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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  Unhappy with 2012 Honda Accord - 2012 Honda Accord
  By vthaxton - August 27 - 4:04 pm

  I have owed Hondas since 1985 and the 2012 is the worse. My 1998 with 250,000 miles drove and rode better than the 2012. Hesitation is a common occurrence. I took it back to the dealership but they claim couldnt find anything wrong with the car. The seats are very uncomfortable. The road noise when driving on the highway is very distracting, you cant hear the radio unless you turn up loud this is not an option when others are in the car. The gas mileage is very good. I will not keep this Honda as long as I have kept the others I have owned.

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  VCM Horrible - 2013 Honda Pilot
  By thebigv21 - August 26 - 10:02 am

  My wife had this vehicle for a month. While driving, when the engine went into ECO mode there would be a stutter and hesitation. The entire floor would vibrate. I researched this problem and it seemed that a lot of people were having the same issue without a fix. I traded the vehicle in instead of dealing with this. Bought a highlander and it runs much better.

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  Honda CRV makes a good truck subsitute. - 2014 Honda CR-V
  By utahcrver - August 25 - 7:47 pm

  I was originally looking for a small truck to replace my 2000 Xterra. But the gas mileage was not to my liking. I them started looking at some of the smaller SUV s I settled on the Honda CRV for my needs. I pull a small utility trailer for my business and never pull more than 1000 lbs. The 2.4 liter engine is powerful enough for my needs, I still can get over 30 mpg pulling my small trailer. I just finished taking a 1200 mile road trip. And using the ecomode got 34.9 mpg. Ride quality, handling and comfort were great.

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  decent first car lasts quite a lot of miles# - 1997 Honda Accord
  By datonechiik - August 25 - 6:16 pm

  I bought this car with 230k miles on it, the engine had already been replaced and I did all the maintenance i could on it at around 260k the power steering went out, at 280 the check engine light came on and auto zone could not help, granted i sold the car

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  Dont buy a Honda... - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By meinnocentha - August 25 - 4:24 pm

  I am VERY disappointed with my purchase..I bought a 2006 Odyssey touring edition fully loaded from the original owner who had it maintained 100% BY HONDA at their dealership per Honda recommendations. (i verified all of it and saw all the reports before i bought it) I bought it with 139K, transmission went out at 140K...there goes 6K+to fix it. Tried to get honda to help with repairs since its a WELL KNOWN occurance...of course they WILL NOT HELP, if your out of your 3/yr 36K warranty your screwed... Honda doesnt give a crap about their customers once out of warranty.... I even had to pay SHIPPING on the parts every time something needed to be fixed, screw you honda!

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  Should not have strayed from Honda - 2012 Honda Civic
  By tamie45 - August 24 - 10:45 pm

  I started out the summer with a pre-owned 2013 Ford Focus SE. I was swayed into buying the Focus because of all the great tech and the quality interior. Unfortunately, all the comforts in the world could not make up for the awful DCT. Two months into owning the Focus I decided that I needed to trade it away as soon as possible. I went with a pre-owned 2012 Civic with 22,000 miles on it. I could not be more happy with my decision!! I first felt that the interior was a downgrade to the Focus until I actually drove the car for a while and found it to actually be much better in all respects save for the hard plastics. The smooth driving experience is much better than the Focus!

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  4 Months later and love it - 2014 Honda Civic
  By ripp1582 - August 23 - 4:03 pm

  First new car and I have no regrets. Averaging 35 mpg, build quality is good and car is plenty powerful. Two tier dash takes some getting used to it but no issues now. Back up camera is awesome and so is Bluetooth.

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  Safety Recall of "early-2015" Honda Fits announced August 21, 2014 - 2015 Honda Fit
  By leohenton - August 22 - 11:26 am

  The following hyperlink is to a Edmunds dot com article herein about the announcement on August 21, 2014 of a Safety Recall of "early-2015" Honda Fits. http://www.edmunds.com/car-news/2015-honda-fit-modified-to-improve-crash-protection-win-safety-award.html In the near-term I suggest verifying the Vin # for effectivity and incorporation, if applicable of this Safety Recall prior to purchase. If you, like us, already own an early-2015 Honda Fit be on the lookout for official communication via hard-copy letter in September 2014. My full review of earlier impressions of the 2015 Honda Fit is posted elsewhere on this Edmunds dot com column. Really liked it prior to this alert.

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  2008 Honda Accord EX-L 4cyl 5-speed manual - 2008 Honda Accord
  By carlostnc65 - August 21 - 9:39 pm

  I bought this car two years ago used with 71,000 miles. - Avg 25 mpg good for its time and size car. - I have not warmed up to the VTEC engine, all the power up top is great for a performance car, not so great for a family car. The car has three definitive power curves, 1000-3500 rpm for tooling around, 3500-5000 rpm for brisk acceleration like a freeway on ramp, then 5000-7200 rpm for all out pull. For what it is, in that top rev range, it has great power but waiting to get there is tiresome. - The car rides great and its obvious this car is well balanced for the front driver, but get in a curve with uneven pavement and you find the damping to be too soft and the car pitch uncontrol

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  Very Uncomfortable Seats! - 2014 Honda Civic
  By beachbum78 - August 21 - 8:04 pm

  Ive only had the car one month and my back is getting worse by the day. Have tried the seat repositioning and adding support cushions to no avail. I have one more orthopedic cushion on order to try. My husbands back went out after a 30 minute ride (hes 5-10 and Im 5-4" - not overweight) and my 70-lb. 12 yr old niece also complains of back pain in this car. Leased through Honda Financial Service and they do not allow any transfers of leases (i.e. leasetrader or swapalease). After researching this further, many Honda seat complaints have been posted in recent years. (Oh - the dealer said they will take it back in a trade - at a $3000 loss to me!!)