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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  Excellent Car to have - 2010 Honda Insight
  By Hiren - November 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car last March. I am really happy having this car in terms of fuel economy.but have to compromise in performance. it has slow accelerating capacity annoying sometimes, rest over all good , no complaints,

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  Peeling grill paint & needs more power - 2010 Honda CR-V
  By Tim H. - November 1 - 2:00 am

  This could be a fantastic vehicle with a few changes. 1. Needs more power 2. Fix this inherent problem with the peeling paint in the grill. I noticed it a day after I got it home. Seriously folks. Who in the hell wants to pay twenty five grand for a brand new car with peeling paint ? 3. Front seats have ridges on the sides of the bottoms making it difficult to get in and out of. Dont know what they were thinking there! Aside from those items, a great car.

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  Like this better than any new one - 2004 Honda Pilot
  By Bob - October 31 - 2:00 am

  Bought new, still running great at over 90K. Comfortable and non-fatiguing--Ive driven dozens of 1000+ mile trips in it, most in 1 shot. I love the storage space between the front seats--still havent seen another SUV like it. Brakes started pulsing at 45K, machining helps only temporarily. Cannot get EPA gas mileage. I like at new SUVs, and just dont see anything Id like better, so Ill just keep this one as long as its reliable.

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  GREED is NOT good. Honda reliability DOA - 2007 Honda Odyssey
  By labros - October 31 - 2:00 am

  My first Honda was a 1973 Civic. I had many Hondas since and I loved the company for their well engineered, reliable cars. They taught Detroit a lesson. Now unfortunately they look more like how Detroit USED to be. I bought a new ODYSSEY in 2007 and I have been many times to the dealer for replacement of batteries (every year) to total loss of power steering at low to no speeds (still no recall from Honda for a known problem on thousands of vehicles). Several quality issues have made me not want to buy a Honda anymore. Corporate GREED is NOT good for the consumer or the shareholders. HONDA you should know better!

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  10 years of the odyssey - 2011 Honda Odyssey
  By ody_fan - October 31 - 2:00 am

  I have been driving an Ody since 1999, the 2011 model was my 5th one. I purchased a 2011 touring elite based on the past 4 cars, assuming that it would be another set of typical Honda improvements. That is largely the case, almost everything in the car has gotten better. Unfortunately, the American design team removed the typical Japanese drive characteristics. The steering is awful. The car is all over the road especially on the highway. The steering wheel can be moved 3 inches before the car responds with a much delayed "wobble" that rolls the body. The brakes are similarly unresponsive and less precise than prior models, although hard braking is better. "Respect The Van" no more.

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  My best car ever - 1994 Honda Accord
  By reg,s honda - October 30 - 2:00 am

  I have 210,000 miles. Bought new and has given great service. Paint still good. Replaced radiator, transmission. Changed oil every 5000 miles. Still has original suspension. Air works great. Interior like new. Engine sounds and runs great. Good on tire mileage. I look forward to driving it till it quits.

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  Great Engine/Questionable Build Quality - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By BMerbler - October 29 - 2:00 am

  The Odyssey has been a great vehicle for our kids. We traded a 2004 Honda Pilot for the van. The shift has made it much more convenient to travel with the kids. The engine runs smooth and provides ample acceleration in the context of family vehicles. The quality overall is less impressive. Our van has just over 48k on it and has a several issues. First, it is already in need of CV joints for the front right and left sides ($600- $700), the leather on the drivers seat arm has already worn a hole (my wife is only 118 lbs-should be easy wear), housing cover on the roof for my satellite radio blew off exposing wires, rear tail light already burned out.

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  An above avg small SUV - 2010 Honda CR-V
  By urpapa - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Folks, this is just a small SUV, so dont expect too much on power and torque. And since its "SUV", so dont expect its MPG better than your CIVIC either. Overall, a well built car with better than average power and MPG. I have no problem merging on freeways, cruising on streets. Comb MPG is always around 26. Worst MPG ever got was around 20 (mainly driven on streets). Handling is Honda typical, meaning good. You can drive it like a sedan except when you cornering. After all its SUV. Nice thing to note is you can change oil once a YEAR. But to be kind to your car, and FGS, change the oil every 6 months.

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  A Convert - 2003 Honda Civic
  By Lockemup - October 27 - 2:00 am

  I recently purchased a 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid, though I had to get rid of my ever so fun to drive G35 the car is remarkable with respect to fuel efficiency. The layout of the car is simple, just like all Hondas. The power is on the low side, but lets face, we buy these cars for one reason and thats fuel economy. I wouldnt care if I had to get out and push the car up a hill (which it almost seems like I have to do living in Upstate NY), as long as Im getting my 50 MPG let every other car pass me on the road. Im purchasing a new set of Cooper GFE (LRR) tires and Im hoping to eek out a few more MPG.

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  Shes Been Great to Me - 2001 Honda Civic
  By ReviewGUY2010 - October 26 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car Used had about 50K miles. Been great since. Its fun. Gets Good miles. Easy to fix. and shes running great. had her for over 5 Years and havent spent much on fixing anything. just Brakes. Wipers. Headlights. small stuff. Overall GREAT BUY!