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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  WORST CRV EVER MADE - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Muhammed Rayeez - April 3 - 7:30 pm

  I bought CRV only because of the trust in Honda. My CRV is vibrating very bad which reminds my worst decision ever made. Please do not buy this car.

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  2013 Honda Pilot EX-L - 2013 Honda Pilot
  By Shannon - April 2 - 2:28 pm

  I purchased our pilot used with 21,000 miles. Still had factory warranty. After about 6 months of ownership I noticed the plastic above rear hatch was starting to separate from the window, which looked terrible. I brought it to the dealer and they told me it was a "feature". I kept complaining and they said they would fix it once and not again. They fixed it and it has already started to separate from the window. The straw that broke the camels back is a shudder when the ECO kicks in. When just barely accelerating the car would shudder, shaking the steering wheel and floor. I brought it to them twice for the same reason, and was told that is a "feature of the car". I just sold it.

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  Vibration issues that passengers notice - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Amanda Marie - April 2 - 9:32 am

  I, like many others, have major issues with vibrations (mostly at idle). I was told by my dealership that I "was the only one" that complained of this. However, I went online and see it is indeed a problem with the 2015s in general, not my vehicle. I hope Honda does a recall soon to fix this or I will never buy a Honda again (and neither will my family and friends who experienced the vibrations in my car). In addition, I drive the highway and accelerate slowly with the eco button on, and cant get above 25.7 mpg on the highway.

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  Lot of Vibration in Idle is a serious issue! Dont purchase 2015 CRV - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Jaff Sammuel - April 1 - 10:47 am

  I bought 2015 CRV LX AWD in mid of Jan, 2015. I started feeling the vibration from the beginning. I reported the same to Honda Technical Support and the dealer. But couldnt get any attention from them. Finally I took the vehicle to Honda Service and they confirmed it is a known technical issue in 2015 CRV for which Honda has no fix yet. I complained Honda again but didnt get any solution. They dont bother once the car is sold. I will never by any Honda car in future. Dont by Honda CRV 2015 CVT model. This is a defective car and no support from Honda.

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  Ongoing mechanical failures - 2014 Honda Odyssey
  By hcooley3 - March 23 - 4:58 pm

  We purchased our 2014 Oddy in late 2013 after testing out all other competing vans. We loved the styling, the way the van drove, and believed in Honda reliability. Fast forward 18 months and we cannot wait to get rid of this van. The transmission went out two months ago at 16K miles (replaced) and was quickly followed by failed power steering (also replaced). The van was towed to the dealership this morning because we found a 3-foot diameter puddle of fresh transmission fluid on our garage floor. The tranny issues started as other people have written in their reviews. People, beware of this van. We are lobbying the dealership and Honda Corporate for a replacement.

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  Accord: nice features, awful ride quality - 2015 Honda Accord
  By ks1234 - March 20 - 9:04 pm

  After driving a Camry for years, I bought a new 2015 Accord LX last week. Boy do I regret it. Just sitting in the Camry and Accord, there is no comparison - the Accord is nicer, has more standard features, and appears to be more solidly built. On my test drive I noticed that the ride was pretty bumpy but I wrote that off to the lousy condition of the local roads. The uh-oh moment came the next day on my ride to work when my brand new Accord found road bumps that I never knew existed. Im sure its just personal preference, but I find the ride quality to be HORRIBLE. For all the would-be Accord buyers out there, please test drive thoroughly before you buy. I wish I had.

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  Stay away from this one - 2000 Honda Accord
  By Matthew Hamann - March 15 - 2:16 pm

  While Accords are typically reliable cars, they seem to have frequent transmission problems. Unless you find one of these for dirt cheap (including an already rebuilt transmission), I suggest looking for a different car entirely. My 2000 Accord got to about 130,000 and suddenly developed severe transmission issues. Its now approaching 140,000 and Im still driving it 20+ miles to work every day, but every day I get in, I wonder if it will make it home. I asked Honda for some good-will in helping me fix the transmission (even a discount wouldve been fine!) since these cars are known for their transmission woes, but they flatly declined. I dont see myself buying another Honda.

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  Unfit Fit. Done with Honda brand. - 2015 Honda Fit
  By mazdafun - March 10 - 10:02 pm

  HVAC issues since I bought it in mid-June 2014. Dealer couldnt fix it after 3 attempts and continued musty, moldy emissions cause severe health symptoms, so I have filed a Lemon Law claim through Hondas arbitrator. Front seats are the worst Ive had in a vehicle. Sit in them for at least 40-45 minutes to confirm they work for you. My test drives were too short to make this apparent. The pain kind of sneaks up on you. The positives (which are many) dont outweigh the horrible mold allergy symptoms Ive had. American Honda has been unresponsive and the dealer has been barely supportive.

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  No More! - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By Tony Cruz - March 3 - 7:11 am

  I bought my van with 30K miles, and now nearly 90K miles I had a major engine failure (cylinder 5 blew). Honda knows there have been problems with this particular year, yet, will not make me whole. My warranty, of course, was useless. I was over my miles by 200 miles, all highway miles en route to my father in laws funeral. They didnt do sqaut for me! Lets just say I will not be buying another honda again. Theyre no longer reliable to me and they produced an inferior product. Ive got two old Fords that are still kicking! Ill be buying American moving forward...thanks to honda.

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  Honda Civic?? (2013 DX) - 2013 Honda Civic
  By jonpipe - February 12 - 8:10 pm

  This car is driven in northern Ontario.Mileage city 33.8 mpg US, Mileage hwy (60mph) 1.5mpg City mpg is better than the sticker claim but hwy is much less. The wind blows this car off clear off the highway. The front pillars are so thick you can hardly see around them (creates more blind spots). The rear brakes are seized by the minute with snow and ice. The car will not back up in 1" of snow on a slight slope. The wiper design and front windshield/pillars are insane. All this all does is create problems with rain/snow/visibility. The traction control is useless, it basically stops the wheels from turning completely. Not exactly peppy.