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:

• 

  Good Car - Not Perfect - 2002 Honda Civic
  By AtTheLake - February 10 - 9:42 pm

  Drive train and suspension are rock solid after 135K miles. Great gas mileage. Would buy another, but cant say the car is total nirvana. Had little things go wrong, fuel sender and interior light switch malfunctions at 40K and more usual stuff fail later on, but overall a decent little car.

• 

  The BEST truck I have ever owned! - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By dynamiq - February 10 - 3:22 pm

  This truck is almost perfect! It would be nice if it got better gas mileage, but then it wouldnt have that awesome torque! I have pulled multiple cars and trucks out of the ditch (in snow), I have hauled a 26 foot camper over the mountains on a 5 hour trip, a 21 foot boat for 3 hours... all no problem for the RL! The performance in snow and ice is the BEST I have experienced! I have owned 4 Ford F-150s and 1 GMC Sierra and none of them performed this well in the snow (or mud). It is so well- designed and well-balanced that I dont think any truck can compete for overall performance. I have owned for 2.5 years and I have not had to have anything fixed! This is truly a great truck!

• 

  Update on previous review - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By kcrv2015 - February 10 - 2:26 pm

  We now have about 1800 miles on the CRV and we still like it a lot. The MPG has gone down to about 24 in mostly city driving. However, it has been very cold the past several weeks here and I expected our mileage to suffer. The vibration while stopped at traffic lights and during acceleration is still there but it does diminish greatly in sport mode. The vibration is clearly due to the very low RPM the car tries to maintain when you stop or accelerate. I can live with the vibration (or the lower mpg in sport mode) as long as the vibration does not impact reliability.

• 

  Great Car - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By Heliotrite - February 10 - 1:12 pm

  I bought the CRV for my wife replacing a Jeep Grand Cherokee and could not be happier. It offers the perfect compromise between having the size and safety of an SUV with the better fuel economy closer to a car. The fit and finish is excellent and after 30,000 miles I have not experienced one problem. I have taken numerous long trips in the CRV with my wife and two children and there is plenty of room for us and our luggage. The navigation system is very easy to use and much better than my 2008 Highlander.

• 

  Not the Best Honda ever Made - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By TerryW - February 10 - 12:20 pm

  Bought used w/ 44K mi. EGR problems @ 70k (fixed free by dealer). This van eats batteries and front brakes. On my 4th battery, and 3rd set of brakes in past 65K miles. Also for past yr. have a recurring fuel vapor leak (EVAP system) fault. Tried new gas cap, but that did not fix. Does a good job pulling our pop-up camper (2500#) though. No engine or transm. issues.

• 

  Excellent buy - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Shelly - February 10 - 6:50 am

  Ive owned my Civic for about a month and am extremely satisfied with my purchase. I test drove a Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, but the Civic was a better sized car for me and still has the features I love.

• 

  hsnrl - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By hsnrl - February 10 - 4:33 am

  No problems, very quiet and comfortable, good gas mileage,

• 

  New Navi needs help or upgrade!! - 2013 Honda Accord
  By needagarmin - February 10 - 4:28 am

  Previous vehicle was 2009 EX-L w/ Navi. New vehicle is 2013 EX-L w/ Navi. Was very excited about the new Navi but leaves a lot to be desired. Terrible voice recognition and system freezes up to point you have to turn vehicle off to reset! Many features not available while driving anymore.. (I realize this is new safety standard.) But, if voice recognition doesnt work system is basically useless. Text message feature doesnt work with my Droid HTC Thunderbolt. Guess system was only built for iPhone? Squealing noise in front left wheel area or power steering. Already had car at dealer with less than 3k miles. Arm rest not as big as previous model and doesnt slide anymore..

• 

  Disappointed - 2008 Honda Accord
  By panda - February 10 - 3:00 am

  I bought a Honda because I thought it would be reliable. So far the A/C system broke twice. The second time I was told that it was caused by road debris and the warranty would not cover it. I had to shell out $724 + tax. A call to American Honda was no help. It seems there are lots of Honda owners with this problem. The condenser is vulnerable to damage. I also had problems with the rear brakes. The inner pads wore out at less than 20,000 miles. They claim the caliper slider got corroded. No warranty coverage. Rear trunk lid rattles. Lots of road noise. Yes, the paint chips easily. No mirror defroster on this. The warranty is good for nothing. Anything that goes wrong is not covered.

• 

  Excellent - 2005 Honda Civic
  By Tito - February 9 - 5:14 pm

  I drove this car for three years before I traded for a Honda Civic 2008. Worst decision I ever made. I wish I have my car back. The Civic 2005 is an excellent car, I never had a problem with it.