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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  Not all hondas are reliable - 2001 Honda Accord
  By Johnnytheman - September 20 - 2:00 am

  The car has visited the dealer at least 2 times a month from a faulty leather to the oxegen sensor to the cat converter. i have had to have the keys reprogamed twice and the cars have faulty alignment that creats uneven wear in the tires. this is in fact the worst new car experice by far

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  No More Hondas - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By D JACK - September 19 - 9:24 am

  Bought new in 04. Tires wore out after 20,000 miles. Excessive wind and road noise, rides like a tank, seats are not comfortable. Front struts had to be replaced at 50,000 mi. and yes my air cond. went out at 59000 mi., cost $2800 at dealer. Found someone to fix for $1000. Eng. light keeps coming on and off. No more Hondas.

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  Lemon, will not honor warranty - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By cawood - September 17 - 11:40 am

  Van drives like a truck. Bad front end. New tires did not help. Dealership just makes excuses. Brakes squeak and factory rep and dealership say to read the owners manual and it will say you may have squeaky brakes. They will not correct them. Owners manual comes after the purchase. How dumb is that?

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  Honest evaluation 2003 Honda Odyssey - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Enrique Cornejo - September 14 - 7:23 am

  Very noisy inside the cabin. Not very good seats for long trips. Bad transmission. According with Honda, the transmission failed one year after new, in 2004. Even Honda admitted is a bad transmission, but they didnt do anything. Broke two (2) engine mounts (first time in my life). In my opinion, not as good as the publicity wants us to believe.

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  Honda Quality gone south - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Steve - September 13 - 10:30 pm

  Had my Honda since new. Always did maintenance on schedule. At 57k miles had issue with A/C, turned out to be a Transistor issue. VERY common apparently as I found many complaints, but part was only $65 and replaced myself. Brought to dealer anyway only to find they recommended a timing belt change (not due for another 40k miles), bad tensioner and 2 broken motor mounts. All recommended service was around $2500... When questioning dealer about motor mounts, the reply was "they just get old and break". I have owned all my other Toyotas over 10years and NEVER had a motor mount just break due to age. This was my first Honda and will most likely be my last!

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  Road Noise!!! - 2007 Honda Accord
  By Christy - September 12 - 8:34 pm

  I purchased this car because I travel for work. What a mistake! The seats are very uncomfortable on long commutes and there is constant road and wind noise!!! I would not recommend this car for anyone who travels for a living. The ride is too stiff also. I guess this is how Honda makes a separation with Acura. I cannot wait to get another car. This time I will do extensive research before I purchase based on reliability only.

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  Its a Lemon - Many Parts Have Failed - 2006 Honda Civic
  By JohnnyM - September 9 - 6:41 pm

  Many parts failed: rear wheel bearings- 28K rear shocks-38K A/C compressor- 15K now, front strut-55K horn-56K Nav system--stopped working for 1 day, came back the next (54K) visors, break-3X (told they werent made for Arizona)-15K,34K, 51K cruise control- often wont engage (told that brake pedal part fails, so "just push down hard on brake" - 39K) ft. brake calibers-defect (22K) recall-starter- fire danger-40K. Honda North America will not stand behind product -says " "...its too bad...not our problem, its yours." This is our 3rd Honda, 2nd Civic - never had any real problems until this. Car REALLY slow from start, but then ok 4-wheel disk brakes shudder and under-responsive.

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  comfort - 2017 Honda CR-V
  By john mouco - September 8 - 3:02 pm

  We own the touring with power pass front seat. Seat does not go up and down and sits too low and is very hard not like the drivers 6 way power seat. Also hard to get in and out of the pass seat. We would not have purchased this vehicle if we had known that the pass seat was not like the drivers seat. We had a 2013 Chevy Equinox with both power front seats and they were great but no pickup in that model. The new ones have a 1.5 liter. turbo engine. We are thinking of trading this in for the Chevy Equinox and the CR-V has only 2600 miles on it.

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  My S2000 - 2007 Honda S2000
  By Sarah - September 4 - 12:12 pm

  I leased my S2000 for three years. It is a fun car to drive but it is not economical. It has power but it doesnt have much room for anything. I guess as long as you are single and are not planning to go on a trip with it, then you are ok. Otherwise, there isnt much room in the car or in the trunk. I could never get a suitcase to fit. Again, it is a great car but perhaps for college kids, who have time to drive around and are skinny enough to fit in it. I always had to watch who I offered a ride to, not everyone will fit in it.

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  Where is the legendary quality??? - 2009 Honda Civic
  By NM - September 3 - 9:30 pm

  All I hear about is Honda quality and reliability. So I decide to pick up a Civic for the supposed worry free experience. First night I get the car, I hear a squeaking sound from the driver side front wheel area on any road imperfection. Take it for service, and I am told they had to inject foam into an area between two body panels that were rubbing against each other. Pick it up the next day, and notice a rattling sound from the rear while turning on way home from dealer. Take it back to test drive with master tech. While doing so with tech, I lower window, and hear a squeaking sound. Tech laughs, I curse. All of this before 90 miles on car. First and last Honda.