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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  lOVE MY HONDA (IF ONLY) - 2013 Honda Civic
  By cyndi strawser - September 30 - 8:47 pm

  I like the two-tier dash and exterior/interior style. Gas mileage using econ o mode makes a hybrid unnecessary as its not unusual for me to get 40-44 mpg mixed driving. Cold weather drives down the mileage tremendously. VERY unhappy with paint quality, it looks nice but every little rock from passing traffic will nick paint down to the primer. Also developed a plastic sounding rattling noise during certain mild wind conditions. My new car sounds like a rattletrap from inside. Three different dealers and a couple of friends have not been able to find the problem. Hope the lemon law applies. I live in the country and I have to switch to a truck during snow/ice, Civic will not stay on the road ,,not enough weight.

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  not bad. Could use some small improvements - 2015 Honda Accord
  By jazz - September 28 - 9:56 pm

  Very good acceleration for 4 cylinder. Not happy that navigation is only available in the EX-L. Lane assist camera is only good during the daytime. Camera has very poor resolution at night and in rain. Shouldnt just be for right lane changes. Also should be available when moving into the left lane as well. Blind spots are on both the drivers and passengers sides.

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  My First Honda - 2015 Honda Odyssey
  By Donald M - September 26 - 12:22 pm

  I am coming to Honda from a 2013 Kia Sorento. I need a vehicle with more passenger room, and the Honda seems like a logical choice. While I love the room, comfort, and the extras...Honda is really lacking in the tech department without paying outrageous amounts. My base Kia UVO seems years a head of this Honda. For one, The initial voice is clear and loud, but the secondary voice sounds like an 80s answering machine. You are very limited in voice commands, like you cannot adjust radio or anything else, you basically can only tell it who to call. The phone interface seems to be for phones before the smart phone era, and hooking your iPhone via Bluetooth seems like you are losing a lot. I love my Honda but the technology or lack of it gives me second thoughts, seeing that it feels like it is 10 year old technology even though it looks awesome. One power supply and usb port in the front...and nothing in the back...really Honda! I hope there is a software update soon, or something, otherwise in 3 years, I will be looking elsewhere. I love the van...but technology is something you use all the time while driving and on trips.

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  Back to a Honda - 2015 Honda Accord
  By David Emrich - September 23 - 1:54 am

  Its not perfect. I had a 1996 Civic DX Coupe with a manual transmission, and got 273,000 miles before trading it on a 2004 Chevy Impala. Did all scheduled maintenance. It was burning a little oil at the end, and clutch would chatter on a cold, damp day, going up hill until warmed up. Had to put premium gas in, or check engine light would come on, but gas was $.99 per gallon back then, and feul tank was small, so, no big deal. And, got 36 mpg overall. Hit 44 once on highway. This is ok. Like telemetrics. Listen to recordings I make of classes I take, so usb is great. Once you learn how to use system, very useful, and intuitive. The big screen isnt as gorpy as it first appears. Ive grown to like it. Has cubby above open area ahead of shifter that has tunnel in door for wires, so, cell phone plugs in below, wires follow it into storage compartment with door closed. Similarly, mp3 player, with wire out to dash plug in. Gas milage disappointing with manual transmission. Dont like cvt, so manual allowed me to buy car. Had to get used to. SOmetimes in wrong gear, but sifts smooth. Got 30 with Passat 1.8l with auto, and Mazda Six with manual. This averaging 28 with, or without eco mode. Still likable, though. Gets the job done, and Honda-ish. Like the manual. Better on straight roads than back roads. Gets the job done. Good windshield wipers, back up camera, and outward visibility. Traded 2016 Mazda6 with manual transmission, because couldnt see what I was driving over, and it was long, required way swing out driving around corners. Was more fun to drive, but wasted too much time seeing where that road goes. Back road lover, and highways.

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  Want my 2013 back - 2015 Honda Civic
  By Steve - September 21 - 7:12 pm

  I traded in a 2013 EX Coupe for a 2015 because i liked the looks of the refresh. However after having the 15 for 5 months i kinda wish i had kept the 13. The 2015 has more horse power, and yet i have to smash the accelerator to the floor to get it to take off from a stop light at an acceptable speed. When i apply the breaks they pop loudly. Have no idea what thats all about. My drivers side power window makes all sorts of noise when rolling down. These are probably small issues, but i didnt have them with the 13. Plus side is it is a beautiful car, glossy black with much nicer looking wheels than the 13. Very sporty looking. It was worth the money . If you dont mind some of the little quirks it has.

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  Sallys one and only car - 1994 Honda Accord
  By Sally Timmins - September 20 - 11:03 am

  I have had the car for 21years and had little trouble with it. I take good care of it, It gets waxed at least once a year. I bought it new for 20,100.00 It is a Honda accord 4 door xl, It is white and never repainted. Timing belt has been changed twice. I had the muffler replaced in 2001 by Midas and recently had the muffler replaced again in 2015, Was charged only for labor. Its a good running car and had little trouble with it all these years. I have 157000 miles on it and it still runs good. Had the air conditioner fluid, recharged a/c is great. My children and grandchildren have driven it from time to time. I wouldnt trade it , I am hoping and waiting to get to 25 years .

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  So Uncomfortable . . and Dirty! - 2014 Honda Accord
  By gina - September 17 - 3:59 pm

  Ive had my car for just over a year. I love the way this car performs. Its smooth, quiet, peppy, gets great gas mileage, and is and good looking. BUT Im a 52" female and cannot get comfortable in the front seat! Its hard yet has absolutely no lumbar or side support. Ive tried every imaginable configuration including bringing pillows from my house. Body fatigue sets in after only a half hour of driving. Also, the fabric on the seats is horrible. It shows every bit of dirt. Its entirely unforgiving and although Ive only had my car for a year the front seats are very dirty. Ive tried washing them with upholstery shampoo but theyre still dirty. The door handle is another problem some genius at Honda decided to put cloth on it! So youre grabbing cloth (beige in my case) every time you open the door.

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  Great reliable car with puny engine - 1999 Honda Civic
  By Dylan - September 14 - 11:08 pm

  This car was a great first car for me. I drove the thing like heck and it stayed strong under me. I put about 50,000 miles on it and it only broke down once. That was for the fuel pump going out which was an easy quick fix. It always got me where i needed to be, even if it wasnt very quickly. Its 1.6L 4 cylinder engine isnt that impressive. Its fuel economy was alright but it was not very responsive in the pedal at all. The transmission as well was not that great at shifting. the whole time i had it the shifting was a bit rough and i assume it is just the technology and quality of the transmission. Despite those two things it still ran great and i enjoyed it. very reliable and comfortable.

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  Bluetooth - Voice Command prompt randomly turns on - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By JBB - September 12 - 12:44 pm

  Purchased 12/2014. Past couple of months the voice command prompt (that lists the commands you can use) randomly turns on. First time it happened I thought it was because I was using my phone, next time I wasnt touching my phone. The frequency that this happens went from once every few days, to a couple of times a day. I took the car to the Honda dealer, they checked and this is not a software update issue. Taking it back this week to leave it so they can call Honda Tech support to see if this has been reported before. Wondering if this is related to the issues with Apply iPhones and the Honda Bluetooth? Air conditioning takes forever to cool off on a hot day (I think I was spoiled by how good my past two Toyotas cooled off). Have not had any vibration issues. Hate the layout of the fan buttons and temperature control knobs. Wish they had reversed the layout and made the fan speed the knobs and the temperature control the buttons. Sound quality is really bad. Definitely not getting the advertised gas mileage (26 local/33 highway), the only time Ive gotten close to the 33 highway was on a cross-country road trip the month I bought the car where I hit 30mpg. Average highway has been 26, if I do a lot of local driving its under 24mpg (I always leave it in e-con mode). Lane assist, conceptually a great idea, but on long trips, when youre tired, it can actually lead to more fatigue in your arms with the constant correction to stay in the lane where the car thinks you should be. LOVE the blind-spot camera! This should be standard on all vehicles! HUGE safety benefit for highway driving.

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  Love my Fa5 - 2009 Honda Civic
  By Bryguybruins13 - September 11 - 4:41 pm

  I love this car!!!! Everything about it is truly amazing! The k20z3 engine is a true gem. The car feels pedestrian below 5,800 RPM however, rev it past 5,800 all the way to its 8,000 RPM redline and and you will be treated to aural ecstasy courtesy of Hondas infamous vtec technology. When i-vtec engages the car sounds like a high revving v8, pulling hard all the way to the redline. The i-vtec helps deliver top notch performance (for an N/A four cylinder) while maintaining great gas mileage and drive ability. The high revving k20 engine is pared with an unbelievably smooth short throw six speed manual gearbox. The combination of the engine and perfect shifter make this car a pleasure to drive. However, the cars practicality set it apart from other sporty car options. The seats are comfortable and will hold you snug, the air conditioner is ice cold, and the additional two doors really make life easier. Interior materials are of excellent quality and the faux suede seats with red Si stitching look great. The red gauge lighting and aluminum pedals are superb touches. Other great features include an auxillary and usb port. The car is also well equipped in the storage department. Now, the car does have its issues and those issues are why I didnt give it a perfect rating. For one, the tranny is complete garbage, which is a shame considering how smooth it shifts. My second and third gears grind on a weekly basis. They are fine under normal driving conditions however, under spirited driving they tend to grind. My second gear loves to grind when I accelerate to the redline in first gear. This has caused me to bang off of the rev-limiter on multiple occasions in an attempt to shift into second. My second gripe with this car is the paint. Like wtf Honda? My car is a 2009! There is absolutely no excuse for fading paint on a six year old car! What makes it worse is that this problem isnt unique to the Si either. My brothers red 2009 Honda Fit is starting to turn pink :(. My last issue with this car is a performance issue. I used to own a 2000 Honda Prelude prior to buying my Si. The Prelude was miles ahead of the Si in terms of handling. The Prelude was more well balanced and neutral when attacking corners. The Si? Well, the Si feels like a wet sponge in the corners. The cars body roll and understeering tenancies are pretty noticeable and are downright scary at times.