hold its value. A nightmarish thought for sure.

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  You Are All Being Fooled! - 2000 Honda Civic
  By Billy-B - April 19 - 12:26 pm

  This car has had more than its fair share of problems. Should the door lock break so you cant even open it up from the inside? How about the fact that the windshield has never sealed correctly, or even better how any time it rains the car just refuses to start. I also love the fact that O2 sensors and the original muffler lasted for a whopping 50K miles. Still under 100K and I am praying it doesnt die completely before I can get rid of it. Honda reliability... it must be a joke.

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  Excessive wind noise. - 2013 Honda Accord
  By disappointed90 - April 10 - 4:31 am

  Ive never posted an online review but often refer to them. In fact I wouldnt have purchased a new Accord if not for the positive reviews from professionals and consumers alike. I am so disappointed in my 2013 Honda Accord EX Sedan I felt I must say something so others may benefit or at least be prepared. Before purchasing please do a web search for "2013 Accord wind noise". Youll find talk of TSB 13-010 and feedback from many people with complaints of excessive wind noise starting at 60 mph and especially 75 and above. For me its an absolutely miserable driving experience. My dealer has been great but Ive had it in 3 times in my first 5 weeks of ownership.

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  Im An Idiot for Buying this car - 2017 Honda Pilot
  By al bark - March 31 - 3:16 am

  Bought new with 180 miles on it. Dealer claimed it came from another dealer to trade for a car someone wanted. It has loud noise when hitting bumps in right rear and its aggravating. Thinking of selling.

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  Front end pulls to the right - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By Pulls to the right - March 25 - 8:23 am

  The vehicle constantly pulls to the right. I have brought it back to the dealer 7 times, they gave it (brand new vehicle) 7 wheel alignments. The service representative from Honda will not admit that it pulls to the right. This is a extremely dangerous situation, I am constantly holding the wheel to the left. I am very disappointed with Hondas service. I have read about the same complaints on several web-sites. By the way the 2009 Honda Pilot drives straight.

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  Saves $$$ on Gas - But Crappy Car - 2004 Honda Civic
  By Babu Bhai Patel - March 18 - 2:12 am

  The car is only good for its gas mileage. Otherwise it is a poorly manufactured vehicle. You have to crank the radio more than half way to hear anything since the car fails to block the road and engine noise. Speaking of engine noise, the engine is so loud even though the engine power is worse than my lawnmower. The car easily scratches internally and externally. The car is so compact and uncomfortable. Also, there is no door lock/unlock switch on the passenger side. What the hell was Honda thinking. It is common sense. It probably costs Honda only $2 to install that feature in the car. No space in the back seat.

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  Wouldnt purchase another one - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By Henry - March 17 - 11:16 am

  First honda purchased, engine misses out, was told by dealership the missing out is OK, something the CRV engine does. Gas mileage is average 22 miles per gallon. Just not pleased with the car.

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  Great except transmission and load engine noise - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Seth - March 15 - 9:38 am

  This is our 3rd Honda Pilot Touring. We jumped on this as soon as they came out. Big mistake! The car is nice except the loud engine noise while idling and the 9 speed transmission. I have taken this in twice to see if it is a problem but its how its supposed to be. Slow speed shifting is horrible, very jumpy and your neck goes back and forth trying to accelerate. Its so bad I actually have the car up for sale after 2 months of owning it. This will be the last Honda I will own for a very long time. My suggestion is if you like the car get the 6 speed automatic and skip the 9 speed.

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  Loved it...until it hit 60,000 miles :( - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By Sharon - March 13 - 5:48 pm

  I bought a 2008 CR-V brand new, straight off the boat, and loved it. Friends, family, and coworkers had CR-Vs, and loved theirs also, until they all started to get hit by the "A/C gremlin" in about 2012-2014 - Complete A/C failure in sister-in-laws 2007 CR-V, friends 2008 CR-V, and coworkers 2007 CR-V AND his 2009 CR-V! And they were NOT cheap repairs (except for my coworkers 2009 CR-V, which was still under warranty). Me? I got hit with rack & pinion failure - at 60,000 miles, just like many other reviewers on the internet. Estimated repair cost $2,100 !!! Honda gave me a bottle of power steering fluid and said "just keep topping it off until you can afford to fix it." But when I researched it on the internet, I found this is quite a common problem, and one with a fix that apparently does not last long. So rather than dump $2,000 into fixing the power steering leak which is known to be a recurring failure once you get it, I dumped the car altogether. Hondas are supposed to last - I bought it because I thought they had a reputation for long term reliability. 60,000 is NOT LONG-term, IMO. I hated feeling like I was sitting on a ticking time bomb, with $2,000 possible repairs with every oil change (and Honda would NOT help, despite knowing rack & pinion failure was a common problem). The original plan was to keep the CR-V until my daughter turned 16 (last month), then give it to her (and buy a new car for myself). Instead, I dumped the CR-V last year and bought a new Subaru Forrester. And now that I read about the failure in the locks, I feel reassured I made the right decision, because my CR-Vs locks always made strange noises, tho they had not failed....yet. Im sure it was just a matter of time before they failed. Same with the A/C. Im now looking for a RELIABLE used car for my 16 year old, and you can bet it will NOT be a CR-V :/