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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  Should have got an Odyssey - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By Stanley Shepard - March 13 - 2:00 am

  The CR-V is horribly underpowered. It creeps up to highway speeds and in traffic that means Im not so much in the flow but in the way. Weird steering wheel angle. Even though the wheel can be moved up or down, it is still an uncomfortable driving position. The cup holders need something to hold the beverages in place. Going around a corner, even at low speeds, beverages fall out. So far the best cup holders I have seen were in a Dodge truck. The holders had an adjustable arm that could slide open and close to fit any size beverage, and very sturdy holding power at any turning speed.

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  Toyota take me away!!! - 1999 Honda Passport
  By MF Dempc - March 11 - 7:04 pm

  I bought the 1999 Honda Passport because I had heard what great vehicles Honda made - well guess what its not a (true) Honda -should have done my homework better! This has been the worse car Ive owned, looking to get rid of it now! Replaced transmission 11/8/4, hmmm bought it 11/18/98. Everything seems to be breaking not only the major things but minor things too!!! Looking to buy a Toyota now....

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  Dont Even Think About It - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By guinness1969 - March 3 - 4:53 pm

  Never should have traded in our 2004 Odyssey. This car maybe gets 13 miles per gallon no matter how we drive. The automatic doors need to be repaired. There is a radio antenna in the window so the reception is poor at best. A tremendous amount of interior noise. Problem with transmission. Van always bucking when you decelerate. Unable to duplicate they say. All in all a piece of crap. Please do not buy this Van. Honda should be ashamed of themselves.

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  Nothing but problems - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By Jack Swasson - February 21 - 11:40 pm

  Ive had this car one year and already its been nothing but problems!

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  Never again! - 2004 Honda Civic
  By Neveragain - February 14 - 1:23 am

  This is my second Civic. I love my first one. This one is horrible. I had to have the fuel system replaced twice in the first 15,000 miles. The car does not handle as well and is unsteady around turns on the highway. I am commute over 100 miles round trip daily and dislike this vehicle most of the time. It is loud and the sluggish nothing like the one before this one. The only good part is the gas mileage which is in about high 30s in and out of the city. I will never buy Honda again as the company has been miserable to deal with and fixing stuff. My car is just one of many in the area that have had major problems with systems and gauges.

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  Worst Vehicle Ive Ever Owned - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By Jenifer - February 8 - 7:33 pm

  Have had this car just over 2 months - Purchased 1/08/09. Have only 890 miles on it and it has been in the shop most of the time. 1/15/09-No start-dealer towed away. Replaced battery cable. 1/26/09-4 wheel drive VTM4 light on. Told it was cold and vehicles do funny things. Dealer reset computer. 2/04/09-4 wheel drive VTM4 light on. Told it was bad battery. 3/03/09- Opened passenger door and it rubs against front quarter panel- scraped off paint. Dealer couldnt fix it until 3/09/09. Had thru 3/13/09. Can open door now, paint is bubbled. 3/16/09 Dealer says he is going to fix it right....And on it goes...... American Honda says too bad

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  flawed design, unsafe, low quality - 2003 Honda Accord
  By jinrui - February 6 - 9:53 pm

  Since buying this car, I have experienced many problems. First, the LCD screen suddenly became dark for no reason in 2004. The dealer said this is a design defect and replaced it after one month. In 2005, during a regular maintenance in a dealer, we were told the car was leaking transmission oil. Last November, we went to Chicago at noon and parked on a street (a lot of traffic at the time). Coming back in half an hour, we found someone had sneaked into the car and stole all our expensive items. No prizing signs on the doors. Sure, we locked the car before we left. It seems the Honda anti-thief alarm system malfunctioned.

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  Civic EX Coupe 2008 is a loser - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Freddy - February 6 - 3:50 am

  I have previously owned 2000 and 2004 Civic EX coupes and have loved them. My 2008 is a total letdown. It has the loudest, roughest ride of any car I have owned, including older Corvettes. The road noise is terrible. The entire car has been cheaply made. It seems loaded with plastic. Corners have been cut everywhere. It looks great from the outside, but thats the only positive about this car. The seats are too hard. The trunk requires forced slamming while the gas pedal has no tactile feedback. The sun visors are very stiff to use. The seat belt and directional noise chimes are much louder than my 2004. Actually irritating. The high beam indicator on the directional stick goes on too easily

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  Worst purchase ever - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By dabarbour - February 1 - 7:03 pm

  All features are slow to react. Voice response never responses correctly. No storage for the driver-side very frustrating car to drive. Gas mileage is awful. Highest Ive seen is 17mpg. The feature that shuts down three cylinders slams hard when its on and you have to brake. You could change seasons waiting for the "automatic electronic" doors to open or close. Just an overpriced piece of junk!

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  Disappointed with Honda - 1999 Honda Odyssey
  By Allen Zornow - January 30 - 6:40 pm

  With over 13 re- calls or extensions of warrenty, this van has not been a good value. Ive experienced Transmission problems, gone through two catalytic converters, replaced the head gasket and had all sorts of problems with the automatic doors.This van cant be something Honda stakes its reputation on. Although my dealership has treated me excellently, I gave Honda an opportunity to keep me as a customer. Apparently, they are not interested.