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:

• 

  2017 Honda Ridgeline - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By makecues - July 6 - 10:52 pm

  The 2017 Ridgeline has nice engineered features , but many aspects are very poor . Ride and handling , as well as performance for what it is are good . Materials are very cheap , poor quality on seats and interior trim . The plastics used in this vehicle are not durable and the finish deteriorates quickly . The exterior trim plastic as well is cheap and fragile ... Less than a year old it has faded and begun to get chalky . Wheel well plastic trim is loose which will top dirt and rot out the panels quickly . Service department explanation was thats the way it is ... hmmm ... working on your own vehicle is a pain , oil filter is in worst position possible , drop anything at the front of engine compartment , say goodbye unless you want to spend hours removing shielding ! Fairly nice concept from Honda but poorly executed and with very little support from the aftermarket . The first impression from many will be to the positive but if you look at the details , its not a good value ...MHO

• 

  I want my 99 Cavalier Z24 back!!!!! - 2002 Honda Accord
  By made a mistake - July 5 - 10:00 am

  IF you can afford to buy or lease another make, DO IT! Ive had this Honda SE 2 door for 3 miserable weeks and will dump it as soon as I can. I thought I could be happy with it, after all, the lease payment was less than a 2002 Cavalier Sport Coupe, my first choice. Ive since discovered saving money isnt always worth it. I hate making mistakes! 1) BAD gas mileage 2) Overly responsive and unfeeling steering is terrifying at high speeds 3) Window buttons and cruise control buttons are in the wrong spot 4) Sunroof is reused from the 4 door and doesnt open all the way

• 

  honda drops the ball - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By kevin c - June 30 - 1:45 pm

  car is/was a mistake. cabin fills with gas fumes at idle honda cannot fix it. idle is rough. if you park it inside it will fill your garage with gas fumes. hands free only works with a few phones. fuel mileage is 22-24 around town and 25-27 highway. hated it so much i traded it in on a nissan after 4 months(only got to drive it for 3 months the rest of the time it was in the garage).

• 

  Over Rated Van - 2004 Honda Odyssey
  By Bill Wiesen - June 30 - 2:00 am

  Over the past 3K miles we have averaged 12-13mpg, on par with the Hummer. The dash rattles, the automatic doors sometimes work as does the DVD system. But when it does work it does produce enough static for a 3 yr old to complain. The van has times when it is very difficult to start after it has been driven and sits for a short period. Wem are currently in negotiations on a new Toyota. I do not advise this vehicle for any family.

• 

  Honda Corp says car wont cool down in 1/2 hour - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By DanielleS - June 26 - 3:08 am

  This is the worst car weve ever owned as far as heat goes!!!! It will not cool down. We took it back to the dealership because we thought there was something wrong with it, it didnt cool down for about 45 minutes. Thats when the girl that worked there said that all new Honda Odysseys are like that! I dont know about you, but I live less that 1/2 an hour from where I work and am not excited about driving to and from work in total heat! I did what any normal person would do and called Honda Corp. The manager we got immediately said that it should take 3-5 minutes to cool down the car. However, he then called the dealership and his tune changed. He explained that it was hot in FL (something we apparently werent aware of--we only live here). Then he said the interior temperature of the car can reach 140 degrees and it takes a while to cool down. By that logic, the engineers didnt take into account 3/4 of the US, because this year it was hotter in the Northeast and Southwest than it was in FL this year. Somehow our 2011 HONDA CR-V and our 2009 Toyota Sienna can cool down in this heat, but not a 2016 Honda Odyssey. I showed up for a meeting drenched in sweat--FROM A BRAND NEW CAR!!!! I was asked what happened--I told my clients what happened and now Im telling as many people as I can. If you live in an state that can get hot--DO NOT BUY this car!!! Its not worth it to ride around in heat to and from work!!! Im stuck with it, but you dont have to be.

• 

  review - 1996 Honda Passport
  By enzo - June 25 - 2:00 am

  too boxy, needs better gas milage

• 

  Honda of America could care less about you - 2017 Honda CR V
  By John R - June 21 - 2:04 am

  I purchased a CRV Touring in March. I selected the Honda over the RAV4, for the safety technology. On the first day of ownership, the "safety" systems failed (adaptive cruise control, crash mitigation, and lane departure) while driving down a country road. What happens, is that the warning lights start to go off, and then all of these systems are shut off until the car is turned off and restarted. This problem has occurred on country roads, in a major city, at highway speeds and on residential streets. I have had this failure at least once every week I have owned the CRV. Some weeks it has failed 5-6 times. The vehicle was serviced 3 times in the first 7 weeks of ownership, including 2 attempts by a Honda technician, but they were not able to determine the problem. The technician wants to blame the problem on country roads, even though the failures have happened in city traffic as well. I am now in mediation with Honda, but they wont replace the car. They want to buy my car back because they are concerned that another CRV will have the same problem. In other words, Honda doesnt have confidence that their "safety" systems will work in the country. My dealer has been great, but Honda of America customer service has been terrible. My mediation case manger doesnt call me back, or follow-up on anything she said she will do. Other than this issue, I really like the vehicle, but Honda has made it clear to me that they dont value their customers.

• 

  Trashed Compacted - 2001 Honda S2000
  By Geogrman - June 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car looking for a fun weekend car. Unfortunally every time I drive it I leave in pain. This car is bumpey, feels like it has no shocks, has a terrible suspension. If your looking for a cheeply built four wheel motorcycle, this is your car.

• 

  Terrible Vibration! - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By idcrv - June 13 - 12:49 am

  Buyer beware. There is a major flaw with the transmission on the new CRV. The dealer and Honda have said that they know it is there, but they have no idea how to fix it. At a stop with foot on brake the car vibrates terribly. It feels as if it will die on the spot. And it is bad enough to rattle your bones. Google Vibration in 2015 CRV to see how bad this is across the country! It does not instill confidence in the rest of the car. Although Honda and the dealer sympathize, they are offering no help in getting it fixed. When you buy a new car you expect it to be flawless. Im a long time Honda owner and am Super disappointed.

• 

  Odyssey Land - 1999 Honda Odyssey
  By JD/Doherty - June 4 - 2:00 am

  Thus far I am very disappointed with my Honda Odyssey. I was expecting much better from Honda. Problems surfaced within 8 months of purchase. First problem was related to the inigition system and stopped (shut down) 2 cyclders on the 3.5 V6 engine. Since then Ive had a blow out on the front tire (at 10,000)since the tire had excessive wear on the inside of both. The tires were replaced and the wheel alignment was off dramatically (toe was off .16 degrees on both sides front). Most recently, 42,000 miles dealer determined to be a defective power steering pump unit making loud noise. The dealer is in the process of replacing.