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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  Disappointed - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Disappointed - December 27 - 12:20 am

  My brand new Honda windows started to rattle every morning in one place, then rattle another place in the evening from the 2 week that I brought it home. I bought the car into the shop to have it repair 4 times, but each time, there was no success, in addition, the dash board started to rattle, then something in my visor started to rattle, and they had to change out the visor and patten down the doors to stop the windows from rattling. In the end, it still rattles and they told me "its the nature of the car". Over all, this is my first and last Honda. I have owned this car for about a year and will most definetly trade it in for another vehicle.

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  First 1,500 mile road trip - 2010 Honda Accord
  By tccas - December 26 - 8:43 am

  My wife and I took our first trip in the car, 1500 miles. She drives it daily, I dont. Our 6th Accord - weve been fans until now, but this cars head restraints, supposedly safer, project themselves so far forward, its impossible to find a comfortable position for driving or riding in the passenger seat. We eventually placed pillows behind our backs to push our bodies, especially heads, forward enough to tolerate the uncomfortable position the head rest forces you into. If you attempt to rest your back against the back rest, normally, then your head is forced forward into an unnatural and very uncomfortable forward position. Deal killer, but its too late for us.

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  The resale value was good at least! - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Tara - December 25 - 6:43 pm

  I purchased this car after owning a 1997 Toyota Camry. Except for a bum battery, I regretted trading that old car for the civic. The ride is rough in a civic, I got stuck numerous times in snow and ice -had to get every spec of snow from my drive way so that I wouldnt get stuck. The brakes are awful. They slip, and I can feel them vibrating when coming to a stop. I thought something was wrong until I took them to 2 mechanics, both of whom told me the brakes were fine. It was otherwise dependable, only stranded me once, after almost two years of long distance driving. But Im tired of fearing winter so Im trading it in for something that handles better. Got a decent price for it at least!

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  the car that almost was - 2001 Honda Civic
  By paulincreek - December 22 - 10:00 am

  I was currently driving a 1999 Civiv EX and loved it. I figured I could trade up. Boy did I make a mistake! I had tranny problems at first. It would not shift out of third gear (auto). It somehow worked itself out. The suspension is not great. I took it in and they replaced the rear bushings under warrantee. It seems to have fixed the problem. The seats are uncomfortable and it needs an arm rest like the 03 has. The gas milage, as with most Hondas, never quite lives up to the sticker. I get 26 avarage and dont have a lead foot. When new, the tank had no seal and leaked when topping off tank.

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  Comfort will be an issue - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By D² - December 16 - 9:26 am

  Dead pedal prevents me from extending my left leg whilst driving and there is no room between the dead pedal and the brake to extend my left leg. (Emergency brake is too obtrusive as well.) Arm rests for driver are too small and wimpy...I would have preferred a large ratcheting cushion over the center bin. Rear seat room is very limited when I have the drivers seat set to my liking. No memory features for seats AND mirrors. Center console information system is too unwieldy. EXCELLENT cabin isolation! Why oh why did the Honda marketing/sales geniuses decide that Canada should get the vented front seats and the USA only gets the heated ones???? Common Honda, enlighten the masses on that great call!

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  Path worn to dealer - 2007 Honda Fit
  By reddwood - December 13 - 8:50 pm

  Repacing Toyota 03 ECHO w/70k (I miss her) @6500 my-cars been back three times.1 check fuel cap 2 repace fuel cap 3 oil change that took 2 hrs. Head hits grab rail, pedals too close together, gas pedal placed wrong, paint not durable, carpeting is cheap, parts took 5 weeks (touchup paint,pastic holder for fuseblock cover [CHEAP]) Sputters from a cold start. console takes away valuable leg and knee room. 41.5 mpg avg w/40lbs of air in tires handles ok - has decent acceleration Lights flicker w/alternator load and battery is too small.No ash tray-glove box is large.

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  Disappointed in safety features. - 2017 Honda CR-V
  By Used to Love Hondas, now just LIKE them - December 13 - 10:06 am

  This is our third CR-V in a row. Traded in our 2015 model on a 2017 CR-V Touring with every option on it. The 2015 had only 25,00 miles but I wanted the new safety features since my wife drives it withe the grandkids frequently in it. We have driven it 4,000 mile including one vacation trip which I drove. Despite the new turbo powered engine, it still feels underpowered to me, like our 2015 model did. It seems like you have to push too hard to make it get up and go, but admittedly I have been spoiled by my Toyota Tundra with a big V-8. The safety features are a big disappointment, since I bought this just for them. The front brake assist only works if the cruise control is on. If it is not on, you get only a big orange warning light on the dashboard that you are too close to the car in front of you. The Stay in You Own Lane assist, as I call it, will fight you if you use it (you can turn it off). It actually steers the car for you which is very annoying since you will be holding the wheel doing your own steering while the car wants to steel slightly differently. Lord help you if you want to change lanes without signalling. Then the wheel will vibrate to let you know what a law-breaker you are. My last complaint is the memory seat. If I run around doing errands, the seat memory button has to be pushed every time I get into the car, even if I was the last one to drive it. Most memory seats I know stay set until changed by another driver. Summary, we really like our CR-V, the cargo space, the reliability but hate the safety features. We should have kept our 2015 model and saved money.

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  1st Honda, Very Disappointed - 2008 Honda Fit
  By UnFit4Me - December 10 - 12:02 pm

  Rattly, horrid in snow, terrible AC/heat venting, windshield is impossible to keep clear in snow/ice, headlight covers hard to keep clear, terrible visibility, tire system needs dealer reprogramming for snow tires, poor door lock system, expensive key, ground clearance too low, fishtails in snow horribly, center vents TOO HIGH, blasting air in eyes, heat and A/C insufficient, gas pedal odd angle and stressful to keep in one position, rear window in rain, in short, in 5 months, too many dislikes - will be selling soon.

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  NO MORE ODYSSEY!!! - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By Sumera Hurmuzlu - December 9 - 8:55 am

  Problems: electrical, alignment, noise, engine, breaks, steering. It was the last time I bought a Honda minivan. The trips to service shops have been constant. We spent almost $6000 in last year alone after the warranty ended. If you want to buy this van, be ready for the inconvenience and financial stress. When you buy a new and expensive car, you think that you are stress free for at least 5 years, that is not the case here. We had problem from the very first day till today.

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  Overrated - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By mtheadjr - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I have had nothing but problems with this vehicle. It has a transmission problem which the mechanic ackowledges but says cannot be fixed as the part has a faulty design. It knocks, or slips, at midspeeds. I also find the car to be very road noisy. The AC does not blow very cold and the gas mileage stinks. Wish I had never bought it - would not recommend it to anyone. PS _ this is my second one - the first was returned to the dealer after 2 days when it too had a transmission problem which required it to be towed. Should have taken the hint then and run.