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:

• 

  Beware the Paint - 2002 Honda Accord
  By Steve Swafford - December 4 - 10:00 am

  I like the car, we own the EX-L with all the goodies except the V-6. Its a nice car but weve had really bad luck with the paint. In the first year, we developed a rust spot near the passenger tail light on the trunk that the dealer gladly fixed. Next, about 4 months ago I was washing bugs off the front fascia when a dime sized portion of paint sloughed off. The dealer and the district rep both refused to fix the problem saying it was likely caused by a gravel striking the material. This is kind of odd that a pebble would cause this much damage, especially when we only drive on paved roads??? Really hurt my level of satisfaction.

• 

  cheap and reliable - 1991 Honda Civic
  By malcolm - December 3 - 3:18 pm

  Everything works on it, and that includes even the tape deck! It has no optional equipment, is very stripped down, which I love. In two years, Ive replaced the exhaust system, brake calipers, and CV boot. It has almost 150,000 miles and I expect to get 150,000 more. It costs me about $42/month to insure and I spend, even with gas exceeding $2.70/gal $25/week in gas. Everyone who tells me they had one, wishes they still had it, Ive never heard anything bad about these cars. Perfect for students or commuters, and very roomy.

• 

  Stupid 2nd Row Seat - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By Mikebyuom - December 2 - 1:16 am

  At first, I liked my CR-V, but as time went by, I dont like it anymore. Poor gas mileage and the noise from the engine is so annoying every time I accelerate. By the way, who designed the 2nd row seat? I thought they are folded and flat like the other SUVs, but they are not. They just tumbles and should be hung by a hook. I cant deliver a long item like a bookshelf, etc. The exterior design is so boring. It was O.K. first, but now it seems like its just too plain. Seems like have seen it before somewhere.

• 

  Too many Problems - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By MonicaT - November 30 - 1:00 pm

  This van has had more problems than all of the Hondas Ive owned combined. The motor mounts, catalytic converter, torque converter, struts, steering fluid pump all had to be replaced and my current mileage is 69,000. Very disappointed and will be trading it in, since the warranty has expired and will probably become a money pit.

• 

  Another disappointing Honda - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By tr roach - November 29 - 3:37 pm

  I expected better from the top shelf trim line. The control knobs and surfaces are cheap. Transmission just slides no shifting involved, being that it is a cvt, not a fan. Dont try to tune or adjust radio and climate controls while driving, collision possibilities are increased markedly with the tiny buttons. Can not comment on reliability too new. Ride is decent, handling should be better. Cargo area is handy. At 32k purchase price I am not impressed but wife is happy. All together should have gone with the Acura RDX.

• 

  2010 Honda Pilot LX AWD - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By kj - November 26 - 8:06 pm

  Pathetic front row driver and passenger seats, slow ride, does not feel peppy, not enough acceleration. Should have bought the CX-9 or highlander. Totally Unhappy with truck/SUV.

• 

  You should know - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Jax r better - November 25 - 7:07 am

  The gas and brake are dangerously too close Honda says too bad! The car goes 5 mph weither you like it or not Honda will refuse to change it in other words it may be your car but we do not care what you want!

• 

  Uncomfortable, noisy, problematic - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By unhappy - November 23 - 7:09 pm

  Drivers passage is very uncomfortable for anyone over 6 feet. Others have commented on head rests being poorly designed - I agree 100%. Highway noise is quite annoying, needs more insulation. Pickup is OK at best, but what do you expect for a 4 cylinder. My biggest complaint is that I have had to had the brakes worked on twice with less than 30,000 miles. I have minivans that are far heavier that dont need brakes until 50,000 miles or more, and I drive them the same way. I also had to have the differential serviced. The service people basically said you cant leave the car out in the rain because the brakes will collect water, which led to my problem.

• 

  Transmission problems - 2001 Honda Accord
  By Pamela Meyer - November 21 - 6:07 pm

  This is my third Honda - the others were reliable and I kept them serviced so they would last and they did. Except this one. The transmission is bad and needs to be replaced. The dealer wont replace it under the extended warranty of 7 years and 9 months (I dont drive a lot) but Im still under the 109,000 mile warranty - its whichever occurs first. I always trusted Hondas reputation for being a car that lasted a long time without major repairs until very high miles. This is the last Honda Ill ever buy. In my opinion Honda is slipping in quality.

• 

  My Honda experience - 2010 Honda Pilot
  By Sunny - November 20 - 10:59 am

  Avg gas mileage is 18.9 based on mix city/Hwy drive. Youll definitely feel the veh jerk when it changes gear and sometime when it switch off part of the engine. The biggest problem I have on my Honda is, the veh pulls to the right. It has visited Honda service dept 3 times (within 6 weeks) for the same problem and to the extend of recalibrating the subframe base on recommendation from Honda America. As of now, my Honda will pull to the right lane within 5 to 8 sec @ 40 mi/hr driving (testing the alignment by letting both hands off the steering wheel). Still working with Honda but was told its my luck if the veh is "calibrated" to spec. Fun to drive, reliability stinks for a brand new car.