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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  I love my accord!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2003 Honda Accord
  By Tara-Janelle - April 3 - 10:00 am

  From the moment i saw the new body style on the accord in 98 i wanted this car! and now 5 years later they changed it again and it looks even better so i had to have it!!

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  Love the new Accord - 2003 Honda Accord
  By gativ - April 3 - 10:00 am

  We recently bought our second Accord within three years. I like our 2000 Accord, but I love the 2003. The car feels and rides like a more expensive car and it seems to always have power in reserve. The seats are comfortable and supportive. The lumbar is a nice improvement and Honda finally caught on by allowing the arm rest to extend. We test drove many cars and some did certain things better than the Accord, but none of them did everything as well as the Accord. And while I was tempted to buy a European car that was roughly $10,000 more than the Accord, I just couldnt justify the extra money.

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  Fun to Drive - 2003 Honda Accord
  By drobert007 - April 3 - 10:00 am

  The 6 speed manual flies. Suspension is tight and so is first gear. Prepare to get a speeding ticket after you get behind the wheel. Youll find yourself goning the long way to work just because its so fun to drive.

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  ENGINE LIGHT - 2003 Honda Accord
  By aj3 - April 3 - 10:00 am

  The car performs very well. Its entertaining to drive, gets 31.5MPG, and handles better than the tires allow it to. I have only one concern. The check engine light keeps coming on. The dealership and Honda keep telling me they are working on a fix but dont have the solution yet. The dealership has been very honest and up front so I dont feel Im being shuffled away, its just Honda doesnt have a fix yet.The problem centers around the catalitic converter,which the dealer replaced once already, so Honda appearently has an emissions issue making things difficult. Like the car, but better get it fixed or I will require them to replace it.

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  Mostly happy - 2004 Honda CR-V
  By Kat - April 3 - 9:14 am

  Weve had this CRV for 4 years now for the most part were happy with it. But, paint application is so weak that a simple fingernail rub or anything brushing by scratches deeply, and bugs splatted on the hood during a long trip ate to the metal by the time we got home. Interior plastic is the same story. Weve had to replace the tires, battery, and muffler (our 92 Honda Accord has never needed a muffler replacement). It was out of warranty, but Amer Honda gave us 50% off. So why is repl muffler a lifetime warranty? Ave city mileage: 18-20. Ave highway: 25-27, depending on A/C usage. This unit was manufactured in the United Kingdom.

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  Everything ADDS UP!!!! - 2006 Honda CR-V
  By rusty - April 3 - 4:46 am

  The 2006 Silver Moss CR-V LX Fwd was three years in coming for me. Had driven some of my family members CR-Vs and simply was amazed with its looks, comfort, value, & reliability. With the addition of traction control, vehicle stability control, Electronic Brake force distribution, side air-bags & side curtain air bags, anti-lock brakes, 16" tires and 5 star safety rating for 2006, purchasing the CR-V just made real CENTS! ALL for a selling price of $19,467 with front mudguards and Honda "H" Logo pinstripe, I HAD MY CR-V plus got a 7yr/80K w/ $0 deductible Honda Care Extended Warranty for $680 (other dealers wanted $1,499 for same item). Would highly recommend the Honda CR-V to anyone!

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  one poblamatic element - 2007 Honda Element
  By west texas element - April 3 - 1:29 am

  We bought a 2007 Honda element sc model silver, 18 inch mags sc package, right now it has a little under 6000 miles on it and its been in the Honda shop a total of 4 times. First it had a noise underneath the driver side, so they said it was a strut assembly. The replaced under warranty which is good still the noise was there. We take it back the second time for another kind of noise on the driver side doors they adjusted them fixed for a while again back in the shop now said they hooked up some microphones all over it and found out the noise underneath is the steering rack? So in the shop again oh yea this thing gets very poor gas mileage, the power is lackluster and the windows are noisy

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  2003 Honda Odyssey LX - 2003 Honda Odyssey
  By Arthur - April 3 - 12:22 am

  No major mechanical problems whatever in over 100,000 miles. Simple and smooth to drive. Enough power to carry quite heavy loads easily into the mountains. Extremely reliable.

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  Very Reliable For Me - 2003 Honda Civic
  By GBradburn - April 2 - 10:38 pm

  Have had the car now for over 5 years over 80K miles. No mechanical problems at all and fairly good gas mileage. I bought this car for the gas mileage, easy to park/maneuver in city traffic, and its reliability. All three held true. Needs just a little bit more room for those drivers over 6 feet tall.

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  wheel bearings - 2006 Honda Odyssey
  By moussa m - April 2 - 9:55 pm

  Hard driven 96,000 miles, 1st real problem ever is front wheel bearings, gotten so bad so fast, was first mistaken for noisy out of alignment tires, @ 48 mph is worse, put car in neutral and cut off engine (in a safe manner) if noise remain it is a $850 repair job @ a Honda dealer. Watch out for the common scams, you have water in your transmission and your $700 engine mounts are broken, 2 @ $1400.1st ever brake pads in front, spark plugs but was not needed, 6 cd changer is stupid in todays cars, they break, mp3 is better and cheaper choice. Anyway dealers double charges you for everything, $60 for shop supplies? Engine mounts for $1400 and scare tactics youre going to crash, will hurt Hondas reputation.