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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  Title free - 2019 Honda Accord Hybrid
  By Aryn patel - August 9 - 7:29 pm

  Less miles clean car no accidents

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  Not sure what this is but Honda Excellent! - 2008 Honda Accord Sedan
  By Elvena Chavis - January 17 - 4:03 pm

  I bought this car brand new & Im still driving it. I kept it very well. I only take it to the dealer for all service, oil change etc. It is the most dependable & durable car. I love the Hondas & never had any other but Hondas. My family & I have Hondas. We always buy them new & we’ve been buying Hondas since 1979. I will never buy anything else than a Honda.

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  Great vehicle - 2012 Honda Accord Crosstour
  By Benny C. - August 17 - 4:10 am

  I love my Honda Crosstour. It rides great, the smoothness of the engine is very quiet. The speed of the Crosstour is good. Very roomy inside, and very reliable.

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  Nothing compares - 2009 Honda CR-V
  By Rolf Schweizer - November 23 - 7:36 am

  I live in Switzerland, Europe. Hondas are far less popular over here, then in the USA. In the last sales ranking available (2019, for compact SUVs), the CR-V doesnt even show up in the first 25 most sold models. So it took me a while, and a whole lot of bad cars, until I discovered Hondas qualities. I change my cars quite often, usually barely keeping them longer than 6 months, hence Im already at car nr. 60 (or more?) in my life. I usually always stayed loyal to a brand for some years. My first Honda was a FR-V, a car based on the CR-V, but a bit more van-like, and sportier. But they stopped building that car in 2009, and the used ones available today, all have around 200000 km, or even more. I bought a Diesel model then, with the reliable 2.2 l i-ctdi motor. I bought this car 2 years ago, and it was truly one of the most reliable cars I ever had. I wanted to change it this summer, so the CR-V was the logical upgrade. Its spacier, larger, and has the same reliable Diesel engine as I had in the FR-V. I found a very nice used one at a good price, and never regretted buying it ever since. Its a smooth ride, and the build quality of this car is simply awesome. It still looks almost like new after 10 years, and 170000 km. I also like its styling, my 3rd. generation model is not so different in style, than the latest one. At least, it doesnt feel like Id be driving an old car. My kids like it just as much as me, the space in the back is huge (along with the cargo boot) and perfect for road trips. The cabin is perfect, and the cockpit does not look old at all. The only thing to complain about, is the slightly grinding noise, the rear differential makes on very narrow turns. I already exchanged the oil with the right Honda oil, but the noise remains. I was however told by my Honda garage that this is no cause for concern, as many CR-Vs do that same noise, but the differential itself is very rarely broken. They told me to drive 10000 km, and to replace the oil once more, and the noise would most likely be gone. Ill try it. But so far Im fully confident that this car is one of the best I ever had, all brands considered (ca. 20 different car brands).

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  Worst harmonics roaring noise EVER!!!!! - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Natalie McMahan - March 3 - 4:25 pm

  I was excited to get my new pilot! Then I started hearing a harmonics noise that is not pleasing to the ears when driving down the road. It is bad all over the vehicle. You can hear it at high and low speeds and also when turning. Hendricks Honda of Hickory told me it was the tires which were the oem bridgestones. So I assumed it was the problem because I believe the dealership. I took the tires off around 36,000 miles and put on a highly rated michelin tire. I still have the noise. So I took it back to the dealership and left it with them and they did not offer me a car to drive. I got it back still have the noise and they told me it is the new tires I bought!!!!!!! How do you have the same noise with 2 different brands of tires???? The dealership said I bought a tire with to ruff of tread? What? However I am not happy with the dealership or my car!!! It is annoying to buy a high end car with a big price tag! Then you end up with problems no one wants to fix or even try to help you with!!!!!! Dear Honda you need to stand behind your product and if you choose not to you will have customers like me that will never purchase one again. It is unacceptable that I paid for a new car and I feel like I am driving a piece of junk. I am driving a 2005 ford freestyle awd with 327,000k miles with michelin tires with no harmonics roaring noise and with that mileage it should be not my 2016 Honda Pilot with 37,000k miles??????/

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  Weird Engine noise Honda Pilot EXL - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By Vipul Joshi - March 22 - 2:31 pm

  I am an Honda lover but... My affection on Pilot 2016 EXL is slowly reducing 😒 Purchased Pilot EXL 2016 model in last March 2016 . Less than one year time some abnormal noise started from the engine ( under hood) ! It can be heard clearly when vehicle starts and slowly accelerate ( sound like helicopter !) It can not be heard while vehicle in speed above 100 kms / hour . Pilot given to Honda agency for the repair 4 days before ( got replacement rent a car from Honda) They confirmed that there is abnormal noise coming either from engine or timing belt or tensioner ( they are not sure as vehicle still under inspection/ investigation stage) As per Honda Most probably they have to order parts from Japan and will take more than two weeks time! ( also they have to get approval to order such parts) I wouldnt expect such problems in very first year from Honda Pilot !!! Am I alone to have such noise issue on Pilot 2016 or my other Piloters friends also experienced the same ? Need your feedback friends 🙏🏽 Thanks Vipul ( Honda lover) 😒

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  great car bad to fix - 1997 Honda Prelude
  By chris - January 10 - 1:38 pm

  Ive had this car for 3 years, a 97 with some rust picked it up for $1900 bucks. No Honda is worth more than that in my opinion. Im the second owner and got it at 206000 km. reliable yes, horrible to fix, the motor mounts for it are garbage and your flex pipe rips. everything is tight. sporty and fun to drive, my friends love it and are surprised with its performance. Just make sure you buy one that has had the timing belt and clutch replaced. dont get an sh they are more of a problem especially with that bulky ATTS. i love the car its clean quick makes me happy and pisses me off.... Watch out for electrical issues with the driver side door speaker and heated seat. Over the years the car turns into a money pit no matter what so take care of it. Hard to find jdm car and i wouldnt recommend getting one unless you pay the right amount of coin. cheers.

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  I love my Honda - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Marco Gonzales - January 25 - 11:38 am

  My 2003 Accord LX is as good as it was when I bought it in 2003. With 267,844 miles it still runs like the day I bought it. Of course I kept the maintenance and changed the timing belt and water pump every 60K miles. I will be buying 2016 Accord in April.

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  Like it, but not in love!! - 2014 Honda Accord
  By Andy - January 24 - 6:03 pm

  I bought this car based on price, room, and fuel economy. I commute over 100 miles a day for work. The fuel economy is excellent for a car this size. It doesnt feel slow at all and averages around 33 mpg. The engine is smooth when raving, but does idle a little rough when cold. It is direct infected, so that isnt a surprise. The car has good looks for the price. For just over 20 grand it has Bluetooth, dual climate, leather wheel, back up camera, and paddel shifters. What I dont like is the noise from the tires. Within 35000 miles I am forced to put a new set of tires on this car. All four of them are cupped and drone enough to drive you crazy. Im not expecting the car to be like a luxury car, but it shouldnt sound like a jeep riding on mud tires either. I check tire pressure religiously and rotate at oil changes. My other complaint is I cant seem to ever find a comfortable driving position. I find myself constantly adjusting the seat. I am a tall guy at just over 62 and the steering wheel always seems to be covering half of the speedometer also. That is unless I act like I am driving a bus. The speedometer is just way too large and the 45-85 section is the part I cant see. You know the part that is going to get you a ticket. I am constantly tilting my head to see how fast I am going. Its not a horrible thing, but really gets annoying after a while. The seat back that only folds as one piece I dont understand either. I took the car sking and it was quite loud with the whole seat folded down. I guess going sking with more that two people in a four door car is out of the question also without the purchase of an expensive roof top ski rack. I live in Vegas, so the handling has always been good, but in the snow that isnt the case. I had to have a friend come get me less than 800 feet from the hotel as I watched front wheel drive cars pass me. I am pretty sure that has to do with the horrible tires though. Based on my experiences, I cant say I am a diehard Honda fan like others on this site. There are other cars in this category I think I would choose if I had to do it again.

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  Great Dad car - teens wont like it but its safe - 2009 Honda Accord
  By b sommer - January 24 - 3:34 pm

  For this model, Honda reduced the size of the rear brake calipers. As a result, youll need new rear disc brake pads every 30,000 miles. I still have 70% of the original pads left on the front pads. This issue was subject of a class action suit. After litigating, Honda did not address the problem. Youll be buying lots of rear brake pads with this car. Additionally, the rear brakes dont release the brake dust. It just accumulates on the pads and makes for a nasty grumbling sound when you hit the brakes most days. Its annoying and it contributes to uneven rotor wear. This means more trips to the brake shop. The seats in this car are pretty basic. Fabric covered foam seats that arent the best for long drives. Okay for short trips - bad for a long road trip. Fuel economy, for such a large car, is pretty good. High 20s for most driving - higher on the highways lower in the city. Winter formulated fuel (here in Chicago) will lower MPG by 3-4 MPG. Its spacious. Ive hauled a ton of things in it. visibility is really good My kids wont drive it - its too much a dad-car. But they did use it to move into college!