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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  Fun to drive with a bounce - 2007 Honda Civic
  By smartwoman - November 1 - 2:53 pm

  This car needs new tires due to a factory defect, it has always bounced down the road, now, we know why. It now needs a rear upper control arm kit. The company will pro rate the tires, using some sort of formula, based on tire depth and mileage. We were told by our dealer that there is no pro-rated money allowed based on the formula. The car is dangerous. I feel let down by Honda.

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  Not for cold weather - 2016 Honda Civic
  By BZ - October 19 - 2:44 am

  If you live somewhere with a warm climate this is a great car. In cold temperatures the motor does not heat up the way it should, leaving you to drive in a cold car all the time.

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  Not for cold weather - 2016 Honda Civic
  By BZ - October 19 - 2:44 am

  If you live somewhere with a warm climate this is a great car. In cold temperatures the motor does not heat up the way it should, leaving you to drive in a cold car all the time.

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  started consume oil after 64K miles - 2010 Honda Accord
  By Anatoli - October 18 - 4:04 pm

  2010 Honda Accord EX-L started consume oil after 64K miles and engine started make weird sounds. Honda Dealer said its ok, you can drive it! Never will buy Honda again!

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  TERRIBLE SEATS - 2004 Honda Accord
  By 2004 Accord EX - October 14 - 8:13 am

  This car is nice looking and has a lot of nice features, but comfort is NOT one of them. The seats are hard as a rock and we cannot endure trips longer than one hour. This car stinks. Its totally worthless on a trip. If you intend to buy a new Honda you had better test drive it for at least 2 hours. We really regret buying this vehicle. It is our first, and LAST, new Honda. This is not a quality car - its a $23,000 boat anchor. If you want to buy a quality Japanese car, look at Toyota or Nissan. Toyota has a better warranty, and has rebates. Honda sales are declining. Now we know why. We screwed up. Dont you screw up too. You have been forewarned.

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  1st impressions of 2018 Honda CR-V - 2018 Honda CR-V
  By Bennett - October 11 - 6:02 pm

  I scheduled an appointment to complete the paperwork and take delivery of the car. After waiting for 5 hours I was given a 2017 Pilot as a free loaner and told to go home and return the next morning for my car. When I slid into the seat, it felt goooood! About the only adjustment I had to make was to comfortably reach the pedals. The wife was similarly comfortable in the passenger seat. It was also a pleasure to drive, accelerating easily and shifting smoothly. The next morning I picked up my new car and headed home. I spent a good part of the time trying to find a comfortable position with the seat. It is smaller with a short cushion and large bolsters top and bottom. The front of the seat cushion was digging into my leg, so I tried to adjust it lower. The seat accomplishes that by raising the back which also moves you closer to the steering wheel. Now from that position it cant slide back. So my hair is brushing the headliner, thanks to the moon roof that is standard, and Im closer to the wheel than I like to be without an extreme recline. I suppose Ill get used to it, but it is very disappointing to find such a poor seat in Hondas most popular car. It will never be a "oh, that feels good" experience. Even the steering wheel is uncomfortable being a hard plastic. Probably the Pilots was wrapped in leather or cushioned. The center console in the Pilot was excellent. It is a low, flat, surface providing a nice open feeling in the cabin as well as the perfect place to plop a pocketbook. The armrests are on the seat and can be left up out of the way or lowerd down to a perfect position. The CR-V has a center console that is split level, leaving not much room for anything. Also there are no slots or small drawers anywhere in the dash for small items. Everything must be thrown into the center console. When accelerating, the CR -V engine has an initial hesitation and a strained growl. The Pilot responds quickly and easily with no strain. Of course the Pilot is larger and more expensive, but it might be worth the extra investment.

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  Buy a Toyota next time - 2007 Honda Civic
  By ken808 - October 3 - 5:26 pm

  This is the worst car I have ever owned. The fuel mileage has been terrible, barely 24-25 mpg overall. The transmission performs poorly in first gear, providing a jerk whenever the accelerator is touched or released. Customer service from the dealer and Honda is non-existent. They refuse to answer my letters in writing - I guess they dont want any evidence! The digital speedometer is a pain.

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  Should have studied it more - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Should have studied it more - September 26 - 9:11 pm

  I have bought more than ten new Accords and Fits and always been please completely. Buying the Ridgeline was a mistake I made. It seems to me to be mostly plastic and not designed with the owner in mind. The engine has a timing belt rather than a chain which will require substantial cost in the future if I keep it which I probably will not. The engine is covered with a shield that is secured with rubber grommets that came off and went flying when I removed it. It was difficult to reinstall. The bed is slanted such that it holds moisture and dust. It is difficult to get in and out of the drivers seat. The view out the back window is restricted by the head rests. The road noise is more than any vehicle I have owned but I understand some think this is from the Firestone tires. The ride seems floaty like being in a boat. I thought I was buying a Honda truck but instead got a Honda car with a partial truck bed that seems to not be designed by the Honda engineers that structure the cars. The bells and whistles are far too many and seem to be added in some cases because they could be rather than being needed. The instructions of using them take time to comprehend. The selection was my fault for having owned many Hondas in the past and never having to investigate the quality of any of them. Study the vehicle in depth before buying and you may be very pleased but as it is different so do not assume it is like prior Honda vehicles you may have owned.

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  Frustrating technology - 2016 Honda Civic
  By Andrew - September 23 - 9:55 am

  I had the Touring 6 months 5 K miles and was frustrated by the tech system used. The Bluetooth rarely understood commands, dropped my phone continuously, did not have my phonebook most of the time , rebooted itself, just pure frustration. My wife did not like to noise or seat comfort. Body parts not fitted well. On the good side it got great MPG, looked good, handles well But the turbo lag along with the CVT was frustrating as well, try to get out into traffic was waiting a second till the turbo spools up along with the CVT stunk . Traded it in 9 weeks ago and the dealer is still sitting on it as they lower the price weekly.

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  Do not buy this junk - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Looking for quality - September 18 - 12:13 am

  Bought it 4 months ago and quickly discovered that I bought a piece of JUNK. Leather seats are the only thing of good quality. Any other thing is just JUNK. I think Honda is using recycled plastics for the dash. I completely disagree with experts saying that the new Honda Accords interior is of good quality. What good quality they are talking about. Everything inside the car rattles on very fine bumps and normal roughness on the roads. This gets me mad. What a poor quality. The car has wheel imbalance, which the dealer has never been able to fix! Can you believe it? Honda cannot get a balanced car out of their factory? The suspension is very poor. The body is very loose.