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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  inmyelement - 2004 Honda Element
  By lawrencebarthe - February 8 - 10:00 am

  Im disapointed with Honda. This vehicle gets about 16 MPG, even though the window sticker touted 22 city. There are rattles in the dash and the drivers seat is loose. There is no storage except for an upgraded armrest, a collapsible vinyl box, and an seatback cord which I purchased aftermarket. I bought a 7-year extended warranty - just in case.

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  DO NOT BUY - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Greek Brothers - January 24 - 2:52 pm

  I own a brand new 2016 Civic Touring Sedan: problems with its navigation system started the very next day. It either cannot find the satellites or it shows your location completely wrong, on another street or in a forest or in a lake! Took it back to he selling dealership twice: first time for a week to have the navigation head replaced - no improvement. Second time for another week to have the antenna replaced. If that doesnt help either Ill take it back again, and again: thank God for the existing Lemon Laws.

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  Honda has a lemon in the Element - 2003 Honda Element
  By Element - Bad News - January 18 - 10:00 am

  This car has so much wind noise & my dealership has not been able to locate my wind noise problem. The panels on the roof are help together with plastic clips & every time the dealership works on it they break another plastic clip or do not get the thing put back together properly. I had a 97 CRV before this one & loved it so much & had no problems so I decided to try another Honda. My mistake was not going back with another CRV. If you want a quiet ride this is not the car to own.

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  Steering Wheel Vibration - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By jman32 - January 11 - 3:27 pm

  At this point I would not recommend this vehicle. Let me state first this is my third Honda. My first two were a civic and a CRV. Held each from 12-15 years. I couldnt say enough about the quality and service from Honda. Repeatedly recommended them to friends and co-workers. But this 2015 CRV has serious issues with the vibration coming through the steering column. The best description is if the driver side tire is bad. The vibration is very noticeable in the steering wheel. Then somewhat in the seat. Didnt I notice while test driving? I tested the 2014. Ready to buy then I heard the about the improved 2015s coming out. With winter I bought the car too quick. Big mistake.

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  Serious transmission trouble. - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Ed Kolb - December 25 - 5:39 pm

  Our family purchased a 2016 Honda Pilot Elite based on Hondas good reputation and experience weve had with other Honda vehicles. Unfortunately the 2016 Honda Pilot Elite, which comes with the 9 speed transmission, has serious transmission problems . We travel a lot and after owning the vehicle for 1 1/2 years already have 69 thousand miles on our Honda Pilot Elite. Problems with the transmission started at 53 thousand miles while driving on the highway at which time the vehicles transmission went out unable to shift out of the gear it was in. Multiple display warning lights came on causing us to drop the car off at a Honda dealership out of town while on vacation. The dealership recognized the transmission issue which reset itself after the car was parked in their shop for several hours. Diagnostic testing failed to reveal any defects. After picking up our vehicle which appeared to be functioning normally, the same problems started againg at 69 thousand miles. After bringing our vehicle in to the local Honda dealership additional tests were done. The transmission problem was again recognized by the Honda Service department, however no diagnosis was able to be made after updating software, changing transmission fluid and consulting directly with Honda Corporate. We were lead to deal with Honda Corporate regarding our transmission issue as the vehicles transmission was now no longer under warranty (ending at 60 thousand miles). Although the initial transmission issue occurred at 53 thousand miles Honda has refused to cover the cost of our transmission. The customer service at Honda Corporate was not what we expected from a reputable company such as Honda. Our Honda has been in the shop for 1 1/2 weeks now without having any work done on it since Honda will not agree to cover our transmission problem. Since the Honda dealership was unable to diagnose the transmission problem while under warranty, they felt justified in passing the bill to us, the Honda customer. We followed the Honda maintenance schedule and brought the vehicle in when the service lights presented themselves on our display. It is apparently recommended that the Honda Pilot undergo transmission fluid changes every 30 thousand miles costing approximately $250 each service. Our Honda Pilot was at the Honda dealership at 32K and 45K miles and thereafter, it was never recommended to us to change the transmission fluid. Honda Corporate appeared to use this information against us to hold us responsible to pay for the failed transmission. A district manager from Honda made a decision that wed be responsible for $750 of the repair while Honda would cover the rest of the $6200 transmission. Although better than paying for a new transmission, this problem occurred while under warranty and Honda is not living up to their promise or reputation. The district manager who is responsible for deciding how much the Honda customer is responsible for paying apparently will not speak directly to the Honda customer, interesting to us. We have already incurred the cost of a rental car while on vacation due to this problem and will be without our Honda Pilot for at least 2 1/2 weeks for the transmission repair not including the number of hours dealing with various customer service representatives getting to the point we are at now waiting for our transmission repair. We are disappointed with Hondas handling of our transmission problem which will inevitably affect many more Honda owners in the future as most drivers of these vehicles have yet to place as many miles on the 2016 Honda Pilot as we have.

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  What a pile of junk! - 2016 Honda Accord
  By topfuel564 - December 25 - 4:41 am

  Coming from a Ford fusion sport that was 5 years old, this thing is a HUGE disappointment. Very poor design and functionality. I cant adjust the seats to what I need to support my long legs. The stereo doesnt stay on after the engine is turned off, every other car in the world does this. Stereo is the worst sounding Ive heard in a new car since my 1997 pontiac grand prix. Infotainment system is clunky and hard to use, not intuitive in the least. No rubber trays in the bottom of the cup holders and interior storage trays, things rattle and slide and its way more difficult to clean. The rear seats dont go down after you pull the releases, you have to open the rear doors and pull down on the seat backs. The camera on the passenger side makes no sense when your biggest blind spot is on the left. The drivability of this car is the worst of any vehicle I have ever owned including a 31 year old truck truck with warped brake rotors that stops smoother. The transmission is AWFUL, I have never experienced a normal automatic transmission that behaves like this one does. Sport mode seems to make it behave worse if that is possible. From a stoplight I sped up to 45-50 mph then let off the gas, the car stopped on its own before I got to the next light. Going down a hill starting at 50 mph the car slowed down to 40 mph at the bottom and the tachometer was at 4,000 rpm. Even in normal drive you let off the gas to roll around a corner the car starts slowing down on its own. Going uphill when you accelerate the car will lag for a second or two before it will downshift hard. The brakes will grab several times as the car slows down from 45 mph occasionally hard enough to snap my head back into the headrest. I cannot stand this car, I absolutely hate it with a passion. I should have stayed with Ford.

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  Not all its cracked up to be. - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Mortimer_SC - December 23 - 6:33 pm

  Very poor fuel economy (usually less than 20 miles/gallon on highway). Cheaply designed and built. Transmission is wishy-washy.

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  454 - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By Pac Man - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I found It to Bellow my expectations for A Honda my my wifes Jeep Liberty is nearly equal in quality and reliability and is more capable and user friendly .

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  Lacks power - 2003 Honda Civic
  By HoTpunksk8ter101 - December 1 - 10:00 am

  This car is without a doubt is a fun car to drive, but it lacks power like some of Hondas other models (such the 02 S2000) but I guess what can you expect when you get a car like this for under $13,999...over all I give it a rating of 4.5 out of 10.

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  Transmission issues and temperature issues - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By frustratedminnesotan - November 27 - 2:30 am

  I purchased my 2016 Honda Pilot in September 2015 and did not notice transmission issues or temperature issues at first but they have steadily increased over the months. I now have owned it for almost 5 months and have brought it in to be serviced twice due to transmission and temperature gauge issues. I am so disappointed with the lack of support from Honda regarding their transmission issues. My Pilot does not accelerate properly, in fact I have to push hard on the pedal for it to accelerate and it shifts at the incorrect times and causes me major issues when driving up hill or on the interstate. My local Honda dealer had a tech drive it and he said he felt the issue but could not fix it since the "computer" found no issue with the transmission. That is completely unacceptable. I am also having issues with my Pilot not properly warming up on cooler days and the heated seats are a joke. The heated seats do not warm up properly and the temperature is no different for the Low or High setting. Again, this was reviewed by my local Honda dealer but was told once again that they could not fix it because the "computer" could not find anything wrong. Again, unacceptable. I now have another appointment scheduled next week to have my cruise control fixed since that has now stopped working as well. I plan to turn in my Pilot next month if all of my issues cannot be resolved.