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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  2015 Fit EX 6 speed rocks! - 2015 Honda Fit
  By johnd15 - August 1 - 4:31 pm

  We owned a 2007 Fit Sport 5 spd and upgraded to the 2015 EX. Great car! Great value. Car feels more solid and substantial. Much nicer interior. Still fun to drive, awesome fuel economy, roomy for such a small car, plus so many new extras. Wife loves the moonroof. We are averaging 39 mpg and hit 47 mpg highway! Thats hybrid territory. 7" LCD screen, multiview back up camera, side view Lane Watch camera and other goodies put our 2011 Highlander Limited to shame.

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  ECO mode issue - 2013 Honda Pilot
  By rachlk - August 1 - 2:06 pm

  There is a problem when the car goes into ECO mode. The dealer told me it was normal and that I must be over sensitive to vibration & sound. It feels like a "hesitation" or "stutter" and is NOT normal! *sigh* I love everything else about my Pilot, but am sad to say Im currently looking to trade it due to this issue.

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  Problems, Problems, Problems - UPDATED - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By edmund21 - August 1 - 1:21 pm

  This is an update of my 4/10/14 review. Since then I have had to replace the power steering rack and pinion and the front motor mount. The rack was a $1700. job and the mount $450. Honda USA refused to admit their recalled power steering pump damaged the rack and did not offer any "good will" discount. Its a money pit. Im going back to German for my next vehicle. Heres my 4/14 review: I bought this van used. My mechanic, a 30 year veteran, did pre-purchace inspections on six Odysseys before we found a well maintained one with 60K. I was happy with the van for the first few months, and then....problem after problem: a blown power steering line, overheating caused by a faulty Honda fuse.

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  Great car, but measurements on Honda website are misleading - 2014 Honda Odyssey
  By tcurtiss - July 31 - 6:38 pm

  I just bought a new 2014 Odyssey. Got it home, and realized that the width of the vehicle, with the mirrors at normal driving position, did not fit in my garage (width of 92 inches). The website states the width is 79.2 inches, regardless of the style. But this measurement doesnt account for the mirrors. The REAL width of the car is about 92.5 inches, so in order to fit the car into a normal size garage opening, you have to pull one of the mirrors in before you enter the garage door entryway. Not a very good start and no one realizes this when you start looking. I measured my garage before starting to look, but never thought the Honda or Edmunds web sites would be incorrect.

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  Odd noise from rear - 2013 Honda CR-V
  By avuncular58 - July 29 - 6:40 am

  Generally pleased with latest incarnation of the CRV but has anyone come across the problem of a light rattling sound from the rear of the vehicle. After a couple of dealership trips (car under warranty) it turns out to be a couple of pebbles that have bounced into the shock absorber recesses at the rear. The only way to remove them was to use a pressure air blower. The dealer did this free the first time but I was charged when it happened again. The older version CRV did not have this problem. Also, the sound system is not as bassy as the old version. Not that it matters much to me but its not as good as the sound system in the older CRV.

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  Poor mans hybrid - 2005 Honda Civic
  By profwho - July 28 - 4:59 pm

  Bought mine in 2009 for $7500 and 140,000 miles on the odometer. Now it has almost 200,000 miles and not a sneeze! The 1.3L engine is a little slow even with electric assist, but not as bad as most people think. I have no trouble merging on highway. Going up a long stretch of highway need to move to the slow lane, esp. after all the battery capacity is drained. Without A/C, the average gas mileage is pretty good, hovering between 44 to 50 MPG. In the summer, however, when it is hot outside, A/C can sap gas mileage, esp. on short local trips. On longer trips, the A/C does not drain as much energy because once the interior cools down, the A/C is not engaged as frequently.

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  The last Honda I will own! - 2014 Honda Odyssey
  By sheldon10 - July 28 - 3:42 pm

  This is our fifth Honda. We bought it for the reliability that we have come to love and expect from Honda. The transmission is worthless in this vehicle. It jerks violently between 1st and 2nd gear. The problem is intermittent, but happens quite often (especially in Houston heat). I have brought it in 3 times now and the dealer thinks I am crazy. I spent $41,000 on a piece of trash. I am absolutely beside myself with frustration. I intend to pursue the lemon-law in the wonderful state of Texas. I would not wish this vehicle on my worst enemy!

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  besthondaever - 2014 Honda Accord
  By lovesmyhonda1 - July 28 - 1:31 pm

  This Honda is the best Honda I have ever owned.it is a thrill to drive. The sport mode with the shifter paddles makes it drive like a manual transmission. It has plenty of power expecially using the sport mode. It has a sporty feel while driving it. It really hugs the road. The seats are really comfortable and the material is awesome. I love the carbon fiber. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather and feels awesome. The tinted glass is really nice. I have nothing bad to say about this car.

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  Our Favorite Honda Yet - 2014 Honda CR-V
  By rtaz - July 27 - 7:48 pm

  After three Accords, dating back to 1994, my wife and I purchased our 2014 CRV. My wife is the primary driver, and she loves the higher seating position. Also, both of us find the vehicle to be very comfortable on long trips. Weve put on 4K miles in the first 2 months weve owned it. The mileage isnt great as far as what is available in vehicles today, but for a new AWD vehicle, it gets in the high 20s. Our best mileage was on a trip returning to Phoenix from Show Low, Arizona where we got 32.5 mpg, but it is mostly downhill. Some reviewers find the 5 speed automatic to be outdated, but we have found that the unit works just fine in this application. We love our CRV.

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  What a lemon - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By firemanrod - July 27 - 4:41 pm

  My daughter bought this car thinking Honda was a quality product. What a huge disappointment. It is hard to be happy with a product when the company put out a lemon. You can read many many complaints about the transmissions on these things. Yes her transmission went out. When she bought it used from a Honda dealer she noticed it had a small drip of transmission fluid and asked the dealer to fix it. What they did not tell her there is no fixing it. Torque converter problems bearing problems. Another transmission she had to pay for it and it still has problems. Yes, Honda, I will never buy another. I know my daughter will never buy another and this was her second.