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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  inflated popularity hype - 2006 Honda Civic
  By angelwings1 - April 8 - 10:04 pm

  Do you know what car sales people do when its slow? They create free email accounts, fake user names and positive experiences and then post them on this and other consumer review web sites. Wow did this car put me on a financial roller coaster. If you think reliability when you think Honda, you have been brainwashed. Everywhere, I mean everywhere I took this car for a repair, I would get a report card of failing components with price tags and labor costs equal to 20 percent of the value of the car! I bought this car twice after 4 years, I mean, the same car cost me 22,000 in maintenance and purchase price was 22,000 4 years B4. Best advice if you like this car, buy one new, sell after a yr.

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  2011 CRV SE - 175 Miles - Power Steering Out - 2011 Honda CR-V
  By faye7 - March 8 - 1:05 pm

  I cannot describe my disappointment. At 175 miles, the Power Steering went out and car is at the dealer waiting for parts. It has other noises yet to be determined, excluding wind noise. I expect more from a new car and especially from Honda. This is unacceptable and a reflection of Hondas Quality Control Department. I had no problems with my 2003 CRV so I purchased another one solely for the reliability even though I liked another car better. It certainly has failed my reliability expectation. This 2011 CRV can not compare to the 2003 CRV build quality/reliability. Honda has issues and I have lost confidence. I seriously regret buying this 2011 CRV and wish I had kept my 2003 CRV.

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  DO NOT BUY - 2009 Honda Civic
  By txsco - January 6 - 8:31 pm

  I usually keep cars 6-10 years got rid of this after one year, 7500 miles. Why? In a little over 12 months, car was in the shop four times-twice for Check IMA light, once for Check Engine light, once because entire drivers side window assembly failed-the whole thing, window, frame, motor for electric window. Vehicle was dangerously slow, and gas mileage was much worse than advertised(maybe because of the constant computer updates-see Edmunds forum for more info). Ive owned some really bad cars over the years-anyone remember the Chevy Monza?-but this was by far the worst.

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  Do not buy! - 2010 Honda Civic
  By itz - December 3 - 2:00 am

  Do not buy this car. Honda does not stand behind their products. The car will not get the mileage that is quoted at all. Previous years models have an error with the controller arms that destroys the tires. You are better off buying a prius.

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  Expensive grocery getter - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Frank - October 18 - 2:00 am

  This car is not comfortable the front seats are like sitting on a park bench, small, no padding and the leather is cheap. Cheap plastic interior with too many buttons on the ugly dash. Road noise is awful and the brakes are pathetic. Honda has a recall on this car and when i brought the car to the dealer they said the brakes on this thing were ok. V6 engine is a noisy winder when stepping on the pedal hard what a joke. Im dumping this piece of overrated Honda and looking at the Ford Fusion or the Buick LaCrosse. Honda has taken there so called reliability and threw out the door with new generation Honda

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  Do not buy a honda - 2010 Honda Accord
  By james brinson - October 13 - 2:00 am

  Honda not a car you want to buy. Leather seats do not stand up to standard. Their air bags will deflate and you hit nothing . My advice be do not ever buy a Honda form no one they will lie to you. Thanks for nothing . Pat

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  Window noise - 2010 Honda Civic
  By SAM - October 5 - 2:00 am

  I had problem with my new 2010 honda civic LX. Im getting more noise from drive window site. I cant drive my vehicle on highway more than 67 mph. I complaint to America Honda about this issue. Engineer came from Honda to do test drive with me. Even he heard the same noise, which I felt. To duplicate the issue. Honda Engineer drove another new Honda civic 2010 Lx, he felt same problem on the new car. & he mentioned to me. ThatÂ’s way this car designed. You have live with issue. Please DO NOT BUY this car. ItÂ’s unsafe to drive on highway.

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  Disappointed - 2010 Honda CR-V
  By pabatang - September 10 - 2:00 am

  Terrible! No pick-up power, poor acceleration, poor gas mileage, dangerous due to poor acceleration on the highway. For safety I have to trade in for a different make.

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  Brake failure at 15,000 miles - 2009 Honda Civic
  By sandy - July 17 - 7:31 pm

  My 2009 Honda Civic is a year old with 15,000 miles. Took it to the dealer for brake problems and was told the brakes are dirty and rusting at 15,000 miles? This is inexcusable. I paid over $600 for repairs on a new car. Now Im hearing many complaints and am afraid I will soon have to replace the brakes at my expense. Ive driven a Honda for 15 years and will never buy another one. Im thinking of trading my new Civic in for a reliable car.

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  Bad transmission - 2002 Honda Odyssey
  By another victim - May 19 - 2:05 am

  We are another victim of the bad transmission design. Engine light is on. Transmission gear ratio incorrect. Very wild in driving. Wont accelerate. Called Honda. Need to pay more than 4000 dollar to get it fix. Really bad. seeking a class action. dont know where to go for this bad design.