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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  Dont Buy This Car - It Leaks! - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Anne K - May 31 - 10:00 am

  This car is awful. I have had in the shop 4 times in 8 months for warranty issues. The design of the body style has allowed water to leak into the car. I have had the headliner replaced 3 times. Additionally the outer sils of the window delaminate and had to be reapired 3 times, before the manufacturer painted them. Also Honda Warranty service is rude and does not care about customer satisfaction and stated that since the leak occurs when parked on a hill to stop parking on a hill. This is the worst new car experience I have ever had.

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  too much shakin going on - 2002 Honda Passport
  By Jmauro - May 28 - 2:00 am

  I just purchased this vehicle and the ride is terrible. I can feel every bump in the road...one time I went over some railroad tracks and I thought the car was going to fall apart. Wow, the suspension has an aweful ride. I went back to the dealership and they told me that that is the way it is supposed to ride and I wanted to exchange it for another vehicle they could but I would have to pay $8,000! What a joke! I will never buy a HONDA again.

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  Satans own automatic transmission - 1994 Honda Accord
  By audiboy - May 17 - 10:00 am

  This car has the crudest, roughest automatic transmission I have ever experienced, rough enough to spill your morning coffee if you happen to be sipping while it is shifting. Reliability is atrocious. At 27,000 miles the temperature control knob stopped operating. At 35,000 miles the drivers door window fell into the door frame and would not roll up. There was an exhaust system rattle from underneath the passenger compartment the entire time I owned the car. At 65,000 miles the ABS computer module failed to the tune of $800. At 70,000 miles the odometer stoppped working. My 3rd and last Honda product.

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  Honda Accord - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Mike - May 5 - 10:40 pm

  Ive had 2 Accords before this one, both of them were 2002, and both were leagues better than this one. This car had rattles at 500 miles and has horrible performance even for a four cylinder. The car hesitates when accelerating. When paying 22k for a new car, it should be solid and not have any squeaks or rattles. I am very disappointed with this car. On top of all this, I get horrible gas mileage; in city driving I get 15-16 mpg. Apparently the car isnt broken in yet, but I know someone who has a new 4 cyl Accord which is past the break-in period, and he also gets around 17 mpg. I would NOT recommend this car to anyone. Go for the Camry; I test drove it, and its much better than this car

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  Buzzard Bones Ride - 2004 Honda Accord
  By focuserror - May 2 - 10:00 am

  The driver seat slips out of place every day. Honda says there is nothing wrong. The passenger side airbag was replaced and then all of the front dash and headliner started rattling. It sounds like the windshield is creaking. The passenger front and rear door and windows are also rattling and buzzing. The seats have several defects with the upholstery losing its "fuzz" and going bald or forming strange creases where nobody even occupied the space. This is a very disappointing car - not to mention the strange whine coming from the engine area.

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  2010 Honda Accord EX 4 cyl. - 2010 Honda Accord
  By Jason Quade - April 18 - 9:01 am

  Leased the car new, and then purchased based on trade in value. Very good mileage. Was overall a solid car with minor issues that were not addressed by Honda during visits. The car had issues with some gaskets causing cross contamination between oil and coolant systems covered under warranty. Poor range/life with the keyless entry was replaced several times under warranty, but you still need to be within 20 feet of the car to open/close locks. The engine made rattling noises at startup from the day I purchased it. Once warm, the care would not make the noise. Several years later a TBS was put out for a faulty VTC actuator that Honda will not honor. Top that off with the fact that the car burns 3/4 quart of oil every 1000 miles (Honda warranties require 1 full quart per 1000 miles for warranty claim) and this is not a good option for anyone looking to purchase a used vehicle. Other minor issues are uncomfortable seating (forward fixed position head rests), noisy AC fan (would not cover under warranty), noisy drive in general, lights went out in dash (5 years is common according to Honda service) and repairs at a dealer are absolutely insane ($200 for swap out bulbs in center console, $650 for front brake replacement only, etc.) I believe the Honda products have fallen off. Family friends Fusion was the same price and features (some extras) and the car is holding up much better mechanically and resale value.

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  STILL Unhappy With Car - 2013 Honda Accord
  By brdln - April 18 - 8:38 am

  Dislike this car more than ever. Posted earlier review, titled "buyers remorse", and it just keeps getting worse. The radio sceeches and will not work at times, the floor mats are so cheap, drivers is showing wear at 3 mths, 1600 miles. Had to buy aftr mrket mats. Car rides rough, any small bump in the road beats you to death. I hate driving this car, it is the roughest and bounciest car I have ever driven. My Tacoma Prerunner w/hard suspnsion on unpaved rds is smoother. Daylite running lights Can Not be turned off when the car is running. If there was any way I could afford the thousands in loss, I would dump this pig. The list of what is wrong with this car keeps going.

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  Honda doesnt honor its warranties - 2004 Honda Accord
  By whybee1st - April 11 - 2:00 am

  Loud noise when on idle and when you are stopped on the drive shift (roaring noise, close to a diesel engine) and that since the first 500 miles.The front windshield has stress points, causing it to crack, they didnt honor it, were rude and arrogant. Early on the breaks were making noise,they were aware of the defect but refused to fix it under the warranty. Another break problem(I use original Honda break pads) every 10,000 miles screeching sounds starts and vibrating movements occurs when applying the breaks; the rotors gets wavy surface and needs resurfacing every time the break pads are changed and goes bad shortly after.

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  Slopy engineering - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By grumplyduck - April 7 - 10:55 pm

  Purchas 2015 CVR touring severe vibration, shuttering, rumbling in front in of car. called Decline in Tortance Ca.was told this is the normal CHARACTTISTIC of the 2015 CVR a better word to use is SLOPY ENGINEERING. GPS system 80%of roads missing this is a safety feature DA?? body miss match between door and body 3/16" Looks like HONDA quality standards are just a notch above the Mexican and China MDI can change while driving

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  Will never buy another Honda!!! - 2001 Honda Civic
  By David Gray - April 6 - 2:00 am

  I have had several problems with this car. There are several rattles all thoughout the interior. When I told my dealer about this, he was suprised I only had five or six rattles. The dealer has yet to fix any of the rattles. The car comes equiped with Firestone tires. They are the worst tires ever made. Honda knows about this problem but refuses to change their OEM tire. If you do buy this car, make the dealer install different tires. The sticker says the car should get 32/37 MPG. I am lucky if I get 32MPG in mixed driving. The MPG number are overly optumistic. This is the third Honda I have. This will be the last one.