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:

• 

  Love, love, love it! - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By Angelaca - July 2 - 11:10 am

  I was one of those... "Ill never own a mini-van..." But, after having 2 kids and adopting 2 more, I had little choice. I eventually got up the nerve to drive it to the bus stop. I got plenty of "I told ya sos.." from the soccer moms and, rightly so. This is an awesome van! I had no idea how convenient these things were! We are VERY impressed with the features, ride, CONVENIENCE and drive. The seats are comfortable, the interior spacious and it looks sharp! The rear entertainment system is a dream come true and I love the stow away 8th seat! This van replaced an 06 double- cab Toyota Tundra which I dearly loved. However, the gas mileage I now get sure softens the blow....

• 

  My First New Car - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Clayton E Tripp, Jr. - July 2 - 9:46 am

  I have owned some 30 plus used cars and decided to treat myself to a new car. I read reviews and studied for 5 months.This car has been nothing but a dream to drive. No buyers remorse. I have driven 2000 miles in 30 days. Snow, Rain, dry, day, night. 4 cyl delivers great power but a little hungry on fuel. Blind spots. Set your mirrors well. Backing up tricky at first, my 2nd night I almost hit a tree. The transmission shifts so smooth & correctly. Handling awesome. Corners well. Road noise a bit higher than it should be but thats why they gave a great sound system. A little pricy but its really a comfortable car and a great driving machine.

• 

  new CRV - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By mike - July 2 - 8:30 am

  very happy with the new crv we just bought. great ride. tons of interior room in a small suv. just wish someone would have been willing to give a small discount

• 

  No Worries - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By Honda4life - July 2 - 7:37 am

  I bought this car 1 year ago, after owning our last CRVLX for 8 1/2 years. We have been extremely happy with the performance and comfort of our SUV. The gas mileage is awesome. We have gotten 29-30mpg on the HWY, and 22-24 in combined city/hwy driving. Much better than our last CRV.

• 

  Quiet ride and great gas mileage - 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid
  By G. Ford - July 2 - 7:26 am

  The 2017 Accord Hybrid EX-L is my first hybrid car. The average gas mileage has been great overall. Travelling at 65-75 MPH tends to result in 39-42 MPG during summer weather, and 35-40 during below freezing weather. Travelling at 25-40 MPH tends to result in 49-55 MPG during summer weather, and 43-46 MPG during below freezing weather. Gas mileage is definitely lower when the engine is cold, so a second trip half an hour after the first will result in much better gas mileage than the first one. My overall average mileage (50% highway speeds, 50% side road speeds) was 48-49 MPG during summer tankfulls, and is now 39-40 MPG for winter tankfulls (driving in 9-16 F degree weather). This car is QUIET when operating on battery only - wow! Cool! I had more wind noise than I expected initially, but after the dealership made a repair based on a Technical Service Bulletin (adding some sealant around the drivers window gasket), wind noise is now noticeable on the highway only on decidedly windy days. This car offers a very quiet ride for most driving, but when going up a steep section of hill the engine noise will be noticeable. It disappears completely after cresting most hills, when either the RPM go down a lot or the engine is shut off completely while the car runs on battery for a while. Good ride, nice handling, good acceleration in Sport mode, excellent gas mileage, comfortable, and controls similar to other Honda models. Some quality control issues: - our car had an intermittent annoying rattle (like a bolt vibrating on a hard plastic tray) somewhere around the steering wheel that only happened on rough pavement at highway speeds. It turned out to be the airbag screws in the steering wheel - but it required many months to find. - the drivers seat can squeak annoyingly, apparently due to a loose clip that holds the seat covering on. The dealership fixed this once, and the squeak went away, but came back a month later. The Lane Keeping Assist System is cool, but it tends to "snake" a bit within a lane and does not necessarily drive the same path I would, so I dont use it. The Adaptive Cruise Control is great - slowing down when the car in front of you slows down on the highway. This is a VAST improvement over the traditional cruise control that I have been used to for the past 30 years. Trunk space is a bit smaller than other Accords to make room for the battery, but has been fine for our needs so far. We have been able to fit a walker and a travel wheelchair in the back at the same time (barely). The car comes with a battery-powered tire inflator instead of a spare tire (to save weight and cost?), which seems to concern some reviewers - but does not bother us. The car IS fun to drive, and we love the gas mileage and correspondingly lower global warming emissions. Our passengers remark on how quiet the car and ride are.

• 

  Ripped off but I still like it - 1997 Honda Accord
  By Matthew D - July 1 - 10:39 pm

  I bought my 97 Accord a month before I got married. The dealer I bought it from told me it had passed all their inspections and was good to go. Right after purchase I had to replace the radiator, water pump & timing belt, belts, brake rotors and tires. Four months later I find out it has a bad piston rod and needs a new engine. Even after all this I love the car. I get a solid 32 MPG on the freeway and I love the way it drives. The seats are a little uncomfortable for long drives but other than that Im determined to replace the engine and keep driving it.

• 

  Touring, Better than MDX, X5 or GX470 - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By 09Touring4x4 - July 1 - 6:28 pm

  My first Honda, we were set on the MDX or the Lexus gx470 but they just did not have enough room. MDX does not have the feel of luxury U think it might. We bought the Demo model with 6500 miles but it has everything you can imagine and then some! Most all the accessories (dark wood trim all over, premium lighted side steps, all weather mats, chrome grill, front and back aluminum underside etc) were added. Have not taken for a long trip yet but it is fun to drive and has a lot of room. My 2 1/2 year old loves the wireless headphones so she can watch her Thomas videos while we listen to the radio or music CD.

• 

  Disappointed in Honda - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By Peter - July 1 - 2:29 pm

  Between my wife and I we have owned four Hondas, 3 Accords and now 1 2003 CRV EX. We purchased each Honda new and all three Accords were fantastic reliable vehicles. I thought that I was a Honda customer for life. Then we bought a new 2003 CRV. Its now 6 years old with only 49K miles on it. Weve replaced 2 sensors ($450), all four brake pads and rotors ($500) and now both front struts + a front end alignment ($600). I can understand all of these wear items around the 100K area, but not at 49K miles. In reading through other reviews, looks like I can expect the AC to go soon too. Well try Toyota soon. Honda, learn from the quality errors of the big three, or you may be sorry.

• 

  291K, Original clutch... - 1994 Honda Accord
  By Trillium - July 1 - 2:13 pm

  This is the best car I have ever owned! After 15 years and LOTS of miles, it has had no major repairs, never left me stranded, and always been fun to drive. I dont baby my car, either - it has spent almost all of its time without a garage, and I take it places that other people take their 4WDs. It holds my bikes, my kayaks, my dogs, and camping gear (maybe not all at the same time). It has been perfect for an active lifestyle. It is my 4th Honda and, even though they have all been good, this is the best of the bunch. I am going to have a party for it when we roll over 300,000 - and expect the clutch to last far beyond that...

• 

  Honeymoon is over - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By meadow - July 1 - 12:46 pm

  Loved this car at purchase, now, five months later, its problems are obvious. Gas mileage for city driving is the worst -- low teens at best. Couple this with a transmission that is way too eager to downshift (the car will not coast at low speeds - foot must always be on the accelerator!) and you have the king of all gas guzzlers. The brakes are too soft and getting softer by the day -- really emphasizes the cars bulk when your leg hurts just trying to get it to stop. These flaws make it impossible to enjoy driving this car. I would expect these kind of issues from a so-so vehicle, but not a Honda! Wont be getting one again. Cant believe I miss my old Caravan. . .