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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  Honda Passport - 1999 Honda Passport
  By JTF - April 29 - 2:00 am

  I have owned alot of vehicles in my life and by far this is the worst one yet! What an embarrassment to Honda the passport was. All the problems you read about in the other reviews I have had all of them. Honda makes a good product but to bad they didnt make this one (its an Isuzu). DO NOT BUY A 1999 OR NEWER PASSPORT, THAY ARE JUNK RIGHT OFF THE DEALER FLOOR!!! If you are looking for a mid size suv buy a pathfinder.

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  DUPE ME BUT ONCE!!!!!! - 2002 Honda Accord
  By DUPE me ONCE - April 27 - 10:00 am

  Honda cars are BOTH over priced AND over rated!!! I was promised EXCELLENT mileage (actual; 15/25), EXCELLENT build quality (rattles everywhere), EXCELLENT dealer relationship (theyve as much told me to stop talking to anyone about the problems with this gas hog and to go to H$%L). After twenty six months, this Honda Accord SE Coupe is in MINT condition with 28k miles, yet last month I was allowed 12,700 on a trade in. Go figure!!!!! Dupe me but ONCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  If Mom is not happy, no one is - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By K Beal - April 23 - 2:37 am

  I owned a 2007 pilot, followed by a 2012 Odyssey, followed by last year we purchased a 2016 Honda Pilot Touring. I love Hondas and really only had one car in mind when it was time to trade in my vehicle. I have two small children so the entertainment system was definitely important. I also drive a lot for work so a clear, easy to use Bluetooth is also a priority. Honda features are great with no concerns. Now the Bluetooth. I have two iPhones 6 devices (one ATT and one Verizon). When I go to make a call, it has to make a voice connection and THEN you have to touch transfer on the screen to get it to switch to Bluetooth. So long for handsfree calling!! I took it to Honda and they said it was a Handsfree Bluetooth issue and that I should contact them. If you google it and look at their compatibility, it only is up to OS 8.3 (the current update was 10.2). It does not even mention an iPhone 7, so good luck if you have that. My second issue is the RES. If you have a child that can work the remote, they can handle it from the back seat. Otherwise, you are screwed and will have kids yelling at you that the movie wont start and it started over every time you got back in the car while running errands. (Once again, Honda says it is the new DVDs that just do not work). If the DVD goes to a start menu, it will not start automatically. Apparently, older DVDs may have an autoplay and those supposedly will work. Either way, there is no control over the movie from the front seat. After paying 48000 for a new Honda, it feels like a kick in the gut, when all of the older models are more sophisticated and operate better than the new 2016.

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  Cheaply made. - 2018 Honda Odyssey
  By MMT - April 22 - 6:44 am

  I had 2015 Sienna which was about to end Lease. Family thought of moving into something else after owning two Siennas and shape staying the same. Well leased Honda Odyssey exl 2018 for 499 a month 0 down. no doubt it does have some good safety features more than Sienna but the ride is rough than Toyota. Exterior cheaply made . front and rear bumper not aligned correctly. Had to go back to dealer to have it aligned. Over there I saw other odyssey with same issue. My rear window started making clicking noise . they stated loose connection on a new car with 100 miles. Interior has no compass, seat doesnt go high enough, cheap interior material, went location on side so stupid, no place to stow the middle seat, sliding doors jam, third row has only cup holders, no compartment, no speakers, no sunshade and the window is fixed so you cant open for ventilation!!!. Shame on Honda, my first and last Honda. If my family wouldnt insist, I wouldve never leased it. Lets see what happens later.

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  cheap junk - 2002 Honda Accord
  By faulty advertising - April 6 - 10:00 am

  Im a little over a year into a 3 year lease on a Honda Accord SE Coupe. My cash will NEVER go to Honda AGAIN! Little is as promised, bad mileage, pitiful quality, most of the 150 horses appear dead, headlights offer little light, rattles and squeeks everywhere. Service will have a long list of warrenty repairs before I dump this loser later this year. LOOK ELESE WHERE!!

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  buy the DODGE grand caravan - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By momof4kids - March 19 - 2:00 am

  this vehicle is over rated. It is not mother friendly. It rides more like a truck than a car.

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  Dony Buy this car, radio does not work well!!! - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Angela - March 11 - 3:50 pm

  FM radio does not work. Honda is aware but says sorry we dont have a fix for this. Dealership is aware, sorry no fix. But Honda keeps making and selling these vehicles. Dont pay $36000 for a car that does not function like a new car and the manufacturer does not care enough to fix the problem.

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  Be Warned - No Blue in Bluetooth - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By MPK - March 10 - 7:56 pm

  Blue tooth works like no other car...and not in a good way. Very confusing and difficult to use. So poor I received a ticket because one has to transfer the call when one receives it. I did not do it in time and was pulled over by officer friendly. We are debating to sell the car because of how bad the blue tooth performs. While I am on a role...the transmission jerks between gears. Make sure you are able to test the blue tooth with your phone and drive it in many conditions prior to buying it. Car does drive well and handles well.

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  Mixed bag - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By odyowner - March 9 - 2:00 am

  The van lungs forward on its own, had to press brake hard. Brake makes constant noise. Right front shock made noise, dealer never was able to find out why, though the noise disappeared after 2 years. Doors stuck occasionally. Wimpy stereo. My address in American Hondas database was in another state so that the dealer could fill out the new car survey themselves (I couldnt think of any other reason).

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  Scary tires - 2014 Honda Accord
  By s. brown - March 2 - 7:44 pm

  Had to change all 4 tires after only 10m miles due to factory installed low friction tires. No longer safe driving in rain much less in snow. Changed to better quality tire and no longer have traction issues.