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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  Garbage transmissions - 2012 Honda Accord
  By Konstantin - October 10 - 2:18 am

  2012 Accord is a great car as far as the handling and quality of driving, roomy cabin and very comfortable yet one of the main components is complete trash!!! And that is transmissions. There is absolutely no use of comfort of the car when your trans is acting out at 40k miles and its questionable on weather honda factory waranty is going to own up to it. Thay are very reluctant to take care of their defects and they will most likely try to get out of paying for repairs.

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  Test Drive... the Radio - Dont purchase 16 Pilot - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By JC - September 16 - 5:45 pm

  Gripe review. This $40K vehicle is not what the quality or integrity I thought I was getting. I have only purchased Hondas for the past 25 years and am sad to say this is my last. Everything about the car was what we expected except that we never used the radio when we test drove it. Once we literally pulled it off the lot and started to listen to the FM stereo we noticed it had an issue. The sound quality was poor. Its volume would go up and down on its own and sounded muffled. I brought it to dealer and make the long story short its a known defect with my dealer and AHC. BTW - currently there is NO FIX and no ETA. For more details see the following link from Piloteers: http://www.piloteers.org/forums/114-2016-third-generation-pilot/83922-fm-radio-sound-quality-problem.html Heres my question that Honda cannot answer. If this vehicle has all these safety features (Sensing) how can I trust that it even works when I need it when they cant make a basic FM radio?

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  Lemon - 2006 Honda CR-V
  By Roger - September 8 - 7:43 pm

  Car has several problems, not including a couple of rattles. Car has always had an idle problem that results in hesitation in the mid RPM range. Honda will not fix the problem because they are in denial. Most likely cause is a bad throttle sensor. Very annoying and dangerous (the car can fail to turn off the throttle). In addition, the rear differential is binding.

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  CRAPPY TRANSMISSION!! - 2001 Honda Accord
  By mike - August 16 - 10:27 am

  I am on my 4th. Transmission with 186,000 miles its an ok car except the transmissions suck I have invested $8,500 in 15 years just on rebuilt transmissions 4 of them I will not buy another Honda!! Do your resarch on these cars if your planning on buying one

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  Cannot Open Cargo Door - 2013 Honda CR-V
  By Jae - August 7 - 6:13 pm

  I have had to fix the door twice because the Cargo door would not open. No matter how hard, and long I press the latch, the door would not open. At first the dealer fixed the issue by replacing the entire latch, but after a month of use, the problem came back again. Six month after the second fix, the latch was slow to react, until finally, stopped working entirely. Now that the Warranty expired, the dealer is charging to fix the problem. Very Disappointed with Honda.

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  2004 BAD DISAPPOINTMENT - 2004 Honda Accord
  By ALJIGGA - July 19 - 10:00 am

  I HAD 3 HONDAS BEFORE AND THE 2004 IS MY LAST ONE REAL BAD CAR TO DRIVE YOU CANT EVEN PUT PEOPLE IN THE BACK CAUSE YOU FEEL EVERY BUMP AND FEELS LIKE YOU HAVE A FLAT TIRE. IT FAILED ON ME TWO TIMES TO START. BUT THE MAIN THING IS THAT WHEN YOU HIT THE GAS YOU HEAR A BIG NOSIE LIKE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION THE SAME THING THE 2003 HAD AND IT WAS RECALL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM THESE THINGS WAS HAPPENING AND THEY TOLD ME THATS THE WAY THE CAR WAS BUILD AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS P.S. HONDA THE FRIST CAR WAS HIT IN THE BACK THEN THE SECOND CAR THEY MISPLACED KEYS AND HAD NO INSP. HAD WENT THERE THREE TIMES TO PICK UP MY CAR AND GOT A BAD ONE

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  Honda Civic Hybrid has Flaws - 2003 Honda Civic
  By mwollman - July 17 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the Honda Civic Hybrid because I thought it would be reliable and get outstanding fuel economy. I was sorely disappointed. Instead of getting the 48 MPG as advertized, I never get more than 38 MPG, even under gentle driving conditions. The undercarriage protective plate is made of cheap plastic, instead of steel as on conventional cars. This plate falls off under normal driving conditions at a cost of $65, which is not covered under the warranty. Dearler customer service is poor. I do not recommend this car.

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  DONT BELIEVE THE GAS MILEAGE HYPE! - 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid
  By benseay - July 16 - 9:30 am

  I was sold on the MPG numbers, but my Accord gets 34mpg hwy and 40 city. I took it back to Hendrick Honda and they gave me a lecture on potential poor driving habits. They said they checked everything and all was fine. This is my fifth Honda Accord so I have come to expect a certain degree of service and reliability. I FEEL BETRAYED BY HONDA. I dont know who these people who claim high MPG are. Hendrick Honda will not do a thing about mine though. ROY at Hendick Honda in Easley, SC was rude and condescending. For me its ZERO or HERO. I give the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid a "ZERO".

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  Bad Ride - 2009 Honda Accord
  By rorry - July 14 - 9:16 pm

  Seats are very, very, very uncomfortable. I drove it on a 300 mile trip, would rather have bicycled. Door handles do not operate smoothly. Competition has more features for the same price, or less. Honda customer service is not the best either. If testing this vehicle carefully compare this cars seats to your present car. This is my second Honda wont be a third, except for a lawn mower.

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  lot of hype - 2002 Honda Civic
  By engineer - July 6 - 9:13 am

  Within weeks of purchase the car had to be taken to a honda dealer twice because of engine malfunction light coming on twice. The dealer has no idea what is wrong with it or how to fix it .Opinion is that low emission hondas have too many sensors causing problems. A car that spends a lot of time at the dealership will naturally have low emissions. What a concept, a lemon by design..........