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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  My First Honda - 2007 Honda Accord
  By WVUPIKAPP - January 8 - 11:06 am

  Bought this car 2 weeks ago. Ride is smooth and on the highway I dont even realize am going 80 mph. Comfortable seats, plenty of leg room, especially with tilt and telescopic wheel. Fun to drive. Glad I bought a Honda.

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  Excellent - 2004 Honda Civic
  By John - January 8 - 10:24 am

  I love the way it drives....VERY dependable.....wish is was a bit more sleeker in design, but the 2006 design solves that problem :)

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  My first Honda - 2005 Honda Accord
  By drh9485 - January 8 - 2:03 am

  As a diehard GM customer my whole life, it took alot of convincing to purchase my first Honda. But the price and reputation could not be ignored. I regret waiting so long before I made this first purchase. This car is incredible. Its V6 acceleration is unbelieveable for a mid-size sedan. I love the handling and the support the seats give my back. Since its a Honda, I dont ever expect to be back to the dealer for warranty work. By this time, any new GM car I owned would have been back to the dealer at least two times. My next car/van will be a Honda.

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  My Review - 1995 Honda Accord
  By Mike - January 7 - 3:15 pm

  A well-built and long-lasting car. Rides well in all conditions, including snow. Good enough power for the size of the engine and had good pickup entering highways and passing other vehicles. Routine maintenance is the only true issues I had with it (water pump, timing chain, split CV boot, exhaust/muffler). For a 10+ year old car, still getting more than 20 miles to the gallon in average driving. Only negative about the body is some spotty rust, but in a car that old in the Northeast, that is expected.

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  Best van ever - 2005 Honda Odyssey
  By ejr - January 7 - 3:00 pm

  This van is exceptional. The ride and performance are great. The interior features are full of nice surprises. The DVD is good, but the Navigation System is spectacular. Honda reliability and high resale value cannot be beat, not by Toyota, Nissan, etc. You cant go wrong purchasing this van.

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  Past reviews led us to a great car - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By bcoops - January 7 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car for my wife. This time I gave her the choice. And what a great choice it is. She is in love with her car. I am getting a little jealous because she mentions to her friends how much she loves "Bob." And to be honest the engine purrs and the ride is smoother than my X5. And speaking about luck, our Pilot was sitting on the dealers lot the day we went there.

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  Love to drive it - 2003 Honda Pilot
  By rushtm - January 7 - 2:00 am

  Great firm ride, quite, very little wind noise. Great radio and controls. Turning radius much better than my Ford Aerostar. Stearing is good, I prefer the non-sports car type stearing. Milage is ok. Wood grain stearing wheel looks very sharp. Handles very well in wet slushy conditions. Fun to drive.

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  We like it! - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By W. Frank - January 7 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I traded in our 11 year old Accord for this, mainly because we wanted something different, yet reliable. So far, were really happy with it. Its fun to drive, and the new design is much nicer than the old one (pre-2002). We drove most of the small SUVs, and narrowed it down to this and the Santa Fe. Given Hondas superior reliability and dependability record, the choice really became obvious for us. It gets good gas mileage and has more back seat room than any of its competitors. Theres plenty of cargo room for couples like us w/o kids too.

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  Love It! - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By Jim19 - January 7 - 2:00 am

  This is our 4th CR-V. We out lots of miles on our vehicles with our daily commute. The new model CR-V is more comfortable on the highway than the 1997-2000 models we had before. Overall, Id rate it a 10! This winters icy roads again provided proof these are little "billy goats" in getting around on snow and ice.

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  my little crv - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By DMX the cars salesma - January 7 - 2:00 am

  I love this car.it is very peppy.very fun to drive.will get up and go if gas pedal is punched.