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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  Great Little Car, Cheap to Own - 1998 Honda Civic
  By PSUEng - March 31 - 9:54 pm

  I bought my 98 EX last Sept. from my old roommate in college--he bought it new and at 79,300 miles, runs great. He maintained it very well and soon after I got it, the battery died (original), and the muffler rusted out. Other than that, no problems--AC is cold and heater is hot and everything works. I consistently get about 33 mpg highway and around 30-31 combined in my driving cycle. While its not a sports car, it is cheap to maintain and easy to work on. The engine will outlast the rest of it.

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  A Civic will always be a Civic - 2005 Honda Civic
  By John - March 30 - 12:31 am

  For all of those who are looking for the "pin you in your seat performance" this car is not for you period. If you think about it most Civics have mostly been an easy going and reliable family car, this lives up to it. You get great gas mileage, and it seems pretty safe, but under the hood there is not much to be proud of. The interior is quite nice, I love the dials, and the from the outside the new look is pretty darn stunning. So like I said before a Civic will always be a Civic so besides the great reliability and gas mileage dont expect this car to blow you away.

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  3 Transmissions Later - 2000 Honda Odyssey
  By usedcaralways - March 29 - 10:42 am

  The first year we owned our van was great. Starting with the first summer our luck ran out and every summer for 3 years wed have to replace the transmission. Honda helped us out once but after that we were on our own. During research my husband found out that the transmission used on this 2000 model had so many problems that Honda never used it again. Today we still own it but are hunting for another vehicle because our 3rd transmission has started to act up and before it dies we need to get out of this money pit of a car. we were a couple hundred from paying it off but instead are putting that money towards another vehicle. My husband swears well never own another Honda again.

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  Fake Honda - 2000 Honda Passport
  By Lizzie P - March 27 - 10:31 am

  I had very limited time to but a car and the Honda Passport seemed like the best choice at the dealership. I drove it for a year (it had 56K miles when I bought it) without a single problem. Then I started having trouble with it.In the past year, I have had the battery (which was new when I bought it), the alternator, the starter replaced. I have put two transmissions in it, both within a three week period, Today it is at the shop because it almost exploded last night and died on the side of the road. Thank goodness I still have 1000 miles left on the warranty, that gives me enough time to find someone to buy it!

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  Ride - 2016 Honda CR-V
  By rita mccraw - March 25 - 2:19 pm

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  2005 Pilot EX-L - 2005 Honda Pilot
  By Bucky - March 24 - 4:26 am

  Ive had this vehicle for 6 months and 9000 miles. The vehicle is extremely peppy. The horsepower is rated at 255. I think the 2006 Pilot is rated at 240. Can this be right? My Pilot is white and has the rear A/C and all windows are tinted. It was one hot summer here in Dallas and this thing kept me cool. A $9 oscillating fan in the back helps things too. Ive had two four wheel drive adventures in the Pilot. The first one was in 5 inch deep mud. I was nervous and put the VTM 4 switch on. The Pilot pulled out of the mud fairly easily. The second time was yesterday in some damp grass and Im guessing a 30 degree angle. It went right up twice. Once with the VTM off and then with the VTM off.

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  T otally Disappointed - 1999 Honda Civic
  By Ginger - March 23 - 12:35 pm

  I purchased this car without hesitation because of my experience with my previous 88 Civic which was the perfect car...great gas mileage and NEVER gave me even the slightest problem. This one has been troublesome from the get go. Everything about it just seemed cheap and flimsy. But my major problems were mechanical. I kept having to take it to the shop because of the oxygen sensor which for some reason the dealership couldnt get corrected. Then my transmission had to be replaced as soon as the warranty run out. The current transmission is not doing too well either. It feels as if its out of line, but I have had it aligned twice and nothing helps. This car has soured me on Honda.

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  Will never own another Honda - 2002 Honda Accord
  By mandy - March 21 - 4:59 pm

  Ive grown up always hearing how Nice Hondas were how they ran forever as Long as u change the oil and do the maintenance. Finally I bought one because I was driving 100 Miles a day I needed a car I could afford and it would still hold its value. Well what a let down my Honda has been I bought it with 60,000 Miles on it w no warranty and 2 months after buying it the trans starting slipping. Now with 130,000 Miles on it and even if I replace the trans its only worth $4000 what a disappointment.

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  Still going!!! - 2004 Honda Civic
  By Zoom Zoom - March 20 - 5:13 pm

  I bought the car new, it had 24 miles on it. Now it has 75,000 miles. I have made changes to the car. All with the intent for better gas mileage. Stock I was getting 33 mpg on the interstate at 75 mph. After dual exhaust, K&N air intake, summer tires, and its not manual (automatic trans.) I now get 51 mpg on the interstate at 75-79 mph. Seriously basically stock 1.7L with an automatic stock trans. and 89 octane pump gas, I get 50 mpg. The city drive takes a toll on the gas mileage, due to the trans., I still get anywhere from 38 to 43mpg in the city. It is definitely not a racer, but it is what I paid for. I would like to have a little more power, but saving the gas money is great.

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  2016 and beyond - 2016 Honda Pilot
  By fernando atherley - March 19 - 2:47 am

  This a nice suv to get. had it over 1 month now and the v6 inside is really nice. The down side is they didnt put a cd player in the lower model.