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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  Dangerous instrumentation - 2017 Honda Civic
  By Leah Greenblat - July 5 - 6:03 pm

  Im no tech phobe, but the controls on this car are not intuitive, difficult to use and I believe actually dangerous. The climate and audio controls are almost all on the touchscreen. You must look at the screen to find the place to touch to make changes. (When driving theres no way to feel that youve made the right selection.) There are too many controls on the left side of the steering wheel. I think these could be better located. It is ridiculous that the side view mirrors dont have the flashing lights when the blinkers are turned on. (This feature is pretty common in a lot of other cars and not limited to the high end option packages like Honda has done here.) Instead theyve put a camera on the passenger side view mirror that is activated when you put on the right blinker. so instead of looking over your shoulder or to the right, they are encouraging the driver to look down at the touch screen when changing lanes. ( I have found this camera somewhat useful when parallel parking to determine if Im close enough to the curb). Lastly, if you own an iPhone, you cant have an incoming text message read to you aloud, but messages on Androids can be read aloud. I am impressed with the Econo setting. I find no difference in driving performance so I keep it on all of the time...and I like to accelerate quickly on freeways and live in a hilly area.

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  BAD gas mileage - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Amanda - July 2 - 2:43 am

  I bought this car for one thing gas mileage. I am so upset, I do all city driving (actual city not town) and get 17-18mpg!!! Why in the heck did I buy a Honda to get 17-18 MPG??? I am so upset, it also has a knocking noise in the front but really I can put up with almost anything but 17mpg?? Highway I get 35-38 mpg

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  Disappointed in our first Honda - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By W. Mathews - June 24 - 3:34 am

  We have owned our 2016 CR-V for about 8 mos. In that time the windshield has cracked, mechanics failed to fully secure the oil filter so we had oil stains on our driveway -- and this was the first oil change for the car! The vibration at idle is excessive; the main data screen is dim at cold startup; the drivers window will briefly engage without warning (when fully up it continues to engage up). Finally, the tan seats are ridiculous! Even a sweating water bottle leaves an indelible water stain! Likely my only Honda vehicle. Meanwhile, my F150 just runs like a clock!

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  Honda Let Me Down - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By HONDASUCKS - June 23 - 2:00 am

  Initially the Pilot appeared to be a great car. However, throughout this past year it has lost its luster. The overall poor quality of the interior design became apparent. The heating system is slow in the dead of winter and cracking the windows in the summer will blow your ear drums out. There are problems with the seatbelts retracting properly – driver seatbelt buckle beats up interior plastic while rear seatbelts become curled and won’t retract. The chrome finish on parts of interior scratched easily and has worn off excessively only after one year of low use. In short, if you want a quality SUV, don’t buy a Pilot – it’s not worth the money.

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  Review @ 18k Miles - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Matt - June 18 - 6:53 pm

  So after 18k miles my review still doesnt get any better. The gas mileage has improved from 18MPG to 21 but that still is not good. I currently need new brakes (front & back) which ive never had to get brakes before 30k miles. I do not have a heavy foot for braking. The vibration between 60-70 MPH still exists. Acceleration seems to be getting weaker and weaker. Road noise in the beginning was bad now its even worse.

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  Uncomfortable Seats, Road noise - 2009 Honda Accord
  By Will - May 29 - 2:06 am

  Just bought the car. Owned a lot of cars and I must say this is the most uncomfortable seats in any car I have owned. It hurts the lower part of your back after a half hour. Its like a hard lumbar that doesnt go away. Called Honda America, and they said that they will document it. If you own one and experience this problem call them. More complaints the better hopefully! Road noise is pretty loud.

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  Car Stinks - 2008 Honda Civic
  By mark primrose - May 23 - 9:56 pm

  This is my first and last Honda I will ever buy, I have had nothing but problems with the car from day one. Headlights fell out, interior is falling apart, windows have broke, power window motors went out, transmission is going out, had the cheapest tires money could buy on the car when purchased. Heater vent went bad, radio controls are barely working, the car is horrible, bought it for its good mileage and reliability. Havent encountered either one.

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  What a disappointment! - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By soon a honda-ex - May 10 - 10:00 am

  Two years later, its been back to the dealer 8 times for auto door problems, 3 times for a consistent pull to the right, and 3 times for shuddering brakes. It has all of 24,000 miles. They have replaced the brake pads, rotors, and drums and the entire electronic system in the doors. They sent a district engineer to look at it and kept it a week two separate times without really fixing all the problems. The brakes still have a shudder. Beware of Honda Care, they refused to buy it back! It misses the Texas Lemon Law by a technicality. I have a 15- year old Camry that has had fewer problems than this van. What a disappointment!

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  Oil burner - 2008 Honda Accord
  By Ed K - April 28 - 9:36 pm

  Honda quality is not what they advertise it to be. They maybe at one time produced high quality engines but not anymore. My 2008 Accord EX-L V6 burns and consumes one quart of oil per 1000 mile. Their technical experts state that is normal. I definitely don’t recommend this car.

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  One Piece of Crap - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By jlucia - April 27 - 2:00 am

  Save your money and buy another SUV. I thought I was purchasing a quality vehicle. After signing the papers I found out the samll things are driving me crazy. Try to hang you dry cleaning in the back with no hanging hooks. Try and use the roof rack with no cross bars. Why would they not put a simple compus in the car. For the money it is a piece of crap. The steering wheel does not move enough. Put stuff in the center box and watch it fall our when you open the door for the cell phone. The designer of the SUV needs to take some lessons from Americans. Try to put something through the back door window, which does not open.