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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  Best car Ive ever owned - 1995 Honda Accord
  By Misha Jovanovic - December 25 - 6:28 pm

  Ive owned about 35-40 cars (to be modest) and this is by far the best one Ive ever had. 1995 Accord EX 5 Speed Manual. Cost to maintain is next to nothing yet it has just about all amenities you would get from a Base model today (power windows, locks, cruise control, A/C, tachometer, intermittent wipers, alloy wheels, etc.) I average about 30-32 mpg. The comfort is incredible, the easy of driving is amazing. Efortless shifting (stick), turning, breaking. Zero rust (spent most of its life in Texas, now Illinois). People cant believe its a 1995 and when I tell/show them that is has 249 THOUSAND miles their mouths drop. It looks and drives like a 50K car. It doesnt leak anything, nothing makes noise, no ticking, knocking, nothing. Knock on wood, I plan to go to 350K and pretty much drive her until she doesnt want to go anymore which I have a feeling wont be anytime soon.

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  Its ok for starters - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Jayy White - December 24 - 10:44 pm

  The whole is great Im getting after Christmas only problem is I have to replace the stereo because the aux port was not put in the car even though it displays on the stereo and you have to by a pie adapter if you want to save money but for this model it is hard to find now.

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  I hope new Civic goes 10 years and over 240k miles - 2015 Honda Civic
  By Buddy - December 24 - 11:53 am

  Front seat head rests arre awkward in that it pushes your head forward bu realigning the seat can reduce that issue, this is common in all new Hondas and I am told is a safety feature to avoid wipe lash. I at first did not like the little extra windows in front of each side mirror but they do let in more light and make it less cramped feeling.

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  Careful! - 1996 Honda Civic
  By Juliet - December 23 - 5:57 pm

  Ok so i was here looking at reviews to purchase my 1996 honda civic and was amazed by all the good reviews. Anyways i bought my honda and turns out to be a total nightmare. First problem door locks broke then the driver door lock broke not opening from the inside or outside. Second i started having inflated water hoses. I changed the radiator and the hoses and the thermostat and water pump. I still continue with pressure in the hoses i have combustion gas going into my coolant system. I took to a mechanic turns out that apparently the timing belt broke and since these cars have an interference engine it caused the piston to bent the exhaust valves. Dont buy a car with interference engine buy with none interference engine this repair cost more then $1000.00 dollars beware there is no oil mixing with coolant nor engine noise or any white smoke and it runs like has no problems when u go buy this car take a combustion tester because i bought this car with bent valves and it seemed perfect also young kids burn out these cars beware. Test hoses for pressure and make sure they are not inflated also open radiator coolant for combustion gas make sure to do this with engine COLD. Check for bubbles in water or if u see weird glitter on radiator Stay away thats a Stop leak head cover or blue could be bluedevil STAY AWAY.

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  BEST CAR IVE EVER HAD - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By Monica - December 23 - 1:37 pm

  I moved 6 times with this car. Drove all over Florida with it, and it never broke down once. 100k miles on it and I have yet to find a problem with it. The speaks were soooo good, everybody thought I had special speakers put in. 10/10

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  Lock actuator - 2013 Honda Civic
  By Miguel V - December 22 - 1:29 pm

  I bought my 2013 Honda Civic new. Its a good car, the only proble that I have is the lock actuator. I all ready replace all 4. Does any body have the same probles with the look actuators?

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  Very high maintenance costs and unreliable - 2012 Honda Ridgeline
  By John K - December 21 - 11:11 am

  Very disappointed is several areas. There is always something breaking. -After 2 years the third brake light assembly broke off the truck on the highway. It was out of warranty. Honda USA was no help even though it is a pretty well documented problem on forums. Quote from the dealer $800. Radio never worked well, but found out the antenna was located in the third brake light assembly. - brakes are paper. I do highway driving. 3 sets of brakes in 3 years. I know its operator influenced, but Ive never had this in any other vehicle. - left front axle blew out after 3 years. - timing belt on a truck? really. My bad for not researching more thoroughly. $900 along with spark plugs and valve adjustment due at the same time for an additional $600. - virtually every oil change at is accompanied by either differential, transmission, or coolant change. Why are other vehicles rated for 60-100K between fluid changes? Seats are very rigid and uncomfortable for moderate to long rides. The interior design is perplexing. Why put the Aux cord input in the dash on the passenger side? Also, the space below the middle console is wasted space. You cant get to it without having everything from the top space fall into it. Interior seat material scratches very easily. Would not recommend this truck. Im sure the value is going to drop through the floor once they introduce the new model.

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  A piece of junk - 2011 Honda Civic
  By J. Aiello - December 21 - 12:48 am

  This is my second Honda and I regretted buying both. Our troubles started immediately with the A/C. The dealer replaced the compressor TWICE (Honda replacement parts are rebuilt!!) and then replaced almost every other part of the A/C system, including the 3rd compressor. I took it to another repair shop and they found a broken expansion valve, but the system failed again a short time later. I also had issues with the rear window lifts. After the dealer tried to fix the problem numerous times I finally called Honda HQ and they replaced both rear window registers. The paint on the top was beginning to wear off!! Gas mileage dropped from 32 MPG to less than 28 for no reason. I finally traded it in with just 11,000 miles for a new 2015 KIA Soul which we love.

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  Yes yes yes - 2015 Honda Civic
  By Oreo - December 21 - 12:12 am

  I went into purchasing this car and was hesitant at first. I started looking for cats with Hyundai and such before, and did not like them one bit. I started researching other cars such as Chevrolet Cruze and just Honda in general. Less than 5 minutes at the dealer and I was offered a test drive. The car is fantastic, have had it for 2 months and still love it. Great first new car. (Got rid of my 2004 Ford Taurus - wanted an upgrade)

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  Pleased with 2014 Accord Coupe EX-L Nav 2.4 - 2014 Honda Accord
  By Robert - December 20 - 10:16 am

  I purchased this car with 20K miles. I use it as the family do-everything workhorse, everything from grocery trips and around-town errands to long-distance trips. I also have a 2006 Honda Ridgeline for the real heavy-duty tasks and an older Lexus SC430 for weekend fun. The Accord does everything I ask of it. It is reliable, efficient, economical, comfortable, and looks great. I might also add fun to the list, since the Accord Coupe handles very well for an all-arounder, and accelerates well even with the 4 cylinder automatic. I have had a few Lexus and Acura cars, and I would have to say that the materials, fit, and finish of this car compares well with those. There are a few tiny details that could have been done slightly better (such as auto lights, night rear view mirror), but there are also a few features that are above and beyond what youd expect. The keyless locking and ignition, passenger heated seat, trunk protective liner, lane-change camera, lane watch sensor, and others are examples of things you get but might not expect for the price. Overall, Id recommend the Accord Coupe as a solid, safe, fun buy. Since its really the only coupe out there, resale should be solid if you change your mind later.