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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  Dont Believe the Hype - 2004 Honda Element
  By Element Owners - November 30 - 10:00 am

  No matter what everyone says, dont hose this one out. We did, as indicated on a number of web sites and a $566 repair bill resulted. Honda will not pay for the repair because it was "not a manufacturing defect." The salesman told us we could hose it out, too. Honda is content to get the business from folks who want "easy clean," but when people buy the car because of this feature, they dont stand behind you.

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  Worst Purchase EVER! - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Kevin Reeve - November 18 - 10:08 pm

  I bought my Pilot in November 2015. Out the gate I have had problems with the entertainment system. Problems consist of hands free button not recognizing my voice, dropped calls, people saying it sounds like Im in a wind tunnel (even though all the windows are up and A/C is off), radio stations not showing on the display, voice recognition system not being able to distinguish what name is being said, system randomly re-booting while driving, calls not being transferred to car system. There are more problems but I think you get the idea. I have an Iphone 6S (IOS 10.2.1). I have also tried paring a Samsung and LG phones to the system and still the problems exist. In the last 6 months I have had the entire info system replaced, the FM receiver replaced, and 2 software updates. Problems still exist. I have a case open with Honda USA and now (as of February 24th the dealer is saying that I have to live with the problems with the info system. I will be contacting Honda USA again. No one should have to live with a problem with a new vehicle especially after spending >$35k for the vehicle. In addition to the info system problems I am experience problems with the vehicle locking (or lack there of) while walking away. The dealer has replaced a sensor in the drivers door and a proximity sensor in the car but the problem still exists. Other issues include the wipers malfunctioning and the spin control system kicking in when the vehicle isnt spinning. I have owned Hondas in the past but they did a poor job on the new Pilots. Update 3/13/17 On March 9, 2017 I was parked in a parking lot waiting for my daughter. As I started the vehicle I received 3 warnings which stated the following: 1) Brake system problem; 2) charging system problem; and 3) Anti-lock brake system problem. I had the vehicle towed to the nearest dealer through the Honda Emergency Road Service. The dealer is still working on the vehicle to figure out the problem.

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  VIBRATION ISSUE ....HUGE VIBRATION... - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By pramod1 - November 18 - 12:13 am

  Huge vibration in brand new car and this is coming for all new CVT 2015 crv as per their dealer testing . I called honda 50 times, wrote letter but honda turned blind eye and did not help at all.

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  Very dissapointed - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Tito - November 16 - 12:30 am

  I trade my excellent and reliable Honda Civic VP 2005 for a Honda 2008. It was the worst decision I made on my life. I am regretting it since day one. Cheap plastic, noisy (I feel every street bump). I cannot get used to the over designed dashboard. Overall very cheap built and overpriced. I cannot afford to trade it but I will do it as soon as I can. Will never buy Honda again. Honda is sleeping on its laurels.

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  Mediocre mpg and incurable airbag warning - 2015 Honda Civic
  By Doug - November 13 - 4:39 pm

  Car is uncomfortable to get in and out of with a floating feeling with steering...loud with acceleration. Warning lights intermittently come on for the airbags.....the dealership says it is not able to be fixed and is normal....backup camera is a joke...wish I would have purchased another brand....first and last Honda...not impressed

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  NEVER AGAIN - 2016 Honda Accord
  By J J - November 10 - 10:05 am

  The front seat design is hideous. Good luck if u have a bad back and if you dont you will by the time u drive it more than 30 minutes. I can see why they give such short test drives and no interstate access. Lumbar adjustment a joke. Turned car into to another brand because they Honda wouldnt work with me to put in a different vehicle. Returned car with 300 miles and the fearless hip where purchased offered an insulting amount to trade in. At least $7000 less after less than 6 days of ownership. WILL NEVER BUY OR REFER ANYONE TO HONDA AGAIN...

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  big expectations but what a disappointme - 2004 Honda Civic
  By jen m - November 4 - 2:00 am

  one problem after another from the time i left the dealer. hard starting, prone to vapor lock problems,idle control motor erratic,problems with power window contols not working and making noises, squeaky brakes, poorer gas mileage than advertised, water leaking through seals in rear windshield after heavy rains, hinge on glove compartment misaligned

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  Defective brake system! - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Chad - November 2 - 4:53 pm

  Only had the car for 6 months and the right rear inner pad needs to be replaced already. I bought the car brand new and now only has 14,000 miles. Honda is NOT doing anything about this known issue problem. If you google "2008 Honda Accord brake problem" you will see a thousand complaints about the defective brake system.

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  2016 pilot Elite transmission is crap - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Glenn Kim - October 30 - 7:29 pm

  Loved the Elite. Great car. Took it to Telluride and San Diego from El Paso during the summer both about 9 hour drives. Splurged for the AWD, top of the line. Last week when I was driving it , I noticed the transmission jerking and not shifting appropriately. Mind you I did two summer cruises in this car. Few days later my wife tells me the car is accelerating in a jerking way. I told her I noticed it too and suggested we take it to the dealer. Guess what, the computer found nothing. The car is not the same. They have a new fancy 9 speed transmission and it has PROBLEMS! I did a quick Google search and I am not alone. Honda is not addressing it , like the Takata air bag issues. BTW I have a 2009 Ridgeline waiting for new air bags to arrive on recall. I will open up a case with Honda North America and take it back to the dealer if the problem persists. I am sure they will say its my imagination. My options are burn the car, sell the damn thing or trade it in for a lower level pilot with the old 6 speed transmission. I should have known a new model with new this, that new fancy transmission might have new PROBLEMS. My Mercedes CLS 500 the first year they made it has been in the shop more times than I can count. I thought Honda was different than the fancy German cars but I was wrong. It was the Pilot, Audi Q7, Toyota Highlander, and several others with 3 rd row of seats my wife looked at. Honda had the best reviews, picked 2016 SUV of the year. Thats why we bought it. Now I am ready to crash the damn thing into the dealership and set it on fire. Buyer be ware. The new fancy 9 speed transmission has problems. Others might not notice it . It can be a subtle difference, but we did because of our summer road trips. I guess a few dozen people have to die for Honda to wake up. Just like the air bags.

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  Should have bought a golf - 2007 Honda Fit
  By jimmy - October 30 - 12:30 am

  Total let down, everyone told me how great Honda is and I bought it. My friend picked up a golf and it is wayyy better. This cars just feels cheap. It looked kinda cool at first but after taking it all in I see that there cars are not as good as the rest of the honda line up