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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  Dont waste your money !!! - 2000 Honda Passport
  By sbattle - January 2 - 2:00 am

  For the last 11 months my vehicle rattles and then dies when you accelerate at red lights and stop signs. I have taken it in to a honda dealership but they cant find the problem. They thought it could be the fuel filter and pump and I had that changed and it didnt help.

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  what was i thinking buying a honda - 2006 Honda Civic
  By volvodav - December 31 - 5:36 pm

  I thought honda had quality built car till I purchased one .The brakes make a noise, seat seats are to hard not comfortable. fit and finish below par also nav system not working. I will tell anyone looking for a new car to look for something besides a honda.plus radio system says it is xm ready but it is not you have to have a external radio antenna a $800 part

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  Honda loyalist no longer - 2017 Honda Accord
  By Joel vanderhill - December 30 - 10:50 pm

  Dissapointment! After 30years of driving Hondas, My 2017 Accord does not live up to Honda quality. My last Accord a 2013 was a much better car. The new car has a shudder in the steering at highway speeds that is not correctable. The steering is also unstable. With no surface interference (wind, road crown) the car will not go straight. It floats and needs continuous correction. Hondas suspension retuning has apparently failed.The dealer has balanced and aligned wheels, replaced all tires and tried other cars of the same trim line and they all exhibit the same idiosyncrasies. Very sad. I have an iPhone SE with 10.1.1 which pairs fine with the Bluetooth Handsfreelink, however the connectivity is horrible. It rarely takes an audio command, often does not pick up a call, cuts in and out rendering it unusable. After many calls to Honda and Apple I Have given up. Back to handheld. Very sad. The back up camera was improperly installed and replaced but it is such an inferior optic it is useless at night and sketchy in daylight. No more Hondas for me. I am not a big fan of the style change either but the basics, drivability and technology are safety issues that are unforgivable for Honda. Very sad and I will shop for another brand after suffering through this lease.

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  The Lemon - 1996 Honda Passport
  By Sucking the Lemon - December 27 - 2:00 am

  This is a lemon. I heartily recommend that anyone considering this vehicle look elsewhere. Be aware it is NOT a Honda - it is an Isuzu with a Honda badge, so forget about Hondas reputation. This should be judged as an Isuzu Rodeo.

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  suckered - 2002 Honda Accord
  By back to Chevy - December 24 - 2:00 am

  Uncomfortable seating creates leg fatigue after 15 minutes even with adjustments, cheap fabrics have worn quickly, heater and a/c very slow, gas mileage is horrible (15/25), ride is akin to a buckboard, loose steering at highway speeds, an annouying rattle in the dash, low beams ineffective, plastic bumper cover paint no longer matches body color, etc. Dealer less than helpful. Honda provides no email address. HATE to be in it!

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  HONDA NEEDS A HELPING HAND - 2002 Honda Accord
  By skip - December 23 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my 2001 ex v6 Accord coupe based on the assumption that Honda builds a great car. That was a tragic error. My car has gone back to the dealer no less than 30 times for rattles, no start problems, and a loose front seat. My biggest complaint is the front drivers seat slips side to side and Honda cant seem to fix under my warranty nor will they provide a replacement seat I find the seat frightening that it cant support a 160 pound person!!!! The car is nothing short of glorified tin can. Honda has done one thing quite well and that is advertising how great their cars are.

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  a real bummer - 2004 Honda Element
  By resyakk - December 19 - 2:00 am

  Hard riding, noisy, lucky to get 19 mpg. Poor visibility, huge pillars block sight, especially pedestrians on a left turn. Owners manual warns that vehicle is top-heavy and prone to roll over. Ability to pull seats up along sides is a nice feature except that it eliminates rear side visibility Maximum payload of 675 pounds is an absolute joke. Hard floor covering lets stuff slide all over the car; and is slippery when wet or snowy. Cargo carrying of large, light material is excellent. Poor build quality, rattle in dash, paint over dirt, vibration at freeway speeds. This is my first and (probably) last Honda.

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  Is the third time a charm? - 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid
  By Adrian Stepp - December 10 - 9:55 am

  This is Hondas third try at an Accord Hybrid. What happened to prior model years? What happens to resale value when Honda starts production and then halts production? It tanks! Who in the dealership (s) will be able to work on the car after it goes out of production? Currently I have no faith that anybody in the dealership can resolve any major problems with the hybrid drive and the new technology like lane assist, etc. My sales person did not have answers about the dealerships ability to properly service this car. He was unable to instill any confidence about servicing a hybrid. For perspective, I have owned Hondas for a long time. But the technical excellence of their service departments has diminished over time. They no longer differentiate themselves with their service and maintenance. I still think they build great gasoline cars. But I wanted a Hybrid, so I chose a Toyota Camry Hybrid. Honda needs to demonstrate that they are serious about building Accord hybrids long term. They started up production for the second time in 2014 and 2015 after a long hiatus (2007 and 2008 I think). Then they halted production in 2016 and moved production back to Japan for model year 2017. The primary reason I was given for moving production back to Japan was quality control. QC would be better in Japan. Which takes me full circle. Who knows enough in the local dealership to solve complex technical issues that will arise?

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  CRV 2015 is not a safe car - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By paj4 - December 5 - 5:01 pm

  Brand new CRV on the third trip from home. The hesitation/vibration problem is noticeable (intermittent shuddering as if a wheel is out of alignment and/or the vehicle has just hit a patch of black ice, but related to the newly designed CRV transmission, a problem common to all CRV 2015 that does not yet have a fix) but what really stunned me was a sudden EXTREMELY HIGH REV when going down a small hill. I was braking lightly at the time. It happened again a week later going up a small hill without brake. It didnt last very long, but the engine raced so completely out of control that the vehicle did not feel safe. The noise was incredible. I returned the car to the dealership.

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  Used to love Honda..! - 2008 Honda Accord
  By triton189 - November 18 - 9:23 am

  This is my Third Honda Accord and by far it is the worst. I cant believe it! I had an "01" and "04" without any problems. I have had this vehicle a little over a year with 28,000 miles. The first "major" concern is the VCM engine. The vehicle surges at Highway speeds between 60-70 mph. It is enough to drive you insane....! Second is the wind noise on the drivers side. The brakes also are terrible...! I had to have the front replaced and the rotors turned at 20K miles. Now the back brakes are acting the same way at 27,800 miles. I have leather seats and it is like sitting on aluminum seats at a high school football game (Hard as a Rock). I will not consider Honda for my next vehicle..!