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:

• 

  I want to drive this off a cliff - 2002 Honda Accord
  By RicanZ24 - August 21 - 11:14 pm

  Where do I begin. At 60k the transmission went out on me. At 80k I have a crack in my engine block so I had to replace it. I had replaced the 6 disc CD changer 3 times now. I hear so much about how reliable Hondas are but this car isnt proving it. I cant wait to get rid of it. This car has done nothing but cost me more and more money out of my pocket. The amount of money I had spent already I could have bought something else. I will never buy Honda again.

• 

  Creaking, Squeaking, & Rattling - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By kp - August 20 - 6:57 pm

  The first 3 months, this van was in the dealership off and on for 7 weeks. The rattling noises in the windows and doors were so loud that my 5 year old son thought it was hailing outside on a sunny day. Overall, space is awesome. Dvd & Nav function w/o any issues. Rear view camera is strange & deceiving. Almost out of car seats and will definitely switch out to a less noisy SUV.

• 

  Total disappointment - 2001 Honda Civic
  By C@W - August 20 - 2:00 am

  I got this car because I did a TON of research on safety, reliability and gas milage. I never bought a new car before and wanted to be sure I got the best car to drive my infant daughter around in. The first thing that aggravated me was that the fuel economy, which was a HUGE factor in my decision, was listed at 30city/38hwy - WHAT A LIE. I get about 25-28. I have brought it to two dealerships at least 4 times to ask them to find out why the milage is so low - they said they couldnt find anything wrong. Then I had several manufacturing defections, including a wire that opens the fuel hatch that had snapped. I cant wait to trade this in.

• 

  Poor cargo option - 2016 Honda Odyssey
  By Dan - August 20 - 12:53 am

  Middle seats are supposed to come out for cargo hauling. I find it impossible to get them in or out without dealer assistance even with the user manual. Why make the seat design too difficult for users to operate? On that subject, the entertainment center is way too complex for the driver to navigate while driving. Surprised that Honda would do this. These items put a big damper on an otherwise nice vehicle.

• 

  I hope this thing is reliable - 2005 Honda Civic
  By ricardo - August 18 - 6:08 pm

  Just got this thing. Seems like the mileage is great, acceleration is slow but it cruises nicely. The interior, however, is quite cheesy looking and appears to be made of cheap material. The seats are faded and the material is worn looking, the upholstery is falling off the door panels. Car shows signs of poor assembly and should not look this way at 40,000 miles and 3 years old. Handles well, but rides horribly.

• 

  Oops! - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Jesse Orta - August 14 - 11:06 pm

  My wife was wanting a Honda Pilot for the last 15 months. We waited for the new model, shopped around, got the best price possible and great she got her wish. Well we have owned it for the last three months. I am not too trilled with it! Blue tooth is outdated, the screen looks awful fingerprints all over it. The motor lacks power if four adults are in the vehicle. Third row seat is a bit too troublesome to get into, luckily my little girl loves hoping into it instead. ENGINE IS TOO NOISY!!!! Its a brand new engine and it is not quite. It sounds like crickets under the hood while in idle. My older truck has a quitter v6 than this Honda. SHAME on HONDA. Well we are already making plans in trading it in later next year. Too bad I had my hopes too high. I will NOT recommend this car to anyone.

• 

  Think twice - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Linda - August 14 - 10:16 pm

  I am already making plans to get rid of this car. Think twice before buying if your 54" or under. I have adjusted this car nonstop since I got it and cant find a comfortable fit. The head rest juts out into the seating area so if youre short, your head hits it nonstop. I finally pulled the headrest off. Now its comfortable but I dont feel safe. This is my fourth Honda Civic and the only one I wouldnt recommend.

• 

  Horrible seats & lousy transmission - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Anne - August 13 - 2:16 am

  Bought a new Accord 9 months ago. Would not buy again. I have chronic back pain since driving the accord; didnt have problem with my Odyssey. (doesnt happen to my husband, but it kills me). Took a long time to figure out the cause. Within 15 minutes of sitting in the Accord, my back flares up. Doesnt matter if its the driver side/passenger. Transmission stinks: doesnt shift at the right spots, will tach up to 5 getting on the highway. Feels like I have Fred Flintstone feet under the car. Wish I knew before buying it how disappointing it is.

• 

  My 1st Terrible Honda - 2000 Honda Accord
  By Len - August 13 - 1:16 am

  I had been a Honda owner for many years when I bought this car. I always loved their reliability. This car was an exception. I have needed to replace the steering column, rotors, oxygen sensors, and more, all well before they should have needed it. I am just hoping the transmission holds out for the year when I plan to sell it. Many of these repairs took several visits to different mechanics to fix. The verdict--Honda is great with the basic models, but stay away from the high-end stuff. I think that the Accord infrastructure just wasnt built to handle the weight and power of the V6 EX package.

• 

  Bad Design for a Hybrid vehicle - 2006 Honda Civic
  By david384 - August 10 - 9:25 pm

  I am traveling salesmen. I drive 40K miles per year. So, I figured I would help mother earth and my pocket book. Bought a used HCH hybrid. Great car I thought. When I purchased this car, I was getting 47+ MPG. I have owned for 8 months, and then all the sudden my MPG goes to 36 MPG. I take to dealer and they tell me it is the heat. Well I have driven this car 26K miles in the past 8 months. I told them it was funny that it worked fine, and then all the sudden crappie MPG. They said that the heat or a bad battery was the problem. Ask them is their a test for the battery? Answer No! Seems funny they can tell me the IMA is fine, but they can not tell me the battery has a bad cell.