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:

• 

  Dissapointed to say the least - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Jim - January 29 - 12:31 am

  After having 2010 Pilot Touring we have been waiting for this to come out. With the excitement of it we bought it soon after dealership received them. We noticed the different feel of the transmission from the start but the salesman said they use this same transmission in the Acuras so I thought it was normal and would adapt to our driving habits. But after owning it for a couple months it never did adapt but actually got worse. I had the vehicle looked at to see if there was a new update for the transmission but they said it is normal. I cant believe Acura owners would accept a transmission like this. Needless to say this will be the last Pilot I ever own, looking at trading it in on a Toyota as my wife and I hate this car.

• 

  AVOID HONDAs - ENGINE RUNS BUT OUTSIDE ROTS AWAY - 2003 Honda Accord
  By HondaOwnerNOmore - January 21 - 10:03 pm

  I am shopping for a new car but will NEVER buy another vehicle made by HONDA. I purchased my car new in 2003 and had it service by Honda; however, no one ever mentioned why my car was starting to look splotchy. As the splotchiness got worse and worse, I searched online and found out that HONDA has a KNOWN PAINT DEFECT and refuses to acknowledge it and has even fought consumer in court using technicalities to get cases thrown out. SHAME on HONDA. When I finally understood what was happening, my HONDA ACCORD was just out to warrantly and I asked the HONDA service manager "why did you never tell me that this was happening to the paint since it is a KNOWN issue. The HONDA service manager got mad at me !!!! I never went back and, now, that I am searching for a new car, I tell everyone that I will NEVER even consider another HONDA vehicle and I tell everyone WHY. This is my payback to HONDA for treating their customers so poorly by knowing that they sold defective merchandise then not acknowledging it and fixing it at their cost. Again, SHAME on HONDA. Personally, I recommend staying away from Honda vehicles since what good is a car that runs but rots from the outside?

• 

  Dont do it - 2014 Honda Odyssey
  By Jignesh patel - December 23 - 6:34 pm

  I Head Honda OdYssey 2006 excellent great I loved it and I bought new 2014 this vehicle is not worth the money too much headache too much trouble I would not recommend anyone to purchase this vehicle I have one and I want to sell it , Im going with Toyota

• 

  The Lemon - 2002 Honda Civic
  By LEO BALSOR - December 23 - 2:00 am

  This has 27,000 and has been in the shop for 15 quality defects. 3 times the drivers seat came unbolted from the floor. All 4 interior door panels were replaced - fabric coming off. The trunk lock failed. The windows had no track lube from the factory. The floor mats wore out. The steering and exhaust rattle. The drivetrain rocks when the car is started on a hill. The steering thunks, but the dealer cant duplicate. The car does not start and it stalls on the highway in 90+ weather which the dealer has not fixed. The car also does not meet EPA regulations. I would stay away from this Honda quality if I was you.

• 

  Steering - 2005 Honda CR-V
  By Richard - December 11 - 11:00 pm

  The 2005 Honda CRV fwdr constantly pulls to the right when accelerating. This means that you must hold the steering wheel to the left to go straight. I am pursuing lemon law for not being told by Honda of this defect.

• 

  Ugh... - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Steve - December 10 - 4:56 am

  I was expecting this car to be quality. Hah I was so wrong. Obtrusive brake noise after 300 miles and the dealer said its part of the design. Actually a customer was right behind complaining about her brakes too. Seats felt like they were made from steel or something because my backside fell asleep every time I drove more then 30 miles. Dash was ugly and the only pleasant thing I can offer for this car was the design is not bad.

• 

  Transmission problems - 1998 Honda Accord
  By wlk - November 30 - 2:00 am

  At 56000 miles the transmission is slipping when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. The check engine light will come on with a code indicating the transmission has a fault. Seems to be a design problem that Honda admitted to in 2000-2002 but not 1998 and 1999. Dont buy one unless you get the transmission checked out. The cost for a new transmission id $4000!!! Ouch!!! I am trading mine in. Hopefully none of the readers will buy it!!! The Odessey with the V6 is having the same problem. I was at the dealer getting mine evaluate and someone was there with the same oriblem on her Odessey.

• 

  DO NOT BUY! - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By DaveCross13 - November 18 - 10:00 am

  Do not buy one of these unless you want to spend A LOT of time at the dealerships service waiting room. Brakes sqeak, overheats, air will not work when its hotter than 80 degrees, seats uncomfortable, cd player eats cds. Nothing to reccomend

• 

  Engine Temperature problem/Faulty Radiators - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Venkatesan Ramadass - November 6 - 9:13 pm

  Hi All, I have brought this vehicle in Mar 2016 and not event completed 3-months. I had the following problems with vehicle. 1. After stopping while going forward- clunk or sound of something loses- weard sound. 2. My office commute is 5-miles/day- within 5-miles yesterday i got this alert Engine temperature hot 3. Acceleration raise automatically when you are stopping in signal. I called Honda care and going to the Dealer today and will update. Update from Honda Customer Care: I complaint on Friday 10 Jun 2016, however i havent received any response from them and their turn around time in 2-days. I got call on 14 Jun 2016 and its disconnected within 2-rings. I tried called daily 4-5 times and left voice messages no message/call back from them. I got a call on today 20 Jun 2016 after getting my car. Service Update: There was a faulty radiator fixed in my Car by the Honda company and this made mixing of coolant/transmission fluid. Now they told that replaced the radiator and some hoses in my car. I dont expect this after spending 50k in my car from the Honda Company. I hope this review will help you. Thanks,

• 

  2005 Odyssey Underperforms in Quality - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By PCsr - November 5 - 9:56 pm

  Own 6 months. Taking it back to the dealer for the third time for grinding brakes (also replaced antenna, rear view mirror) Gas mileage is way below the sticker - 17 combing around town/highway and 22-23 highway. Dealer says car is performing OK - I disagree We find the road noise to be very loud and there is a low vibration noise coming from the engine. I cannot believe this is right, but the dealer says it is OK. Front and rear bumpers appear to be discolored (Silver), have not spoke to dealer about this yet Interior is nice,lots of room. Kid friendly car, nice DVD. I find the drivers seat to be on the hard side not comfortable Overall, very unsatisfied with purchase.