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:

• 

  Love This Thing! - 2004 Honda Element
  By kminimax - September 8 - 9:42 pm

  We just purchased this vehicle as our primary vehicle. We love it. My husband is 63" and has more than adequate room for him and our growing son without kicking the backs of the seats anymore. Now neither of them are eating their knees anymore like in our old sedan. I certainly would like to buy another one!

• 

  Great Mileage, Fun Drive! - 2009 Honda Civic
  By First Honda Ever - September 8 - 6:56 am

  Commuting 65 miles/day means gas mileage is paramount ... and this car averages 38 MPG! The engine is quiet yet responsive. The seats are comfortable and supportive. The car handles well in traffic.

• 

  Terrible Seats - 2004 Honda Accord
  By oliver noss - September 8 - 1:23 am

  We bought this car, our first and now our last new Honda, with great expectations, and we have been VERY dissapointed with both the car and with the Honda company. This car has the most uncomfortable seats of any vehicle we have ever owned. We cannot ride in it over an hour with severe back, butt and leg fatigue. Its actually painful. Honda is aware of this problem as the Honda district manager disclosed to me, but they arent willing to do anything to remedy the situation for us. What good is a car if you cannot ride in it comfortably for an hour? My advice is to avoid Honda. If you want a quality car, get a Toyota or a Nissan or something else. Buy a Honda at your own peril!

• 

  YOUR SAFETY IS AT RISK . CMBS DOES NOT WORK - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By ed dee - September 7 - 10:54 pm

  I have the car for one month and the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) never did work in Stage 2 or Stage 3. Only the warning light comes on. Brakes are never applied. Going more than 10 MPH faster than the car ahead of you, only Stage 1 comes on with a warning notice. No light braking for Stage 2. No hard braking for Stage 3. I am Emergency Vehicle Operator Course trained. I had someone who I know keep a constant speed of 30 MPH and then retested again going 50 MPH. I would approach going 10 MPH faster than the lead car and only Stage 1 warning would activate, even when I was only 10 feet away before I had to manually apply the brakes hard. Apparently Honda/Accura had an earlier issue with the CMBS falsely activating due to being too sensitive. They did a software update but now it is not activating stage 2 or stage 3. This occurs no matter what setting ( long, normal, short) you have the CMBS set to. I brought it in twice to the dealer and although the service tech test drove it and couldnt get the brakes to work the computer stated everything was fine. Honda tech line was also called by the dealer and they said if the computer said there was no errors there is nothing to do. I called Honda Corporation and they also said there was nothing that could be done. Automatic Cruise Control works so it cant be the Radar or camera. This is a 2016 Honda Pilot Elite with CMBS

• 

  3 Years 36K No Problems - 2005 Honda Accord
  By iowahonda - September 7 - 8:47 pm

  Bought our 05 at the end of the model year to get a deal. Were completely happy with it, and have had absolutely no problems. We consistently got 30 mpg city/highway combo, then started getting around 35 mpg once we slowed down on the highway a little. This is a perfect commuter car. Plenty of response and power in traffic. Typical tight Honda feel. No squeaks or rattles ever. This is our 3rd Accord, none ever leaked a drop of oil. Only minor issues are that the seats are a bit firm for long distance driving, the stereo isnt that great, and rear door exit is tight -- have had people hit their heads on the way out.

• 

  Deeply Satisfied - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Tony - September 7 - 8:36 pm

  The First want I test Drove was the Automatic and although I was impressed with Quality Build and general quality the ride was just I expected, very good, BUT... Everything changed when I drove the MANUAL...WOW!! I was in a deep driving satisfaction what s difference between the Auto and Manual. The Manual makes you want to keep going and not let go, is almost as if you wish you had your work and home as far as way as possible in order to maintain the pleasure as long as you can.Hands down Manual is for true driving expnce. When Idle you feel as if the motor has not started yet, impressive. Great/ Smooth Pickup Speed Interior Craftmanshp top notch. Thanks Honda you raised the BAR once again

• 

  2003 automatic transimission fails - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Jay - September 7 - 8:13 pm

  We bought our 2003 Accord used and owned it for 12 months when the transmission failed at 67K miles. $2,700 Ouch! In researching we found that transmission failures in 2003 Accords are quite common. Take a look at the April 2008 Consumer Reports Used-car reliability report and youll see how evident it is that Honda had a problem with these transmissions. Despite the clear evidence of a problem Honda will not stand behind these failures. If you have a 2003 Honda Accord sell, sell, sell while your vehicle value is still high and you havent suffered the cost of a transmission rebuild or replacement.

• 

  Nifty SUV - 2018 Honda CR-V
  By Al Vingelis - September 7 - 3:17 pm

  Compare other comparable SUVs and the CR-V comes out ahead.

• 

  Solid SUV with a few minor issues - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Alexei Isac - September 7 - 10:04 am

  1. LX model does not come with the option to add a Honda remote start. To get model that comes with the option, have to bump up model to EX and EX-L. I found there is not much added value to bump up to EX, had to go with a 3rd party remote starter that was installed at the dealer. 2. Speaker and bluetooth quality is not great

• 

  HX Transmission Problems - 1997 Honda Civic
  By jim paige - September 7 - 10:00 am

  CVT Transmission develops problems at idle ($4500 to replace)- RPMs race up and down- started at 40,000 miles- Honda knows about this "problem". Found out it is common problem- we are trying to get Honda to replace at no charge- because it is $4500 for new transmission (cannot rebuild or repair CVT) and car is worth $7000