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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  Best in Class Value - 2006 Honda Accord
  By cman - July 20 - 2:23 pm

  2006 EX-V6/AT We have a 2004 Accord and needed another car. Test-drove the new Camry, Acura TL, and IS350. All great cars,and honestly didnt want to have two of the same car, but there was really no comparison. The steering feel, performance, ergonomics and comfort of this vehicle cant be beat at this price point. The Camry is very quiet and has more rear seat room, but not nearly as fun to drive and lacks the same standard features. The 2006 is definitely more fun to drive, might be the drive-by-wire throttle but this Accord gives more steering response and the suspension is more sporty than the 2004 EX V6. Couldnt stop smiling driving it home from the dealership. No contest. Honda definitely improved steering feel and agility over 2004 model which was my main complaint back then.

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  Great Car! - 2000 Honda Accord
  By G*Luck - July 20 - 1:15 pm

  I bought my Accord new in 2000. It currently has 227,000 miles on it and still runs great. The car has always had the scheduled maintenance done by the dealer and I have only had to replace the alternator (2007) and the starter (2009). The gas mileage isnt fabulous but the quality, durability and reliability far exceeds my expectation for any car.

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  Short of expectations - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By Kent - July 20 - 12:36 pm

  Styling and driving pleasure are the strong points but gas mileage and build quality are way below Hondas usual efforts. Mileage averages 17/21. Lowest has been 16/20. Never over 19/23. Dealer says thats normal and wont note the complaint on a work order. Door and both side mirrors rattle/shake at hwy speeds and theres a rattle in the dash. Mirrors have been tightened twice. Radio is horrible. If this were a Kia Id rate it a 7 overall for having exceeded my expectations. But its way short of expectations for a Honda. I wonder if assembly in England could account for the poor build quality as I recall the poor quality of MG, TRiumph, etc. Fun to drive, but I wouldnt want to own one.

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  Honda Price, not Honda Quality - 2006 Honda Element
  By mccarthybp - July 20 - 11:25 am

  Although this cars handles very well in winter weather, the brake pads, rotors, and calipers dont hold up. Do not buy this car if you live in the northern US or Canada. All components of the brakes have rusted out, warped, seized, within 32k. Thats not Honda quality. In addition, the dealership labels all of these design flaws as normal. If you have the extra money, but a Toyota. If you dont, buy something else.

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  Just Another - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By Boring - July 20 - 9:28 am

  Well I was sold on all the hype of reliability. My wife is really upset we traded a Chevy that has zero issues to one that has us at the Honda Dealer every week. All little stuff from rattles to AC not working. Oh yeah my second transmission in 18000 Miles. Did I get a lemon? Dont think so, lots of others in the waiting room at Honda thinking what did I do. Oh the new body style will be better seems they are doing a redesign to modernize it like the Nissan, Chevy , Ford and Mitsubishi.

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  Great purchase - 2001 Honda CR-V
  By Deborah - July 19 - 10:37 pm

  I bought this car for my oldest daughter with 60,000 miles and it now has 146,300 and is still going strong. I have always done all the recommended maintenance on it. The AWD feature is good in the snow or rain. It has lasted longer than I ever expected and has been a great investment. I would recommend it to anyone.

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  Honda Accord a so-so car - 2007 Honda Accord
  By Jim - July 19 - 9:53 pm

  Had a problem with the passengers window that Honda would not fix. The dealer did fix it free of charge. Problem with the power steering leaking when under warranty. No problem found until end of warranty. Honda fixed it without charge because it was noted on the service report during warranty period. Brakes had to be replaced early. Tire had to be replaced at my cost.

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  Horrible fuel milege!!! - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By CPD437 - July 19 - 4:31 pm

  We really like the Odyssey mini-van but the fuel mileage is absolutely horrible. I agree with many other reviews. I knew we were not getting good fuel mileage and finally checked it on a beach trip. We averaged a very poor 17.2 mpg. My parents averaged over 18 mpg in their Chevy Tahoe!! Other than fuel mileage being much less than advertised, we really like the vehicle.

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  2017 Hybrid loss of gasoline engine/error messages - 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid
  By Bart - July 19 - 2:49 pm

  Honda Hybrid with 1,350 miles on it broke down in a highway intersection and it was at the dealer for repair for 18 days. Honda provided a rental car. The battery control module and the trunk battery pack have been replaced. The hybrid gasoline engine died in an intersection, multiple error messages appeared on the dashboard display, and it only operated in the electric mode enabling me to drive it to the dealer. Calls into Honda by the dealer resulted in Honda shipping a new battery control module and a new battery pack to the dealer for installation. Car returned to owner and appears to be repaired. Found this recall notice for 2014-2015 Hybrid Hondas: (National Highway Traffic safety Administration, recall notice JT7) "Electrical interference may cause the hybrid system to switch into fail-safe mode, disabling the gasoline engine, limiting the vehicles speed to 40 miles per hour and [causing] the [hybrid] to function only on battery power." Which is what happened to me. Gave the recall notice to the dealer. In the former recall, new software was developed and downloaded to the dealers and used in the 2014-15 recall.

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  Rear sliding doors - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By rear sliding doors - July 19 - 8:31 am

  We bought our Odyssey back in 2005 with 60k miles on it. It now has over 130k miles on it with only minor problems: Check engine light on (oxygen sensor) and paint durability issues sliding rear door problems. It seems a lot of people have this problem. I found that it helped if you lube the movable parts on the door it helps keep it from sticking. As far as the transmission goes, you need to service and change fluid every 15k or 20k miles for reliability. Most people dont do this and they wonder why they have problems. We had the timing belt changed at 100k miles. This van has been on 2 1500 mile trips and 2 1200 mile trips with no issues. The van is a daily driver.