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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  Disappointed in gas mileage - 2007 Honda Accord
  By kshoshy - September 6 - 11:19 pm

  I purchased this vehicle because all the reports said Honda and Toyota have the best crash rating and best gas mileage. I am very disappointed. I do all city driving and Im getting between 17 and 19 in the city. The service dept. ran a test for me but, their road test was a combo of city and highway. The test gave me a rating of 20.5. All the reports said I would get 21-23 in the city and 31 on the highway. I got better gas mileage on my 6 cylinder Nissan. In addition to the gas problem the car tires are louder than usual. I had it checked out and apparently thats just how they are. I am an unhappy consumer.

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  What a disappointment. - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Sergio - September 6 - 2:19 pm

  The car responds quickly and smoothly on start but after 80 mph the speedometer rises too slowly especially when the car is full. But that just the beginning. The drivers window came out of frame after about 1.5k miles. Later the interior started to fall apart small plastic pieces in the front corner popped out. After 20k miles front brakes came apart, battery was replaced, the starter and the alternator followed by the ignition key was giving problems. I didnt recognize it. I replaced cpu. The trunk lock broke at like 200 miles of use and the back seat open handle broke off easily. the exterior plastic started 2 fall off recently pins that hold them came out.

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  02 CR-V - BAD CHOICE! - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By NoCRV_4_Me - September 5 - 10:20 am

  Pros: Door height - I dont bump my head getting in/out. Good little engine - strong, reliable Comfortable for around town driving Cons: 1. Air conditioning has gone out twice in last year. Bad compressor and dealer didnt offer me any deal, only a $3500 estimate. 1st time seals blew out, 2nd time bearings failed. 2. Black paint has white undercoat so every little scratch shows and it scratches VERY easily, despite frequent waxing. 3. Back seat legroom limited OK for kids, tight for adults. 4. Has irritating rattle since new, especially when turning right. Dealer couldnt find cause under warranty. 5. If quality is so good, why does Honda have the worst warranty in the business?

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  Gutless Hybrid has Ups & Downs - 2007 Honda Civic
  By Hush - September 4 - 12:40 pm

  I purchased an 07 Civic Hybrid. Not only is it gutless, but fails to get the advertised mpg. I get about 32 around town. Now thats double from my last car and I actually dont mind filling it up. Ups & Downs.

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  Will buy a Toyota next time - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By FL Honda owner - September 3 - 8:27 pm

  Bought my 2003 Odyssey 11/03.Have had to bring in to be serviced by Honda several times for same problems. Problem dx ERG valve? Got stuck several times. Couldnt get gear shift to move. Cup holders in center where driver sits replaced several times (very poor design). Brakes replaced several times for noise. Resonator and exhaust pipe replaced at 50,000 miles despite car in Florida weather, in a garage not near seawater. Noisy ride. Interior door handles peeling. Front drivers seat has squeaked since new despite numerous trips to Honda. Dont think Honda knows how to repair its own vehicles. Bought new has 79,000 miles on it.

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  We Should Have Kept Our SUV - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Ivan769 - September 1 - 6:40 am

  Our 2008 Accord is very disappointing, our in town mileage is 14.3 hwy 25.4 @60 mile per hr>> after 3500 miles. Our Avalanche in town was 14.1 not a good trade off we drive slow and coast to stoplight,shift into neutral or turn off engine this is not a good driving experience. Engine performance lacks punch after 60, head rest are poor design, lacks driver seat memory rear seat a/c, radio system is marginal compared to Bose, Seats are hard and small for a large person. Numerous rattles cannot be fixed by Katy Honda, seat track broke and cannot drive for 2 weeks, VCM shudders and stays on, outside temp gauge stays at 87 degrees, map light will blind driver at night, loud road noise at hwy spd

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  Rusted Catalytic Conveter - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By alev - August 29 - 11:50 am

  This was our third Honda but we are very disappointed. We started to hear noises just before the warranty ended, when we took it they changed one of the catalytic converters and we still have the noise. It is out of warranty. They said all the converters rusted. Never will buy Honda again. You pay $35 K and it rusts in 3 years. Why pay that much?

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  mixed reviews with the 2010 Accord - 2010 Honda Accord
  By Enrique Gomez - August 29 - 10:27 am

  bought the car with a break problem (shaking/making clanging noise) and oil problem (using oil too quickly )from a gas station dealer at about 53k. I replaced all the pads and rotors at 53k before I realized the true cause of the braking problems is a bad brake system. The oil problem was fixed by a Honda dealer through a warranty/recall where the engine was pretty much rebuilt. The Accord is great because despite being quite large it has good acceleration and handling. Unfortunately, I gave the car low marks for Road Holding because the car is easily tossed by highway winds.. irrelevant to Road Holding but related on the highway the cabin is very, very noisy., otherwise, the suspension/steering are phenomenal at slow speeds (25-45mph) I have Good Year All Season Tires and they work really well in the snow. The Accord just hit 83k miles and the brake problems have returned.

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  5,000 Mile Update - Not Good! - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By fiend_bear - August 27 - 12:27 am

  OK - I have to agree with another reviewer that said many folks will take back their great ratings after putting some miles on the Ody. This is a follow up to an earlier review. The 2008 Ody drives and handles well, but thats where it all stops. Our problems to date include: steering spline knock, faulty wheel alignment, engine ping/knock, oil leak, rattling front windows, and Air Conditioning that currently works only on the passenger side. None of these issues were of course apparent when the car was purchased, but it did not take very long for them to surface. We are bringing the Ody in for service tomorrow, so well see how things go. But for now, its two big thumbs down!

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  Honda CRV A/C Problem - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By Unhappy Honda Owner - August 24 - 12:18 pm

  Were very unhappy about having to shell out $1,618 for a new A/C system a couple weeks ago for our 03 Honda CR-V. Vehicle hadnt quite hit 70,000 miles and was no longer under warranty. We didnt want to sweat through a hot, humid MN summer without A/C, and dealership wouldnt even consider a trade-in without it being fixed. So didnt feel we had much choice in the matter. Honda evidently covered about $2,200 in parts, and the dealership provided us with a loaner, for which we were grateful, but still a big financial hit when we could least afford it. Very disappointed in Honda quality. Lots of people seem to be experiencing same problem. They need to do a recall.