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:

• 

  Honda Quality? Whatever. - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By yojg - June 26 - 8:17 am

  Paid 30K for the van. MULTIPLE problems with it and Im not exactly a Whiner. 1. Steering pump at 5000 mi. Took it in and they said there was a TSB. They said the wrong fluid was added at the factory. They changed the fluid reservoir? Cured the problem for about 10k. I got the bulletin. They miss read it. the entire pump and the reservoir was to be replaced. Like every thing else with this car, the steering problem is "intermittent" they couldnt recreate the issue bla bla bla. 2. Front wheel bearings. 20k Car was in the shop 2 weeks with them trying to figure this out. Another tsb bla bla bla 3. Front brake grinding and warped rotors. 4. retaining clips in front lower bumper are falling out

• 

  Why did Honda drop the Accord Hybrid? - 2006 Honda Accord
  By BWM - June 26 - 6:37 am

  By far this is the best Accord ever! On a recent trip (June 2008) the mileage computer registered 511 miles, we still had 1/8 tank left, computer showed 39 mpg. After filling up I rechecked the mpg with a calculator and it showed 40 mpg! I dont know what Honda was thinking but my Hybrid Accord is outperforming every other Hybrid out there while 260 horses provide pure zooming fun!

• 

  NEVER BUY ANOTHER HONDA SUV - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By Sherry E - June 25 - 5:27 pm

  The 2016 CRV still has a serious vibration issue and there is no fix from Honda. I had a 2015 first and was told that the 2016 did not have the vibration issue but that was not true. Honda used to be a good car but really dropped the ball on this issue. I would never buy another Honda. Buyer beware!!!!!!

• 

  Nice for a smaller SUV - 2007 Honda CR-V
  By Midwest - June 25 - 5:16 pm

  I have enjoyed it over the past year. It rides well and has tight steering. Brakes are a bit sensitive. The only problem I have had is a burning rubber smell from the rear wheel well on the passenger side when driving through the mountains and have actually seen smoke once. I see others have had the same problem under different road conditions but know one knows why this happens.

• 

  Not a Viper but awesome still - 1997 Honda Accord
  By Darling, N - June 25 - 4:46 pm

  I have had this car almost 2 years and only had to do oil changes (on time, always). My mechanic can never find anything else to do with it. It isnt fast, like my Accord Sedan was, but it is comfortable, quiet, and very good on gas, about 30 mpg-awesome for a wagon! It has good ergonomics all gadgets are easily accessible, seats are well placed but I am short so I wish the seats could adjust more. The front windows are slow, but overall this car is a 9 1/2. IT is a typical Honda-reliable to the bone.

• 

  Love my Honda - 1994 Honda Accord
  By StevenSanAntonio - June 25 - 1:30 pm

  Only had a few minor repairs as far as the engine is concerned, but nothing major. Almost about to hit 200,000 miles on the odometer, which is equal to about 75,000 miles on most domestic vehicles. This car has proven to better than the 1999 Accord I purchased but ended up selling. Its always great to see another older model Honda on the roads, great advertisement.

• 

  A rough riding, stuttering, vibrating mess - 2013 Honda Accord
  By Chris - June 25 - 11:18 am

  While I wasnt originally planning to buy an Accord, many of my other top choices were in limited supply or unavailable, so after reading countless glowing reviews from Consumer Reports, Edmunds, KBB, and others, raving how this was the "best Accord ever," and the best family sedan in the segment, I decided to go ahead with it. Id wanted a V6 model, but those were nowhere to be found near me either, so I took a chance on a clean, low-mileage, certified, fully loaded EX-L with "the best CVT in the business" per the reviews. I took it for a test drive on the local roads and everything seemed alright. Good news first: On paper, there are some great features which is why I had selected it over a Camry. Pre-collision warning (which I ultimately had to turn off as it sends false alarms at least 3 times per day), side-view camera, and great MPG (which I didnt really care about, but Ill take it). Interior materials are hit-or-miss, but I knew that going in. But any benefits are far outweighed by three glaring flaws: Vibration: Buyers remorse set in quickly over the next few days as I made the first few commutes to and from work. I found at some stop lights that the car would start vibrating, like very loud air conditioner or radiator fan engaging - a deep, resonating vibration through the pedal, steering wheel, and seat that you could feel and hear. If I had a drink in the cupholder, I could hear the ice jiggling until I started moving, or put it in neutral. It seemed to vary by day - some days it didnt do it at all, but when it did, it did it at every stop. So of course when I brought it back to the dealer, they couldnt find anything. Awful CVT: I also noticed in slow-moving, stop-and-go traffic that I had trouble modulating the speed - the car seemed to stutter and wobble like it couldnt decide what to do. Press the gas, and it would hesitate, then pop forward. Moving along at 20 MPH or so, then letting off the gas, the car would coast for a few seconds, then suddenly pull back to a stop, wobbling back and forth as it slowed. Pulling away from a stoplight, it often felt like it was stuck in a high gear, struggling to move, then it would slip down into a lower gear and slingshot forward. Very inconsistent. At first I thought I just had to get used to the new car, but I never could. Theres a TSB out for it, but I never got to find out if it works, as the dealer refused to perform it because their service people said it doesnt apply to my car (wrong - the VIN matches) and that "my car doesnt even have a CVT" (I gave up at that point since I could tell this was going nowhere). Im sure I could get them to do it if I pressed harder, but I wont be owning the car long enough to find out. Ride: I guess the roads during my test drive were smoother than I thought, because over fresh asphalt, the cars quiet as a mouse and smooth as silk. But its a night and day difference anywhere else. The Accord pops and jiggles over small imperfections and expansion joints, and clunks over over big potholes, sending a crashing sensation rattling through the cabin. Somehow, Honda managed to eliminate tire roar, while also eliminating soundproofing everywhere else. Im not even sure how something with 4 inches of rubber on the wheels can possibly ride like this - I know the Accord is known for a bit firmer ride, but Ive been in many Accords before (friends, co-workers) and they never felt or sounded like this. And yes, I checked the tire pressure. It seems in their quest for lighter weight and better fuel efficiency, Honda completely did away with any standards for NVH. After 6 months and barely 7,000 miles, Im taking the hit and trading the car for another brand because its borderline painful to drive. My first and last Honda - if this is truly the "best Accord ever," Id really hate to have experienced the prior generations.

• 

  I love it - 2010 Honda Insight
  By sass1125 - June 25 - 6:30 am

  I have had mine a week - already getting 45.2 mpg. Ive been driving SUVs and thought it would be hard to go back to a car, but I love it. This is my first purchase, usually lease, but I know Ill have this for a long time!

• 

  Still doing it all well - 1999 Honda Civic
  By MaceThomas - June 24 - 10:07 pm

  First off, the car has had only two problems in my 8 years of ownership. I had to replace the clutch slave cylinder (very cheap and quick fix - right in front of the engine) and the drivers side window likes to jump the track if you wind it up when wet (Easy fix, but use the bullet-proof and freezing cold A/C). Other than those things, I get about 33 MPG with my foot to the floor when I get the opportunity (Mixed driving) and there is a lot of cargo room with rear seats folded. If you get the opportunity to get a good example of this hatchback, you will not be sorry!

• 

  Glad I leased - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By madison07 - June 24 - 9:36 pm

  So that I can turn this dog back in. No way Id ever consider buying it. Interior seems to be an afterthought. Was nice at first but no ipod jack. Heck, even a Ford Focus has this. Toyota next time