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 happy Should have stayed with Sienna. - 2011 Honda Odyssey
  By reyam - September 8 - 5:13 pm

  Bought new in Feb. 2011. It now has 12500 miles combined city and highway. This Honda shifts erratically and down shifts with a jerk. The transmission seems to be searching for the correct gear way too much. It has poor low end torque from a stop light and will occasionally not react when I step on the gas scary when proceeding through a 4 way stop. I took it to the dealer 2 times but upon their road test said it was acting normally. Very noisy on interstate roads but quiet in town. I owned 2 Toyota Siennas before one had 157,000 miles and the other had 218,000 miles. No problems with either one. I went with Honda this time because Toyota was going through some quality control problems.

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  1996 Honda Civic EX coupe - 1996 Honda Civic
  By nickaxisa - September 7 - 1:53 pm

  Ive had my 96 Honda Civic EX coupe for about a year now, it came out of the abusive driving conditions of NYC, and i cant believe how reliable this car is! I bought my civic from a small dealership for only $2200 with 150k and I dont regret buying this car at all. Im a college student and I commute everyday with this car. I never had any mechanical problems with the car until I had my friend who is a mechanic look at it. He did find some problems, like it was leaking brake fluid and oil and the desperately needed a tune up, an oil change and new brake pads. Even when the car needed all that work it running and driving fine, but now that i fixed all that the car is running beautifully.

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  Great car but needs improvements - 2011 Honda Civic
  By paulrevere - September 7 - 10:03 am

  I just bought this to replace a 2006 Civic. The new body style is sharper, interior dash looks more advanced especially with the iMid display, love the mpg display. The car rides very good with smooth steering, however, the road noise can be high on roads with rough surfaces. The glove box and console storage compartment are smaller. I dont have near as much space to store things as I did in the 2006. Also, I dont have anywhere I can comfortable place my elbows (except in my lap) when driving. They have reduced the height of the center console storage box and pushed it further back. The door armrest is lower and further back as well. (cont)

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  At 15,000+ miles - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By chuckfromli - September 3 - 7:31 am

  Just had it in to Honda for a recall regarding a transmission upgrade. Also had my third oil change and tire rotation at this time. No problems with the vehicle at all. Gas mileage varies a lot though. It can get 26-27 MPG on highway if the road is level. That will drop to 22-24 if there are hills. Around the crowded suburbs I average about 21 MPG. The leather seats are cheap, no doubt. It seems only the drivers seat is actually leather. And there is a lot of wind noise if you open just one of the front windows on the highway. You need to crack open one of the rear windows too. But this is true in many cars and vans these days it seems.

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  10 years and 130K miles still strong (with caveats) - 1999 Honda CR-V
  By ruckerz - August 30 - 10:11 pm

  Bought this car new and still purrs like a puppy ten years later. Things to keep an eye out on [1] Automatic transmissions, dont forget to change that oil regularly. [2] I had to replace the radiator at around 90,000 miles. It developed a crack in the cheap plastic casing in the front right below the fill port. [3] Lube that rear differential regularly. Youll definitely need to change it if you notice that tight turns at low (5 mph) speeds causes a humming from the rear. [4] ADJUST VALVE CLEARANCES early and regularly! The cylinder heads on the first generation CRVs are soft aluminum and the valve seats can recede into the head cooking your valves and a very costly repair

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  Disappointing Reliability (Annoying) - 2006 Honda Pilot
  By rav4guy4 - August 30 - 10:14 am

  I got it with 50k miles for $19k in 2009. It was in mint condition with all of the service records included. I thought, "Honda?, how could I go wrong?" Well, Ive learned since then that Honda SUVs arent all theyre cracked up to be. Within a year, the front headlights and parking lights inexplicably went out all at once. No warning light, no sign of a short circuit. I replaced all of them, and no issues since then. Next, the idiot light for the gas cap intermittently came on. The gas cap seems to be like new, but I guess its just temperamental? I dont know... Its a Honda, I shouldnt be dealing with these annoying issues. Next, the rear drivers side power window doesnt work

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  This will be my first and last honda - 2009 Honda Accord
  By mylasthonda - August 29 - 1:58 pm

  I purchased the Accord in Nov 2009. I only have 25000 miles on it and I hate the car. The quality really sucks. 1. The passenger door lock is making a squeaking noise. 2. The seatbelt on the rear seat is twisted because it was not installed properly. 3. Driver window has a click the sound like the glass is hitting something. 4. the transmission slammed several times on me when i started the car. 5. The breaks vibrate on high speed. 6. I am just wait for the excessive oil consumption like many people have. 7. Car insurance cost more than my BMW. Very disappointed. Not even comfortable driving the car because I am scare the car is going to crap out way too soon.

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  A Pleasant Surprise - 2011 Honda Odyssey
  By mpyles1 - August 28 - 2:17 pm

  Needing a vehicle that carried more than 5 adults comfortably, I started my search focused on third-row comfort, as differences in comfort for first- and second-row passengers in current minivans are minimal. An owner of German cars, I first looked at the new M-B R class but found its third row lacking (and I have not found M-B reliability to be the best). A fan of good car design, I next looked at the Ford Flex. It was a real possibility. But then I test drove a Honda Odyssey and found myself sitting in the most comfortable interior -- in any position -- of any vehicle I have ever encountered.

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  Reaching the age of maturity, finally - 1991 Honda Civic
  By pennified - August 28 - 10:46 am

  I have had a great run with this car as it is approaching 21 years old. Drove it off the dealers lots brand new. It has been through a lot of wear & tear and just keeps performing. Purchased for reliability. (Ironically became car young lads sought after and often approached to sell it....was stolen for this reason & recovered) Accommodated my changing needs over the years. Been another member of family. Now that it is in its twilight year on the road, it will be reborn to race in the ice racing circuit. Retired to the race track. Or not, as may continue on the road under relatives care. Cant keep this car down! 325,000 and counting.......

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  Tried Subarus, Toyotas and went back to Honda - 2011 Honda CR-V
  By fnc119 - August 27 - 3:32 pm

  I bought a new 2009 Outback Ltd for my wife for Mothers Day 2009. It was good car just not comfortable comfortable. After 18 months my wife asked me to to get her something different. I suggested an RX350, a Highlander or a Pilot. She said she wanted something smaller so I did some research went to the local Honda dealer and he made me an offer that was too good to be true on a 2011 CRV EX-L. My wife fell in love with it, so did our daughter inlaw and daughter along with their husbands. Both girls got CRVs within two months of my wife. The entire family made the switch within the past year from Toyotas, SAABs and VWs to Honda.