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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  My baby and shes a fixer - 1995 Honda Civic
  By onimpulse - April 4 - 3:14 am

  Well to everyone who has problems with this car: The engine in this car craps out anytime after 200,000 miles. A few years ago, that happened to me, and I purchased another engine in LA that was shipped from Japan. Cars in Japan are not allowed to have more than, I think, 60,000 miles on their car. After this, its technically illegal to drive. So they ship their old, perfectly great engines over here. My Dad gave me this car a few months ago after owning it for 12 years.The most reliable car ever. My Dad now owns the new Civic and a new Accord. I wouldnt trade my 95 Civic for any other new model Honda, Toyota, or any Japanese brand. I get GREAT gas mileage city or highway. up to 36.

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  Fit really fits - 2015 Honda Fit
  By danl55 - April 3 - 10:05 pm

  We purchased the Fit for a daily driver to save on fuel. Just have over 1000 miles and so far everything is good. Weve owned several Hondas and the Fit seems to have the quality of all the others weve owned. 36-38 mpg in mixed driving. Pearl white paint is beautiful. The display does give a read out occasionally telling us that the mode is not available when vehicle is in motion...well have to ask the dealer about that one when we take it in for an oil change. Satisfied so far.

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  WORST CRV EVER MADE - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Muhammed Rayeez - April 3 - 7:30 pm

  I bought CRV only because of the trust in Honda. My CRV is vibrating very bad which reminds my worst decision ever made. Please do not buy this car.

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  Vibration at idle - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Melanie Bath - April 2 - 9:09 pm

  Drove both 2014 and 2015 cr-vs. Bought the 15 since it seemed much quieter and smoother than the 14. What a mistake. This thing shakes like crazy when in drive while braking at a stop. At times the rpms jump from 2000 to 1500 for no reason when just cruising at normal speeds. I still own a much maligned Jeep Compass with 118000 miles and a CVT with no such problems-still runs as smooth as ever. Was going to trade it for the Honda but glad I kept it! Honda better do something soon. I only put 700 miles on it since new in November--I may end up trading it for my first choice a Nissan Rogue or a used Lexus R350!

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  Pleased with my Fit - 2015 Honda Fit
  By jgpavp - April 2 - 3:35 pm

  Switched to Fit after driving Accords for 25 years. Accords have become too big. Ive very pleased with the Fit. I have the EX 6 speed manual. EX is the best value and the 6 speed manual is very smooth shifting. Test drove the CVT and shifting it with the paddle shifters was OK, but routine driving kind of hohum.

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  2013 Honda Pilot EX-L - 2013 Honda Pilot
  By Shannon - April 2 - 2:28 pm

  I purchased our pilot used with 21,000 miles. Still had factory warranty. After about 6 months of ownership I noticed the plastic above rear hatch was starting to separate from the window, which looked terrible. I brought it to the dealer and they told me it was a "feature". I kept complaining and they said they would fix it once and not again. They fixed it and it has already started to separate from the window. The straw that broke the camels back is a shudder when the ECO kicks in. When just barely accelerating the car would shudder, shaking the steering wheel and floor. I brought it to them twice for the same reason, and was told that is a "feature of the car". I just sold it.

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  Vibration issues that passengers notice - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Amanda Marie - April 2 - 9:32 am

  I, like many others, have major issues with vibrations (mostly at idle). I was told by my dealership that I "was the only one" that complained of this. However, I went online and see it is indeed a problem with the 2015s in general, not my vehicle. I hope Honda does a recall soon to fix this or I will never buy a Honda again (and neither will my family and friends who experienced the vibrations in my car). In addition, I drive the highway and accelerate slowly with the eco button on, and cant get above 25.7 mpg on the highway.

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  Didnt Love it, Until I Drove It - 2015 Honda Crosstour
  By really1 - April 1 - 3:12 pm

  After the winter of 2014 here in the Northeast, I decided to trade in my 2013 Acura Tsx Sport wagon in. I knew I wanted AWD and wanted to stick with Honda. The Acura RDX...my first choice..rode really stiff and the discount was awful. The CX-5 also had barely a discount and felt cheap inside. The Ford Edge,2014,was a little old to me, knowing the 15 was on its way and only rode OK. I dont like the CVT transmissions - so that knocked out both the CRV and any Subaru (although Subaru was never really an option) I NEVER considered the Crosstour until I drove it. Love the ride and handling.

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  Lot of Vibration in Idle is a serious issue! Dont purchase 2015 CRV - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Jaff Sammuel - April 1 - 10:47 am

  I bought 2015 CRV LX AWD in mid of Jan, 2015. I started feeling the vibration from the beginning. I reported the same to Honda Technical Support and the dealer. But couldnt get any attention from them. Finally I took the vehicle to Honda Service and they confirmed it is a known technical issue in 2015 CRV for which Honda has no fix yet. I complained Honda again but didnt get any solution. They dont bother once the car is sold. I will never by any Honda car in future. Dont by Honda CRV 2015 CVT model. This is a defective car and no support from Honda.

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  Great car but needs work - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By emaui07 - March 31 - 11:03 pm

  The overall interior of the car is good. The back seats give more room than the older models. The middle counsel arm rest is comfortable and there is a lot of room. But there are some issues. There is a hard vibration to the car when you are at a complete stop, so hard that the front seats shake hard and it is very noticeable. Also the a/c does not work well on hot days. Hardly anything comes out of the main vents when you have the feet and top on at the same time. I think I would trade it in if I could but Im in a lease.