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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  UNRELIABLE! - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Nostrodx - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Ive been stranded too many times with my kids. This is the 3rd transmission they are putting in it. The doors have to be slammed for them to close. It has many rattles when the seats are stored. I have talked to other owners of Hondas, and they have had many service problems also. My question is this, WHY HASNT HONDA RECALLED THESE THINGS YET?

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  Bad Choice! - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By Bad Choice - July 15 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a Honda to get away from some of the problems I had encountered when driving GM vehicles. This car has been to the dealer so much it shoud be kept there!! I cant believe the high ratings this vehicle has received. Does every publication assume because it is a Honda that the quality/design is great? 1). Weld Spash- Front Strut area 2). Loud Popping noises out of rear 3). Air Bag Recall 4). Transmission Recall- Design Problem 5). Rear Differential to be replaced- Currently on Back order cant receive? Common Problem with other Pilots????

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  Disappointed - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By CLS525 - July 13 - 3:09 pm

  I purchased a brand new 2016 Honda Pilot after my 2008 Odyssey (with 198,000 miles) was totaled in an accident. I test drove everything from a Kia to Lexus and but loved the Pilot the minute I sat in it. Maybe it was because it felt more like my Odyssey or maybe it was because it was a brand new car; Im not sure. Whatever the case, its now almost 2 months (and 3,800 miles) later and Im not so in love anymore. On the upside, the fuel economy is great and the "Econ" option button helps get even more out of one tank of gas. The seats are comfortable for a short person (52") and the front seat storage is great. The sound system is good....if you listen to Sirius radio. Not so great with local stations (lots of static & a very "tinny" sound). This is my 4th Honda (I had a Civic, and a CR-V before the Odyssey) and all of my previous 3 served me very well.....lots of miles driven and never had any trouble. All that said, this Pilot has had little hiccups from the beginning that Im afraid will eventually turn into long-term indigestion. As mentioned in so many other reviews, the touchscreen is extremely slow and way too complicated to operate while driving. Some of the controls really need to be on the steering wheel. In addition, some of the settings dont lock, i.e. the lock setting for the doors. I tried setting the doors to lock when shifted from "P". It works initially, but defaults back to factory settings once the vehicle is turned off for a couple of hours. Both the dealer and Honda state that they "dont have a fix for it yet." Another drawback is handling: it hydroplanes VERY easily. My husband was surprised when the car hydroplaned on a moderately wet road when traveling slower than the speed limit. In one instance where I had to stop suddenly (on dry pavement) to avoid someone who pulled out in front of me, the rear of the car swerved to the left almost like the ABS didnt work. Ive also experienced (a couple of times) the feeling that the cruise control doesnt disengage upon turning it off manually or by hitting the brake; the car will continue moving forward at the cruise control speed until I hit the brake harder. Its only happened a couple of times so Im not sure if its just a nuance of the transmission or if theres really a problem. I did purchase the extended warranty simply because I put a lot of miles on my vehicles and like that extra reassurance but now, after driving it for a couple months, I have a feeling there may be some failed features down the road that will make that extended warranty more valuable to me. Overall, Im disappointed in the 2016 Pilot and definitely dont feel as safe as I did in my Odyssey. If I had to do it over again, I think I would end up going with another Odyssey or another brand of vehicle.

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  AWFUL Info-system - 2013 Honda Accord
  By hnda_suks - July 10 - 9:19 am

  Could not be more disappointed in Honda! Quality control poor. The most annoying part with my brand new car is the Audio module that intermittently (but most of the time) malfunctions. Every time I switch from another module (Info, Navi, or Phone) to the Audio while driving, the frigging system thinks I just started the car, a black screen appears then HondaLink Logo and then a warning message about safe operation of the vehicle - the same sequence that appears when you first start the car. All this paralyzes the system for 10-15 seconds, and only after that, finally, the Audio features reappear, with radio stations or XM. Worse, the sound loses stereo!!! and only the right side plays.

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  Headlight performance - 2008 Honda Accord
  By st1300 - July 10 - 12:10 am

  Bought this car when they first came out. After a couple of months noticed the headlights flickering. Honda WILL NOT fix this car so it is now going to arbritration. This car is a disaster... road noise is horrible, stereo sucks, terrible gas mileage etc. Do not buy this car.

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  If I Could Turn Back Time... - 2001 Honda Odyssey
  By hatethisvan - July 7 - 2:00 am

  I cant believe we actually paid sticker price for this thing. At only 32,000 miles it rides like a lumber truck, the gas mileage around town stinks, the breaks began screeching during the first year, none of the seat belts retract by themselves anymore and we had to replace the windshield wipers the first year. The paint has chipped off several spots on the hood already. The seats are very uncomfortable on trips longer than 30 minutes. Every time it rains or I wash it, the sliding door seals stick and we cant open them. The sound system is pretty cheap sounding as well. Very, very disappointing!

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  HORRIBLE - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By kimo - July 1 - 10:00 am

  Worst quality ever, less than a month owned and twice to the dealer for loose junctions, a third for the AC, cant believe the nightmare im having since i got this car

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  Wont buy again - 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid
  By Disappointed Honda Owner - June 25 - 8:27 am

  The car has had nothing but issues since I purchased it. First, the text message read option in the display doesnt work. Ive tried with both Android phone and iPhones. Secondly, bluetooth and Pandora dont always connect and it takes several tries to it to pair. Sometimes the radio display even freezes to the point where you need to actually turn off the car to reset it (turning off the radio doesnt fix the issue). Then theres the cheapness of the undercarriage in which the splash guard has fallen off during normal highway driving conditions twice now.

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  ICK! - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By fedupwidhonda - June 24 - 2:00 am

  nothing but trouble. Transmission failed at 42,000 miles. Whats up with that crap, expensive to replace. No help from the 3/36 protection. Air Conditioning failed, and a electrical short in the radio! This from the best in class? ICK!

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  Poor Quality - 2017 Honda Pilot
  By DAVE - June 16 - 12:21 pm

  This is our 4th New SUV in 13 years. This is the first one I have ever had to take to the dealer with a problem before 70,000 mile. This car developed a clunk in the front drive train or suspension at about 3000 miles. Of course the service department can find nothing wrong with it. Honda is behind its competitors when it comes to interior design. Less leg room in the front driving compartment, controls are dated, other companies have lessen to their focus groups. I think Honda miss the boat here. Blind spot camara is useless, who looks at their center screen when changing lanes. Really missed the boat here when comparing them to there competitors. To many bad interior design features to mention.