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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  Watch out for the - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By monkeysmom4 - February 13 - 2:00 am

  We ordered this car with all the bells and whistles. Probably should have taken one off the lot...We are on our 2nd transmission (with problems as well) and the power doors have continually been a problem since year two. Navigation system needs updating through Honda, but I have to do all the work in obtaining a disc (whats up with that?) Have been told "off the record" that Honda made these so quickly that many have had similar problems. We loved our Accord back in the late 80s and thought Honda was a reliable name. I wont be buying another and am looking for its replacement!

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  Great when new - long term not so great - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Paul Anderson - February 6 - 2:11 pm

  When I bought my 2008 Civic Coupe new, it was a great car for its class. It got great mileage, drove well, and for a compact car, had what I was after - bare bones, simple transportation with good mileage. Since I only drive 20 miles round trip to work everyday, I dont put a ton of miles on my cars, and I take great care of them, washing them frequently, doing regular maintenance as scheduled, not allowing my kids to eat in the car, and generally trying to keep them spotless. Unfortunately, it didnt take long for my initial feelings about my carbegin to change. At less than 20,000 miles, I went to pull the driver side sun visor down one day, and it fell apart in my hands. A few months later, a recall was issued on the sun visors, and it was fixed with no charge. Then at 24,000 miles, the alternator went out and had to be replaced. Again, a warranty-covered repair, but still ... for a car with the reputation of Hondas quality behind it, this was a bit disappointing. After those two items, things seemed to be going well for a while. Then at about the 5 year mark in 2013, I started noticing some slight fading of the dark blue paint. This one REALLY disappointed me. As a person who buys cars and holds onto them for 7-10 years and 100,000 miles plus, I try to ensure that I buy cars with high long-term reliability ratings, and I had done a lot of research on Honda before buying this car, and all the indications were that Honda made extremely high-quality, dependable vehicles. By the time I got rid of this car in 2016, at 8 years old, the paint was completely faded on the top and sides, the interior was starting to come apart, the front end was groaning and making all sorts of noises (suspected engine mount wear). I ended up donating the car to charity for a tax write off. Overall, I was very disappointed with the workmanship of this vehicle, as it just didnt live up to my expectations based on everything I had read and been told about Hondas. I went back to Toyota products, and this will be my only Honda purchase. I had owned Toyotas exclusively since about 1992, and never had these types of issues with any Toyota products, ranging from Camrys to Highlanders to 4Runners. When I went to replace this vehicle, I went back to the Toyota family and bought a Lexus - hoping to continue the better reliability and quality Ive had with Toyota products for the past 25 years.

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  Great when new - long term not so great - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Paul Anderson - February 6 - 2:11 pm

  When I bought my 2008 Civic Coupe new, it was a great car for its class. It got great mileage, drove well, and for a compact car, had what I was after - bare bones, simple transportation with good mileage. Since I only drive 20 miles round trip to work everyday, I dont put a ton of miles on my cars, and I take great care of them, washing them frequently, doing regular maintenance as scheduled, not allowing my kids to eat in the car, and generally trying to keep them spotless. Unfortunately, it didnt take long for my initial feelings about my carbegin to change. At less than 20,000 miles, I went to pull the driver side sun visor down one day, and it fell apart in my hands. A few months later, a recall was issued on the sun visors, and it was fixed with no charge. Then at 24,000 miles, the alternator went out and had to be replaced. Again, a warranty-covered repair, but still ... for a car with the reputation of Hondas quality behind it, this was a bit disappointing. After those two items, things seemed to be going well for a while. Then at about the 5 year mark in 2013, I started noticing some slight fading of the dark blue paint. This one REALLY disappointed me. As a person who buys cars and holds onto them for 7-10 years and 100,000 miles plus, I try to ensure that I buy cars with high long-term reliability ratings, and I had done a lot of research on Honda before buying this car, and all the indications were that Honda made extremely high-quality, dependable vehicles. By the time I got rid of this car in 2016, at 8 years old, the paint was completely faded on the top and sides, the interior was starting to come apart, the front end was groaning and making all sorts of noises (suspected engine mount wear). I ended up donating the car to charity for a tax write off. Overall, I was very disappointed with the workmanship of this vehicle, as it just didnt live up to my expectations based on everything I had read and been told about Hondas. I went back to Toyota products, and this will be my only Honda purchase. I had owned Toyotas exclusively since about 1992, and never had these types of issues with any Toyota products, ranging from Camrys to Highlanders to 4Runners. When I went to replace this vehicle, I went back to the Toyota family and bought a Lexus - hoping to continue the better reliability and quality Ive had with Toyota products for the past 25 years.

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  Honda Accord 2002 SE - Not too satisfied - 2002 Honda Accord
  By DG - February 4 - 11:26 am

  The ride comfort of the Honda is very poor. The economical part of the vehicle is very good. The transmission is the weak part of the 2002 (4cyl) model. Vehicle has been checked out twice by the Dealer. Dealer cannot find problem. The transmission downshifts and upshifts very harsh at intermediate times. There is not a pattern to problem. Now I worry if I am going to be broke down on the side of the highway at some time in the near future and not covered by warranty.

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  Hit and Miss - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By Greg Murphy - February 3 - 2:00 am

  My first Honda was a 1986 Accord Sedan LX that I purchased new and got 197,000 miles of wonderful service from. My 2001 Honda Odyssey LX (that I also purchased new) has been both dissapointing and frustrating. Although gently used, the van gets about 11-14 mpg in the city and anywhere from 17-21 mpg on the highway, Ive had transmission problems, body side moldings have fallen off, and the van now rattles like a garbage can. The worst part of it is that Honda couldnt care less! Never again!

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  Transmission FAILS Honda VERY aware - 1999 Honda Accord
  By scs - January 24 - 2:00 am

  After 59,000 miles and every scheduled maintenance done,my car is labeled "unsafe to drive" by Honda dealer! Admits that 2000 and 2001 have a problem and after much chat "some" 1999! I know 4 people just in my town with the exact same problem! NEW transmission needed after less than 60,000 miles! My engine light didnt come on until 2 miles before the transmission was deemed unsafe...what if I had been on a highway going 55? DANGEROUS CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Engine Trouble - 2003 Honda Element
  By Tom Ohio - January 23 - 2:00 am

  I had the car one month and took it back to the dealer for engine noise and was advised it needed a new short block engine. The dealership advised it was 2.5 qts of oil low and threw a rod at 1700 miles. I dont want a car with a rebuit engine.

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  beware of new/redesigned model years - 1994 Honda Accord
  By sergio rubio - January 12 - 2:00 am

  in the first 3 years, we had minor cosmetic problems, like door handle trim,(replaced many times-factory recall)-spent alot of time at dealers, glove box retainers broken, brake lights relaced every 6 mo. air conditioner smells after turning off and running just air major problems at 46000 mi- replace water pump!! new water pump now has 140000 miles!!!!!!!!!!replace slave cylinder! steering wheel deteriorated. at 90000 mi (5 yr) replace broken plastic radiator and again at 186000 (12/2003) new struts and shocks at 170000. very unhappy about these problems, but overall, 10 years, satisfied.

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  Unhappy Honda Owner - 1999 Honda Accord
  By hobbes_esq - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I have driven it 63000 miles and I hate the car. The seat is uncomfortable and the emergency brake jabs into my leg. The cabin is noisy and you feel every bump in the road. The accelleration is slow. The car gets only 24mpg hwy. The ignition has been replaced twice. The car stalls nearly everytime I start it and the dealer cant fix it. The visor broke so it slides freely when I brake hard or turn. The cupholder is too large and un-adjustable. The power windows jam. I have owned an Escort, a Sentra, a Protege and a Regal, and each of them was better than this Accord.

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  Died in the middle of the street! - 1998 Honda CR-V
  By first honda - January 3 - 2:00 am

  I drove a CRV automatic for about 50K miles. It died in the middle of the street when I was attempting to accelerate repeatedly. The warranty was still in place but I was told the warranty was voided because we could not show documentation of the oil change schedule. Then the service technicians told us that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle despite the fact that it died repeatedly. I traded it and wont buy another Honda.