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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  Major regrets - 2001 Honda Civic
  By who knew? - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car hoping for good gas mileage and reliability and have been disappointed on both counts. The front struts have been replaced once already and probably need to be replaced again, given that it sounds like a gunshot has been fired everytime I go over the smallest bump in the road. Interior is very cheap - the cover for the door handle falls off about every week and has no screw to keep it in place. It is basically an embarrassment to let anyone ride in this car. Gas mileage is average (25-30mpg), at best.

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  Not as satisfied as others - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By georgette - December 3 - 2:00 am

  Very uncomfortable seats. Headrest that neither adjust nor fit properly. Dangerous position of parking-break pedal in reference to the left leg. Inconvenient A/C vents (do not adjust enough). Burns too much gas (average about 15 mpg).

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  Wheres the Sunroof? - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By captainda - December 1 - 10:00 am

  Why isnt a sunroof an option/accesory from Honda? All the competitors offer one!

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  I wish it had been a four or five star car - 2017 Honda Pilot
  By M - November 29 - 6:04 am

  If quick response acceleration at high-speed is not important to you, then disregard this review. I test drove the new 2017 Honda Pilot Elite hoping that I could write a check on the spot for the vehicle. I wanted to love it. I feel like the design engineers failed me. The vehicle is far behind the curve on technology which is very disappointing. The Elite model should come with all of the most modern bells and whistles. It should nearly drive itself. Regardless… That is not what I was looking for. I was looking for safety in the form of acceleration… The ability to get out of trouble very quickly on the freeway. As I was test driving the vehicle, I told the sales person sitting in the front passenger seat that the next test was going to make or break the deal. I told him to count the number of seconds from the time that I said "now" until he felt the G forces of acceleration pushing him into the seat. I told him anything over 0.5 seconds would be a failure. On the first test, it took three seconds for acceleration to kick in. We perform the test three more times, and at no time, did it take less than 2.5 seconds for acceleration to check in. That is not enough time to get out of a bad situation. After we return, the sales person brought his chief mechanic to talk to me. The mechanic told me that I could have a third-party reprogram the transmission to give me what I wanted in acceleration, but it would void the warranty. Im not going to spend close to $50,000 just to have my warranty voided to bring the car up to where it should already be. Because of this, I am giving the 2017 Honda Pilot a two star rating.

• 

  Honda is definitely overrated - 2002 Honda Civic
  By Brendan - November 28 - 12:05 pm

  I bought this car used from an elderly woman in Conneticut. She had replaced the rack & pinion before I had picked it up and she had a problem with the gas door not opening once closed. Instead of fixing this I would simply latch it from the trunk behind the carpet to keep it sealed while driving, its tedious but saves me a fortune than going to dealer to have it taken care of. I originally bought it with 132000 miles and got an amazing deal at $1100 but then it had frozen calipers so replaced both by myself for $200 in parts and three hours in a driveway. After that I resurfaced the drums and replaced the shoes and the front brake pads, the rotors are still original and holding up fine. The car seems incapable of holding any speed over 65 without shimmying back and forth and yet it isnt the tie rods (theyre brand new) alignment was also just done along with two matching new tires, so the problem is still unsolved. I great great gas mileage however since I commute 102 miles a day round trip and I average 31-34 mpg not bad for an automatic. Even being the EX model she seems very basic for features and nothing special, the special edition wheels bent immediately upon arrival to upstate New York since the roads are unforgiving so she has four newer steel wheels on her. Just learned she needs a new catalytic converter ($300) new windshield ($250) new bushings and control arms front and back ($500) and new front struts ($200) since I do enjoy the reliability I guess I will repair her but next tax season going to go out and buy either a GMC or a Toyota since believe it or not GMCs have been more reliable than the civic with minimal repairs, the repairs are cheap for Honda I guess thats a benefit? But seem to need more in frequency and just dont enjoy it. Good basic commuter car, its not a race car guys, sick of seeing them with loud exhausts they arent meant for street racing, 127 hp is not substantial enough except if youre racing a prius even then its almost anyones race haha.

• 

  Honda is definitely overrated - 2002 Honda Civic
  By Brendan - November 28 - 12:05 pm

  I bought this car used from an elderly woman in Conneticut. She had replaced the rack & pinion before I had picked it up and she had a problem with the gas door not opening once closed. Instead of fixing this I would simply latch it from the trunk behind the carpet to keep it sealed while driving, its tedious but saves me a fortune than going to dealer to have it taken care of. I originally bought it with 132000 miles and got an amazing deal at $1100 but then it had frozen calipers so replaced both by myself for $200 in parts and three hours in a driveway. After that I resurfaced the drums and replaced the shoes and the front brake pads, the rotors are still original and holding up fine. The car seems incapable of holding any speed over 65 without shimmying back and forth and yet it isnt the tie rods (theyre brand new) alignment was also just done along with two matching new tires, so the problem is still unsolved. I great great gas mileage however since I commute 102 miles a day round trip and I average 31-34 mpg not bad for an automatic. Even being the EX model she seems very basic for features and nothing special, the special edition wheels bent immediately upon arrival to upstate New York since the roads are unforgiving so she has four newer steel wheels on her. Just learned she needs a new catalytic converter ($300) new windshield ($250) new bushings and control arms front and back ($500) and new front struts ($200) since I do enjoy the reliability I guess I will repair her but next tax season going to go out and buy either a GMC or a Toyota since believe it or not GMCs have been more reliable than the civic with minimal repairs, the repairs are cheap for Honda I guess thats a benefit? But seem to need more in frequency and just dont enjoy it. Good basic commuter car, its not a race car guys, sick of seeing them with loud exhausts they arent meant for street racing, 127 hp is not substantial enough except if youre racing a prius even then its almost anyones race haha.

• 

  No country for big men - 2008 Honda CR-V
  By Jimbo - November 26 - 9:06 pm

  This vehicle is too small for most men. It is uncomfortable and cramped. I gave the vehicle to my daughter. This is a womans vehicle in every way! The vehicle is vastly underpowered. I enjoy an occasional surge of power like my friends BMW 3 or my nephews Ford. My sisters Mercury hybrid makes this vehicle feel silly and slow. This is an SUV for city folks.

• 

  Noisy Ride (Wind and Road) - 2015 Honda Odyssey
  By M. Kennedy - November 18 - 11:32 pm

  We just purchased a 2015 Honda Odyssey and traded in our 2012 Pilot. I loved my Pilot but we decided to make the switch with the addition of our 3rd kiddo. Unfortunately, Im not pleased at all with the exchange. While the van is attractive and has all of the bells and whistles, it doesnt make up for the extremely noisy cabin which is filled with road and wind noise, even at low speeds. Im not sure if Im overly sensitive due to driving my quiet Pilot for the last 3 years, or if there is something actually wrong with the Odyssey. I would expect more for the amount of money that you spend. The Dealership can find nothing wrong with the noise and has told me that it has to do with where the driver sits over the wheels and possibly the quality of the tires. Just something for future buyers to be aware of. Make sure you test drive it for more than a 10 minute drive, turn off the radio and pay close attention before you sign.

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  Honda needs to learn from the Europeans - 2005 Honda Accord
  By Buyers Remorse - November 18 - 7:23 pm

  Ive had 4 Hondas over the years, and several European makes. I purchased this car this week, and in the first 400 miles I realize this was a mistake. While Honda manufactures wonderful engines and transmissions, and are generally user-friendly, the steering and suspension are COMPLETE DISAPPOINTMENTS. The car drives like a rollerskate, fights changes in direction, rebounds off any inperfections in the road, cannot track around bends to save itself, and has a completely unacceptable amount of road noise resonating in the cabin. I drive 100 miles a day, and this car makes me tired with steering corrections and road noise. This car is pointed in directions - it doesnt "handle" at all.

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  Functional but DAUM this car is loud - 2014 Honda CR-V
  By Dapetva Houston - November 15 - 2:06 pm

  This SUV has a lot of space inside. Very comfortable for four adults...back seat is plenty big for average adult men. And there is a lot of cargo room with the seats up. I put a 16 foot ladder inside with the seats down. Just fit. The stereo is totally lackluster, the sound quality is really not good. I wish at EX-L trim you got a better stereo. Engine has enough power when not in Eco mode, but the driving dynamics are nothing special, though a fairly comfortable ride. Tested the Mazda CX-5 and that is much better driving. The mpgs on CRV are okay, especially when in Eco mode. Ive gotten 31-32 on the highway doing 70 with flat terrain and high twenties mixed driving around town. Least favorite par to of this car, considering how boring it is otherwise, is the road noise. I am looking to sell a car I bought new 2.5 years ago because I cant stand driving on the open road. And like I said, the stereo doesnt do a good job covering that up. Dont buy this car if you want a quiet ride. Unless you drive 30 mph everywhere you go.