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:

• 

  Bought it used - 2000 Honda Passport
  By mike - June 29 - 6:42 pm

  Bought my Passport used with a full warranty, 2 years old and 13K miles on it for 7,000 off list! It has problems now 7 years later, but whats new about that? It has had for several years a bad sensor in the gas tank so fuel gauge does not work. Costs $350 at the dealer to get it fixed so never fixed it! Same sensor also makes the check engine light stay on. One problem, cost $1400 to fix. Bad wiring from the factory got installed in some of these vehicles and insulation came off, so had to have entire wiring harness dealer replaced. That was the ONLY problem. Never has let me down..always starts and runs. Normal maintenance. Strong engine and transmission. Good air conditioning!

• 

  Buyer beware - 2017 Honda CR-V
  By Harley Morse - June 29 - 6:15 pm

  I like everything about the car except that at freeway speeds there is a lot of wind noise. So much that you need to turn up the radio and speak louder. We only have 4000 miles on our car and have contacted Honda several times. Finally, they that that was just the way the car was made. Before you pay $35 thousand dollars for one of these 2017 models make sure you drive it at freeway speeds and can tolerate the noise.

• 

  Transmission Problems - 1999 Honda Odyssey
  By Stuck - June 29 - 5:03 pm

  The van drove well for the first few years. Smooth on the road and comfortable. The capacity and fold down seats are a big plus. Easy to get in and off. Plenty of engine power on the EX. The major problem is I am on my 3rd transmission after 113K miles.

• 

  Awesome change... - 2006 Honda Civic
  By GlenK - June 29 - 3:46 pm

  I love the way that this car handles. I am also very pleased with fuel economy performance as well as engine response. Interior is cool. And the seats are very comfortable.

• 

  Rocket! Hidden Monster. - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Anthony - June 29 - 2:24 pm

  When people seek Hybrid, they want 40+MPG. This car will not give you that. What it gives you is the Legendary Honda reliability, no non- sense practicality, and utmost dynamic performance. My previous car was a BMW 325i, and aside from being FWD, the Accord performs up to par with the German Counterpart. Steering is tight, acceleration is quick, but cornering have to give it to BMW due to the RWD configuration. Only problem I had with the Honda was a Master Pwr Door lock module which was covered under warranty, and a check engine light on when I gun the accelerator. Dealership said it was a Hybrid sensor error with the electrical motor, it seems a software upgrade fixed that problem.

• 

  Horror-bolt disintegrated-uppr eng lost - 2009 Honda Odyssey
  By Pat - June 29 - 1:01 pm

  Sold 11 yr running Dodge Caravan, bought 09 Honda Odyssey. Had for about 3 months, took out west. Before return home took drive to Sedona, AZ, lost power on National Forest Road w/few places to pull over - van towed to dealership on Sunday. Monday told the whole upper engine destroyed by disintegrated bolt, needed days to repair. Afraid to drive it home about 1800 miles to Ohio. Informed insurance agent of manufacturer defect - if something else happens to investigate van. Seriously worried we could have been in bad accident. Honda disinterested in our concerns - repaired to their satisfaction not ours.

• 

  Honda Pilot 2009 - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By Werner Doerwaldt - June 29 - 9:20 am

  Has an excellent comfort level. Has a huge safety feel to it. Third seat, though, is a wash.

• 

  Honda could have put more effort in design... - 2017 Honda Fit
  By C Brozek - June 29 - 5:36 am

  Note: driving force for purchasing this vehicle was5yr overall cost of ownership...lowest initial price, low frequency/cost of repairs, lowest fuel costs, with highest safety. HITS: 1) exterior body/lights/window styling is much improved...no longer the dorky design it once suffered from; 2) fuel economy...so far 40+ highway, 34 city; 3) quantity of electronic features of its LX package are decent given the budget price-range. MISSES: 1) driver comfort...insufficient cushioning causing discomfort only remedied by aftermarket 2" foam pad; 2) interior ergonomics...USB and charging outlets on dashboard slightly out of reach and sight, center console cover (when open) makes storage awkward to access, and charging port in center console hard to access; 3) engine/road noise a bit much, more soundproofing needed. Overall, Honda could have done a better job, especially given how it touts its reputation.

• 

  The best for price you pay - 2004 Honda Civic
  By Diwakar - June 29 - 3:30 am

  I owned this for over a year and this is my second honda. Loved this car so far. Not much power though, but gives me good mileage...

• 

  Whats going on with Honda? - 2009 Honda Accord
  By jlloyd - June 28 - 11:56 pm

  This is my wifes car and she likes it me, not so much. Performance is very good and the ride is better than most within this size of car but the problems appear with the brakes and engine. Both the check engine and brake light come on and, at times, the engine runs very ruff, almost to the point of stalling; turn the car off, restart and it returns to running normally. The brake light is on most of the time but maybe its our winters in Wi. The dealer says there is no computer "error" info so they do not know whats going on. Its pretty bad when you are questioning whether you should take this "new" car on a long trip because of this intermittent problem. What happened with Honda?