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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  Disappointed - 2001 Honda Civic
  By Deb - November 18 - 12:37 am

  I love my Hondas, Ive driven my share, but this may be the last one I own. The last two Civics had front end problems. The one I have now, has a rear main seal leak, which Im not happy to hear at this point of owning this car. I cant pull all the way up to the curb because I may pull the entire front end off when pulling away because it sits way too low.

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  Honda Odyssey - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By jerdesab - November 17 - 12:45 pm

  Heavy to drive and after two years I started hearing noises on the right door. Power is not consistent. Sometimes good acceleration, most of the time bad acceleration.

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  2016 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By jim pukalo - November 11 - 6:45 pm

  Road noise in this vehicle is horable. Edmunds says the vehicle is quiet and best in class? I was thinking I got a lemon but on researching the Road Noise it seems to be a problem with all Hondas. I would suggest anyone concidering this vehicle do a Highway test drive to see if they can handle the noise problem. On a recent trip my wife and I had to shout at each other and radio was useless.

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  Passport problems a-brewing - 2002 Honda Passport
  By Schon - November 10 - 12:44 pm

  The engine oil consumption is a problem... every 2 & half months add or get complete oil change. THE BRAKES ARE A PAIN TO FIX & COSTLY ALONG WITH THE DRIVE BELT. THE CD PLAYER EATS CDs... the fuse system is in a aggravatingly bad location to work on. The spare/spare crane are a pain in the neck.

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  Horrible Seats - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By gdcinthebigd - November 10 - 9:47 am

  Just got back from a 500 mile road trip and am seriously considering trading this vehicle in with only 2200 miles on it. I have owned 2 Hondas before - a 2001 Honda CRV and a 2005 Honda Accord and would never have expected the lousy design of the front seats in this vehicle. My right leg went numb after 100 miles. When I switched to the passenger seat I found out it is even worse. Im a normal size guy (511"/190 lbs) and could not find a comfortable position. The seat cushions are too short. The headrests are too far forward. The seats are rock hard. What happened Honda? Is this cost-cutting? I wont buy another Honda ever after this.

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  Gearbox and Transmission Junky - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Schuyler - November 10 - 6:03 am

  When I first received this car 11-2007, I noticed that the it was hard to shift into 3rd gear and would often pop out of 3rd gear and was told at the dealership that this would go away at around 10,000 miles well it did not. So then they replaced the gears and a week later fourth gear went out; thus every time I tried to put it into fourth gear yesterday and it would pop out again along with making a very high pitch sound but was not raising the revs on the tach Meter. Today it made high whining sounds in every gear and I barely made it to the dealership today. The dealer had my car for two days last week and will have my car for 4 days this week, I sure hope Honda can fix this.

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  Save Your Hard Earned Money - 2009 Honda Civic
  By mac 8 - November 8 - 4:51 am

  This car is not fun to drive, bottom line my first trip from the north to Florida the car averaged 34 MPG, car was loaded down and bikes on the back. My Std CRV did 28, this investment was a waste of money, I would return to a CRV in heartbeat. Every overpass it downshifts, underpowered.

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  Honda should be ashamed! - 2002 Honda Accord
  By Disappointed - November 5 - 3:38 pm

  I bought this car a few years ago. It had almost 50k miles on it. A year later I had to replace the transmission. A good thing that I had a warranty. About 9 months later, the check engine light came on. Autozone says its a transmission problem. Take it to Aamco and they dont know what the problem is. In the last 3 months I have smelled transmission fluid burning. Im not paying Honda a dime for a diagnostic. Im just gonna buy something else. The sad part is that Honda knows this is a problem with this model. For some stupid reason, the class action lawsuit didnt cover this year Honda. I will never buy another Honda!

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  last Honda Ill purchase - 2004 Honda Accord
  By lasthonda - November 5 - 10:00 am

  I have driven many other Accords/Civics that were great, had no issues and ran to over 100K. The 2003 Accord is the pits! I wont buy another. So many rattles on the front dash and annoyances that the dealers NEVER admit to hearing. They all deny hearing anything. Terrible customer service. Absolutely no fun to drive unless the music is blaring to block out the annoying rattles. I wont be buying another Honda again!

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  Wish I have Stayed with LEXUS Brand!!! - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Bobbit - November 5 - 10:00 am

  03 Honda Accord V6 4dr with Nav, Instrumental light on dash board, fuel economy, seat fit well on the hip the value of car, we fell in love and purchase it. Navigation is a must who dont like to ask anyone for direction and/or look at map and argue. Dislike: the carpet are coming off from molding, black clips behind passenger and driver seats comes off, dont know what its for, brakes coming downhill makes loud noise, air bag sensor light is on. On Navigation some of the building were 5years and older is not on the system. 2hours+ driving its not comfortable.