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:

• 

  Honda Canada video acknowledges vibration issue - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By David Adeney - April 8 - 10:53 am

  Today I received from my dealer a new Honda video (You Tube) acknowledging the vibration issue. Contrary to what the video mentions (vibrations mostly in the seats), I get them in the steering wheel as well. Video says: . happens at 2200 rpm and under . They are investigating the issue and will advise when and if a product upgrade is available. I am glad they are working on this but disappointed they released a model which to me is seriously flawed. Weve had ours since November and the vibration issue has gradually worsened. I do not enjoy driving the vehicle.

• 

  Family workhorse - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By smithiedad - April 8 - 9:39 am

  We were gifted our 2003 Odyssey 3 years ago from a friend when it had 184,000 miles. Now is has 315,000. Its our family workhorse and its been a dandy. Id buy another Odyssey for certain. Original engine and auto trans. We stay up on our maintenance and its been very good. Excellent value. Weve got our sights on 500K miles!

• 

  Quite possibly the best car Ive ever owned. - 2007 Honda Civic
  By the_fuse75 - April 8 - 7:38 am

  I purchased this car in July of 2014. It has been almost a year and I couldnt be happier at this point. It has survived a fairly cold Minnesota winter, and handled well in the snow. Have observed 23-24 mi/gal locally, but dont really have that long of a commute. On the highway however, weve observed 38-40 mi/gal. Very happy with that performance. Love the styling both inside and out, if youre looking for a reliable, affordable ride, I highly recommend this car.

• 

  worse then expected - 2015 Honda Accord
  By jhid123 - April 7 - 7:33 pm

  Two months ago replaced 2013 Accord LX with "the same" 2015 Accord LX. what a big difference. Every review saying that car was not redesigned. I made a big mistake believing them. I refuse a road test this time(to expedite), just picked the color. Biggest problem: very uncomfortable seats. For two months I can not find a comfortable position, it hurts my back. Car has new type of cloth on sits and doors, it looks nice, but picks up dirt as magnet. Second is road noise. I should say it is more wind noise, very loud, especially on the bridge in windy day. Looks like cheap quality of insulation materials. Engine also got louder, and you can fill vibration when idle on traffic light.

• 

  A Very Good Value Three Row SUV - 2015 Honda Pilot
  By Bryan Connington - April 6 - 9:23 pm

  A really super vehicle. Very smooth ride . Very quiet cabin, including at highway speeds. Plenty of power (although I have not been towing) and good automatic shifter. Some great deals available (I was helped get an excellent price through edmunds Price Promise) - Breakaway Honda in Greenville SC made this one of the easiest car purchases I have ever made.

• 

  It goes and goes and goes - 2012 Honda Fit
  By gleggley - April 5 - 5:24 pm

  I bought this car new in August of 2012. I am a courier and drive over 1000 miles a week. As of today, 4/5/15, I have about 139,000 miles on my Fit. I have always done the recommended service and have only had one issue since purchasing this car. A front wheel bearing needed replacing a few months ago. I average 30-35 miles a gallon in mixed driving. Power is adequate for what I do. This is the first Honda Ive ever owned. The Fit has an amazing capacity to haul things. I am consistently amazed at how much "stuff" fits in the car.

• 

  300k and going - 2002 Honda Accord
  By James Oldeen - April 5 - 4:46 pm

  Bought it new right after high school. Dogged it, romped on it and attempted something like e-breaking. Never missed an oil change or transmission fluid drain. Timing belt/water pumps lasted me about 100k miles. Air conditioner fan motor went out @ 150k Replaced upper/lower radiator hoses with that. Transmission went out @ 189k Replaced with remanufactured for $1500 + $790 for removal/install. Rotors resurfaced @ 200k and had quite a bit more break work done with that. Starter went out @ 250k Timing belt/water pump and tune @ ~278k Oil pan gasket failed @ 280k Radiator failed @ 285k Front passanger wheel bearing @ 290k.

• 

  Oh, the Joy! - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By warex - April 5 - 11:15 am

  Driving Experience: It has given us the best experience we have ever had with a family car, especially on road trips. Above the Class: Before buying, we looked at other cars in that class especially the Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester. with the CRV, it feels like we are in a car above that class. MPG: We have been getting high 20s with mixed driving and low 30s with road trips. Handling (AWD): It has been smooth and secure with plenty of power in all situations, for an SUV. CVT: It runs and transitions smoothly in all traffic conditions. Vibration: We have not experienced the vibration issue reported by some owners.

• 

  Theses are a gamble to own. - 2007 Honda Civic
  By bpminme - April 4 - 4:13 pm

  The 06-11 Civics have many little issues. Bad quality paint & clear coat. Buzzes and rattles in the interior. Auto transmission is lazy to down shift, too eager to up shift. Window switches are tricky. Odd placement of hand brake. Lack of head room They have some pretty bad major issues too. The cost of labor to replace the starter can exceed the cost of the starter itself. Rear trailing arms can fail. Engine mounts prone to failure. 06-08 and some 09 Engine blocks can crack, Honda may not replace for free, even though they say they will (see Hondas Technical Service Bulletin 10-048). Brakes are also sub-par compared to what they could be for the cars MSRP.

• 

  This car is a piece of junk - 2014 Honda Pilot
  By joe_bob - April 4 - 10:15 am

  I have spent many thousands of miles in this car and hated most of them. I had a perfectly good back until I came in contact with this car. Now I am on humira and many other medications even though I am only 18 years old. The sun-visors in this broke with 30,000 miles. It worse in snow than the CRV. The parking sensors do not work my mom has backed into many things with this car because of this fact. The stereo is terrible and has almost no bass. The seat heaters where broken when the car came from the factory. The GPS cant find our house. The stero and GPS is very hard to use even for an A+ certified tech. The backseat is tiny and wont fit an adult. The trunk is horribly undersized.