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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  Unsure if Ill go Honda Again? - 2017 Honda Accord
  By BarbieinConn - February 4 - 2:49 am

  Im a huge Honda fan, having owned several over the years. I could hardly wait until the 2017 Accord was released. How disappointed! My turn signals are out of sync: I turn the right on and the left stays on for 4 secs. The AM station plays FM and vice versa. On cold days, the radio wont come on until I turn the car off and restart once the engine gets warm. I live in CT so it can take a while. Now the wont start at alI and I hold my breath. I detest the start button in lieu of a key....horrible. Ive never been able to warm the car up on cold days either. It starts but its ice cold, although I keep everything blasting the night before. Also, I spend half my ride adjustingri the temp controls, as its never comfortable. Sorry, Honda:(

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  Horrible gas mileage - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Pat R. - February 2 - 2:23 am

  Purchased Touring Odyssey in September 2004. Have experienced poor gas mileage from Day 1--complained and was told it needed to "get broken in." Was advertised as getting average of 20 mpg/city and 28 mpg/highway--The best I get in city is 15 mpg and 21/highway. I owned a 2000 Odyssey and got 18 mpg--would have never purchased the newer model had I known of the erroneous information on mileage. Also, the Touring edition has an "economy" feature that shifts into 2 or 4 cylinders with an "eco" light coming on to let you know it is "conserving fuel"??? I spoke with rep from Honda of America in California today with my concern and told that in fact they are hearing of 15 mpg/city as normal.

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  Dont replace a BMW with an Element - 2008 Honda Element
  By kirkd1 - January 30 - 3:36 pm

  I thought the ride was buckboard with the 04 X3 but this sc is STIFF. Goes around corners better than the minivan character of the regular models but rear seat passengers need kidney belts. This is "she who must be obeyed"s and she doesnt complain but has mentioned the stripped down features coming from her X3 (no automatic lights or turn down passenger parking mirror bugs her). Really we wanted a smaller footprint (carbon and fuel economy) but this is only getting 19 mpg on a good day and the X3 was 17-18mpg. 6 pounds of pollution per 15k miles for the Honda and 15 pounds for the X3. My biggest beef is the short range, especially for a brick with bad fuel economy.

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  Beware of A/C Compressor Issues - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By Tim - January 26 - 10:00 am

  We owned this car for a little over 2 years and it was definitely a great car overall EXCEPT for the A/C compressor issues. The compressor blew not once, BUT TWICE on us within a 6-month period and the car only has 62,000 miles on it! Honda would NOT help us out with goodwill assistance and insisted its not a known issue (do an internet search and youll find thats NOT true). If you get one without A/C issues then it would probably still be a great car to own - very practical.

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  Eats Transmissions and Tires - 1999 Honda Odyssey
  By Don Easley - January 15 - 5:04 pm

  Originally considered buying a Caravan but due to its known transmission problems paid the extra for a Honda. I should have bought the Caravan. Automatic doors are a continual problem. The first transmission died after 104K. Since the transmission recall only affected transmissions up to 100K I was not covered to given any break. The second transmission has now died at 168,000 miles. Since it was based on the original flawed design its life was always in question. The Odyssey also has a large appetite for tires as I am now on my 7th set. All and all this has been my most disappointing vehicle purchases and has soured me on Honda cars and vans.

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  EPA mpg VERY misleading - 2015 Honda Civic
  By Ken P - January 11 - 5:26 pm

  I own a 2004 Honda Civic EX which gets very very good mileage, STILL. Just recently purchased (09/2015) the 2015 model, and it is much worse in terms of gas mileage. I loved Honda up until this. I have no bad words for Honda, but this just sucks in terms of quality. I am averaging 24-26 mpg in the city, and that is with grandma type driving. I purposely have been driving that way, to test the mileage accurately. Update (08/2016): We noticed the navigation system is just awful, after multiple attempts at use. The gps does not work properly in relation to the navigation, because it will give you locations of items in states thousands of miles away. If you dont search under the proper category, you will not find your desired item. Basically, you need to know the proper category to search for each destination. Also, the sirius xm radio has too many dead areas within a large metropolis. It could also be a problem with the cars system or antennae. Overall, the ENTIRE computer system that handles the navigation and entertainment is SLOW SLOW SLOW. As for mileage, it seems to have gotten a little better. However, its still not on par with the ratings on the sticker.

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  Lemon? - 2006 Honda Civic
  By pam - January 8 - 9:38 pm

  I bought the Honda because it was rated car of the year and was known to be a great car. I have had one problem after another, since the beginning. It was hesitant to start and the braking was not right. Honda could not find the problem. I was going thru one set of tires after another, and found out the upper control arm was damaging them. Then the a/c compressor choke went out costing over $1200 and now both headlights went out at once. Has anyone ever tried get to the headlight to replace it. Good luck! Only to find out it was the switch assembly costing another $480. Handles poor in snow, sun visor broke, paint chips all over and the interior is scratched. No more Hondas 4 me!

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  Lemon - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By SANDY - January 8 - 6:28 pm

  I had been a faithful Honda customer for the past 15 years, but no more. This Odyssey has been nothing but trouble in the 44k miles that we have put on in 5 years. Problems that have had to be fixed so far - radio controls on the steering wheel, rollers on both power sliding doors, all 5 engine mounts, A/C compressor, seat belts. In addition, the original Michelins wore out in 20k miles. I am ready to dump this and get me a Toyota.

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  Not another Honda for me! - 2004 Honda Accord
  By NEVER AGAIN HONDA - January 8 - 2:02 pm

  I purchased my Honda based on the reliability of all reports I read. I had always owned Pontiacs in the past. I am extremely diligent with maintenance. A considerable expense with Honda. I had several problems that cost me additional repairs. Interior light problems, trim not staying on. Storage compartment door broke on 3 occasions. The navi system started acting up. The cost of the navi system was $2,000 when I purchased the car. Today I was told the system needed to be replaced for $5,351. Yet, the cost for a new 2009 Honda Accord with navi is still only approx $2000 more than w/out. What a gimmick! Be warned! Dont waste your money!

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  Noisy Ride - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Sohan Gupta - December 27 - 12:51 am

  I purchased a 2016 CR-V EX-L AWD after reading good reviews and seeing so many CR-Vs on the road. I am somewhat disappointed that this brand new CR-V is so noisy to drive. The cabin is so noisy while driving, it has taken the joy out of driving a new vehicle. I took it back to the dealership and their service technician said that the noise is usually road noise because of tires. In fact when the service shop swapped tires and mounted wheels with the tires from a Touring model, the cabin noise was markedly reduced. Reporting the issue to Honda was no help. So I have to live with the noisy ride for next few years until I need to change tires. So, I recommend that if you want a quieter ride, buy a Touring model.