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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  a buckboard with short range - 2008 Honda Element
  By kirkd1 - February 14 - 3:01 pm

  ...and bad gas mileage. Admittedly moving from an 04 BMW X3 was a questionable decision. But at lease turn back they wanted $3k more for the 04 than we paid for the 08 Honda. We were looking for a smaller carbon footprint. The BMW spewed 20 pounds per 15k miles where the Honda 6 pounds. We were not expecting the poor gas mileage (it is a shoebox but still). The absolute biggest pain is the range, it has a small tank, you would think they could find room for a little bigger gas tank.

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  Honda Civic Hybrid Transmission Failure - 2003 Honda Civic
  By Dorado - February 13 - 9:03 am

  I bought this car second hand from a buick dealer and car checked out as being clean. I spent a premium price for a hybrid versus a Civic of comparable age. At 44,000 miles the trnsmission failed and I face a $3,500 bill for a refurbished transmission since I was told they do not make new transmissions for this car. Question is whether the original transmission was deficient to begin with. Fuel economy just OK at 42 mpg which includes hyway and local driving in last 4,000 miles. I know it was not an economic decission to buy a hybrid but to add the cost of a new transmission at only 44,000 miles really makes me wonder if I will ever buy a hybrid again.

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  Headache - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By GFG - February 12 - 12:27 pm

  I purchased the CR-V because I wanted a safe, reliable, comfortable, small station wagon with good ground clearance, and a road insulating suspension. We have in Ottawa Canada the worst weather and truck beaten paved roads of any sizable city in North America. I go to the country and national parks and lakes in our beautiful part of the world. In the summer and in the winter ice and snow. The CR-V is a fabulous car, but the ride is horrible over the abundant and ever enduring uneven pavement. My Toyota Camry, and even my crappy Mustang were way better at cruising the rough roads. Im not sure what Honda was trying to accomplish with this vehicle, but they failed to provide a pleasant ride.

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  Expensive Repairs - 1992 Honda Accord
  By rams007 - February 11 - 6:01 pm

  I bought a 1992 Accord EX wagon with 155,000 miles on it. First thing to go was the master cylinder - $200+. Then the the CV joints - $150 each. Then the key lock locked the key in the ignition - $100. After replacing the CV joints it took only 15,000 miles and the left one was out. These were OEM parts mind you. Then theres the timing belt that must be replaced every 90,000 - $600. I like Hondas but I would trade it before the warranty for sure. Buyer beware. I also had a Ford Crown Vic that got 24 mpg on the road and was still going strong at 260,000 miles. Repair costs - cheap.

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  Not the Best Honda ever Made - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By TerryW - February 10 - 12:20 pm

  Bought used w/ 44K mi. EGR problems @ 70k (fixed free by dealer). This van eats batteries and front brakes. On my 4th battery, and 3rd set of brakes in past 65K miles. Also for past yr. have a recurring fuel vapor leak (EVAP system) fault. Tried new gas cap, but that did not fix. Does a good job pulling our pop-up camper (2500#) though. No engine or transm. issues.

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  2004 Honda Accord Ex-V6 - 2004 Honda Accord
  By Kevin - February 8 - 8:24 pm

  Purchased 2004 Honda Accord Ex-V6 new due to internet reviews. 1st Honda ever purchased. Worst car I have ever owned for road noise. Dealer worked road noise problem, but unable to correct road noise problem. 40,000 miles on car, started hearing pecking/knocking noise in engine. Honda dealer informed me that noise was #6 piston? Honda dealer explanation of piston noise was engine block might have out of tolerance machining during manufacturing and would cost $1300.00 for an inspection to verify. A 2nd independent certified mechanic opinion confirmed engine noise as #6 piston & not uncommon in Hondas. Not pleased with Honda quality or Honda customer support. First & last Honda I will own!

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  Junior styling for a mature vehicle - 2018 Honda Odyssey
  By Leonard - February 8 - 4:44 pm

  Honda has been able to maintain their sale figure but my feeling is it could have been much better. What are they thinking with their styling. It is ugly, disjointed, disorganized (the top crease line end up in nowhere in the rear quarter panel. It should have joined with the crease on the rear quarter panel over the fuel filler door). I feel offended because they dont seem to treat their Odyssey customers too seriously. This is like putting an experiment, a design exercise into a mature segment. If the designers were serious then they would give this design to the Acure line too. I dare them to see what kind of effect this would have on the sale figure of their Acura line! I am owning a 2001 Odyssey and love the design up until 2010 model. The lightning bolt was bad but somewhat tolerable but the 2018 is the worst. The placement of their vents in the second and third rows also killed the deal. I am holding back on my minivan replacement for a couple more years to see if Honda is getting serious about making a sensible design again; otherwise Toyota here I come.

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  Wish I had leased another Sienna - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By Todd - February 8 - 12:05 am

  Lease was up on my 05 Sienna, so I leased an 08 Odyssey, due to the better lease rate and better exterior styling. Wow do I miss my Sienna after 4 months. The Honda feels so cheap in every way. Fit and finish is TERRIBLE. Several paint flaws, poor fit of exterior trim, horrible fit of interior trim and interior surfaces which feel cheap and scratch ridiculously easily. Brakes are downright scary, they are so soft. Stereo is the worst I have heard since the AM in my old 66 VW. Rough ride, excessive wind noise and an amazing number of rattles round out the package. Hopefully this thing at least turns out to be reliable.

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  Not happy - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Enza - February 6 - 2:30 pm

  We purchased the Honda Civic Hybrid four weeks ago. We have 860 miles on it and are frustrated and very unhappy with the performance of the car. The average mpg we are getting is 31.5 which is totally unsatisfactory. We are so upset I have complained to Honda of Superstition Springs and was told to contact American Honda Motor Co. needless to say they have not helped. Is there no one in this world that has any integrity left ?

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  Update on earlier review - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By Phred - February 6 - 12:03 pm

  I bought this car 6 months ago and the more I see of it the more I think I made the wrong choice. Got stuck in a snow bank and of course there are no hooks under the car to attach a chain to pull it out - dig, dig, dig!!! Two months ago the side sliding door jumped off the track and had to be repaired -- two days in the shop!! On real cold days, before driving, the tire pressure alert show low tire pressure. I think Honda needs some better engineering!!